Abstract: Provided is prophylaxis cup for dentistry, comprising a first section storing a first medium, a second section storing a second medium, and one or more channels between the first section and the second section, wherein the first section, the second section and the one or more channels are adapted to allow the first medium and the second medium to be mixed, in response to a rotational movement of the prophylaxis cup. Provided also is a method for using prophylaxis cup in which the prophylaxis cup is positioned on a patient's tooth. A control is triggered to rotate the prophylaxis cup to cause a first medium stored in a first section of the prophylaxis cup to be mixed with a second medium stored in a second section of the prophylaxis cup. Provided further is a prophylaxis angle for dentistry, comprising a hand-piece, with the prophylaxis cup coupled to the hand-piece.

Abstract: A hand held dental instrument for curing light-curable compounds including a housing with a handle portion and a barrel portion configured for being manipulated for positioning a tip end of the barrel portion proximate to a curing site. A plurality of solid state, light-emitting elements are mounted in a collective array to collectively form a beam of light. The array of elements is operable for collectively emitting a beam of light having wavelengths within a band of wavelengths and at a power to cure a dental compound. The array of elements is positioned proximate to the tip end of the barrel portion and the emitted light beam from the array illuminating a curing site. A radiation focusing device is positioned proximate the array of elements at the tip end of the barrel portion to focus the beam of light before it illuminates the curing site.

Abstract: An instrument for curing light-curable compounds curable in the mouth of a patient, including a housing including a handle portion and a barrel portion removably secured with respect to the handle portion. A plurality of solid state, light-emitting semiconductor junction elements form an array on a substrate, and collectively emit light having wavelengths within a narrow band of wavelengths suitable for curing a compound. The array of light-emitting elements are positioned proximate to the distal end of the barrel portion, and an elongated heat-conducting element extends from the distal end of the barrel portion toward the proximal end for conducting heat away from the array. A generally clear layer extends on the substrate and over the plurality of light-emitting semiconductor junction elements, and a non-imaging optical focusing device is positioned at the distal end of the barrel portion to collimate the emitted light.

Abstract: A dental paste dispensing device having a modified dispensing end for atraumatic contact with soft tissue is disclosed. The dispensing device has a needle with an attachment end adapted to be attached to a capsule containing the dental paste and a dispensing end with a terminal edge for dispensing the dental paste to a location in a patient mouth containing soft tissue, wherein the dispensing end includes an atraumatic modification. The modification is a plastic tip member over the dispensing end having a flattened static position and a rounded dynamic position.

Abstract: A self-cure, dual-cure or tri-cure polymerizable dental composition is provided with at least one functional chemical. The dental composition is divided into a three-part composition to avoid stability issues caused by degradation and/or loss of function of one component in the extended presence of another component, and the three parts are packaged in a tri-barrel syringe or cartridge delivery system to avoid premature chemical interaction between the functional chemical, redox initiator and/or acid/base.

Abstract: The dental resin modified glass-ionomer composition includes an acidic polymer; an acidic polymerizable monomer selected from 4-(meth)acryloxyalkyltrimellitic anhydride, 4-(meth)acryloxyalkyltrimellitic acid, and a combination thereof; a non-acidic polymerizable monomer; a fluoroaluminosilicate glass filler; water; and at least one polymerization initiator system. The dental resin modified glass-ionomer composition is useful for a dental restorative composition, an endodontic composition, and/or an orthodontic composition, and provides significantly enhanced adhesive property toward tooth structure.

Abstract: A self-cure or dual-cure polymerizable dental composition is provided with a redox indicator. The composition exhibits an initial first color upon mixing of the two parts and then changes to a second color that is noticeably different from the first color during the curing or polymerization of the composition initiated through the redox initiator system. Advantageously, the first color may be distinctively different from tooth structure and can be easily noticed. The second color may be essentially colorless, a neutral color, or a non-visually observable color in reference to the tooth structure.

Abstract: An interproximal dental tool for use by dental practitioners which contains several significant improvements over prior art interproximal dental tools which has an upper surface extending to a sidewall and a body section which in turn grasps a razor or blade member having a blade extending outwardly from the interproximal dental tool and which is placed between the patient's teeth to grind portions of teeth between two adjacent teeth. The tool is used for professional practice only and not by consumers. The significant improvements over the prior art interproximal dental tools are as follows: The exterior top surface and the exterior side surfaces of the present invention interproximal dental tool are made of grippable material which is primarily made of rubber.

