Light curing system and method

Abstract

A method for light-curing polymerizable materials to form a dental device is provided. A light-curing apparatus having at least one integrated lighting and heating source, a curing volume, and a temperature controller, preferably a fan, is used in the method. The light source and temperature controller are used to heat a first polymerizable material to temperatures within a first temperature range. A second polymerizable material is applied on or adjacent to the first polymerizable material. The light source and temperature controller are used to heat the second polymerizable material to temperatures within a second temperature range. The first temperature range has a first midpoint and the second temperature range has a second midpoint. The first midpoint temperature is at least 10° C. apart from the second midpoint temperature. The system is particularly suitable for making dental devices such as full dentures, removable partial dentures, relines of full and partial dentures, nightguards, and occlusal splints.

1 . A method for light-curing polymerizable materials to form a dental device, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a light-curing apparatus having a least one light source, a curing volume, and a temperature controller;    positioning a first polymerizable material within said curing volume;    controlling said light source and temperature controller to heat said first polymerizable material to a temperature within a first temperature range;    maintaining said first polymerizable material at a temperature within said first temperature range for at least one minute;    positioning a second polymerizable material on or adjacent to said first polymerizable material within said curing volume;    controlling said light source and temperature controller to heat said second polymerizable material to temperatures within a second temperature range; and    maintaining said second polymerizable material at a temperature within said second temperature range for at least one minute, said first temperature range having a first midpoint and second temperature range having a second midpoint, said first midpoint temperature being at least 10° C. apart from said second midpoint temperature.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first temperature range is within 5° C. of said first midpoint temperature and said second temperature range is within 5° C. of said second midpoint temperature.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first midpoint temperature of said first temperature range is at least 15° C. from said second midpoint temperature of said second temperature range.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first temperature range has a midpoint temperature between 100° C. and 110° C.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first temperature range has a midpoint temperature between 120° C. and 150° C.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second polymerizable material is a wax-like polymerizable material.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dental device is selected from the group consisting of full dentures, partial dentures, denture relines, nightguards, and occlusal splints.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the dental device is a full denture.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the dental device is a partial denture.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the light-curing apparatus further comprises a processor, said processor being connected by an electrical conductor to said light source.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the light-curing apparatus further comprises a processor, said processor being connected by an electrical conductor to said temperature controller.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the temperature controller comprises at least one fan.