Garrison Loop LED Curing Light: A Performance and Safety Assessment by Bluelight Analytics

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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.  

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.
Figure 8 - Performance Over Distance.jpg

Figure 2 - Loop v Valo Grand 0 and 10 mm.jpg

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.

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.
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.
Figure 10 - Move DOC A1 Bar Graph.png

Figure 6 - Valo Grand.jpg

Valo Grand 

Figure 6 - Loop.jpg

Loop 

Valo Grand CQ Efficiency (65.1%) and TPO Efficiency (18.6%), Loop CQ Efficiency (72.2 %) and TPO Efficiency (10.4 %)

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. 

 

The Loop had a higher cure efficiency for the most common composite primary photoinitiator of camphorquinone (CQ) with a peak absorbance around 468 nm.  Valo Grand had a higher cure efficiency for the much lesser used primary photoinitiator of trimethylbenzoyldiphenylphosphine oxide (TPO) with peak wavelength below 400 nm.

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 tounge 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.
Figure 11 - Safety gums.jpg

Figure 12 - Loop debris indicator.jpg
Figure 14 - Loop monthly full calibration.jpg

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.

For a comprehensive analysis of the Garrison Loop LED Curing Light, including detailed methodology, data tables, and figures, download the full whitepaper. 

Download Whitepaper (PDF) 

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. 

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