The present disclosure describes systems and methods for radiometry in dental applications. The disclosed systems include a radiometer, a dental curing light, a composite material reader, and a restoration data storage device, where one or more of the radiometer, dental curing light, composite material reader, and restoration data storage device include one or more communication modules that enable wireless communication between one or more components. The radiometer is preferably programmed to determine the change in a rate of cure of a light-curable composite material and thereby determine whether an optimum cure time has been reached for the light-curable composite material. The communication modules may be used to transmit information between the radiometer and the curing light, and between one or more of the radiometer and curing light and one or more of the composite material reader and restoration data storage device.

Apparatuses and methods for monitoring curing of photocurable material are disclosed. The methods generally include directing an ultraviolet cure light into a photocurable material, wherein the ultraviolet cure light causes the photocurable material to cure; directing a probe light into the photocurable material through an optical fiber during the cure; collecting a back reflection signal from the photocurable material with the optical fiber; and determining a refractive index change of the photocurable material during the cure.

The present disclosure describes systems and methods for radiometry in dental applications. The disclosed systems include a radiometer, a dental curing light, a composite material reader, and a restoration data storage device, where one or more of the radiometer, dental curing light, composite material reader, and restoration data storage device include one or more communication modules that enable wireless communication between one or more components. The radiometer is preferably programmed to determine the change in a rate of cure of a light-curable composite material and thereby determine whether an optimum cure time has been reached for the light-curable composite material. The communication modules may be used to transmit information between the radiometer and the curing light, and between one or more of the radiometer and curing light and one or more of the composite material reader and restoration data storage device.

The present disclosure describes systems and methods for radiometry in dental applications. The disclosed systems include a radiometer, a dental curing light, a composite material reader module, and a restoration data storage device, where one or more of the radiometer, dental curing light, composite material reader module, and restoration data storage device include one or more communication modules that enable wireless communication between one or more of the radiometer, curing light, composite material reader module, and restoration data storage device. In some preferred embodiments, the radiometer includes at least one communication module and the curing light includes at least one communication module. In such embodiments, the communication modules may be used to transmit information between the radiometer and the curing light, and between one or more of the radiometer and curing light and one or more of the composite material reader module and restoration data storage device.

Cure monitoring systems for and methods of monitoring polymerizable material to determine the degree of curing of the polymerizable material. A monitoring light source delivers visible monitoring light at one or more different visible wavelengths and a visible light detector detects the monitoring light diffusely reflected by the polymerizable material. The monitoring light has a wavelength of maximum emission (max-mon) that does not effectively induce polymerization of the polymerizable material. Change in intensity of the monitoring light reflected from the polymerizable material is used to determine when a selected degree of curing is reached in the polymerizable material.

The present disclosure describes a device used to determine the optimal post-curing exposure time for 3D printed products and methods of using the same. The disclosed device is a self-contained multi-chamber radiometer for continuous monitoring of electromagnetic radiation transmitted through 3D printed objects during a post-curing process. The device includes multiple detector ports, including a control port and one or more sample ports. The detector ports may preferably be photocells configured to generate a voltage proportional to the intensity of the incident electromagnetic radiation at specific wavelength(s). The transmittance is directly correlated with the voltage and may be measured using the determined voltages. The disclosed device may further comprise a microprocessor, a memory module for storage of data obtained by the sensors, and one or more communication modules configured to enable wireless communication with a data storage device such as a computer.

Cure monitoring systems for and methods of monitoring polymerizable material to determine the degree of curing of the polymerizable material. A monitoring light source delivers visible monitoring light at one or more different visible wavelengths and a visible light detector detects the monitoring light diffusely reflected by the polymerizable material. The monitoring light has a wavelength of maximum emission (.sub.max-mon) that does not effectively induce polymerization of the polymerizable material. Change in intensity of the monitoring light reflected from the polymerizable material is used to determine when a selected degree of curing is reached in the polymerizable material.

Simultaneous Multiple Sample Light Scattering systems and methods can be used for polymer stability testing and for applying stressors to polymer or colloid solutions including heat stress, ultrasound, freeze/thaw cycles, shear stress and exposure to different substances and surfaces, among others, that create a polymer stress response used to characterize the polymer solution and stability.

Apparatuses and methods for monitoring curing of photocurable material are disclosed. The methods generally include directing an ultraviolet cure light into a photocurable material, wherein the ultraviolet cure light causes the photocurable material to cure; directing a probe light into the photocurable material through an optical fiber during the cure; collecting a back reflection signal from the photocurable material with the optical fiber; and determining a refractive index change of the photocurable material during the cure.