All dental curing lights can cause ocular damage from the light they emit.1-3 The most damaging wavelength for the retina is blue light, near 440 nm, which is within the spectral emission from dental curing lights.4,5 Blue light is transmitted through the ocular media and absorbed by the retina. Dental professionals must be aware of and use proper protection from this blue light hazard6-8 because they have a duty to protect both the patient and employees from harm.
While high levels of blue light cause immediate and irreversible retinal burning, chronic exposure to low levels of blue light can accelerate age-related macular degeneration.9-11 To minimize ocular health risks, the operator should wear protective glasses, the so-called “blue-blockers.” These glasses can significantly reduce the transmission of light below 500 nm to less than 1%.11-13 This level of filtering allows the operators to safely watch what they are doing when light curing and helps clinicians ensure that their light-curing technique is optimal.14,15
The high-quality, protective eyewear conducive to the modern dental environment, UltraTect safety eyewear meets ANSI standards and CSA high-impact and side-shield requirements. The lenses are made of molded polycarbonate rather than simple molded plastic, ensuring high optical properties and scratch resistance. Do not use for laser protection. Orange-lens glasses are ideal to protect against the UV and blue light output of dental curing lights.
UltraTect goggles from Ultradent are high quality goggles suitable for use in modern dentistry. The goggles are compliant with US regulations (ANSI Z87.1 standards and CSA 794.3 high impact and side protection requirements) and weigh only 37 g. Its lenses are made of molded polycarbonate, rather than just molded plastic, which gives them excellent optical properties and high scratch resistance.
The versions with orange lenses are specifically designed to be used as protection against the light of curing lamps.
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2. Bruzell EM, Johnsen B, Aalerud TN, Dahl JE, Christensen T. In vitro efficacy and risk for adverse effects of light-assisted tooth bleaching. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2009;8:377-85.
3. Labrie D, Moe J, Price RB, Young ME, Felix CM. Evaluation of ocular hazards from 4 types of curing lights. J Can Dent Assoc 2011;77:b116.
4. American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists . TLVs and BEIs based on the Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents and Biological Exposure Indices. 2008.(pg. 146-54).
5. Algvere PV, Marshall J, Seregard S. Age-related maculopathy and the impact of blue light hazard. Acta Ophthalmol Scand 2006;84:4-15.
6. McCusker N, Bailey C, Robinson S, et al. Dental light curing and its effects on color perception. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2012;142(3):355–63.
7. Kopperud SE, Rukke HV, Kopperud HM, et al. Light curing procedures - performance, knowledge level and safety awareness among dentists. J Dent 2017;58: 67–73.
8. Price RB, Labrie D, Bruzell EM, et al. The dental curing light: a potential health risk. J Occup Environ Hyg 2016;13(8):639–46. light-curing efficacy. Oper Dent 2008;33(3):325–31.
9. Ham WT, Jr., Ruffolo JJ, Jr., Mueller HA, Clarke AM, Moon ME. Histologic analysis of photochemical lesions produced in rhesus retina by short-wave-length light. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1978;17:1029-35.
10. Wu J, Seregard S, Algvere PV. Photochemical damage of the retina. Surv Ophthalmol 2006;51:461-81.
11. Moseley H, Strang R, MacDonald I. Evaluation of the risk associated with the use of blue light polymerizing sources. J Dent 1987;15:12-5.
12. The effects of blue light on the retina and the use of protective filtering glasses. Council on Dental Materials, Instruments, and Equipment. J Am Dent Assoc 1986;112:533-5.
13. Bruzell EM, Johnsen B, Aalerud TN, Christensen T. Evaluation of eye protection filters for use with dental curing and bleaching lamps. J Occup Environ Hyg 2007;4:432-9.
14. Seth S, Lee CJ, Ayer CD. Effect of instruction on dental students’ ability to light-cure a simulated restoration. J Can Dent Assoc 2012;78:c123.
15. Price RB, McLeod ME, Felix CM. Quantifying light energy delivered to a class I restoration. J Can Dent Assoc 2010;76:10701.