Abstract: A dental bleaching instrument with a source for generating heat. A temperature sensor can be distanced from the heat generator for determining the heat proximal to the teeth. That more accurately reflects the temperature of the heat actually reaching the tooth surface. The light used for bleaching the teeth provides, originally, IR, optically visible light and UV wavelengths. All UV and optically visible light is filtered except for a narrow band of optically visible light to facilitate aiming. Also, the heat source of the device is physically separable from the power and control mechanism yet electrically connected thereto, to facilitate alignment and location of the light with respect to the patient.

Abstract: An illuminator for a dental handpiece where the handpiece is of the type which has therein a light conductor that is small enough and light enough so that it can be mounted on and coupled directly to the handpiece. The light source in the illuminator is a quartz-halogen bulb. The illuminator housing provides for maintaining the quartz-halogen bulb at the necessary high temperature and in addition, provides for sufficient cooling and thermal insulation to protect the hand of the operator. The construction is such that a new bulb in its own housing can readily be substituted for the original on failure of the bulb.