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Review paper

A measurement of irradiance of light-curing units in dental offices in three Croatian cities

By
Ante Dundić Orcid logo ,
Ante Dundić
Contact Ante Dundić

Medical Care Facility A2 Dental, Trogir, Croatia

Valentina Rajić Brzović ,
Valentina Rajić Brzović

Department of Endodontics and Restorative Stomatology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Gloria Vlajnić ,
Gloria Vlajnić
Danijela Kalibović Govorko ,
Danijela Kalibović Govorko

Department of Orthodontics, Study Programme of Dental Medicine, School of Medicine University of Split, Split, Croatia

University Hospital of Split, Split, Croatia

Ivana Medvedec Mikićo
Ivana Medvedec Mikićo
Contact Ivana Medvedec Mikićo

University Hospital of Split, Split, Croatia

Department of Endodontics and Restorative Dental Medicine, Study Programme of Dental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Split, Split, Croatia

Abstract

Aim
To determine irradiance of light-curing units (LCUs) in dental offices in three Croatian cities and to compare irradiance values with the age and model of LCUs.
Methods
Private and public dental offices in three most prominent cities in Croatia (Rijeka, Split and Zagreb) were included in this
study. In total, 195 LCUs were tested, using radiometer Ivoclar Bluephase Meter 2 for irradiance (mW/cm2
). The minimum acceptable value was set at 400 mW/cm2. The age, model and difference between declared and measured irradiance of the LCUs were also determined. Of the total of 195 LCUs, 190 (98%) were LED (light-emitting diode) and 5 (2%) were QTH (quartz-tungsten – halogen).
Results
The mean age of tested LCUs was 4.43±3.4 years; the oldest was in Rijeka, 5.2±3.8 years. The overall mean irradiance
for all three cities was 806.4 mW/cm2 (p=0.0004). Of all LCUs, 11.3% were considered clinically unacceptable with irradiance of less than 400 mW/cm2. Of all tested LCUs 42% (p=0.0005) had a 30% lower value of irradiance than the manufacturer of the LCU declared. In 73% tested LCUs, there was a matching between measured and declared irradiance. The age and model of LCUs had the most significant impact on irradiance.
Conclusion
The most commonly used LCU included in dental offices was LED. Mean irradiance was good enough to secure
adequate polymerization of resin-based materials. Irradiance decreases with usage time of LCU. 

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