Cancer remains a significant global health concern, and while strides have been made in various medical domains, its potential correlation with dental curing lights warrants thorough investigation. This comprehensive review explores the evolution and utilization of photo-curable resin composite (RC) restorations, a cornerstone of modern dental practice, and the pivotal role of light-curing units (LCUs) in their application. The enhanced mechanical properties and superior esthetic outcomes of RC restorations have led to their widespread adoption, reflecting evolving patient preferences towards minimally invasive and cosmetic appealing dental treatments. However, the efficacy of RC restorations is intrinsically linked to the proper usage of LCUs, highlighting the critical importance of understanding their characteristics and correct application. Despite advancements in curing light technology, discrepancies in output descriptions and usage persist, potentially compromising the quality and longevity of dental restorations. The meeting of key opinion leaders and manufacturers in 2014 yielded invaluable recommendations for selecting and utilizing curing lights, emphasizing factors such as regulatory compliance and the adoption of standardized output metrics. The historical progression of curing light technology, from UV radiation-based devices to modern LED-based units, underscores a continual pursuit of safer, more efficient solutions for dental procedures. Nevertheless, concerns regarding potential health risks, including cancer, persist, particularly concerning prolonged exposure to blue light and the generation of free radicals during the curing process. While current evidence suggests that curing lights are generally safe for clinical use, ongoing research is necessary to elucidate any long-term implications and mitigate potential risks.

Keywords: Cancer; Dental Curing Lights; Free Radicals; Light Curing Units

References

1. Alrahlah A., et al. “The effect of light curing units on the microhardness of resin-based composites”. Saudi Dentistry Journal4 (2021): 240-246.
2. Asatrian G., et al. “Light-curing units in dentistry”. Journal of Dental Health, Oral Disorders and Therapy 2 (2018): 240-247.
3. Bagheri R., et al. “Influence of light intensity, mode and duration of exposure, and light guide distance on the microhardness of resin composite”. Operative Dentistry2 (2005): 147-154.
4. Bolla M., et al. “A survey of light-curing methods among dental practitioners in a community in France. Journal of the American Dental Association 2 (2005): 221-227.
5. Caughman WF., et al. “Correlation of cytotoxicity, filler loading and curing time of dental composites”. Biomaterials 8 (1991): 737-740.
6. Dietschi D., et al. “Marginal adaptation and seal of direct and indirect Class II composite resin restorations: An in vitro evaluation”. Quintessence International2 (1995): 127-138.
7. Duarte S., et al. “Influence of the light curing unit and thickness of residual dentin on the microtensile bond strength of composite resin restorations”. Operative Dentistry3 (2003): 210-216.
8. Ergun G., et al. “Clinical evaluation of different light sources used in the polymerization of composite resins”. Journal of Dental Science1 (2011): 14-20.
9. Guler AU., et al. “Effects of different light sources on hardness of resin cement”. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation3 (2005): 210-215.
10. Hajizadeh H., et al. “Effect of different light-curing units and storage times on microhardness of resin-based composites”. Journal of Dentistry (Tehran) 11.5 (2014): 519-525.
11. Jack DC and Dawson DV. “Response of dental resin composites to various methods of polymerization”. Journal of Dentistry2 (1991): 89-95.
12. Krithikadatta J., et al. “Influence of light curing sources on the microhardness of resin-based composites”. Journal of Conservative Dentistry1 (2009): 18-22.
13. Leprince JG., et al. “Progress in dimethacrylate-based dental composite technology and curing efficiency”. Dental Material2 (2014): 139-156.
14. Lovell LG., et al. “The effects of light intensity, temperature, and comonomer composition on the polymerization behavior of dimethacrylate dental resins”. Journal of Dental Research6 (1999): 1469-1476.
15. Maness WM Jr and Jette AM. “The curing light and posterior resin-based composites: A review of the literature”. Journal of Dental Hygiene3 (1998): 18-24.
16. Mehl A., et al. “Physical properties and gap formation of light-cured composites with and without 'softstart-polymerization”. Journal of Dentistry4 (1997): 321-330.
17. Price RB., et al. “Effect of distance on irradiance and beam homogeneity from 4 light-emitting diode curing units”. Journal of the Canadian Dental Association 77 (2011): b9.
18. Rencz A., et al. “Light curing units on the market – Do they deliver enough light?”. Operative Dentistry3 (2014): E117-126.
19. Dai T., et al. “Blue light for infectious diseases: Propionibacterium acnes, Helicobacter pylori, and beyond?” Drug Resistant Update4 (2012): 223-236.
20. Doumouchtsis SK and Kirkinen P. “Assessment of curing light energy and spectral output of dental curing lights”. European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 2 (2009): 187-191.
21. El-Damanhoury H and Platt J. “Polymerization shrinkage stress kinetics and related properties of bulk-fill resin composites”. Operative Dentistry4 (2014): 374-382.
22. Margolis HC and Moreno EC. “Kinetics of fluoride uptake by plaque from the exterior and interior of enamel in vivo”. Journal of Dental Research7 (1990): 1177-1181.
23. Peralta SL., et al. “Evaluation of the photobiomodulation effect of low-level laser therapy with different wavelengths and doses on Escherichia coli: A literature review”. Lasers Medical Science7 (2021): 1277-1283
24. Ragain JC Jr., et al. “Effects of curing lights on human gingival epithelial cell proliferation”. Journal of the American Dental Association 4 (2021): 260-268.
25. Sarac D., et al. “The effect of different light curing units on surface microhardness of resin composites”. Operative Dentistry2 (1995): 190-194.
26. Shortall AC., et al. “Effect of energy density on properties of light-activated materials”. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation11 (1998): 831-836.
27. Sulaiman TA., et al. “Effect of distance and light curing technique on depth of cure of a high viscosity bulk-fill composite”. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dentistry 11 (2019): 165-171.
28. Tarle Z., et al. “Composite conversion and temperature rise using a conventional, plasma arc, and an experimental blue LED curing unit”. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation7 (2002): 662-667.
29. Uhl A., et al. “Photoinitiator dependent composite depth of cure and Knoop hardness with halogen and LED light curing units”. Biomaterials 10 (2003): 1787-1795.
30. Rutkowski R and Zakrzewska JS. “Potential carcinogenicity of dental materials: literature review”. Nowotwory Journal of Oncology4 (2019): 419-425.
31. Li Y., et al. “Ultraviolet radiation-induced skin aging: the role of DNA damage and oxidative stress in epidermal stem cell damage mediated skin aging”. Stem Cells International 2016 (2016): 7370642.

Citation

Citation: Anukriti Kumari., et al. “Dental Curing Light : Sustainability, Environmental and Cancer Responsibility”.Acta Scientific Cancer Biology 8.6 (2024): 04-11.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2024 Anukriti Kumari., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.