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My Research 

College of Dentistry, Center for Biomaterials

Dental practitioners routinely use high-intensity blue light to light cure dental materials. However, 10 to 30% of the total intensity emitted by the light source is reflected towards the operator. It has been shown that this constant visual exposure can produce irreversible damage to the eyes in only 5 weeks of clinical practice. The continued use of high-intensity blue light is considered one of the main reasons for ophthalmological issues observed in dental practitioners and personnel. On the other hand, the advantage of long wavelengths like red light compared to short wavelengths like blue light are their opposite effects. Thus, this research will be initially conducted by quantifying the light-transmittance potential (mW/cm2) of different wavelengths (blue, green, and red lights) with similar radiant emittance intensities (1000 mW/cm2) through different dental restorative materials using a spectrophotometer. The potential cure efficiency of the different wavelengths through these materials will be further evaluated using Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy to calculate the degree of conversion (%) of the resin-based materials used with these restorative materials. Light-curing has been widely used to cure dental resin-based materials for more than 50 years. However, it is well known the harmful direct effects of this type of light on the dental tissues and the indirect effects to the dental practitioners and personnel. Up to date, there are no other alternatives to this problem. We aim to fill this gap with this research project investigating whether red light can be successfully and safely used for curing dental resin-based biomaterials.

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