An optical method for the analysis of the exitance diffused by light-transmitting fiber post

The paper is focused on the description of a measurement procedure and image analysis technique able to easily estimate the exitance diffused by light-transmitting posts. The exitance has been measured by making use of a digital colour camera (DP20, Olympus) coupled to the optics of a microscope (SZX12, Olympus). Posts have been illuminated by using: a blue LED source (LS-450 Blue LED, Ocean Optics) with emission peak close to camphorquinone activator peak, an optical fibre and an ad-hoc realized post holder. The obtained results demonstrate that different translucent posts give rise to different exitance profiles, thus allowing to reach different polymerization depths along the post, providing different polymerization performances and, requiring different source powers and exposure times. Even though, other factors such us mechanical performances, biocompatibility and aesthetics have to be consider once choosing the more suitable post, the reported measurement procedure and data may help both in choosing the proper post and defining the optimum light-source power and exposure time.