Assessing Dental Light-curing Units’ Output Using Radiometers: A Narrative Review

INTRODUCTION: This review aimed to describe dental radiometers and discuss their effectiveness compared to other light-testing devices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The search for light-curing units (LCUs), radiometers, and other light-measuring tools available on the market was accomplished on data found on PubMed, Wikipedia, and Google. RESULTS: LCUs are prone to deterioration due to several reasons such as the light’s limited life span, the worsening of the LCU’s filters, light guide, and light tip end; consequently, decreased photopolymerization and insufficient resin conversion may occur. A regular light output assessment is highly recommended in dental daily practice as well as before any new LCU purchase to make sure the light features meet the factory specifications delivered by the manufacturer and they remained stable through time. DISCUSSION: Irradiance values reported by radiometers do not match accurately with those delivered by laboratory power meters. Therefore, dental practitioners as well as dental students are advised to control regularly every LCU by using the same handheld radiometer.