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The bright side of dentistry
Around 1600, the candle was the only sou rce of light for dentists whose offices did not have windows, or for those who had evening hours. Actually, the first lights developed especially for dentistry were not produced until the later 1800s. Ordinary oil, petroleum, and gas lamp lights were used by dentists until that time.
The bright side of dentistry Richard A. Glenner, DDS, Chicago
T h e flicker of candlelight casting shadows of a dentist and his patient on a cabinet-laden wall seems poetic in comparison to today's modern dental lighting. For working purposes, the two cannot be compared. Dentists in the early days had no choice. Setting the dental chair by a north window— to avoid direct sunlight and to provide even lighting— was the only way to provide enough light for the dentist to treat his pa tients. The candle was actually the first dental light, and it was placed in the patient's hand during treatment. Eventually, James Snell, a London dentist and the inventor of the first dental chair to have an adjustable seat and back (1832), suggested a mov able oil lamp be attached to the arm of the chair. Dr. Snell said that to have a patient hold a candle was extremely clum sy, “and nothing can be conceived more awkward than to request a lady to perform such an act, especially when she is agitated by the anticipa tion of pain." Oil lamps were used from the 1830s until the electric light was devel oped. The gas lamp (1850-1879) was also widely used, as was the petro leum lamp of the same era. When the incandescent lamp was finally in vented in 1879 by Edison, it certainly brightened the dentists' days. Den tal lighting became a unique art form— with many different shapes and sizes of lights being developed. On the next pages are featured some of the trend-setting lights of the past, along with the modern lights of today. Dr. Glenner's address is 3414 W Peterson Ave, Chicago, 60659. JADA, Vol. 8 8 , January 1974 ■ 49
Even though oil and gas lamp lights provided the necessary lighting for the dentist, he still would place the chair by a window for the additional natural light. This shows the office of S. G. Barker, a dentist in Jefferson City, Iowa, in 1899. Some dentists preferred two-window lighting, but this created problems with direct sunlight, forcing the dentist to raise and lower shades all day. Skylights were also used.
In the early 1880s, Dr. R. Telschow used gas, oil, and petroleum to his advantage by creating the Telschow reflector dental lights. These lights provided an intense and concentrated light that was aimed directly into the mouth. In the early 1900s the light was modified to be used with electricity.
50 ■ JADA, Vol. 8 8 , January 1974
Another unique reflector light of the 1800s was the Globe Reflector, which was placed on the bracket table attached to the operating chair. It provided a soft, steady, clear light that was not glaring or unpleasant to the patient or the dentist. The globe was filled with tinted water illuminated by a gas jet. The light was directed by the small shield on the left.
THE DENTAL UG H
This dental reflector (Mr. Stewart's) provided light on the entire facial region, thus eliminating constant movement. The light was on a 5-foot high stand, with a corrugated glass reflector that slid vertically on the stand and also laterally across the arm.
This natural gas reflector— called the Lewis Illuminating and Magnifying Apparatus, 1888— was specifically designed for dental purposes. O.— Q as Nipple eo»aeeted with Telschow’a Reflector, Instead of a m lid
stem }wiping
through the T&tfe a< formerly, t ip Kefit-etor U now i\inmh
an im portant
i mpr0vemm% m ack
m
mm~
This modified Telschow Reflector Light was thefirst light attached to a dental unit. It appeared in dental catalogues around 1899.
lía;
rufeWr tubing
?'>>*'
conveying ib.*- -a* iY-/m r t i- s u p p lj- p íi» *
th e
i r « fea.» • I! I
*t
avvaj fr i<
topdfisheTA bi*.
Tlik 8**»»S¡KSO*S*t 5 ?«ik4
GLENNER: DENTAL LIGHTS ■ 51
Total height ■i -t:;¡ rj it? ütóbí
In 1879, the first successful incandescent lamp was invented. Shortly thereafter, dentists made use of this new light source to provide better illumination in their offices. A noticeable change was the lack of dirt and odors given off by the many gas and oil lamps. At this time dentists would hang a light bulb over the dental chair, but would still use natural light as the main source of dental lighting. This picture was taken in 1900.
\l>Jl S T A H L E
H O L D E R S F OH I N C A N D E S C E N T
LAM PS.
