What does blue light do to a filling?
The soft composite filling is made up of many small parts called monomers. For the material to set hard, these monomers should link up together to form chains called polymers. Shining the blue curing light activates the material to form polymer chains and harden.
Why do dentists use UV light to harden fillings?
"The light sends wavelengths of blue-violet light to the composite, which triggers hardening," says Alpesh Patel, a rising MCG School of Dentistry junior. "The light waves produce free radicals that activate the catalyst and speed up polymerization of the composite resin.
Why can't you look at the blue light at the dentist?
Ocular hazards posed by the curing light units used in the dental practice are well established. This review concludes that blue light poses maximum risk to cause retinal degeneration based on the evaluated studies.
What happens if you look at dental curing light?
Since it is not a laser, the dental curing light is not dangerous to the teeth and gums. Since it is very bright, it can put a strain on your eyes if you look at it too long. This is similar to the way your eyes strain if you look at the sun for too long.
What is the blue stuff dentists put on your teeth?
Bite blocks are made out of blue or tooth colored material. They are used to help protect your brackets from your teeth or to help correct a deep bite or unlock your bite.
Is dental blue light harmful?
New devices and materials are frequently introduced into dental treatment, and they might subsequently be found to damage oral tissues. Blue light from various light sources can cause a range of physiological problems, including phototoxicity.
Can blue light damage teeth?
Blue light teeth whitening side effects Generally speaking, 2014 literature suggests that teeth whitening methods that use hydrogen or carbamide peroxide, including blue light whitening methods, are safe. This includes both clinical studies and in vitro studies, which are studies on teeth outside of a person's mouth.
How long should you blue light your teeth?
Place the light against the strips on your teeth for 5 minutes. The light will automatically turn off after 5 minutes.
What is a UV light filling?
Composite resin is a mixture of plastic and glass or quartz. It's applied in layers which are cured using a UV light. They're used for filling cavities and repairing chipped or cracked teeth. Here are some of the benefits of composite resin: ●Can be matched to the exact color of teeth.
What is the purple light dentists use?
The tungsten halogen curing light, also known as simply "halogen curing light" is the most frequent polymerization source used in dental offices.
How does UV light cure glue?
When the glue is applied, it will not cure until exposed to UV light. The UV wavelength then acts as a catalyst for a photochemical reaction which causes the polymer's chemical property to change and harden almost immediately. The chemistry involved in UV curing and most common formulations is fascinating.
Why do my teeth glow in UV light?
Are you wondering why this phenomenon happens? Your teeth will glow in the dark because they naturally contain phosphor. In fact, your fingernails also contain phosphor so they'll glow as well! Phosphorus is actually the second most abundant mineral in your body, with calcium being the first.
Why do dentists use LED lights?
The majority of dentists today use LED curing lights because they don’t overheat like the halogen lights do .
Is a laser tooth curing light dangerous?
Since it is not a laser, the dental curing light is not dangerous to the teeth and gums. Since it is very bright, it can put a strain on your eyes if you look at it too long. This is similar to the way your eyes strain if you look at the sun for too long. Dentists and assistants know not to look at the light for long periods of time.
What does blue light do to fillings?
What Does The Blue Light Do? The blue light sets fissure sealants, fillings, and cement in a matter of seconds. When fillings are placed in the tooth they are very soft so they can be molded to the correct shape by the dentist. When the dentist is happy with the shape of the filling they will set it with this light.
What Does The Orange Shield Do?
The orange shield is a filter so that your dentist and assistant can still look in your mouth without the strong blue light hurting their eyes . The light is okay to look at for a few seconds but it’s not nice for dental staff to look at for too long.
Can a dentist use a curing light?
Similar to how your eyes will hurt if you look at the sun for too long. Dentists and assistants are advised not to look at the light for long periods of time. There are two types of curing lights used by dentists. There is a halogen curing light and an LED curing light.
Is The Curing Light Dangerous Or Harmful To Look At?
It is not a laser or a UV light so it will not cause any damage to your teeth or gums. The only danger is if you look directly at the light for too long. Similar to how your eyes will hurt if you look at the sun for too long. Dentists and assistants are advised not to look at the light for long periods of time.
What is blue LED light?
Blue LED light teeth whitening products are one of several light-activated treatments available. The effectiveness of this type of treatment is currently mixed, according to research.
What does a dentist take to measure teeth for whitening?
They will take a shade measurement of your teeth to provide a comparison for the results of the whitening process.
How to use whitening gel?
Apply the whitening product to your teeth. You will either place whitening strips directly on your teeth or insert whitening gel with a syringe into a set of trays. Insert the trays in your mouth to cover your teeth.
How does whitening gel work?
Your dentist will apply a whitening gel to your teeth. Then they will use a blue LED light , which activates the hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide whitening gel. This helps break apart the gel faster. The resulting chemical reaction lifts stains off your teeth.
How do they check teeth after a dental procedure?
They will rinse your mouth completely and check the color of your teeth after the procedure.
Is blue light whitening only for teeth?
Blue light treatment is not the only light-based teeth whitening treatment available. Ask your dentist about these other treatments that they may offer in their offices.
