TOWNIE REVIEW: Halogen: Reloaded By: Marshall White, DMD

When asked to evaluate this light, I was a bit nonplussed. Another halogen...? It seemed someone was ignoring the entrails read by dental-market trend analysts.

“The dental world is going LED,” I thought to myself, “and these guys are revisiting the halogen…?” As I listened, a few stunning facts reached my ear.

“You mean…this thing puts out over 3,000 mW/cm2?” I asked, recalling that my Demetron 501 only does approximately 1250, and then only with the undersized footprint of a turbo-tip. Needless to say, my interest was piqued. As opposed as I am to universal fast curing, there are many, many times when a high intensity light can be mighty handy: curing a layer of bonding agent; after pulse-activation of an occlusal layer and finishing, the final cure; curing down post holes; and curing through all-ceramics like CERECs and veneers, to name a few.

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The chap on the other end of the phone was Canadian dentist, Dr. Efraim Tsimerman, the man who conceived the light (Fig. 1), and who has partnered with Swiss manufacturer EMS (www.emsdent.com) to perfect and bring the Swiss Master Light® to our shores (Fig. 2). In his gentle and unassuming manner, he rattled off data, explaining how the Swiss Master Light (www.swissmasterlight.info) actually has disposable light guides, that it needs no turbo-tip to achieve this unheard-of power (Fig. 3), and that there is no fan in the gun even though the halogen bulb is in the gun. I just had to give one a trial and, needless to say, I was suitably impressed (else I’d not be writing here about it.)

The gun is water-cooled, a reservoir in the base holds distilled water, and a quietly humming pump silently circulates water through the gun, cooling the bulb without any noise in the patient’s face. There is a sterilizeable solid glass lightguide, and disposable ones made of clear polymer that run about 50 cents each (Figs. 4 & 5). No fiber optics to degrade, no lightguide face to clean if you don’t want to and, interestingly, the output near the periphery of the lightguide face is identical to the output in the center, something that is virtually impossible with fiber-optic bundles used in other lights. Finally, unlike turbotips or lightguides of many PAC lights, the diameter is a full 11mm, big enough to fit over an entire molar. Standard lightguides generally need 13mm to give a true 11mm footprint.

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The dashboard of this muscle-light is simple but precise (Fig. 6), and the electronics are fully digital. I could set it to one of a couple of ramp modes, two programmable modes, can actually change the intensity, and vary the exposure time at will with just the touch of the buttons. Also, it has a built-in light meter, and can actually be calibrated to ensure consistent output from day to day. The light is so intense, the manufacturer recommends the operators use filtered glasses or paddle shields rather than the ones attached to a lightguide.

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Countertop footprint is comparable to a Demetron in terms of width and height, but it is considerably deeper to accommodate the water reservoir (Fig. 2). The water is laced with a mild antimicrobial, and it is a completely closed system, so changing it need only be done once every 6-12 months, and an internal sensor notifies the user if the water is low. This machine seems built like a Rolex, a testament to its Swiss manufacturer and the kind of perfectionism the Swiss are known for and that appeals to dentists. Yet it reminds me of the automobile I covet most, the superbly crafted and subtly powerful Mercedes S55. For now, the Swiss Master Light gives me all the speed and power I can handle.

Additional information on this product can be obtained directly from the manufacturer, EMS, by calling 1-866-SWISSML (1-800-794-7765).

Marshall White DMD is a general dentist in private practice since 1985, and tireless advocate of scientifically based dental treatment. An author and teacher, he has written and spoken in the United States and abroad on endodontics, operative dentistry and Minimally Invasive Dentistry. Dr. White has worked with several dental manufacturers on product development, education and market trends. He does not represent nor have a financial interest in EMS—Electro Medical Systems.