State of the intensity of the light power of the light-curing lamps of the faculty of dentistry clinic of the University of Cuenca, school year 2021-2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the intensity of the light power and the integrity of the active part of the curing lights of the Faculty of Dentistry Clinic of the University of Cuenca in the March-August 2022 term. Lack of knowledge of light-curing units, leads dentists to purchase low-quality equipment, thinking that they all work with the same efficiency, compromising the long-term success of restorations. Therefore, it is important to know the ideal characteristics of a light-curing lamp.

Materials and methods: This is a descriptive and observational study whose sample is made up of 72 light-curing lamps assigned by the clinic and the lamps of each student who is attending the clinic. For the development of the project, a radiometer was used.

Results: Of the 72 lamps analyzed, 54 (75%) are LED devices and they correspond to the students. Of which, 47 (87.03%) are effective because they have a power greater than 800 mW/cm². On the other hand, the 18 (25%) are part of the cabin group, in this case there are 15 halogen devices (83.33%) and 3 LED devices (16.67%). Of which, 3 (20%) halogen lamps are effective, while 1 (33.33%) LED device is effective with a power greater than 800 at mW/cm².

Conclusion: An adequate polymerization is crucial to obtain good mechanical and physical properties and excellent clinical results of the material.