ESTADO DE LA INTENSIDAD LUMÍNICA DE LAS LÁMPARAS DE FOTOPOLIMERIZACIÓN DE CLÍNICAS ODONTOLÓGICAS DE CENTROS DE SALUD DE LA CIUDAD DE CUENCA

The effectiveness of a restorative treatment using resinous compounds can be affected by the light intensity that the photopolymerization lamp is capable of emitting. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of the light intensity of the photopolymerization lamps in the dental clinics of health centers in the City of Cuenca, Ecuador. The light intensity of 38 photopolymerization lamps corresponding to 23 health centers was evaluated and classified into low power (<300 mw/cm2), regular power (300 - 800 mw/cm2) and high power (>800 mw/cm2). The intensity of the light power was evaluated with the CK12024 radiometer by three observers prior to authorization from the professionals in charge for the analysis of their photocuring devices. It was obtained that, of the 38 photopolymerization lamps evaluated, 5.26% (n=8) have a low power, 21.05% (n=8) have a regular power and 73.68% (28) have a high power. According to the data obtained, we conclude that the majority of photopolymerization lamps in the health centers of the City of Cuenca have optimal performance, in addition to emphasizing the periodic evaluation of the photopolymerization lamps to control optimal performance.