Dental curing light having a short wavelength LED and a fluorescing lens for converting wavelength light to curing wavelengths and related method

• US 20070020578A1
• Filed: 07/19/2005
• Published: 01/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ultradent Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ultradent Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Jessop, Dee, Scott, Robert
• Application Number:
  US11/184,433
• Publication Number:
  US 20070020578A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/29
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/004 Hand-held apparatus, e.g. guns

Abstract

A dental curing light includes a body, one or more LEDs configured to emit a first spectrum of light having a relatively short first peak wavelength (e.g., UV) disposed on the body, and a fluorescing lens that converts at least a portion of the first spectrum of light into a second spectrum of light having a second peak wavelength that is longer than the first peak wavelength. The second spectrum of light is selected so as to match the curing spectrum of a desired light-curable dental composition. In a preferred embodiment, the body comprises an elongate wand having a proximal end and distal end. The LEDs may be disposed at or near the distal end of the elongate wand.

Claims

1. A dental curing light comprising:

a body;

one or more LEDs disposed on the body, the LEDs being configured to emit a first spectrum of light having a relatively short first peak wavelength; and

a fluorescing lens that converts at least a portion of the first spectrum of light into a second spectrum of light having a second peak wavelength that is longer than the first peak wavelength, the second spectrum of light being selected so as to match the curing spectrum of a desired light curable dental composition.

2. A dental curing light as recited in claim 1, wherein the body comprises an elongate wand having a proximal end and a distal end.

3. A dental curing light as recited in claim 2, wherein the one or more LEDs are disposed at or near the distal end of the elongate wand.

4. A dental curing light as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more LEDs are configured to emit a first spectrum of light having a peak wavelength within a UV range.

5. A dental curing light as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more LEDs are configured to emit a first spectrum of light having a peak wavelength between about 350 nm and about 410 nm.

6. A dental curing light as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more LEDs are configured to emit a first spectrum of light having a peak wavelength between about 350 nm and about 490 nm.

7. A dental curing light as recited in claim 1, wherein the fluorescing lens converts at least a portion of the first spectrum of light into a second spectrum of light having a peak wavelength between about 350 nm and about 490 nm.

8. A dental curing light as recited in claim 1, wherein the fluorescing lens converts at least a portion of the first spectrum of light into a second spectrum of light having a peak wavelength between about 350 nm and about 410 nm.

9. A dental curing light as recited in claim 1, wherein the fluorescing lens converts at least a portion of the first spectrum of light into a second spectrum of light having a peak wavelength between about 430 nm and about 490 nm.

10. A dental curing light as recited in claim 1, wherein the fluorescing lens is selectively attachable and detachable from the body of the dental curing light.

11. A dental curing light as recited in claim 1, wherein the fluorescing lens converts only a portion of the first spectrum of light into a second spectrum of light.

12. A dental curing light as recited in claim 1, wherein the fluorescing lens converts substantially all of the first spectrum of light into a second spectrum of light.

13. A kit comprising:

a dental curing light comprising;

a body; and

one or more LEDs disposed on the body, the LEDs being configured to emit a first spectrum of light having a relatively short first peak wavelength;

a first fluorescing lens that converts at least a portion of the first spectrum of light into a second spectrum of light having a second peak wavelength that is longer than the first peak wavelength, the second spectrum of light being selected so as to match the curing spectrum of a first light curable dental composition; and

at least a second fluorescing lens that converts at least a portion of the first spectrum of light into a third spectrum of light having a third peak wavelength that is longer than the first peak wavelength, the third spectrum being selected so as to match the curing spectrum of a second light curable dental composition different from the first light curable dental composition.

14. A kit as recited in claim 13, wherein the first fluorescing lens converts at least a portion of the first spectrum of light into a second spectrum of light having a peak wavelength between about 350 nm and about 410 nm.

15. A kit as recited in claim 13, wherein the second fluorescing lens converts at least a portion of the first spectrum of light into a third spectrum of light having a peak wavelength between about 430 nm and about 490 nm.

16. A kit as recited in claim 13, wherein the fluorescing lenses are selectively attachable and detachable from the body of the dental curing light.

17. A kit as recited in claim 13, further comprising a light curable dental composition.

18. A method comprising:

providing a dental curing light comprising;

a body; and

one or more LEDs disposed on the body, the LEDs being configured to emit a first spectrum of light having a first peak wavelength;

selecting a fluorescing lens that converts at least a portion of the first spectrum of light into a second spectrum of light having a second peak wavelength that is longer than the first peak wavelength, the second spectrum of light being selected so as to match the curing spectrum of a desired light curable dental composition;

attaching the selected fluorescing lens to the dental curing light; and

using the dental curing light and attached fluorescing lens to cure a desired light curable composition.

19. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein the dental curing light and attached fluorescing lens are used to cure a camphorquinone initiated light curable composition.

20. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein the dental curing light and attached fluorescing lens are used to cure a UV initiated light curable composition.