Recent patents on light curing of dental materials

In the last few decades photo-polymerization, the use of light for curing resins, has been a field of multidisciplinary research particularly involving advanced materials and technologies to restore a tooth. Polymers and composites used in the oral cavity in conjunction with light curing process represent the material and technology objective of this patent review article. The scenario related to polymers, composite formulations and light curing devices in relation to material performance in vitro and in vivo is presented. Current and future developments related to engineering of materials, technologies and clinical approaches to dental restoration will be considered and estimated. © 2009 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.