A curing apparatus wherein rapid curing is provided by using light, pressure, pressure and light, or purge, pressure and light to cure resinous materials by application of energy from an external source to excite polymerization in a polymerizable system. An air-tight chamber is provided to house the polymerizable dental material. The apparatus provides an automated system for curing the polymerizable material under light and pressure in the same unit. A purge cycle may be included to minimize or eliminate bubbles and provide an oxygen-free atmosphere.