Abstract: A dental restorative composition is provided that includes a polymerizable resin, a substantially translucent structural filler, a nanofiller having a mean particle size less than 100 nm, and at least one rheology-modifying additive. In one embodiment, the structural filler has a refractive index substantially similar to that of the polymerizable resin, a coarse particle fraction, and a fine particle fraction having a mean particle size greater than 0.1 ?m and smaller than the mean particle size of the coarse particle fraction. The relative ratio of the coarse particle fraction to the fine particle fraction is in the range from about 12:1 to about 2:1 by volume, the particle size distribution of each fraction is essentially monomodal, and the D(90) of the fine particle fraction is less than or equal to the D(10) of the coarse particle fraction.

Abstract: A curing light device includes a body with a tip portion that has a plurality of elements for providing electrical energy to the distal end of the tip and for removing heat from the distal end of the tip. A light engine includes at least one light emitting element operable for emitting light and is positioned on the distal end of the tip portion. A power supply is positioned in the body and is rechargeable and includes at least one ultracapacitor element. Spring electrical contacts are positioned in the body and electrically coupled with the ultracapacitor element. The spring electrical contacts are spaced along the length of the body and configured for electrically engaging the tip portion along its length for delivering power to the light engine and for provide a spring alignment of the tip portion in the body.

Abstract: A curing light device for curing a compound includes a housing and a tip structure configured to be removably coupled with the housing. A light emitting device operable for emitting light in a wavelength range suitable for curing a light curable compound is positioned at the distal end of the tip structure. Electrical components are positioned at the proximal end of the tip structure and coupled with the at least one light emitting device and are configured for engaging complementary electrical components positioned in the housing for providing power to the light emitting device. A portion of the tip structure extends beyond the proximal end of the tip structure and is configured to be received by a feature in the housing for physically aligning the tip structure in the housing and for aligning the electrical components. A power supply circuit is rechargeable and includes an ultracapacitor element.

Abstract: A light device includes a body and a tip structure configured to be removably coupled with the housing. The tip includes a light engine that is operable for emitting light positioned at a distal end of the tip. A power supply circuit is positioned in the housing and coupled to the light engine. The power supply circuit is rechargeable and includes at least one ultracapacitor element. A non-imaging element is coupled with the light engine at the distal end.

Abstract: A light device includes a housing and a tip structure configured to be removably coupled with the housing. The tip structure includes a light emitting device that is operable for emitting light positioned at a distal end of the tip structure and a body for housing the light emitting device. The housing is formed of an autoclavable material capable of withstanding autoclaving. A power supply circuit is positioned in the housing and coupled to the light emitting device to power the device when the tip structure is coupled with the housing. The power supply circuit is rechargeable and includes at least one ultracapacitor element for being charged and the power supply circuit configured to discharge the ultracapacitor as a current source to drive the at least one light emitting device.

Abstract: A dental restorative composition is provided that includes a polymerizable resin, a substantially translucent structural filler, a nanofiller having a mean particle size less than 100 nm, and at least one rheology-modifying additive. In one embodiment, the structural filler has a refractive index substantially similar to that of the polymerizable resin, a coarse particle fraction, and a fine particle fraction having a mean particle size greater than 0.1 ?m and smaller than the mean particle size of the coarse particle fraction. The relative ratio of the coarse particle fraction to the fine particle fraction is in the range from about 12:1 to about 2:1 by volume, the particle size distribution of each fraction is essentially monomodal, and the D(90) of the fine particle fraction is less than or equal to the D(10) of the coarse particle fraction.

Abstract: The dental resin modified glass-ionomer composition includes an acidic polymer; an acidic polymerizable monomer selected from 4-(meth)acryloxyalkyltrimellitic anhydride, 4-(meth)acryloxyalkyltrimellitic acid, and a combination thereof; a non-acidic polymerizable monomer; a fluoroaluminosilicate glass filler; water; and at least one polymerization initiator system. The dental resin modified glass-ionomer composition is useful for a dental restorative composition, an endodontic composition, and/or an orthodontic composition, and provides significantly enhanced adhesive property toward tooth structure.