T H E O. O. W H I T E CO.,
WOltCKSTEK, MASS., V. 8. A,
In the early years of electric lighting, no lights were specifically designed for dentistry. These particular lights were used by some dentists, although they were designed for people working at desks. These advertisements are from the Dental Cosmos collection of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.
S T Y L E D. This stand is for direct a tta c h ment to th e desk or bench, and s »-specially adapted for easily placing the lam p in all positions through a very considerable range while seated a t work. For bookkeepers, sewing m achine operatives, jew elers and th e like. Has sw iveling attach m en t at end of upright, cone and w rist joints.
P M tn w A Jim,- -.’I), tux«- A ug. 30, iw i: s ,.,* . * . u * i
AN
ORNAMENTAL
, s m * T H M n i : i i i, im m .
Plain Black Finish, $2.00
52 ■ JADA, Vol. 8 8 , January 1974
N ickel Finish, *3.36
I n c a n d e s c e n t Iia m p B ra c k e t.
THE DENTAL LIGH
This particular light— Universal Electric Reflector Bracket— was designed specifically for the dentist in 1899. This light could be attached to the wall, whereas another model (A) was designed for attachment to the dental chair.
ELECTRIC M.OUTH-ILLUMINATOR. W ith I.amp Resistance for n o - Volt Circuì»,
This light, also designed specifically for dentistry, was to be attached to the head-rest frame of the chair and could be operated by a battery as a power source. This advertisement is from the December 1899 issue of Dental Cosmos.
I t is to b e atta ch e d to th e h e a d -re st fram e o f th e c h a ir b y m ean s o f a h in g e d b ra e k e t-a rm w h ich g iv e s it u n iv e rsa l a d ju s tm e n t B o th th e s u p p o rt an d tite h o o d o v e r th e Samp a re a d ju s ta b le . F o r d ire c tin g a s tr o n g lig h t in to th e o ra l c a v ity th e o p e ra to r has m e re ly to a d ju st th e I llu m in a to r to c o n c e n tra te th e lig h t o f an E d is o n fiv e -c a n d le p o w e r in c a n d e s ce n t la m p u p on th e p a rt o f the mouth, d esired , w ith o u t a ffe c tin g th e e y e s o f th e o p e ra to r o r p atien t, an d w ith o u t th e s lig h te s t d isco m fo rt fro m beat, T h is a p p lia n c e , th o u g h o r ig in a lly d esign ed fo r u se w ith the E d is o n in c a n d e sce n t circu it, can b e o p e ra te d w ith a p rim a ry b a tte ry , su ch as the E d is o n - L a la n d e , o r a S t o r a g e B a tte r y . W h en ru n b y th e in c a n d e s ce n t cu rre n t, an e x c e lle n t re sista n ce m a y b e p r o v id e d b v c o u p lin g th e I llu m in a to r in se rie s w ith a th irty-tw o -can d lep o w e r la m p as sh o w n . ( T h e b ra ck e t su p p o rt K is a n o w m ad e in tw o st; to fit e ith e r th e W ilk e r s o u o r th e W a tk in s H e a d -re st. A lw a y s d c s ig r H e a d -re s t in o r d e r in g .) T h e la rg e la m p w ill illu m in a te th e e n tire o ffio P r ic e , E le e trie M o u th - I llu m in a to r , in c lu d in g B r a c k e t and 7 ft. C o n d u c tin g C o r d . . . ................................... .. $15.00 “ R e s is ta n c e L a m p , m o u n te d on W a ln u t B lo c k , e x tr a 4,00
Another type of electric dental light was the electric mouth reflector, used in Paris in the late 1880s and 1890s. These particular lights made it much easier for the dentist to see the lingual surfaces of the teeth. Another electric dental light (not pictured) from the 1890s was the Victor Head Lamp. The long, cylinder-shaped light, attached to a headband worn by the dentist, produced no shadows.
No. *0 A
The Dunn Light of the early 1900s “ makes the inside of your patient's mouth as light as if your office was out of doors. It also makes the top of your bracket table as bright as if the sun was shining on it," said a dental journal advertisement. " If you have it in your office you'll finish many an operation you would have to put off until the next day if you didn't have it. With [the Dunn Light] you can do just as good work at midnight as you can at noon. It makes all days look alike__ "A comparable light, also pictured, is the Lewis Light.
