Heated dental mirror

Abstract

A self-temperature regulating hermetically sealed dental mirror includes a mirror encasement comprised of an inverted metal cup that contains electronic heating and temperature control components secured in its interior cavity by a heat conductive resin base potting material. The external surface of the closed end of the cup is a light reflective surface that functions as a mirror. The open end of the inverted cup is imbedded in a plastic base that is molded around and sealed to the sides of the cup in such a manner that the potting material and electronic components are completely sealed and not exposed to the exterior. A molded handle extends radially outwardly from the base, and electric wire leads for conducting electricity to the heating components are positioned longitudinally through the handle. A male jack plug is molded into the distal end of the handle for connecting the wire leads to a power source. The electronics is low voltage direct current and includes a wire wound resistor heating element with a posistor controlled transistor switching circuit for temperature control. Alternatively, for relatively lower wattage heating requirements, the low voltage circuit includes a posistor or a plurality of posistors in series that function both generate heat and regulate the temperature.