Dr. William Harrison

In my opinion, “ease-of-use” is one of the most important qualities in a curing light, particularly when multiple professionals in a busy practice use it. It can be frustrating to spend time deciphering instructions or double-checking settings on a curing light according to who used it last and for what purpose.

Thankfully, 3M ESPE has created a refreshingly simple curing light that offers both ease of use and a number of other helpful features.

The 3M™ ESPE™ Elipar™ S10 LED curing light features  simple, two-button operation. While some curing lights require complicated programming and multiple modes of use, the Elipar S10 light works with just one cure mode for all indications; users can simply push the button to select the amount of time they need to light cure. There are preset cure times of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 120 seconds, along with a 1-second tack cure mode that makes it easy to remove excess cement. Any staff member can pick up this curing light and understand how to use it immediately, which is one of the light’s most surprising aspects.
	


The Elipar S10 light comes with a 10 mm light guide. The larger curing area helps save time compared with common 8 mm tips. Primarily, we use the 10 mm light guide because it allows us to cure a large surface area at the same time, such as posterior, interproximal boxes, and Class II restorations. The light also has a 3 mm light guide that can be used for confined areas such as minimally invasive restorations, or for tack curing indirect restorations such as veneers. The 10 mm, 8 mm, and 3 mm light guides attach with a  magnetic mount that allows for quick removal and rotation.

The Elipar S10 light has a vent-free stainless steel body, which allows us to easily clean and disinfect the unit. Unlike a plastic light that has to be covered with a barrier and can only be cleaned with certain types of disinfectants, the Elipar S10 light will stand up to sterilants and is completely sealed so no liquid can seep in. This enables fast and easy disinfection. The stainless steel also resists discoloration.

The light is well balanced and is easy for everyone on our team to use. Its 

 v-shape makes it comfortable to grip, which is especially helpful for procedures that require a longer cure time. When fully charged, the battery provides 60 minutes of curing time, which is sufficient for a typical day of clinical practice without needing to be recharged.

 control, and many other innovative and technology-forward features, the Elipar S10 light makes curing simple and straightforward-I would recommend this product for any dental practice.

Dr. William Harrison

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