Apparatus and method for curing materials with light radiation

An instrument for curing light-curable dental compounds, the instrument comprising

• a first plurality of light-emitting elements, the first elements comprising generally bare semiconductor junctions forming a collective array operable for collectively emitting light having within a narrow band of wavelengths suitable for curing a dental compound;
• a second plurality of light-emitting elements, the second elements comprising generally bare semiconductor junctions forming a collective array operable for collectively emitting light within a narrow band of wavelengths suitable for curing a dental compound and operating separately from the first plurality of light-emitting elements;
• a generally clear protective layer covering the semiconductor junctions of at least one of the pluralities of light-emitting elements for protecting the junctions, light generated by the plurality of light-emitting elements passing through the protective layer;
• an optically reflective element coupled to surround at least one of the pluralities of light-emitting elements and operable to capture the light generated by the plurality of light-emitting elements and direct it generally forwardly.