With a multitude of aspects and variables to consider, achieving a quality restoration can be hard. It is undeniable that the technical difficulty of the restoration and the composite resin you choose are key components of success; but one key area is often overlooked.

At the heart of every restorative success is a high-quality cure. Here are three factors that influence the quality of any cure, along with a few tips on how to successfully manoeuvre them for both you and your patients benefit:

1. Proximity to Restoration 

Better access to the restoration with the curing light ensures the delivery of the maximum amount of power (emitted light) to the dental material. Therefore, a curing light that allows for perpendicular positioning to any curing site, including posterior teeth, is paramount to the quality of the procedure. Ideally, to achieve a high-quality cure; one needs to look for a light which incorporates a low profile with proper access, ensuring excellent proximity and patient comfort.

While many of the curing lights available on the market feature a 60° angle at the curing head, VALO’s slim head and low profile design allows the clinician to easily access hard-to-reach areas, even in smaller mouths. For maximum performance and accessibility, the slim, ergonomic VALO Grand allows unprecedented access to all restoration sites with a low access angle of 11°.

2. Type of Light Emitted 

Studies have shown, again and again, the importance of a curing light that features a wide spectrum of wavelengths, enabling it to polymerize all dental materials. However, most existing devices on the market don’t offer multiple LED wavelengths nor achieve uniform irradiation with the LEDS offered. This can create hot and cold spots in the beam, which makes uniform curing nearly impossible.

The family of VALO curing lights were designed to provide an answer to that problem. With four highly efficient LEDs; every VALO light provides uniform dispersion of energy to the restoration, with three different wavelengths of light, ensuring complete polymerization, every time. Whether you choose to use the original VALO or the latest VALO Grand, you can rest assured that with a VALO light, you are getting a powerful, uniform cure that will last.

3. Beam Collimation and Uniformity 

Finding a high-energy light that reaches into all aspects of the restoration is essential when it comes to predictably producing high-quality results.

One of the critical aspects that influences this outcome includes the curing light’s beam collimation and uniformity, affecting how adequately the restoration and its bonding agent are polymerized. The power output and size of footprint varies immensely among the curing lights available in the dental market today.

VALO’s lens is designed to create a beam that is close to parallel to the preparation, while still emitting enough light to the curing material on the axial walls of the preparation. This allows VALO to deliver a complete and uniform cure to any restoration. The power, concentration of light, and its collimated, uniform energy output also allow it to cure dental materials completely, even at a distance.

Meet the VALO Curing Light Family

Ultradent launched the original corded VALO in 2009, which made a significant impact on the industry. In 2011, the VALO cordless was introduced, offering the same capabilities as the original VALO; with the freedom of a cordless wand.

The latest addition, the VALO grand was introduced in 2016; encompassing all the power, durability and accessibility of the VALO light and the cordless light, but with a 50% bigger lens.

For more information on VALO call 01943 605 050, email sales@optident.co.uk or visit optident.co.uk