T H E DUNN LIGHT
P rice, less b r a c k e t........ $8.00
B ulbs, sep a ra te , c a c h ........... $ 75
N o. 27D, B ra c k e t............$3.71
N o. ‘JOB T H E DUNN LIGHT LEW IS LIGHT
Double Lens Style P rice, less b r a c k e t . . . . $12. 00
N o. 27D.
B rack et
.................
3.70
No. •»<>€ LEW IS ILLUMINATOR I t p ro d u ces a l ig h t of suiTieient. p o w er to c learly ex** ■pose th e re m o te st p o rtio n of the oral c avity—a light, how ever, of «t?eh m ellow ness th a t it is re stfu l ra th e r th a n try in g to th e ry e s, and you m ay use it ev ery day, a n d all t ilt tim e w ith o u t fear of injury. 54 ■ JADA, Vol. 8 8 , January 1974
P a te n te d M ay 3, 1904 D ec. 20, 1910
THE DENTAL UGH
In 1911, a new kind of light was offered to the dental profession — the Rhein Light. Developed by Dr. M. L. Rhein, this was one of the earliest duster-type lights. The advertisement from the M.F. Patterson Dental Supply Co. catalogue of 1911 describes the light.
The Rhein Lig Electro Dental Mfg. Co.
This
«dteter, (suggesteí
M, L . K h H n ) is í lu» o í1» rest ap p ro ac i n a tu r a l w h ite lig h t o f d ay . C o m b fo u r m m m & t th e lig h t c a n ts tm g h a r ow#, À TwBg&ten la in p m e n o lm ed o f th e im h m a tic sh a d e s , g iv in g a n ir e q u a l t o 1*M) c a n d le p o w er; b a t it i d iffu s e d lig h t t h a t d o es n o t d a z z le t l A lth o u g h t h e p ris m a tic sh ad es m o s t o f th e lig h t d o w n w a rd , sidlu-iei is d is tr îb u t^ à to lig h t t h e e n tir e offIe< e le c t ro ller m n b o u s e d a t a n y heig b e m g c o u n te r b a la n c e d h y a w eig h t, v o ijien tly lo w ered o r rm >ed, A s% f u rn is h e d a t f h e e n d o f th e ca b le , ■ o n e, tw o o r fo u r la m p s n an tie lig h ted tim e. T h e R h e in L ig h t is th e b e s t fn atm g.; the, m o s t e le g a n t, g ra c e fu l 8 » m e n ta l. I t c a n h e u sed o n a lte rn a d ire c t c u r r e n t - 11.0 o r 220 ?
By the 1920s, the most widely used lighting scheme for general illumination was either a center-ceiling light placed in front of the chair or a light attached to the dental unit.
GLENNER: DENTAL LIGHTS ■ 55
s A ecessi 4
6
LAZAR DENTAL LIGHT
Invented by Dr. Leon Lazar in the 1920s, this Lazar Dental Light provided three beams of “ cool, non-glare, concentrated light on the field of operation and out of the eyes of the patient." This advertisement appeared in the September 1926 issue of Dental Cosmos.
Is good Light Vital for Operations in the /'""VF course th e answer is yes! T o see adequately w hat you are doing has \ y been your great problem. T h e L A Z A R D E N T A L L I G H T now comes to your assistance. T h e S IN G L E C O N T R O L , illustrated above, directs three beams o f coot, non-glare, concentrated light o n the field o f operation and out o f the ey& i f the patient. U pper and lower jaws are illuminated a t one time. Y our head in the way o f the. beam will n o t affect the illumination o f the m outh. Shadows cast by hand, head and instrum ents are eliminated to a remarkable degree. Special slides provide constant reproduceddaylight for accurately matching teeth. T h e L A Z A R D E N T A L L I G H T is a scientific instrum ent which is used b oth as a Jay and night light. Endorsed by leading m em bers o f the D ental ,and M edical Professions. oXik yew dealer or »rife for illmmted booklet.
