How are you lighting your porcelain dept. / ceramist benches?

Ceramists and lab owners, we are using conventional 4' ballasts with daylight flourescents (3050 lumen output at 6500k temp) and it is not helping to translate proper shades in our restorations. What are you using in your porcelain department/ceramic benches?

May 24, 2012

  • Joe : I used lamps from Duro-Test with a CRI (color rendition index ) of 94. You should look for lamps as close to CRI 100 as possible (CRI 100= sunlight). It should also be noted that lamps lose lumins through use so don't wait for them to burn out, they should be replaced yearly , working or not. Also I was advised not to use diffusers (grills ) of any kind.
    Hope this helps.

    Michael & Christine Di Paulo, CDT
    Owner/Ceramist at Di Paulo Dental Ceramic Studio

  • Thanks for the info guys. So for general lighting, I'm going to research replacing the stock lenses with chrome grills to start. Over our porcelain benches (Kavo Masterspace), I'll have to research the output from their specs and see if there's a replacement or upgrade to full spectrum.

    Mark, is that Northern Light Technologies? I may consider an operatory light for our custom shade visits too.

    Thanks for your input!

    Joseph Young
    Marketing Manager at Young Dental Lab

  • We are using color corrected bulbs in the range you are, but we augment by only using the operatory with northern light. Additionally, we take pictures with shade tabs and use the Vita Easy Shade. Between all of these things we get pretty close. I don't think only one, or even two of them alone will do the job. If you call the bulb manufacturer, they may have a local rep who can come to your lab with instruments and advice on choosing surface lighting..that's what we did, and the salesman can over...(more)

    Mark Jackson, RDT
    Owner at Precision Ceramics Dental Laboratory, CT Scanning & Implant Planning Center
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