This whitepaper presents a third-party evaluation of the Garrison Loop LED Curing Light by Bluelight Analytics. The paper examines the Loop's design, performance, safety features, and maintenance protocols, comparing it to a leading competitor, the Valo Grand.
Download File(s)
Performance Over Distance
Bluelight Analytics tested the Loop's Closed Loop feedback mechanism, demonstrating its ability to maintain consistent irradiance at distances up to 10mm whereas the Valo Grand irradiance decreased as distance to the target increased.
Beam Profile Analysis
Loop was able to keep a similar beam intensity profile at 10 mm distance to that at 0 mm distance. The beam diameter also increased as the distance increased, allowing it to effectively cure a greater area at 10 mm distance than at 0 mm distance. The Valo Grand Beam intensity profile decreased at 10 mm compared to 0 mm with greater beam profile homogeneity.
Beam profiles of the Valo Grand and Loop at 0 mm and 10 mm. The Closed-Loop is engaged at 2 mm then backed off to 10 mm.
Depth of Cure (DOC) Testing
DOC measurements were conducted at 2, 4, 6 and 8 mm distance. The Loop demonstrated slightly superior depth of cure performance versus the Valo Grand at each distance.
Efficiency of Cure
The Loop has three LEDs with peaks in the 460 nm range and one LED with a peak the 410 nm range with the Valo Grand having two LEDs with a peak in the 470 nm range, one with a peak in the 440 nm range and one with a peak in the 390 nm range.
Loop
The Loop had a higher cure efficiency for the most common composite primary photoinitiator of camphorquinone (CQ) with a peak absorbance around 468 nm.
Loop CQ Efficiency (72.2 %)
TPO Efficiency (10.4 %)
Valo Grand
Valo Grand had a higher cure efficiency for the much lesser used primary photoinitiator of trimethylbenzoyldiphenylphosphine oxide (TPO) with peak wavelength below 400 nm.
Valo Grand CQ Efficiency (65.1%)
TPO Efficiency (18.6%)
Loop Safety Features
Loop’s Closed Loop Technology supports safety features that includes:
- Prevent curing light from going on unless the light is over the targeted tooth area.
- Pausing cure when light moves off tooth and onto the tongue or gums.
- Resume curing if curing light moves back over the tooth within 3 seconds. Loop will not count the time off the tooth to the set cure time to assure targeted energy level is delivered to the tooth.
Testing and Re-calibration
Loop Closed Loop Technology also allows for the device to both test and re-calibrate the device. There are two test modes.
Daily Lens Check
Every time the Loop is placed back in its charging base, a lens check is performed to make sure no debris is present that would impact the performance of the device.
Full Calibration
By lifting the charging base handle, the Loop runs a full battery of tests to determine whether the device is working within its manufacturing specs.
If the device is out of spec, the device will make the necessary calibration adjustments to put it back in range.
Download Whitepaper (PDF)
Garrison Loop LED Curing Light - Bluelight Analytics White Paper.pdf (1 MB)
For a comprehensive analysis of the Garrison Loop LED Curing Light, including detailed methodology, data tables, and figures, download the full whitepaper.
About Bluelight Analytics
Bluelight Analytics is a leading provider of light measurement technology for the dental industry. Their independent evaluations provide valuable insights for clinicians and manufacturers.
Disclaimer
The information presented on this landing page is a summary of the Bluelight Analytics whitepaper. Please refer to the full whitepaper for complete details, including the disclaimer and limitations of liability.