Evaluation of a Novel "Quad" Wavelength Light Curing Unit

Kevin R Adams; Daniel A Savett; Wen Lien; Christopher Raimondi; Kraig S Vandewalle

doi:10.4317/jced.59825

Evaluation of a Novel "Quad" Wavelength Light Curing Unit

J Clin Exp Dent. 2022 Oct 1;14(10):e815-e821. doi: 10.4317/jced.59825. eCollection 2022 Oct.

Authors

Kevin R Adams¹, Daniel A Savett², Wen Lien³, Christopher Raimondi⁴, Kraig S Vandewalle⁵

Affiliations

¹ DDS. Maj, USAF, DC. Resident. Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency. AF Postgraduate Dental School. 1615 Truemper St. Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland, TX, USA, 78236. Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.
² Col (ret), USAF, DC. Dental Service Point of Contact. Contractor, Axiom Resource. Management, Inc.Dental Program Section - Purchased Care Delivery Branch. TRICARE Health Plan Division. Defense Health Agency (DHA). 2941 Fairview Park Dr # 850, Falls Church, VA, 22042, USA.
³ DMD, MS, MS. Col, USAF, DC. Director of Dental Materials Research. USAF Dental Research and Consultation Service. 3650 Chambers Pass, Bldg 3610. Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA, 78234. Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.
⁴ DDS, MS, MS. Lt Col, USAF, DC. Co-Director of Dental Materials Research. USAF Dental Research and Consultation Service. 3650 Chambers Pass, Bldg 3610. Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA 78234. Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.
⁵ DDS, MS. Col (ret), USAF, DC. Director of Dental Research. Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency. AF Postgraduate Dental School. 1615 Truemper St. Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland, TX, USA 78236. Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.

Abstract

Background: This study investigated the properties (depth of cure, surface hardness, and volumetric shrinkage) of two composite restorative materials when polymerized with a novel "quad" spectrum (PinkWave) light-curing unit (LCU) compared to a tri-spectrum LCU (Valo Grand).

Material and methods: One Valo Grand LCU was modified to be similar in irradiance to the PinkWave, and a second Valo Grand was utilized at the manufacturer's standard irradiant settings. Depth of cure was evaluated using the scraping technique (ISO 4049). Top and bottom surface hardness and bottom/maximum hardness ratios were determined using a hardness tester. Volumetric shrinkage was determined using a video-imaging device. Additionally, the surface temperature of the light tips of the LCUs was measured using a K-type thermocouple.

Results: No significant difference in depth of cure was found with either composite between the PinkWave LCU and the modified Valo Grand LCU at similar irradiance. The unadjusted Valo Grand LCU had slightly less depth of cure. There was no difference in top or bottom surface hardness, bottom/maximum hardness ratios, or volumetric shrinkage between any of the LCU curing modes per composite type. The PinkWave LCU had a significantly greater increase in heat at the tip compared to the modified Valo Grand LCU at similar irradiance and the unadjusted Valo Grand LCU.

Conclusions: The new quad-spectrum LCU, PinkWave, had a significant increase in surface temperature without any improvement in the composite properties tested compared to the tri-spectrum LCU, Valo Grand, at similar irradiance. Key words:Light-curing unit, emission spectrum, composite resin, mechanical and physical properties.