Ma»«fai:turai by D IR E C T C O N T R O L L I G H T C O R P O R A T IO N New Y ork, N . Y ,
C0te: m W«* End Avenu«, New Ymk Gty, N. Y. /«Turned by D r, Lbon La2ah.
S. S. White Revelation . . „. . . . •^tm m Light No. 2 ( P aten ted ?
This S. S. White Revelation Light No. 2 was widely used during the 1930s. This particular model provided a concentrated white light that could be aimed into the patient's mouth from a convenient distance. On the end of the light was a ground glass window, concealed by a sliding cover, that provided light for the examination of radiographs.
F o r tn o u th illu m i n ation a n d X - r a y e x a m in a tio n .
M ASTER I M T
“ .A”
W ith S. S . W h ile i h vt la iio H l i g h t
56 ■ JADA, Vol. 8 8 , January 1974
THE DENTAL LIGH
B
T
These two dental lights were widely used in the late 1930s and early 1940s. The Pelton Fluorescent Light (left) had four fluorescent tubes, whereas the Castle "Tru-Vision" Light (right) provided a more direct lighting. Notice in both operatories that the dental chairs are shown in front of a window.
No, this is not an unidentified flying object, but a Castle General Vision Light. During the 1940s and into the 1950s, overhead lights such as this provided the correct glareless light inside the 6-foot working area, plus extra office light. This light, used in combination with the Castle “ Tru-Vision" Light, provided a prime example of overall planned lighting for the dental office.
Probably the most widely used dental light of the 1950s and the 1960s— until the newer models of today were developed— was the Castle PanoVision Light. The reflector was divided into 28 sections, each acting as a separate reflector to throw individual beams of light to the operating area GLENNER: DENTAL LIGHTS ■ 57
1974 Models
le i SK-100 “ S kyligh t,” W eber Pelton Dental & CMfg. rane Co. Co. “ Light F a ntastic”
lesson Co. “ Eye S aver"
58 ■ JADA, Vol.
V altron ic Corp. “ A u ra tro n ” 8 8 , January 1974
Ellman D ental Mfg. Co., Inc. quartz-iodine conversion unit
R itter Co. “ S ta rlite ”
y t w r r r / ff f c
C eiling-m ounted S irolux dental light, Siem ens Corp.
Daray, Den-Tal-Ez M fg. Co. GLENNER: DENTAL LIGHTS • 59
The bright side of dentistry Richard A. Glenner, DDS, Chicago
T h e flicker of candlelight casting shadows of a dentist and his patient on a cabinet-laden wall seems poetic in comparison to today's modern dental lighting. For working purposes, the two cannot be compared. Dentists in the early days had no choice. Setting the dental chair by a north window— to avoid direct sunlight and to provide even lighting— was the only way to provide enough light for the dentist to treat his pa tients. The candle was actually the first dental light, and it was placed in the patient's hand during treatment. Eventually, James Snell, a London dentist and the inventor of the first dental chair to have an adjustable seat and back (1832), suggested a mov able oil lamp be attached to the arm of the chair. Dr. Snell said that to have a patient hold a candle was extremely clum sy, “and nothing can be conceived more awkward than to request a lady to perform such an act, especially when she is agitated by the anticipa tion of pain." Oil lamps were used from the 1830s until the electric light was devel oped. The gas lamp (1850-1879) was also widely used, as was the petro leum lamp of the same era. When the incandescent lamp was finally in vented in 1879 by Edison, it certainly brightened the dentists' days. Den tal lighting became a unique art form— with many different shapes and sizes of lights being developed. On the next pages are featured some of the trend-setting lights of the past, along with the modern lights of today. Dr. Glenner's address is 3414 W Peterson Ave, Chicago, 60659. JADA, Vol. 8 8 , January 1974 ■ 49
Even though oil and gas lamp lights provided the necessary lighting for the dentist, he still would place the chair by a window for the additional natural light. This shows the office of S. G. Barker, a dentist in Jefferson City, Iowa, in 1899. Some dentists preferred two-window lighting, but this created problems with direct sunlight, forcing the dentist to raise and lower shades all day. Skylights were also used.
In the early 1880s, Dr. R. Telschow used gas, oil, and petroleum to his advantage by creating the Telschow reflector dental lights. These lights provided an intense and concentrated light that was aimed directly into the mouth. In the early 1900s the light was modified to be used with electricity.
