Recently, while attending the Pacific Dental conference, I was asked the following question: "isn't this new product just a curing light? What's the big deal? A curing light is a curing light...isn’t it?"
If you've ever thought this (or had a colleague suggest it), prepare to have your mind changed. Because, thanks to ever evolving technology, the new Loop curing light isn't just another tool in your dental arsenal; it's a complete reimagining of what a curing light can and should be.
In a field where innovation often means "slightly better than the last version," I believe that Loop represents something genuinely revolutionary. In fact, it is the first true innovation for light-curing in a generation.
What makes it so different? In a word: intelligence. Traditional curing lights are, let's face it, rather simple. They emit light at a set intensity regardless of positioning, distance, or material needs. Loop, however, thinks for itself through its patented Closed-Loop Technology. It's the dental equivalent of upgrading from a flip phone to a smartphone. Sure, they both make calls, but one is clearly living in the future.
The Science of Perfect Cures
We've all been there, wondering if we've held the curing light at just the right angle for just the right amount of time. Did we cure enough? Too much? It's a dental guessing game that nobody wants to play.
Under-curing isn't just a minor inconvenience, it leads to:
- Lower hardness and increased wear
- Reduced marginal integrity and secondary caries
- Post-operative sensitivity that has patients calling you after hours
Over-curing brings its own set of problems:
- Increased shrinkage stress
- Brittleness and higher risk of fracture
- Potential thermal damage including pulpal irritation
Loop eliminates this guesswork entirely through its Adaptive Power Delivery system. Its advanced closed-loop algorithm measures the light reflected from the target surface more than 500 times per second, automatically adjusting power to maintain optimal energy levels at the target surface.
In plain English? It ensures a perfect cure, every single time, regardless of how steady (or unsteady) your hand might be.
Loop's intelligence extends beyond its curing capabilities and offers several smart features:
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Self-Calibration
Each time Loop returns to its charging base, it performs an automatic cleaning check, ensuring the lens remains free from debris or scratches. If it detects an issue, it will attempt self-correction or recommend a full calibration cycle for more significant concerns.
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Full Monthly Checkup
For optimal performance, a full automatic calibration done monthly, adjusts for LED age, battery output or lens issues. These are not things we consider often in practice.
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Broad Spectrum, Uniform Beam
Loop's dual-wavelength LED system activates a broad range of photoinitiators between 390nm and 480nm, ensuring spectral beam homogeneity. Translation: consistent curing across the entire restoration surface, regardless of the material you're using.
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Precision Light Delivery
Loop only delivers light when properly aligned with the tooth, pausing the curing process if the lens drifts too far from the target. This ensures the precise dose of light energy is delivered exactly where needed.
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Total Tooth Coverage
Starting with a substantial 9.7mm lens diameter, Loop maintains the desired irradiance even when the beam expands due to increased distance. Move the tip away, and Loop automatically adjusts to deliver accurate light energy to a larger area.
How does all this technology translate to your daily practice?
- Eliminates risk of under-cure and over-cure: Guarantees consistent, accurate light delivery for optimal long-term performance and patient satisfaction.
- Improves workflow: Automatic adjustments save time and ensure every cure is perfect, allowing you to focus on other aspects of the procedure.
- Reduces user error: No need to worry about hand positioning or distance variations since Loop compensates automatically.
- Provides confidence: The full-colour LED display gives real-time feedback on modes, power output, and remaining cure time, so you know exactly what's happening.
Closing the Loop
The name "Loop" isn't just clever marketing. It's inspired by the algorithmic feedback loop integrated into the Adaptive Power Delivery circuit. This feedback loop is the heart and brains of the device, dynamically adjusting the output in real time.
Is Loop "just a curing light"? That's like saying a GPS navigation system is “just a map” or a smartphone is "just a phone." Technically true but missing the revolutionary leap in functionality.
So, the next time someone tries to tell you that "a curing light is just a curing light," feel free to smile knowingly. Because you understand that Loop isn't just changing how we cure restorations, it's changing what we expect from our dental equipment altogether.
And that's definitely a big deal.
Beth Parkes, RDH, BSc
beth@curion.ca