The invention relates to a light curing appliance, in particular a dental light curing appliance (10), with a light source and with a light emission element such as an optical waveguide (12), of which the light output end is intended in particular to be directed towards a material that is to be polymerized. It is provided with one or more control devices (16) for switching on the light source during a polymerization cycle, and with one or more sensors (20) or sensor combinations connected to the control devices (16). The sensor (20) is designed as a location sensor and/or as a motion sensor (20) which detects a movement of the light curing appliance (10), designed as a hand-held appliance, and sends signals reproducing the motion to the control devices (16).