The use of a dental apparatus for the illumination of an oral procedure site is well known. Typically, such illumination is often utilized as a source of activation energy for restorative compositions which are designed to set or cure upon the receipt of light of a certain bandwidth. Such compositions are used in a variety of procedures to rebuild tooth structures. The light is provided through a handpiece having a trigger to operate the light source on demand.
Various illumination devices have been provided within one or more supply lines having exit apertures in the handpiece for the simultaneous application of compressed air and/or water to the location. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,058 of Dec. 4, 1990 to Woodward discloses a dental handpiece having lines providing for a handpiece drive air, exhaust air, chip removal air, water and light. U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,431 of May 2, 1989 to Fujimura discloses a dental handpiece utilizing a laser light source intended, among other objectives, to provide hardening of optically polymerized substances. The handpiece is further adapted to transmit water and air as may be desired. Such handpieces typically utilize a variety of switches and controls on the handpiece proper to allow the practitioner to apply the appropriate combination of light, water and air as may be appropriate for the procedure at hand. It is often difficult or inconvenient to manipulate the various functions allowable for the device.
Many practitioners, however, utilize light sources, which do not incorporate either water or air supply means, and the practitioner is required either to utilize an assistant to operate a second water and air applicator or, alternatively, alternate use of the light source and water/air supply means by putting one unit down and picking up the other. Either alternative is inconvenient and inefficient. Replacement of the handpiece, however, with a combination unit may not be a viable alternative, because of the cost factor involved, the unavailability of such a combination light source having the illumination characteristics required for the restoration materials utilized, or the practitioner's inability to provide the necessary compatible connections for the water and air lines of such a combination unit.
It is thus the purpose of the present invention to provide an apparatus which permits a dental light source not having air and/or water supply means to be adapted to additionally provide air and/or water in association with the light
Yet another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which allows a light source to be modified to provide air and water in a manner which does not disturb the normal functioning of the light source.
Still another purpose of the present invention is to provide such an apparatus which is compatible with standard dental water and air supply sources, and thus allows control over the air and water to be maintained by use of a conventional foot control which may be operated by the practitioner in the conventional manner.