Let there be light!

摘要

In the natural world we are surrounded by photosynthesis, but probably seldom give this amazing phenomenon any extended thought. So also, dental clinicians and scientists have become so used to the process of photo-polymerization that it is taken for granted. Descriptions of complex restorative procedures can include the throw-away line: "...and then you light cure". The International Standards Committee TC106 has a remit of considering both Dental Materials and Devices. Certainly the critical and sometimes unique devices employed alongside dental materials include Light Curing Units (LCUs) or 'Powered Polymerization Activators', as ISO quaintly designates them. For many years I served on the ISO working group endeavoring to develop standards for LCUs.