Dental curing lights are used primarily in the dental industry, where they are used in fillings, sealants, and adhesives for various dental procedures.  In the dental field, a curing light can use ultraviolet or visible light, depending on what it is designed for. Other versions of the curing light can be seen in use in manufacturing, where rapid and even curing can be an important part of the manufacturing process.

Conventional radiometers often allow a limited check of the light intensity of the curing device only. The reason for this are diverse technical limitations, such as the strictly defined diameter of the light measuring cell. As a rule, only approximate values are measured for each type of device (halogen, plasma, LED etc.). Owing to this fact, conventional radiometers can only be used for a relative light measurement or for checking the consistency of the light intensity.

UV Curing is defined as ‘a speed curing process in which high intensity ultraviolet light is used to create a photochemical reaction that instantly cures inks, adhesives, coatings and other materials’. This technology has gained momentum in the manufacturing sector in recent years and it is easy to see why. With a long list of benefits, UV light curing is recognised as the smart solution for original equipment manufacturers.

A radiometer is a useful tool to have in the UV Curing process since they allow operators to monitor and record the UV light curing process – for example a low UV intensity measurement would indicate to the user that part of the apparatus needs to be replaced. Radiometers also have the capability to confirm if the operator is sufficiently shielded from the UV light.

Both dentist and patient need to wear eye protection to limit damage to the retina for even the 20 seconds to a minute that the light is in use during rapid curing, and the light needs to be well maintained so that it will work properly and effectively. It's also important to use the right curing light for the right resin product; many lights are designed to handle a range of resins safety.

The dental curing light increases patient comfort by rapidly curing resins so that the patient is not forced to sit in discomfort while the resin sets. Since the mouth usually needs to be held open wide and may be dry for the procedure, patients usually want the procedure to end as quickly as possible so that they can close their mouths and remoisturize the dried oral membranes. Using a curing light gets patients in and out of the portable folding chair quickly so that the experience of irritation and pain is limited.

The incorporation of UV curing technology into a manufacturer’s production process can have enormous advantages including cost efficiency, enhanced quality, increased safety and boosted production. The selection of a curing light that fits your style of practicing remains one of the most important equipment purchases you will make.