Curing Lights: Recommendations?

Dr. L. asks:
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I need new curing lights. I have two operatories and want to use the same one in both rooms. I have no idea which curing light to buy. There are so many on the market and every company says that their product is the best and the others have problems. However, I am not an engineer and I do not understand the literature on this. I would very much appreciate if some of you more technically oriented dentists could make some recommendations based on your real-life experience. What are the real benefits of some curing lights over others? Money is no object here.

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Filed Under Operative Dentistry, Restorative, What's New 

Comments

9 Responses to “Curing Lights: Recommendations?”

  1. FB Strauss on August 7th, 2008 5:44 pm

    I have been using the Discus rechargeable led lights over the years, and have found them to be very reliable and priced sensibly. As time has gone by, the models have gotten brighter and brighter. I have had their most recent offering, the Mega light with three leds, for about 3 months, and find it to be the brightest light I’ve ever used. You really need eye protection. It easily cures 3mm in 10 seconds. Just for a backup I also bought an led light on ebay that was made in China. Quite effective and $99. I use principally Herculite XRV.

  2. Richard J Cleave, DMD on August 7th, 2008 8:50 pm

    I have also been using the Discus LED lights for several years. I think that they are junk! I think they are over priced as well. I received a letter from Discus today saying that they were running a $200 discount on their new LED lights. The normal price was in the $800+ range and they are willing to give you $200 off this price. I don’t think it takes a genius to conclude that if they are willing to take $200 off tha the lights are way over priced.

    Shop around. Use EBay and see what you can find. Stay away from anything from Discus. It is a huge money making machine that really only cares about themselves and not dental practices!

  3. John Rodriquez DDS on August 7th, 2008 10:17 pm

    Check out the Sapphire Pac Light from Denmat. True 5 -sec cure nad can be used for Bleaching light and they are currentlty working on oral cancer screening capabilities. Saves a lot of time when curing. Especially with kids / sealants.

  4. DRMA on August 11th, 2008 12:29 pm

    16000 mW/cm2 for 2mm composite.
    So you can easy calculate.

  5. DRMA on August 12th, 2008 9:53 am

    But! High power can also be dangerous because of the great heat!

  6. Dr. Child on August 12th, 2008 11:31 pm

    Gordon J Christensen Clinicians Report (formerly CRA) frequently does reviews of curing lights. In the July 2008 issue, it was reported that the Demi and the Fusion both performed well in both clinical and laboratory testing. LED’s, halogens, and plasma arcs are also reported in the May 2007, Feb 2006, and April 2004. Lights change frequently with small additions and are hard to keep up on. The Report is non-biased and presents each curing light side by side with others comparing both clinical features and mechanical/engineering features. Worth a look.

  7. apostolos diamantis on October 24th, 2008 9:43 am

    I am using the demi from demetron. works very well quiet,and very fast - enough for 5 second cures. on the downsidΕ IT IS BUILT FROM MATERIALS OF THE WORST POSSIBLE QUALITY.EASILY DISCOLOURED TO A bright LIGHT YELLOW hue just by using standard surfase disinfectant? cracks are appearing on the body of the instrument .all this after barely six mnths of use.a disgrace really for demetron!
    thnx

  8. ChauLong from Menlo Park, CA on November 3rd, 2008 2:06 am

    Hi There,

    To avoid confusion, please read Dr. Christension’s Curing Light Dilema in the JADA online. It helped me alot.

    \\I had used PAC lights, one for each of the operatory: the Power Arc from American Medical Technology & Arc Light from Air Techniques for six years. The first two years, they worked well but we had to change curing tips once every six months since they did not give 5-10 sec calibration time as recommended. I see only 4-5 patients a day and have maintained my equipments very well.

    Then after two years, I had to repair at least 3 times each for about $1,300.00 including shipping & everything else. I can now no longer use them since they were sent out for repair & the repair technician told me that I should buy new ones since the cost to fix is another $1300. So this is why I am shopping now.

    I am very sure I will not buy another PAC light even though Rembrantd Sapphire is highly recommended buy evaluators (I am sure the evaluators have many curing lights to use so they don’t use as often as or as long as we use in our private offices!)

    I had gone to many CE courses & thoght that the most expensive & most recommended would be best but that what had truely happened to me in the last six years.

    After the 3 hours of reading and researching, I’ve decided to buy the Ultra-Lume 5 because it has a light meter to test & easy to calibrate every day, is affordable and convenient and reliable. Plus Ultradent always has good service and a loaner if your light needs repair. My strategy is to get something not too expensive and can always get a better one next year if I have to repair once after two years or so. Technology is giving us better things every day.

    I hope you can get a good light that you are happy with & won’t be confused anymore!

  9. F Habaj on December 4th, 2008 6:11 am

    Demi from Kerr, trash, got two for $1200 each, , one worked for 2 months and then stopped working, the other one looks like 10 year old, merely after 4 months of use. I saw at the ADA a korean light called Good Drs 1600mw strong , 1/2 the cost of Demi , and cannt be any worse , maybe worth a try.

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