INVESTIGATION OF LIGHT INTENSITY OF LIGHT CURING UNITS AFTER DIFFERENT PERIODS OF USE

Quartz-tungsten halogen light curing units (LCUs) have been the main source of light for the polymerization of resin based composites (RBCs) for several decades. Since the beginning of the 20th century, however, their use has been reduced due to the invention and improvement of LED LCUs. Various factors can cause a decrease in the light intensity of LED LCUs, one of which is diode aging. The aim of the present paper is to study the change in light intensity of LCUs after different periods of intensive use. For this purpose, the light intensity of 94 regularly used LED LCUs aged between 1 and 10 years was measured with a digital radiometer. The devices were used in conventional mode with maximum light intensity. It was found that regardless of the type and model of LCU, there is a direct relationship between the time of use and light intensity - the longer the operation period of a device is and the more used it is, the lower its intensity is. The decrease in light intensity as devices age is different for different models, as well as for different devices of the same model. In the studied LCUs with a 10-year period of use, 77.5% have light intensity lower than the required minimum of 400 mW/cm2, which makes them unusable. It can be concluded that dentists should regularly monitor and measure the light intensity of their LCUs, especially as they age, to ensure the longevity of their restorative procedures.

Comparative Effectiveness of Two Light Curing Units on the Properties of Dental Resin Composites

Background: Setting of conventional glass ionomers cement and dental resin composites as filling materials is predominantly through polymerization reaction, which is usually induced by light. The objective of this study was to assess the temperature changes, light intensities, sorption and solubility capability and comparative micro hardness in Dental Resin Composites (DRC) by using two different light curing units that is Quartz Tungsten Halogen (QTH) and Light Emitting Diodes (LED). Methods: This analytical, experimental, in-vitro study was spanned over one month, conducted in the laboratory of Dental Materials, Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ibad Khan Institute of Oral Health Sciences. Through non-probability, convenient sampling, 60 samples of DRCs was prepared as 10mm in diameter and 2mm in thickness in the steel moulds by a single trained operator. Effect of heat generation, light intensities, sorption and solubility and micro hardness during polymerization of DRCs were all measured. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS with descriptive statistics and two sample independent t-tests. The p-value of <0.05 was considered significant at 95 % confidence level. Results: Mean surface micro hardness of DRC was found to be 15.48±0.46 and 18.26±0.53 when QTH and LED lamps were employed respectively. Whereas, mean light intensity of QTH and LED lamps were found to be 434 and 925mW/cm2. No significant difference in temperature change during polymerization reaction (p=0.128) and in sorption and solubility capability (p=0.001) of DRC was observed. Conclusion: Light-emitting diodes were evaluated to be more effective than Quartz Tungsten Halogen Light in achieving increased surface micro hardness of DRC. Keywords: Light; Glass Ionomer Cements; Tungsten; Hardness.

Surface Hardness of Nanohybrid and Microhybrid Resin Composites Cured by Light Emitting Diode and Quartz Tungsten Halogen Light Curing Systems: An Invitro Study

Introduction: New generation composite resin materials have revolutionized the art of aesthetic dentistry. The clinical success is dependent on effective polymerisation and surface hardness which in turn are dependent on the performance of Light Curing Units (LCU). This study utilises surface hardness as a measure of degree of polymerisation of composite resins achieved by LCUs. Aim: To evaluate the difference in surface hardness of nanohybrid and microhybrid resin composites cured by light curing systems, Light Emitting Diode (LED) and Quartz Tungsten Halogen (QTH). Materials and Methods: In this invitro experimental study, two types of hybrid composites (Nanohybrid and Microhybrid) were tested for surface hardness by using two different light curing systems (LED and QTH). All the Nanohybrid and Microhybrid specimens were cured using LED and QTH LCUs, thus giving four combinations. A total of 60 specimens (6 mm diameter and 2 mm depth) were prepared using Teflon mould with 15 samples for each combination. Surface hardness was measured on upper and lower surface after 24 hours and hardness ratio was calculated. Data was analysed using independent t-test for intergroup comparison. Level of significance was kept at 5%. Results: Surface hardness of resin composites cured by LED LCU was greater than those cured by QTH LCU. Additionally, the hardness value was greater for the upper surface. Nanohybrids showed better surface hardness than Microhybrids for both the LCUs. Conclusion: Nanohybrid composite resins and LED system were found to be more effective in terms of surface hardness as compared to their counterparts.

