Effect of the Design and Exposure Mode of Different Multiple-Peak Light-Curing Units on Light Emission, Temperature Rise, and Intraoral Access.

purposeTo measure the tip diameter (mm) and the ability to cover the anterior and posterior large restorations, radiant power (mW), radiant exitance (mW/cm2), emission spectrum (mW/cm2/nm), radiant exposure (J/cm2), the effect of the design on the access to the mouth posterior region, the temperature rise inside the pulp of three light-curing units (LCUs) and a new LCU available in the Brazil. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Four LCUs that cost over US$900, three well-established (Bluephase G2, Ivoclar Vivadent; VALO Grand, Ultradent; and VALO Cordless, Ultradent), and a new LCU (Quazar, FGM) were tested in standard mode (20 s for all LCUs), high mode (3 s for VALO Cordless, 5 s for Quazar, and 20 s for Bluephase G2), and Xtra power mode (3 s for VALO Grand). The radiant power (mW) and emission spectrum (mW/nm) were measured using an integrating sphere connected to a fiberoptic spectroradiometer. The internal tip diameter (mm) of each LCU was measured using a digital caliper and was used to calculate the radiant exitance (mW/cm2). Radiant exitance profiles at the light tip were measured using a laser beam profiler. The radiant exposure (J/cm2) was calculated. The in vitro temperature rise produced by LCUs inside the pulp cavity of molar teeth was measured using a thermocouple. The mouth access of the LCU tip on the occlusal surface of the first mandibular molar tooth with two mouth openings of 25 mm and 45 mm at the incisors was evaluated. The cost of each LCU in Brazil was correlated with internal tip diameter, radiant power, and radiant exitance.

resultsAll the LCUs were multiple-peak LCUs, and a uniform output. Quazar, VALO Cordless, and VALO Grand could maintain a perpendicular position regardless of mouth interincisal opening, while the Bluephase G2 required a tip angulation of 31.6 degrees at the 25 mm interincisal opening. The VALO Grand and VALO Cordless produced the highest temperature rise in standard mode ( 2.5°C), while in high mode, all LCUs produced lower temperature increases that use 5 s for Quazar and 3 s for VALO Grand and VALO Cordless, except for Bluephase G2, which produced a higher temperature rise ( 2.0°C) when activated for 20 s. There was a positive correlation between the cost of these LCUs and their averaged radiant power, diameter and the radiant exitance.

conclusionsThe LCUs tested emit light in the blue and violet spectra, characterizing them as multiple peaks. The temperature increases in the produced pulp remained within safe thermal limits ( 2.5°C), although standard-mode exposures produced higher pulp temperature rises. Bluephase G2 created higher angulation at 25 mm of interincisal mouth opening. The Quazar LCU produced a light output that was comparable to that from leading LCUs.