A method and system for applying colored dental adhesive and a high-resolution decal to the surface of a person's tooth. The colored dental adhesive is formed by combining dental adhesive with a food grade colorant. The high-resolution decal is formed by printing a design on a paper substrate. Before application of the colored dental adhesive, the tooth is cleaned and etched with a phosphoric acid compound. The colored dental adhesive is applied to the surface of a tooth. The decal is then placed on colored dental adhesive, and the colored dental adhesive is cured. Additional layers of dental adhesive may be applied on top of the decal.

A hand-held light treatment device configured with interchangeable emitter heads that are pre-programmed with desired treatment protocols and updated from a remote store of treatment protocols. The device comprises a handpiece, a plurality of emitter heads, and a base. The removable emitter heads each contain one or more treatment LEDs, a tracking light, a task light, a proximity sensor, and a control module. A tip is attached to the emitter head, either removably or integral therewith. In one embodiment, the tip is integral with the emitter head and emits light to the side of the device, perpendicular to the handpiece. The device is prohibited from emitting light when too far from a surface. Some embodiments have disposable tips of various shapes that attach to the emitter heads, which permits a single device to direct the emitted energy at nearly any direction and be used in a variety of applications.

The apparatus (1000) includes a housing (110), a chamber (120) disposed in the housing, at least two light emitting diodes (LEDs) (130) disposed within the housing (110), and a user interface (140) disposed on an exterior (112) of the housing. The chamber (120) is adaptable to each of an open, closed, and hermetically sealed configuration. The chamber (120) includes a material transparent to actinic radiation and light from the LEDs (130) enters the chamber from more than one direction. The user interface (140) includes a display (142) and program switches (144) configured to adjust at least three operational parameters of the apparatus. The apparatus (1000) further includes a vacuum pump (150) operatively coupled to the chamber (120). The system includes the apparatus (1000) and an article (180). An article includes layers of at least one photopolymerized crosslinked composition and a low extractable component content. A method of post-curing an article includes obtaining an article (180), placing the article in an apparatus (1000),

The use of multiple frequency laser modules (312) and a selection of emitter heads (304) allow for systems (300) which may be used for a wide variety of medical and dental procedures. Each system (300) has a plurality of emitter heads (304) to select from either a curing light, a cutting laser, or any other therapeutic energy emission all while utilizing the same laser module (312). Various structures of emitter heads are disclosed, as well as laser modules and connection strategies.

A curing light (300) may emit light in one or more directions through either a two-dimensional or a three-dimensional head (301). When using a head (301) with three facets (304), (305), (306) each facet has a light source (309a), (309b), (309c) and a detector (308), which may or may not be integrated into a unit. Light sources (309a), (309b), (309c) may be activated in different sequences to cure composite within a structure, such as a tooth, with controls of light emitting in each facet. Light sources (309a), (309b), (309c) may also be controlled by utilizing feedback from detector (309) or other sensors. Detectors (308) may detect position, power, heat, or any other useful characteristic.

A dental curing light includes a thermally conductive device body that efficiently conducts heat away from a light emitting diode (LED) assembly. The thermally conductive device body extends between a proximal end and a light emitting distal end to which the LED assembly is thermally coupled. The thermally conductive device body includes a handle portion extending to the proximal end and that is sized and configured for a dental practitioner to hold and manipulate with the hand. The thermally conductive device body acts as a heat sink to efficiently conduct heat away from the LED assembly during use. An electronics assembly and a rechargeable battery are disposed within a cavity of the thermally conductive device body. A sleeve or collar can be attached to the proximal end of the thermally conductive device body.

There are disclosed methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth, and dental matrices, dental wedges, interdental matrix stabilizers, dental separator rings, dental curing light devices, and kits that can be used in the methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth.

Disclosed embodiments integrate a camera into an intraoral mirror. Integrating a camera into an intraoral mirror provides an efficient way to record and display what is visible to the healthcare provider in the mirror.

A polymerization apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a light irradiator; and a polymerization vessel. The light irradiator includes a first casing and a light source assembly. The first casing includes a light source chamber defined by cylindrical side walls, a ceiling, and a floor including a light-transmissive window member. The light source assembly includes a base having a light-emitting surface on which a plurality of light-emitting diodes is disposed in a predetermined pattern and a heat-dissipating surface to which a heat sink is joined, and the light source assembly is disposed within the light source chamber so that the light-emitting surface faces the light-transmissive window member. The polymerization vessel includes a polymerization cup and a second casing. The polymerization cup has a frustoconical or substantially frustoconical shape that opens upward and increases in diameter upward, and is capable of housing an object therein. The second casing is a bottomed cylindrical or box-shaped casing having an opening at the apex thereof, the polymerization cup being attachably/detachably housed in the second casing via the opening. In this polymerization apparatus, light that has been emitted by the plurality of light-emitting diodes of the light irradiator and has passed through the light-transmissive window member is applied to the inside of the polymerization cup of the polymerization vessel.

A bearing for use with curing lights provides a secure mounting structure for curing light emitter heads while allowing rotation of the same about an axis defined by the curing light handpiece and its connection structure. The bearing allows for the curing light emitter head to rotate fully about the axis while allowing light to pass therethrough for the purpose of curing materials during a procedure.