A simple solar simulator with highly stable controlled irradiance for solar panel characterization

A solar simulator suitable for universities’ lab was designed and developed using a quartz tungsten halogen lamp as its light source, an alternating current phase-cut dimmer, a light intensity meter, and an ATMega328p microcontroller with a computer and a liquid crystal display. Noting that the quartz tungsten halogen lamp suffers bulb overheating and long-term degradation that leads to the decrease in its light intensity, a control mechanism was applied. The control mechanism employed a proportional–integral–differential action with Some-Overshoot Ziegler–Nichols tuning rule. It was shown that the control mechanism works well in stabilizing the quartz tungsten halogen lamp irradiance between 273 and 1182 W/m2. The developed solar simulator was then tested to obtain I-V (current–voltage) characteristics of 3 W peak and 5 W peak commercial solar panels (GH Solar, GH5P-9). Based on the gained I-V characteristics, it was shown that the obtained characteristics of the commercial solar panels are in the range of the characteristics provided by the manufacturer’s data sheets. The developed quartz tungsten halogen lamp-based solar cell simulator can therefore be used to characterize solar cells.

Evaluation of Different Light-Curing Units—Light-Emitting Diodes and Quartz–Tungsten–Halogen-Based Light-Curing Units in Polymerization of Posterior Composite: An In Vitro Study

Objective To assess the adequacy of various light-curing units to polymerize the posterior composite resin. Materials and Methods Specimens were prepared by placing a single increment of posterior composite resin in split cylindrical metallic mold of dimension (6.0 mm in diameter and 5 mm in depth). Polymerization was done by utilizing one quartz-tungsten-halogen and three light-emitting diode light-curing units of different powers. The specimens of composite resin were then mounted on metallic molds utilizing autopolymerizing acrylic resin. After polishing, the complete setting of composite resin material was analyzed using Vickers hardness test. Results Showed in each group, hardness reduced as we moved from upper to lower surface of composite resin. Furthermore, hardness increased as intensity of light was increased. The maximum hardness was detected when light-emitting diode light-curing unit having intensity of 1,250 mW/cm2 was utilized and least hardness was detected when halogen lamp having intensity 418 mW/cm2 was utilized and results were found to be highly significant (p < 0.01). Conclusion It was concluded that increased top and bottom hardness can be accomplished by utilizing the light-curing unit of high intensity.

Effects of Curing Time on Compressive Strength of Hybrid Ionomer (In Vitro Study)

<p class="AbstractContent"><strong>Objective:</strong> The aim of this study was to investigate the compressive strength of hybrid ionomer with different curing times which are 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 40 seconds and 50 seconds.</p><p class="AbstractContent"><strong>Methods:</strong> This was an experimental laboratory study with posttest only group design. With the total of 24 samples of hybrid ionomer specimens with disk shape (5mm in diameter and 2mm in thickness) were prepared and polymerized using Quartz Tungsten Halogen (QTH) for each group (n=6) of different curing times 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 40 seconds and 50 seconds respectively. All samples were immersed in distilled water with a dark container and stored in incubator at 37°C for 24 hours before the test. Compressive strength test was done by Universal Testing Machine with crosshead speed of 0.5mm/min. All data were analyzed by one way - ANOVA.</p><p class="AbstractContent"><strong>Results:</strong> The mean and standard deviation of the compressive strength of hybrid ionomer with the curing times 20seconds, 30 seconds, 40 seconds and 50 seconds were 45.6± 0.4648MPa, 46.8 ± 0.8165MPa, 48.5 ± 0.4037MPa, 50.2 ± 0.5193MPa respectively. Statistic analyze showed there was significant difference between the effect of curing time of the compressive strength of hybrid ionomer.</p><p class="AbstractContent"><strong>Conclusion</strong>: The increase of curing times will result an increase of compressive strength of hybrid ionomer.</p>