Light Guide For Dentistry Applications

Abstract

The present invention relates to a light guide for a lamp for dentistry procedures. The light guide provides an optical channel between a light source and a dental substrate. The light guide may be a one-patient use light guide including a recording medium to record the time used. The light guide further provides protection for a patient's soft tissues during treatment.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 585,224, filed Jul. 2, 2004, entitled “Dental Light Devices With Phase Change Heat Sink”; 60 / 641,462, filed Jan. 4, 2005, entitled “Boom Hinge For A Dental Lamp”; 60 / 647,725, filed Jan. 26, 2005, entitled “Automatic Control for a Dental Whitening Lamp”; 60 / 647,723, filed Jan. 26, 2005, entitled “Boom Hinge For A Dental Lamp”; 60 / 658,517, filed Mar. 3, 2005, entitled “Apparatus and Method For Radiation Spectrum Shifting in Dentistry Application”; 60 / 641,469, filed Jan. 4, 2005, entitled “Lamp For Dentistry Applications”; 60 / 647,580, filed Jan. 26, 2005, entitled “Light Guide For Dental Whitening Lamp”; 60 / 641,461, filed Jan. 4, 2005, entitled “Support Structure For A Dental Lamp”; 60 / 641,468, filed Jan. 4, 2005, entitled “Light Guide For A Dental Whitening Lamp”; 60 / 647,612, filed Jan. 26, 2005, entitled “Light Path Apparatus For A Dental Lamp”; 60 / 647...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is related to a light guide for dental procedures that can be easily positioned and secured in place. The light guide includes a hollow interior filled with ambient air or a dielectric medium, which minimizes the evaporation of treatment compositions and reduces sensitivity. The light guide is designed to be used with a single patient and is disposable after use. The invention also includes a control mechanism to prevent the reuse of the light guide on additional patients. The light guide can be used with various dental procedures such as whitening, curing, or imaging. The invention also includes a reference device for positioning the light guide and a method for directing the light from the light source to the dental target. The light guide is designed to minimize the evaporation of treatment compositions and reduce sensitivity. The light guide includes air vents for patient breathing comfort and may absorb or reflect light of different wavelengths. The invention also includes a control mechanism to prevent the reuse of the light guide on additional patients."

Problems solved by technology

In addition to staining, tooth decay, resulting in cavities or other damages can also result.

Unlike dental curing and imaging processes, which are generally relatively fast processes, dental bleaching takes a much longer time, sometimes amounting to more than an hour per office visit.

On the other hand, dental restoration is often an unwelcome experience.

The wide range of dentist's chair positions can make this alignment difficult.

Also, an efficient lamp requires less energy to run than an inefficient lamp.

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