Irradiance using LED-Light curing units in dentistry may damage pulp

Written By : Dr. Shravani Dali |Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli Published On 2022-06-11T06:30:45+05:30 | Updated On 11 Jun 2022 3:19 PM IST

Researchers have found in a new study that irradiance using light-emitting diode (LED)-light-curing units (LCUs) is associated with pulp damage in dentistry. Therefore clinicians should be aware of LED-LCU settings and possible high temperatures generated according to a recent study published in the Clinical Oral Investigations

To investigate how heat development in the pulp chamber and coronal surface of natural teeth with and without cusps subjected to irradiance using light-emitting diode (LED)–light-curing units (LCUs) is associated with (i) irradiance, (ii) time, (iii) distance, and (iv) radiant exposure.

Three different LED-LCUs were used. Their irradiance was measured with a calibrated spectrometer (BlueLight Analytics Inc., Halifax, Canada). An experimental rig was constructed to control the thermal environment of the teeth. The LED-LCU tip position was accurately controlled by a gantry system. Tooth surface temperature was measured by thermography (ThermaCAM S65 HS, FLIR Systems, Wilsonville, USA) and pulp chamber temperature with a thermocouple. LED-LCU tip distance and irradiation times tested were 0, 2, and 4 mm and 10, 20, and 30 s, respectively. Ethical permission was not required for the use of extracted teeth.

Results

Maximum surface and pulp chamber temperatures were recorded in teeth without cusps (58.1 °C ± 0.9 °C and 43.1 °C ± 0.9 °C, respectively).
Radiant exposure explained the largest amount of variance in temperature, being more affected by time than irradiance.

Thus, at all combinations of variables tested, repeated measurements produced consistent results indicating the reliability of the method used. Increased exposure time seems to be the factor most likely to cause tissue damage. The risk of superficial tissue damage at irradiances >1200 mW/cm2 is evident. There is a risk of pulp damage when only thin dentin is left at higher irradiances (>1200 mW/cm2). Clinicians should be aware of LED-LCU settings and possible high temperature generated.

Reference:

Light-curing units used in dentistry: factors associated with heat development—potential risk for patients by Mathieu Mouhat, et al. published in the Clinical Oral Investigations

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00784-016-1962-5

Light-curing unitsdentistryrisk for patientsClinical Oral Investigations

Source : Clinical Oral Investigations

Dr. Shravani Dali

Dr. Shravani Dali has completed her BDS from Pravara institute of medical sciences, loni. Following which she extensively worked in the healthcare sector for 2+ years. She has been actively involved in writing blogs in field of health and wellness. Currently she is pursuing her Masters of public health-health administration from Tata institute of social sciences. She can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in.

Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli

Dr Kamal Kant Kohli-MBBS, DTCD- a chest specialist with more than 30 years of practice and a flair for writing clinical articles, Dr Kamal Kant Kohli joined Medical Dialogues as a Chief Editor of Medical News. Besides writing articles, as an editor, he proofreads and verifies all the medical content published on Medical Dialogues including those coming from journals, studies,medical conferences,guidelines etc. Email: drkohli@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751