50 ■ JADA, Vol. 8 8 , January 1974
Another unique reflector light of the 1800s was the Globe Reflector, which was placed on the bracket table attached to the operating chair. It provided a soft, steady, clear light that was not glaring or unpleasant to the patient or the dentist. The globe was filled with tinted water illuminated by a gas jet. The light was directed by the small shield on the left.
THE DENTAL UG H
This dental reflector (Mr. Stewart's) provided light on the entire facial region, thus eliminating constant movement. The light was on a 5-foot high stand, with a corrugated glass reflector that slid vertically on the stand and also laterally across the arm.
This natural gas reflector— called the Lewis Illuminating and Magnifying Apparatus, 1888— was specifically designed for dental purposes. O.— Q as Nipple eo»aeeted with Telschow’a Reflector, Instead of a m lid
stem }wiping
through the T&tfe a< formerly, t ip Kefit-etor U now i\inmh
an im portant
i mpr0vemm% m ack
m
mm~
This modified Telschow Reflector Light was thefirst light attached to a dental unit. It appeared in dental catalogues around 1899.
lía;
rufeWr tubing
?'>>*'
conveying ib.*- -a* iY-/m r t i- s u p p lj- p íi» *
th e
i r « fea.» • I! I
*t
avvaj fr i<
topdfisheTA bi*.
Tlik 8**»»S¡KSO*S*t 5 ?«ik4
GLENNER: DENTAL LIGHTS ■ 51
Total height ■i -t:;¡ rj it? ütóbí
In 1879, the first successful incandescent lamp was invented. Shortly thereafter, dentists made use of this new light source to provide better illumination in their offices. A noticeable change was the lack of dirt and odors given off by the many gas and oil lamps. At this time dentists would hang a light bulb over the dental chair, but would still use natural light as the main source of dental lighting. This picture was taken in 1900.
\l>Jl S T A H L E
H O L D E R S F OH I N C A N D E S C E N T
LAM PS.
T H E O. O. W H I T E CO.,
WOltCKSTEK, MASS., V. 8. A,
In the early years of electric lighting, no lights were specifically designed for dentistry. These particular lights were used by some dentists, although they were designed for people working at desks. These advertisements are from the Dental Cosmos collection of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.
S T Y L E D. This stand is for direct a tta c h ment to th e desk or bench, and s »-specially adapted for easily placing the lam p in all positions through a very considerable range while seated a t work. For bookkeepers, sewing m achine operatives, jew elers and th e like. Has sw iveling attach m en t at end of upright, cone and w rist joints.
P M tn w A Jim,- -.’I), tux«- A ug. 30, iw i: s ,.,* . * . u * i
AN
ORNAMENTAL
, s m * T H M n i : i i i, im m .
Plain Black Finish, $2.00
52 ■ JADA, Vol. 8 8 , January 1974
N ickel Finish, *3.36
I n c a n d e s c e n t Iia m p B ra c k e t.
THE DENTAL LIGH
This particular light— Universal Electric Reflector Bracket— was designed specifically for the dentist in 1899. This light could be attached to the wall, whereas another model (A) was designed for attachment to the dental chair.
ELECTRIC M.OUTH-ILLUMINATOR. W ith I.amp Resistance for n o - Volt Circuì»,
This light, also designed specifically for dentistry, was to be attached to the head-rest frame of the chair and could be operated by a battery as a power source. This advertisement is from the December 1899 issue of Dental Cosmos.
