Abstract

Light curing remains essential for the success of resin-based restorations. Advances from halogen to LED technologies have improved efficiency, with dual-wavelength (polywave) LEDs providing broader spectral coverage. Unlike single-peak LEDs targeting camphorquinone, polywave units also activate alternative photoinitiators such as PPD, TPO, and Ivocerin, ensuring reliable polymerization in esthetic and high-opacity composites. Dual-cure systems further enhance outcomes in areas with limited light transmission, such as deep cavities and indirect restorations. This lecture reviews these technologies and their clinical implications for predictable, durable restorations.

Learning objectives

• Trace the evolution of dental light curing technologies through the different generations, recognizing their clinical implications.
• Differentiate between halogen and LED curing lights in terms of energy output, wavelength spectrum, efficiency, and clinical effectiveness.
• Evaluate the benefits and limitations of dual-cure systems in situations such as deep cavities, fiber posts, and indirect restorations.
• Identify factors affecting depth of cure and polymerization quality to reduce restoration failures and post-operative sensitivity.
• Apply evidence-based guidelines for selecting and using curing lights to achieve predictable and durable restorative outcomes.