Illumination apparatus having a light-converting lens for increasing visual contrast between different oral tissues

An oral tissue illumination apparatus for identifying tooth defects and/or diseased or abnormal oral tissues, comprising:

• a light emitting device comprising at least one LED or LED array that emits a first spectrum of light having a first wavelength during use;
• and
• at least one lens that comprises at least one fluorescing compound and that is positioned relative to said light emitting device in order for light emitted by said light emitting device to pass through said lens after being emitted by said LED or LED array during use,
• said lens converting at least a portion of the first spectrum of light to a second spectrum of light other than white as the light passes through the lens during use,
• the second spectrum of light having a second wavelength that is longer than the first wavelength in order to enhance visual contact between healthy tissue and one or more of a tooth defect, diseased oral tissue, or abnormal oral tissue when such tissues are simultaneously exposed to the second spectrum of light during use compared to visual contrast between such tissues if simultaneously exposed to the first spectrum of light or white light.

An oral tissue illumination kit for use in increasing visual contrast between different oral tissues, comprising:

• a light emitting device that emits a first spectrum of light having a first wavelength during use;
• a first lens that is selectively attachable to and detachable from the light emitting device and that is positionable so that light emitted by said light emitting device passes through said first lens during use;
• said first lens converting at least a portion of the first spectrum of light to a second spectrum of light other than white light during use in order to enhance visual contrast between two different types of oral tissues when such tissues are simultaneously exposed to the second spectrum of light compared to if such tissues were simultaneously exposed to the first spectrum of light or white light;
• and
• a second lens that is selectively attachable to and detachable from the light emitting device and that is positionable so that light emitted by said light emitting device passes through said second lens during use,
• said second lens converting at least a portion of the first spectrum of light to a third spectrum of light other than white light during use in order to enhance visual contrast between two other different types of oral tissues when such tissues are simultaneously exposed to the third spectrum of light compared to if such tissues were simultaneously exposed to the first spectrum of light or white light.

A method for increasing visual contrast between different oral tissues, comprising:

• emitting a first spectrum of light from a dental curing device;
• converting said first spectrum of light into a second spectrum of light other than white that enhances visual contrast between healthy oral tissue and tooth defects and/or diseased or abnormal oral tissue when such tissues are simultaneously exposed to the second spectrum of light during use compared to visual contrast between such tissues if simultaneously exposed to the first spectrum of light or white light;
• simultaneously exposing such tissues to the second spectrum of light so as to enhance visual contrast between the healthy oral tissue and any tooth defects and/or diseased or abnormal oral tissue;
• and
• determining whether any tooth defects and/or diseased or abnormal oral tissue is present.