Abstract: An intra-oral dental irradiation device for use in dental procedures for whitening teeth, imaging teeth, and making impressions of tooth structures of a patient. The device features one or a plurality of LED devices mounted to an arched shaped structure which project light upon or through teeth. In the whitening mode the light of the proper spectrum to activate enamel whitening material is projected. In the imaging mode light projected by the LED devices is received by a charged coupled device which communicates the image of the light passing through the teeth from the LED devices, to a computer. In making dental impressions, the device projects light in a spectrum that provides the catalyst to material that hardens when exposed to that spectrum thereby hardening dental impression material when inserted over the teeth of a patient.

Abstract: A self contained light source for curing light initiated resins used to coat teeth as veneers and fill cavities and chips in teeth in aesthetic or restorative procedures. The source includes an elongated container holding a battery and electronic compartment at one end and a light emitting window at the other. A plurality of closely space light emitters, typically light emitting diodes or laser diodes, are arrayed to direct light to a common focal point. The light is directed out of the container toward a tooth bearing the resin to be cured to a hard, stable state. The light emitters produce light in a region of the spectrum to which the resin curing initiators is sensitive, typically blue light. The light emitters are preferably mounted on concave edged printed circuit so that they are all oriented inwardly toward the focal point. Microlenses may be used with each light emitter to further concentrate light toward the focal point.