As a dentist, you know how critical it is to have reliable and efficient equipment in your practice. One of the most essential tools in your arsenal is the dental curing light. This device is used to cure and harden dental materials such as composite resin and dental adhesive. With so many different options available, it can be challenging to choose the right curing light for your practice. In this blog, we'll explore the excellent Valo range from Ultradent, to help you find the best light for your needs.

Discover what the Valo range from Ultradent can bring to your dental practice.

Curing lights have been used in dentistry since the 60s, with lights that used ultraviolet to cure resin. However, UV light has a short wavelength, and struggles to reach deep enough to provide a thorough curing. This then led to the development of halogen lights for dental curing, plasma arc curing lights, and finally the LED curing lights used today.

In recent years there has been a growing trend; patients in need of restorations prefer the more natural looking composite resins to traditional amalgam fillings. As well as patient preference, composite resins offer further benefits, such as being unaffected by temperature, versatile enough to fix minor cosmetic flaws such as chips, and the resin bonds with enamel particularly well.

With the growing demand for resin composite restorations, you need a curing light you can rely on.

How Do I Know Which Curing Light is Best for Me?

With so many dental curing lights on the market, it can be difficult to know which model is best for you. Things to consider include: wavelength and intensity, guide compatibility, battery life, and ergonomics.

• When it comes to wavelength and intensity, it's important to choose a curing light that emits light in a spectrum that is compatible with the materials you use in your practice. Additionally, look for a curing light with an intensity of at least 1,000 mW/cm² for efficient curing. A broad-spectrum curing light can provide greater flexibility and better results across a range of different materials.
• Light guide compatibility is another important factor to consider. Some curing lights are designed to be used with specific light guides, so make sure that the one you choose is compatible with the light guide(s) you use in your practice. Nothing could be more frustrating than picking a curing light only to discover it doesn’t work with your guides!

Top tips when using a curing light

• Make sure you’re curing at the right distance. Too close and you risk disturbing the resin, too far and you might fail to get the depth of cure needed.
• Always follow the recommended curing time. You must be mindful of both an incomplete cure and overheating.
• Use an eye shield. Prolonged exposure to LED curing lights can cause long-term eye damage.
• Keep your curing light clean. Most curing lights have removable tips that can be cleaned in the autoclave.

If you're looking for a reliable and efficient dental curing light, the Valo range from Ultradent is an excellent choice for your practice. With features such as superior curing depth, thermal management, energy-efficiency, and ease of use, Valo X, Valo Grand, and Valo Cordless can meet your specific needs. With the Valo range from Ultradent, you can trust that you are investing in a quality product that meets all your requirements.