Dental Light-Curing Device Pre-Curing Excess Adhesive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dental light-curing devices struggle to effectively remove excess light-curable adhesive from interdental spaces without smearing or requiring expensive grinding, leading to potential periodontitis due to residual adhesive deposits.
Innovation Solution
A dental light-curing device with a handpiece and base station, featuring a light source, control device, sensor, and light guiding system that automatically activates a 'pre-curing' program using a secondary wavelength range to detect excess adhesive and ensure precise gelation, allowing for easy removal without smearing or grinding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional light-curing devices are used to cure excess adhesive, then the adhesive can be partially cured, but it either cures too strongly requiring expensive grinding or cures not sufficiently causing smearing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using a specific wavelength range (405-415 nm) that differs from conventional light-curing wavelengths. This parameter change enables precise control of the curing degree, achieving a gel-like state that is easily removable without smearing or requiring expensive grinding procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing a first curing step (pre-curing) that transforms the adhesive to a gel-like state before final curing. This preliminary gelation allows easy removal of excess adhesive from interdental spaces, preventing periodontitis while avoiding the need for expensive grinding
2Ease of operation
If excess adhesive is left in interdental spaces, then removal is avoided, but bacterial accumulation and periodontitis occur easily
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the light wavelength parameter to 405-415 nm and controlling exposure duration, the patent achieves partial curing to a gel-like state that is easily removable from interdental spaces, eliminating the harmful effect of bacterial accumulation while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback by detecting the adhesive's position and controlling the curing process accordingly. The system monitors the curing state and adjusts exposure parameters to achieve the optimal gel-like consistency that prevents bacterial traps while remaining easily removable
3Manufacturing precision
If a special wavelength range is used for pre-curing, then precise gelation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves manufacturing precision through parameter changes in the light wavelength (405-415 nm range) and exposure duration. This precise parameter control enables reliable gelation of excess adhesive while the system maintains manageable complexity through automated control algorithms
4Reliability
If automated pre-curing is implemented, then consistent gelation is achieved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automated control where the system automatically detects the adhesive, determines the required curing parameters, and executes the pre-curing process without manual intervention. This ensures consistent gelation results while the automated nature manages control complexity efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The control system uses feedback from sensors to detect adhesive presence and monitor curing progress, automatically adjusting parameters to achieve consistent gelation. This feedback mechanism ensures reliability while managing control complexity through intelligent algorithms
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device reliably cures excess adhesive to a gel-like state in a controlled manner, facilitating easy removal and preventing bacterial accumulation, thus reducing the risk of periodontitis without the need for additional equipment.
Implementation Method 1
Initially, the light-curing device emits light in a secondary wavelength range, for instance, green light. This light is in a wavelength range which differs substantially from the wavelength range of the sensitivity maximum of the adhesive to be polymerized.
Implementation Method 2
They typically ooze out of the adhesive gap all around when the dental restoration is pressed on by means of the predetermined force. As a matter of fact, this so-called excess adhesive must be removed wherein it is difficult particularly with light-curable adhesives to remove excess adhesive as it tends to smear.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a dental light-curing device (10) provided for dental material to be cured, which comprises a handpiece (20) and a base station, wherein the handpiece (20) has a light source, in particular having a plurality of LED chips (42, 44, 46 and 48), which—with respect to the optical axis—are arranged one next to the other, a control device (22) for the light source and at least one sensor, which is arranged adjacent to the light source, wherein—again with respect to the optical axis—a light guiding device, in particular a light guide rod (12), extends in front of the light source, which light guide rod (12) has a passband for wavelengths which comprises at least blue visible light and, in particular, also green visible light and UV light, and having a selecting device for control programs of the control device (22), in particular a push button on the handpiece (20). The invention is characterized by comprising a control device (22) and also a “pre-curing” control program, which can be selected by means of the selecting device, and in which the light-curing device can be activated with a secondary wavelength range, which is different from a light-curing main wavelength range, and the light radiation of which is outside the sensitivity range of the dental material to be cured. The control device (22) automatically switches on the light source in the main wavelength range in order to pre-cure excess glue (28) in dental restorations, in particular adhesive crowns or adhesive bridges, if at least one sensor detects light reflected from a tooth surface in the secondary wavelength range.