Simply put, dental radiometers are a tool clinicians use to measure the light output of curing lights. Although less accurate than sophisticated lab equipment that can pinpoint light output precisely, the portability and affordability of dental radiometers often make them a handy tool for dentists. However, because of their inaccuracy, dentists should use caution when using a radiometer to compare curing lights’ performance, as the radiometer can mislead the doctor into purchasing or using an inferior light—possibly leading to inadequate curing and failed future restorations.

The digital world is putting new pressures on the cosmetic dental industry. The desire for a dazzling smile is no longer just for face-to-face interactions—for many, their virtual grin is far more vital. Photogenic smiles get blasted across the globe on the seemingly endless supply of social media platforms. A picture becomes a post and that post gets viewed by our closest friends, family… and the internet at large. The ensuing digital judgement crosses back through the virtual matrix and skews our real-world perceptions.

As children, most of us remember the highs and lows of our twice-annual trips to the dentist: the x-rays, the friendly hygienist asking how often we ate candy and if we remembered to floss every day, trinket toys as a reward for no cavities, and of course, picking out a flavor for the foamy fluoride treatment at the end. However, for many adults, the frequency of those memorable appointments diminishes with age. Jobs, family, friends, and the daily concerns and stresses of life take precedence, and often, dental health suffers. In fact, a whopping 34% of the American adult population didn’t see their dentist last year at all! Yes, daily brushing and flossing can make a huge difference, but regular dental care remains vital. One of the key reasons? Fluoride treatments.

- A case study by Dr. Clarissa Jänig The desire for whiter teeth and attaining the associated ideal of beauty are probably as old as mankind itself. However, it is interesting to note that many patients are still hesitant and critical when it comes to tooth whitening. Questions about the possible risks for enamel and general oral health keep coming up. There are also concerns about irreversible sensitivities and related complaints. In these cases comprehensive counseling is particularly important. We inform patients that, contrary to numerous rumors, the enamel is neither removed nor damaged, because when professional whitening products are used, molecules are exchanged during the whitening process. During this process, oxygen radicals decompose the color pigments in the tooth and start the whitening process. In our practice, it is important for us to exclusively use products that do not cause enamel damage, as their mode of action is based on the exchange of molecules. Furthermore, we are careful to choose products based on potassium nitrate, which reduce dehydration of the teeth and thus counteract the formation of sensitivities during treatment. In our experience, sensitivities can thus be virtually ruled out. Should sensitivities nevertheless occur, they usually disappear again within a few days by themselves. To accelerate this, patients should drink plenty of water, particularly in the morning, to compensate for dehydration. In some cases, additional treatment can be carried out with a desensitizer based on potassium nitrate, such as UltraEZ TM, if necessary.

A study has shown that we generate approximately 50% of our income with treatments using light polymerization (direct or indirect restorations). That‘s why this topic deserves an appropriate degree of attention: Which lights do I use? How are they handled?

Class II restorations are the bread and butter for many general practitioners, and Class II posterior restorations can make up roughly half of the cases performed by general dentists.

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Richard B. Price to discuss curing lights. For those not familiar with Dr. Price and his work, he’s widely considered the dental industry’s premier expert on curing lights and research surrounding dental light curing. In fact, he’s been cited in more than 3,000 peer-reviewed, published research articles in over 140 publications throughout his career, and he shows no sign of slowing down. His innate curiosity for studying the reasons behind common issues that dentists in every field face unexpectedly led him to his chosen field of study. He now finds great satisfaction in mentoring and conducting research with the upcoming generation of dental students, dentists, and dental researchers at Tufts University School of Dentistry and at various dental schools in Canada, Brazil, and Europe.

By Leo Tjäderhane; DDS, PhD, professor of Cariology and Endodontics.

By Dr. Gary Findley