×

Method for curing polymeric materials, such as those used in dentistry, and for tailoring the post-cure properties of polymeric materials through the use of light source power modulation

  • US 6,008,264 A
  • Filed: 04/27/1998
  • Issued: 12/28/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method for obtaining a cured a polymeric dental material comprising the steps of:

  • (a) preparing the dental material for application to a dental surface, said dental material including monomers and at least one initiator, the initiator being sensitive to light of a particular wavelength,(b) applying the dental material to a dental surface,(c) accessing a light source capable of producing light of the wavelength that the initiator is sensitive to,(d) exposing the dental material to light from said light source at a first power level, said light including light of the wavelength to which the initiator is sensitive, thereby causing the initiator to initiate polymerization of at least some of the monomers in the dental material into polymers,(e) simultaneously decreasing the power level of said light to a second power level that is lower than said first power level while simultaneously continuing to expose the dental material to the light,(f) maintaining said light at about said second power level and continuing to expose the dental material to said light until the dental material is substantially polymerized.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×