A DENTAL LIGHT POLYMERIZATION DEVICE

Abstract

A dental light polymerization device (1) that has an intra-oral tip portion (5) forming a polymerization light output (4) and an image input (2). The dental light polymerization device has a polymerization light source (3) for emitting polymerization light toward the polymerization light output and a camera for receiving images from the image input. The tip portion has a circumferential rim that forms a circumferential inner side face or a pair of projections that form opposite inner side faces. The polymerization light output is at least partially formed by the inner side face(s).

Claims

1. A dental light polymerization device comprising: an intra-oral tip portion that forms a polymerization light output and an image input; a polymerization light source for emitting polymerization light toward the polymerization light output; and a camera for receiving images from the image input, wherein the tip portion comprises a circumferential rim that forms a circumferential inner side face, or a pair of projections that form opposite inner side faces, and wherein the polymerization light output is at least partially formed by the inner side face or inner side faces.

2. The dental light polymerization device of claim 1, wherein a recess is formed by the circumferential inner side face or between the inner side faces, and wherein the recess is dimensioned to accommodate an orthodontic bracket therein.

3. The dental light polymerization device of claim 1, comprising a reflector for deflecting light emitted from the polymerization light source toward the inner side face(s).

4. The dental light polymerization device of claim 1, wherein the reflector is formed by a metal layer.

5. The dental light polymerization device of claim 1, wherein the metal layer is provided on an outer surface of the rim or outer surfaces of the projections.

6. The dental light polymerization device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of polymerization light emitters forming the polymerization light source.

7. The dental light polymerization device of claim 6, wherein each of the polymerization light emitters are formed by a blue LED (Light Emitting Diode).

8. The dental light polymerization device of claim 6, wherein the plurality of polymerization light emitters are circumferentially arranged in a circle and wherein the image input is arranged at the center of the circle or axially spaced from the center of the circle.

9. The dental light polymerization device of claim 6, further comprising a light refraction panel in which a plurality of lenses are interspersed, wherein the light refraction panel is arranged with the lenses being each positioned in front of a corresponding polymerization light emitter of the polymerization light source.

10. The dental light polymerization device of claim 1, further comprising an illumination light source, the illumination light source being formed by a plurality of illumination light emitters.

11. The dental light polymerization device of claim 1, wherein each of the illumination light emitters are formed by a white LED (Light Emitting Diode).

12. The dental light polymerization device of claim 1, wherein the camera and the polymerization light source are arranged within the tip portion.

13. The dental light polymerization device of claim 1, further comprising a wireless communication unit for wirelessly transmitting images captured by the camera to an image display.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dental light polymerization device according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0031] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective cross-sectional view of a dental light polymerization device according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0032] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective cross-sectional view of a further dental light polymerization device according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates the measuring of an angle with respect to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a dental light polymerization device 1. The dental light polymerization device 1 has a tip portion 5 and a handle portion 6. Further, the dental light polymerization device 1 has an image input 2 that comprises a camera (not visible in this view), a polymerization light output 3 for emitting blue light and an illumination light output 4 for emitting white light.

[0035] The tip portion 5 (further shown in detail in FIG. 2) comprises or forms a recess 10 that has a bottom face 11a from which a surrounding circumferential inner side face 11b extends. The inner side face 11b is formed by a rim 11 that projects relative to and away from the bottom face 11a. The image input 2 is formed by the bottom face 11a and the polymerization light output 3 is formed by the bottom face 11a and inner side face 11b.

[0036] The recess is sized to accommodate an orthodontic bracket therein. For example the diameter of the recess 10 may be between about 8 mm and about 12 mm, for example about 10 mm. Further, although in the example the recess 10 is circular, in another example the recess may be square-shaped or rectangular. Thus, the recess may essentially correspond in shape with a footprint of a square-shaped or rectangular bracket. It is however noted that the dimension of the recess is preferably greater than the footprint of the bracket. Thereby the dental light polymerization device provides for radiating an area around the bracket by blue light. This helps maximizing the amount of light reaching any light hardenable adhesive between the bracket and the tooth. Due to the recess 10 the polymerization light output 3 is shaped to radiate blue light circumferentially underneath the bracket as further described in detail below.

[0037] The light polymerization device 1 in the example has further a polymerization light button 8, a timer setting button 7 and a camera button 9. The polymerization light button 8 enables a user to activate the dental polymerization light device 1 for emitting blue light or deactivate the dental polymerization light device 1. Further, the camera button 9 enables a user to activate or deactivate the camera.