I t is to b e atta ch e d to th e h e a d -re st fram e o f th e c h a ir b y m ean s o f a h in g e d b ra e k e t-a rm w h ich g iv e s it u n iv e rsa l a d ju s tm e n t B o th th e s u p p o rt an d tite h o o d o v e r th e Samp a re a d ju s ta b le . F o r d ire c tin g a s tr o n g lig h t in to th e o ra l c a v ity th e o p e ra to r has m e re ly to a d ju st th e I llu m in a to r to c o n c e n tra te th e lig h t o f an E d is o n fiv e -c a n d le p o w e r in c a n d e s ce n t la m p u p on th e p a rt o f the mouth, d esired , w ith o u t a ffe c tin g th e e y e s o f th e o p e ra to r o r p atien t, an d w ith o u t th e s lig h te s t d isco m fo rt fro m beat, T h is a p p lia n c e , th o u g h o r ig in a lly d esign ed fo r u se w ith the E d is o n in c a n d e sce n t circu it, can b e o p e ra te d w ith a p rim a ry b a tte ry , su ch as the E d is o n - L a la n d e , o r a S t o r a g e B a tte r y . W h en ru n b y th e in c a n d e s ce n t cu rre n t, an e x c e lle n t re sista n ce m a y b e p r o v id e d b v c o u p lin g th e I llu m in a to r in se rie s w ith a th irty-tw o -can d lep o w e r la m p as sh o w n . ( T h e b ra ck e t su p p o rt K is a n o w m ad e in tw o st; to fit e ith e r th e W ilk e r s o u o r th e W a tk in s H e a d -re st. A lw a y s d c s ig r H e a d -re s t in o r d e r in g .) T h e la rg e la m p w ill illu m in a te th e e n tire o ffio P r ic e , E le e trie M o u th - I llu m in a to r , in c lu d in g B r a c k e t and 7 ft. C o n d u c tin g C o r d . . . ................................... .. $15.00 “ R e s is ta n c e L a m p , m o u n te d on W a ln u t B lo c k , e x tr a 4,00
Another type of electric dental light was the electric mouth reflector, used in Paris in the late 1880s and 1890s. These particular lights made it much easier for the dentist to see the lingual surfaces of the teeth. Another electric dental light (not pictured) from the 1890s was the Victor Head Lamp. The long, cylinder-shaped light, attached to a headband worn by the dentist, produced no shadows.
No. *0 A
The Dunn Light of the early 1900s “ makes the inside of your patient's mouth as light as if your office was out of doors. It also makes the top of your bracket table as bright as if the sun was shining on it," said a dental journal advertisement. " If you have it in your office you'll finish many an operation you would have to put off until the next day if you didn't have it. With [the Dunn Light] you can do just as good work at midnight as you can at noon. It makes all days look alike__ "A comparable light, also pictured, is the Lewis Light.
T H E DUNN LIGHT
P rice, less b r a c k e t........ $8.00
B ulbs, sep a ra te , c a c h ........... $ 75
N o. 27D, B ra c k e t............$3.71
N o. ‘JOB T H E DUNN LIGHT LEW IS LIGHT
Double Lens Style P rice, less b r a c k e t . . . . $12. 00
N o. 27D.
B rack et
.................
3.70
No. •»<>€ LEW IS ILLUMINATOR I t p ro d u ces a l ig h t of suiTieient. p o w er to c learly ex** ■pose th e re m o te st p o rtio n of the oral c avity—a light, how ever, of «t?eh m ellow ness th a t it is re stfu l ra th e r th a n try in g to th e ry e s, and you m ay use it ev ery day, a n d all t ilt tim e w ith o u t fear of injury. 54 ■ JADA, Vol. 8 8 , January 1974
P a te n te d M ay 3, 1904 D ec. 20, 1910
THE DENTAL UGH
In 1911, a new kind of light was offered to the dental profession — the Rhein Light. Developed by Dr. M. L. Rhein, this was one of the earliest duster-type lights. The advertisement from the M.F. Patterson Dental Supply Co. catalogue of 1911 describes the light.
The Rhein Lig Electro Dental Mfg. Co.
This
«dteter, (suggesteí
M, L . K h H n ) is í lu» o í1» rest ap p ro ac i n a tu r a l w h ite lig h t o f d ay . C o m b fo u r m m m & t th e lig h t c a n ts tm g h a r ow#, À TwBg&ten la in p m e n o lm ed o f th e im h m a tic sh a d e s , g iv in g a n ir e q u a l t o 1*M) c a n d le p o w er; b a t it i d iffu s e d lig h t t h a t d o es n o t d a z z le t l A lth o u g h t h e p ris m a tic sh ad es m o s t o f th e lig h t d o w n w a rd , sidlu-iei is d is tr îb u t^ à to lig h t t h e e n tir e offIe< e le c t ro ller m n b o u s e d a t a n y heig b e m g c o u n te r b a la n c e d h y a w eig h t, v o ijien tly lo w ered o r rm >ed, A s% f u rn is h e d a t f h e e n d o f th e ca b le , ■ o n e, tw o o r fo u r la m p s n an tie lig h ted tim e. T h e R h e in L ig h t is th e b e s t fn atm g.; the, m o s t e le g a n t, g ra c e fu l 8 » m e n ta l. I t c a n h e u sed o n a lte rn a d ire c t c u r r e n t - 11.0 o r 220 ?
