Abstract
Aims: To evaluate the efficiency of two types of light–emitting diode (LED) curing units in bonding orthodontics brackets. Materials and Methods: Three groups, ten teeth each, of newly extracted premolars were used in the study. In the control, the brackets were bonded using a halogen bulb light curing unit, while in the other two groups the brackets were bonded using a high and a low intensity LED curing unit, respectively. The brackets were bonded to the teeth using Transbond® light–cured orthodontic adhesive. The bonded brackets were tested for their shear bond strength using a universal compression machine. Results: The mean bond strength of brackets bonded with the high intensity LED curing unit was above the clinically accepted value and it was comparable to that of the halogen bulb light curing unit group. Meanwhile, the mean bond strength of brackets bonded with the low intensity LED curing unit significantly differed from the other two groups and was below the clinical acceptance level. Conclusion: The high intensity LED curing units can be used successfully in bonding orthodontic brackets. The bond strength was sufficient to consider these units as good substitutes for the halogen bulb–based units. The low intensity LED curing units are not recommended to be used in orthodontics.
Highlights
With the introduction of photosensitive restorative materials in dentistry, various methods were suggested to enhance their polymerization including layering and the use of more powerful light–curing devices.[1]Visible light–curing units are an important part of modern adhesive dentistry
The teeth were randomly divided into three groups with 10 teeth for each and as follows: 1. Control group, in which the orthodontic adhesive was polymerized with a halogen light curing unit
The results showed clinically accepted mean bond strength for the halogen and high intensity light–emitting diode (LED) curing unit groups
Summary
With the introduction of photosensitive (light–cured) restorative materials in dentistry, various methods were suggested to enhance their polymerization including layering and the use of more powerful light–curing devices.[1]Visible light–curing units are an important part of modern adhesive dentistry. The short life of halogen bulbs and the noisy cooling fan are other disadvantages.[3] In addition, the halogen bulb, reflector and filter degrade over time due to the high operating temperatures and the large quantity of heat which is produced during the duty cycles. This results in a reduction of the light curing units effectiveness over time.[4]
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