One clinician, 5 standout features. Below, Dr. James Merrett weighs in on what makes the VALO X broadband LED curing light a versatile workhorse that's easy to use.
Sometimes the most significant advancements come not from completely reinventing the wheel, but rather carefully refining what already works well. The VALO X broadband LED curing light serves as a prime example.
As the latest addition to Ultradent’s popular VALO product family, the VALO X retains the familiar form and function of its predecessors while introducing many innovative features that set a new standard in dental curing technology. Here are 5 key qualities that make VALO X an ideal curing light option for modern dental clinicians.
1. Power
Made with a 12.5-mm lens aperture, the VALO X provides uniform, complete polymerization of all light-cured materials within a large curing area. It features 12 custom LEDs, including 8 curing lights and 4 white lights, to deliver superior beam collimation and curing depth.
“The light was very bright, and the cure depth was great,” said James Merrett, DDS, who practices in San Antonio, TX. The VALO X can be powered in 2 ways, allowing clinicians to seamlessly switch between battery-powered cordless or traditional corded configurations.
2. Versatility
The VALO X is equipped with 2 power modes—Standard Power and Xtra Power—as well as 2 diagnostic aid modes—Black Light and White Light. “I like the versatility of being able to use it for different functions, such as transillumination,” Dr. Merrett said, adding that it allowed him to visualize craze lines and cracks that he might not have detected otherwise.
3. Simplicity
Thanks to a new accelerometer function, the intensity of the VALO X light can be changed with a forward drum-tap motion, while a sideways drum tap lets users move into diagnostic aid modes. If preferred, users can change the light intensity or move between diagnostic aid modes by tapping the top or bottom activation buttons, which also conveniently indicate what mode the curing light is currently operating in.
4. Durability
“The battery life was long, and the product was very efficient and durable,” Dr. Merrett said. “If it were dropped, it could probably sustain the fall.” That's because the VALO X has an aerospace-grade aluminum body with exceptional thermal management. Additionally, its low-profile, compact, and ergonomic wand increases accessibility in the oral cavity without compromising clinician or patient comfort.
5 Adaptability
Every VALO X curing light comes with 5 accessory lenses—2 curing lenses and 3 diagnostic aid lenses—expanding the device’s functionality across procedures. “The spot curing, interproximal, and diffuser lenses were nice options to utilize just by changing a tip on the light,” Dr. Merrett said, ultimately summarizing the VALO X as “an excellent product.”
