A clinical survey of the output intensity of 200 light curing units in dental offices across Maharashtra

AIM: The purpose of this study is to examine the intensity of light curing units and factors affecting it in dental offices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The output intensity of 200 light curing units in dental offices across Maharashtra were examined. The collection of related information (thenumber of months of use of curing unit, the approximate number of times used in a day, and presence or absence of composite build-ups) and measurement of the intensity was performed by two operators. L.E.D Radiometer (Kerr) was used for measuring the output intensity. The average output intensity was divided into three categories (<200 mW/cm(2), 200-400 mW/ cm(2)and >400 mW/cm(2)). RESULTS: Among the 200 curing units examined, 81 were LED units and 119 were QTH units. Only 10% LED machines and 2% QTH curing units had good intensities (>400 mW/cm( 2)). CONCLUSION: Most of the examined curing lights had low output intensity ranging from 200 to 400 mW/cm(2), and most of the curing units had composite build-ups on them.