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Selection criteria for LED instruments
LEDs here, LEDs there - What to consider when purchasing LED instruments.
Do you have limited knowledge of LED illumination? Do you require expert advice on the subject? Then you are in the right place! As your expert partner in LED matters, W&H will be happy to explain what you need to consider when purchasing LED products.
Why LEDs?
LEDs (light emitting diodes) are THE light source of the future. LEDs are used in virtually all areas of everyday life, for example in cars, televisions and modern home and office lighting systems, and for good reason.
LEDs not only have a longer lifespan than conventional halogen bulbs but can also be adapted to the requirements of the user. This means that the light colour — in this case referred to as colour temperature — can be adjusted for each individual application.
Optimum colour temperature
W&H has recognized the potential of the system and optimized the illumination. With a colour temperature of 5,500 K, W&H instruments produce a radiation spectrum that corresponds to daylight. In this way, contrasts can be revealed perfectly. It therefore becomes possible to work on even the smallest structures without becoming fatigued whilst enjoying superb visibility.
High colour rendering index (CRI)
The newly adapted, high colour rendering index of the LED instruments is completely unique within the dental industry. It enables relaxed work thanks to daylight quality light, exceptional reproduction of natural colours and clear colour contrasts. The colour rendering index (CRI) of artificial light sources is very important because a high CRI value significantly improves people’s sense of wellbeing through improved visibility.
Perfect colour rendering has an index of 100. Conventional LEDs only have a CRI of between 60 and 80 and are ineffective in reproducing red tones – a significant disadvantage for many medical applications. However, Synea dental turbines use a new technology. The result is a CRI of more than 90 which means clear colour contrasts and exceptional reproduction of natural red tones in the mouth.
Are all LEDs the same?
Not at all! There are very significant differences in quality and the associated control mechanisms. Many manufacturers use inadequate control systems and the quality of the LED light produced is therefore not constant and varies especially from product to product.
More specifically: the light quality in these systems is determined by the treatment unit and depends to a large extent on the set voltage. The light quality may therefore be subject to extreme fluctuations and correct adjustment is difficult.
The system used by W&H tackles this problem directly. The electrical ballast integrated into the instrument enables the light quality defined by W&H to be reproduced exactly in all treatment units, irrespective of the voltage set. With W&H instruments, there are no variations in light quality and no adjustments that have to be made by the customer.
Do all LEDs provide the same illumination of the working area?
Depending on the system, there are differences in the illumination. Only LEDs that are positioned directly at the light emission point can provide full power and the best light quality. In fibre-optic systems, the physical properties of the fibre optics prevent perfect illumination of the treatment site.
By positioning the LED directly at the head of the instrument and dispensing with fibre optics, W&H has become the first dental manufacturer in the world to make full use of the potential offered by this technology. The small head size of W&H instruments therefore has an extremely positive effect on the illumination.
This is illustrated by the pictures below. All instruments were tested under identical conditions.
All instruments were tested under identical conditions.
Can LEDs be sterilized?
Dental instruments are precision devices which must be regularly maintained to ensure good hygiene. It is therefore essential that the instruments can be fully sterilized.
W&H observes the highest standards of hygiene and is the only manufacturer to offer a fully sterilizable LED range. W&H therefore already meets tomorrow's hygiene standards today.
Only if you consider these issues when purchasing an LED instrument can you be sure of making the perfect choice.
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