DANB General Chairside Practice Test

Which color of light is typically used to cure composite resins?

1. Red

2. Green

3. White

4. Blue

The correct answer is: Blue

The correct answer is blue light because it falls within the range of wavelengths that are most effective for curing composite resins. Composite materials used in dentistry typically contain photosensitive compounds that react specifically to blue light, which typically has a wavelength around 400 to 500 nanometers. This activation causes the polymerization process, hardening the resin and enhancing its strength and durability when used for fillings and other dental applications. Each of the other colors does not activate the photo initiators in dental resins effectively. Red and green lights have longer wavelengths that lack the necessary energy to initiate the curing process, while white light, which contains a broader spectrum of colors, does not specifically target the activation spectrum required for composite resins. Thus, blue light is the preferred choice in dental practice for curing these materials.