By the 1920s, the most widely used lighting scheme for general illumination was either a center-ceiling light placed in front of the chair or a light attached to the dental unit.
GLENNER: DENTAL LIGHTS ■ 55
s A ecessi 4
6
LAZAR DENTAL LIGHT
Invented by Dr. Leon Lazar in the 1920s, this Lazar Dental Light provided three beams of “ cool, non-glare, concentrated light on the field of operation and out of the eyes of the patient." This advertisement appeared in the September 1926 issue of Dental Cosmos.
Is good Light Vital for Operations in the /'""VF course th e answer is yes! T o see adequately w hat you are doing has \ y been your great problem. T h e L A Z A R D E N T A L L I G H T now comes to your assistance. T h e S IN G L E C O N T R O L , illustrated above, directs three beams o f coot, non-glare, concentrated light o n the field o f operation and out o f the ey& i f the patient. U pper and lower jaws are illuminated a t one time. Y our head in the way o f the. beam will n o t affect the illumination o f the m outh. Shadows cast by hand, head and instrum ents are eliminated to a remarkable degree. Special slides provide constant reproduceddaylight for accurately matching teeth. T h e L A Z A R D E N T A L L I G H T is a scientific instrum ent which is used b oth as a Jay and night light. Endorsed by leading m em bers o f the D ental ,and M edical Professions. oXik yew dealer or »rife for illmmted booklet.
Ma»«fai:turai by D IR E C T C O N T R O L L I G H T C O R P O R A T IO N New Y ork, N . Y ,
C0te: m W«* End Avenu«, New Ymk Gty, N. Y. /«Turned by D r, Lbon La2ah.
S. S. White Revelation . . „. . . . •^tm m Light No. 2 ( P aten ted ?
This S. S. White Revelation Light No. 2 was widely used during the 1930s. This particular model provided a concentrated white light that could be aimed into the patient's mouth from a convenient distance. On the end of the light was a ground glass window, concealed by a sliding cover, that provided light for the examination of radiographs.
F o r tn o u th illu m i n ation a n d X - r a y e x a m in a tio n .
M ASTER I M T
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W ith S. S . W h ile i h vt la iio H l i g h t
56 ■ JADA, Vol. 8 8 , January 1974
THE DENTAL LIGH
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T
These two dental lights were widely used in the late 1930s and early 1940s. The Pelton Fluorescent Light (left) had four fluorescent tubes, whereas the Castle "Tru-Vision" Light (right) provided a more direct lighting. Notice in both operatories that the dental chairs are shown in front of a window.
No, this is not an unidentified flying object, but a Castle General Vision Light. During the 1940s and into the 1950s, overhead lights such as this provided the correct glareless light inside the 6-foot working area, plus extra office light. This light, used in combination with the Castle “ Tru-Vision" Light, provided a prime example of overall planned lighting for the dental office.
Probably the most widely used dental light of the 1950s and the 1960s— until the newer models of today were developed— was the Castle PanoVision Light. The reflector was divided into 28 sections, each acting as a separate reflector to throw individual beams of light to the operating area GLENNER: DENTAL LIGHTS ■ 57
1974 Models
le i SK-100 “ S kyligh t,” W eber Pelton Dental & CMfg. rane Co. Co. “ Light F a ntastic”
lesson Co. “ Eye S aver"
58 ■ JADA, Vol.
V altron ic Corp. “ A u ra tro n ” 8 8 , January 1974
Ellman D ental Mfg. Co., Inc. quartz-iodine conversion unit
R itter Co. “ S ta rlite ”
y t w r r r / ff f c
C eiling-m ounted S irolux dental light, Siem ens Corp.
Daray, Den-Tal-Ez M fg. Co. GLENNER: DENTAL LIGHTS • 59