Curing light ADA video

-Roast chicken analogy: Put a chicken in the oven at the highest heat and when it looks good on the outside is it cooked well?
-Irradiance: power/area
-Power->Watts
-Bulk filling: Light tip has to cover the restoration completely. Some MFRS are smaller diameter which is smaller than a molar M-D distance.
-Uncured CR, Uncured monomers at the deepest part esp pulpal area-> Doesn't have the physical properties that MFR intends.  "Pt is biting down on a sponge" common reason for Cr to fail. Low conversion rate causes leakage of monomers and photoinitiators.
-Overcuring can cause damage: cook the pulp, damage the gingiva, Follow MFR instructions. Can cure longer but should have a break e.g 5 seconds or blow air over tooth
-Ramp cure and pulse lights, no beneficial effect shown. Ramp effect needs to increase over minutes not seconds to be actually effective in reducing problems
-Variation within composites: Shade-> can have maximum increment size differences
-Common mistakes:
Make sure tip of curing light is clean, no CR, no chips
Use a barrier on the curing light tip, use appropriate barrier. Approx 10% reduction in output, need longer exposure.
1200-2000 mW/cm^2 10-20 seconds to cure an increment. But follow MFRS instructions. You shouldn't need much more power than this as the heat can cause damage.
Watch what you're doing (Use eye protection)
Must be perpendicular over restoration and as close as possible. Distance decreases effectiveness significantly.
Check curing lights daily with a meter. Record information for records for medicolegal protections
Dental radiometers often don't give an accurate result but as long as it's the same radiometer with the same light and tip with a barrier on it's okay.