Can you whiten your teeth at home?
A blue light teeth whitening kit lets you whiten your teeth at home. One thing to consider: The at-home kits tend to contain solutions that are not as strong as the ones you get in your dentist’s office.
How does bleaching teeth work?
The bleach works to alter the internal tooth color through a chemical and physical reaction.
Why do my teeth look less white?
Even if you have impeccable dental hygiene, things like drinking, smoking, or even a daily coffee habit can still cause our teeth to look less than pearly white. Surface stains, also known as extrinsic stains, are just one part of the problem. Underneath the enamel, we have another layer to our teeth called dentin.
How does bleach work?
Basically, the bleach opens pores in the tooth enamel to allow the agent to seep through to get to the dentin. At the internal dentin layer, the bleach’s oxygen molecules work to lift the discolored molecules from the dentin base, leaving the natural color behind.
Why do teeth get sensitivity when whitening?
Using bleach on your teeth as whitening treatment will dehydrate the tooth and increase sensitivity. The sensitivity is caused both by the dehydration of the tooth and also due to the pores of the enamel being exposed. The dentin which is the target of this intrinsic whitening process is the layer of the tooth that transmits sensation to the nerve. Therefore, if there is a direct line to the dentin, sensations are amplified. The longer the product is left on the teeth the worse it gets, which is why it is advantageous to increase the rate at which the whitening chemical reaction is taking place.
How to speed up teeth whitening?
The way that dentists have found to speed up this chemical whitening process is by using blue light. The blue light acts as a catalyst to increase the rate at which the chemical reaction occurs. This either allows the session to be shortened or for improved results in the same amount of time. If you have never had your teeth whitened with strong bleach before, then it would be best to have this done the first time in a dentist’s office. They can monitor the progress and effects on your teeth to ensure no damage is done.
What is the yellow layer of enamel?
Underneath the enamel, we have another layer to our teeth called dentin. This transfers sensation from the enamel to the inner pulp and nerve. Dentin is naturally a yellow color and can darken with age. If the enamel on your teeth erodes and thins, then the yellow from within your teeth can start to show through and give the teeth a darkened and stained appearance. This intrinsic discoloration is much more difficult to deal with.
Why is oral tissue at risk from UV rays?
Oral tissue is particularly at risk from damage by UV rays because these tissues tend to be very sensitive and reactive. If you have had oral care that involved UV light in the past then there is no need to panic, as your dentist will screen for oral disease and cancer at every check-up.
How long does it take for a fluorescent light bulb to cure?
It was a high-intensity light with a fluorescent bulb claiming to cure in 3 seconds. There were negative aspects to this light: high priced, actually cured in longer times than 3 seconds, and it was expensive to maintain. This brought about another light source technology.
What is a blue wand?
This "blue wand" is a curing light. This light is used for polymerization of light-cured resin-based composites or, in other words, the white filling that we put in a tooth. There are several materials that are curable by light. These lights can be Tungsten halogen, LED, plasma, and laser. Halogen and the LED are the most popular.
How long have amalgam fillings been used?
Amalgam fillings have been used for over one hundred and fifty years and have (according to one study) been found to be more durable on wear and have greater longevity compared to composite fillings (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3011298/).
Why do people have a hang up with amalgam fillings?
It's common for more than 90% of amalgam fillings to have decay underneath them! Another hang up for people with amalgam fillings is attributed to the mercury content within the material. This scares many people away from having an amalgam filling. It's important to note that there are different types of mercury: elemental, organic, and inorganic. The mercury used in amalgam fillings is safe and harmless.
When was the plasma light introduced?
Areas of improvement took place in the 1990's. Resin composites were better and the lights became stronger. The plasma light was introduced in 1998. It was a high-intensity light with a fluorescent bulb claiming to cure in 3 seconds.
Does Apple Tree Dental use amalgam?
Like most dental offices, we don't use amalgam in our office. This is another way we give our patients the best quality and care we can offer. That's the Apple Tree Dental way here in Rexburg, Idaho: Extraordinary Integrity, Care, and Comfort!
Do LED lights work on amalgam fillings?
While the LED lights have been around since the 90's they weren't widely used until the frustrations of the plasma lights were unbearable. LED lights are continually being developed. Dental curing lights only work on resin composite filling. They are not used for silver fillings, otherwise known as amalgam.
How Blue Light Cures Resin
When you have a cavity, your dentist removes the decayed material with a small drill and cleans the area. Then, he or she uses tooth-colored resin to fill the area. While fillings can be made of gold, silver amalgam, or porcelain, resin is often preferred because it’s easy to mold and can be matched to the color of the original tooth.
A Long History of Seeking the Light
LED curing lights are only the latest innovation in dental light-curing technology. As early as the 1960s, dental scientists have experimented with UV lights, halogen lights, and plasma arc curing lights, experiencing various issues and drawbacks with each.
Blue Light Curing Devices: A Small Tool with a Big Impact!
You, and even your dentist, might not think about the curing light very much. But this small, unimportant-seeming tool has a long history of trial, error, struggle, and innovation behind it.
