The NRGâ„¢ LED Curing Light uses focused Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology to polymerize visible-light-activated materials having camphoroquinone as their photoinitiator. Dentsply/Caulk claims that the NRGâ„¢ Light is capable of polymerizing a 2-mm-thick layer of most of its visible light-cured materials in 10 seconds. This unit, like other first- generation LED curing lights, uses gallium nitride semiconductors to produce a narrow spectral range that is close to the absorption spectrum of camphorquinone (i.e., 450 to 490 nm). Due to the combination of this more specific spectral range and the LED’s superior energy conversion rate compared to halogen lamps, the NRGâ„¢ LED Curing Light is purported to generate sufficient intensity for polymerization using rechargeable batteries rather than line voltage. This allows the NRGâ„¢ LED Curing Light to be portable and lightweight, and it eliminates the need for restrictive cords. A fully-charged battery is reported to typically provide 250 ten-second exposures (i.e., 40 minutes) without recharging. A fully depleted battery requires overnight recharging. The NRGâ„¢ LED Curing Light, in contrast to the wand design of most other available LED curing lights, uses the more familiar gun-shaped design of conventional halogen curing lights. The controls are located on the handpiece and consist of an on/off button and an activation button. There is no timer selection; only 10-second exposures are available. Longer exposures are accomplished by depressing the activation button every 10 seconds. The NRGâ„¢ LED Curing Light is shipped with a 9-mm-diameter, non- autoclavable light guide containing 7 LEDs. Optional light guides include a 3-mm “tacking probe” for tacking indirect resin restorations, and a 3-mm “transillumination probe.” Dentsply/Caulk recommends barrier protection of the light guide or disinfection. The NRGâ„¢ LED Curing Light is 9 inches long and 4½ inches deep and weighs 16 ounces. The charging unit is only available in 120V at this time.
Manufacturer:
Dentsply/Caulk http://www.caulk.com
PROs
+ Portable and light weight.
+ Ergonomic, with familiar gun- shaped design.
+ Adequately polymerizes hybrid resin composite in 35 seconds.
+ Very quiet.
CONs
– Did not cure Dentsply/Caulk resin composite in 10 seconds as advertised.
– Required 63 seconds to adequately cure microfill.
– Didn’t maintain output as battery discharged.
– Activation button is inconveniently located.
– More expensive than halogen lights.
ADVANTAGES:
+ Offers the conveniences of portability and light weight.
+ Is ergonomic and has a familiar gun-shaped design.
+ Adequately polymerizes hybrid resin composite in 35 seconds.
+ Curing tip swivels 360 degrees to facilitate intraoral access.
+ Instructions are clear and easy to understand.
+ Very quiet.
+ Requires little counter space for storage.
DISADVANTAGES:
– Did not cure Dentsply/Caulk resin composite in 10 seconds as advertised.
– Required 63 seconds to adequately cure microfill resin composite.
– Required more time than the control halogen light unit to adequately polymerize all resin composites tested.
– Activation button is not easy to use because of its inconvenient location.
– Did not maintain initial output throughout battery discharge.
– Not provided with built-in radiometer.
– Rechargeable battery is not replaceable without returning the unit to manufacturer.
– More expensive than most halogen curing lights.
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