[0038] The dental light polymerization device 1 in the example is an overall wireless device, but may in another example be wired. In the example the light polymerization device 1 has a rechargeable battery (not visible in this view). For charging the battery a charging device may be provided (not shown) by which the battery can be charged. For charging the battery the light polymerization device 1 may be connected to the charging device in a contactless manner or by electrical contact-based connection.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows the tip portion 5 of the dental polymerization light device 1 in more detail. The polymerization light output 3 comprises a plurality of polymerization light emitters 13, in the example a plurality of blue LEDs. The plurality of polymerization light emitters, in combination, form a polymerization light source of the dental polymerization light device 1. Further, the illumination light output 4 comprises a plurality of illumination light emitters 14, in the example a plurality of white LEDs. Other light emitters than LEDs may be used as appropriate, for example halogen lamps or laser diodes. The plurality of illumination light emitters 14 in combination form an illumination light source of the dental polymerization light device 1. The image input 2 comprises a camera 12. The camera 12 may be a CCD or CMOS based camera, or may be based on any other appropriate technology.

[0040] In the example, the camera 12 and the polymerization and the illumination light source 3, 4 (in particular the polymerization and illumination emitters 13, 14) are accommodated within the tip portion 5. Other configurations are possible. For example, the camera, the polymerization and/or the illumination light source may be accommodated in the handle portion of the dental light polymerization device 1. In this case one or more light guide(s) may extend between the camera and the image input and/or between the polymerization/illumination light sources and the polymerization/illumination light outputs. In the example the rim 11 is provided by a transparent light deflection member 15 which forms a closure that closes an opening in the tip portion 5. In another example the light deflection member may be attached to an existing cover or to a light guide of the dental light polymerization device 1. The rim 11 forms the inner side face 11b and an outer side face 11c. The outer side face 11c has a frustroconical shape and is preferably mirrored, for example by a metal coating. Thus, the outer side face 11c forms a reflector which deflects polymerization light emitted from the polymerization light emitters 13 toward the inner side face 11b. The rim 11 further forms a recess 10. Accordingly, a portion of the polymerization light emitted from the polymerization light emitters 13 along an optical axis A is deflected laterally relative to the optical axis A and toward the inside of the recess 10.

[0041] Therefore an orthodontic bracket 100 accommodated within the recess 10 can be irradiated by polymerization light from all sides including from lateral sides. Therefore a light hardenable material or adhesive disposed on the tooth facing side 101 of a bracket base of the bracket 100 can be exposed to polymerization light. Accordingly, the light hardenable adhesive can be reliably hardened although being covered by the (typically non-transparent) base of the bracket.

[0042] FIG. 3 shows a portion of the tip portion 5 of a further embodiment. The polymerization light output 3 in this example is provided by a bottom face 11a and two opposing inner side faces 11b. The two inner side faces 11b are formed by a groove-shaped recess 10. The recess 10 is provided by a transparent light deflection member 15 which is configured for being attached to an additional cover 16 of the tip portion 5 or which may be attached to a light guide (not shown). In the example the recess 10 comprises a through-hole 10a so that a surface of the cover 16 of the tip portion 5 forms at least part of the bottom face 11a. In another example the through-hole is however optional. Therefore, the bottom face may optionally be provided by the cover 15.

[0043] The light deflection member 15 has a pair of opposing projections 11 which each form one of the inner side faces 11b and which each form an outer side face 11c. The outer side faces 11c are planar and inclined relative to an optical axis A. Further, the outer side faces 11c are preferably mirrored, for example by a metal coating. Thus, the outer side faces 11c each form a reflector that deflect polymerization light toward the inner side faces 11b. Accordingly, a portion of the polymerization light emitted along the optical axis A is deflected laterally relative to the optical axis A and toward the inside of the recess 10.

[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates the measurement of an angle between the optical axis A of the polymerization light and the reflector at the outer side face 11b for either embodiment (the rim or the ridges).

[0045] It has been found that the reflector is preferably inclined to the optical axis at an angle α that is smaller than 45 degrees. Thereby the angle α corresponds to the smallest angle between the optical axis and the reflector so that the corresponding other angle is greater than 135 degrees. Accordingly, in use of the dental light polymerization device for hardening a light hardenable adhesive between a patient's tooth and a bracket, the polymerization light impinges on the tooth surface at a flat angel, thus partly directly reaching the light hardenable adhesive and further partly being guided underneath the bracket through the enamel of tooth. In this regard it has been found that due to the relative transparency of the outermost layers of a natural tooth the enamel acts as a light guide.