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Abstract

An apparatus for use in curing dental restorative materials by means of visible (or ultraviolet) light. High intensity light is transmitted from a light box to the operative site by a fiber-optic cable and a hand-held light wand, the wand having a tip for directing the light towards the polymerizable material at the site of restoration. Proper spacing of the tip from the material to be cured is achieved by a conical shield which also functions to concentrate the light and to immobilize the hand-held wand in relation to the tooth undergoing restoration, without at the same time risking direct contact with and possible marring of the material to be photo-cured. A holder releasably supports the wand until use is required, the holder having a recess for receiving the shielded tip of the wand to protect the patient and others from the dazzling and discomforting effects of misdirected high-intensity light. The fiber-optic cable has its proximal end plugged into one of a plurality of scokets provided by the light box, the other sockets being adapted to receive the plugs of fiber-optic cables extending to other dental instruments capable of being illuminated by light from the same source.

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First Claim