A curing light guide (also called a light guide tip or fiber optic light guide) is the removable part of a dental curing light that:
🔍 What It Does
- Directs and focuses the LED light from the handpiece onto the specific area of the tooth or restoration.
- Shapes the light beam—usually into a concentrated circle for more effective curing.
- Often made from glass, quartz, or fiber-optic materials that transmit light efficiently.
🔩 Key Features
- Angled or straight tips – angled tips help reach posterior (back) teeth more easily.
- Detachable and autoclavable – can be removed and sterilized after each patient.
- Various sizes – tip diameters (like 8mm or 10mm) may vary based on the type of procedure.
🦷 Why It Matters
- Helps ensure maximum light intensity reaches the material being cured.
- Prevents light loss or scattering that could result in weak or incomplete curing.
- Improves ergonomics and access in tight spaces like molars.
