Abstract: Fluoride varnish compositions for temporary application and adhesion to a person's teeth include a carrier that remains stable and translucent during storage. The compositions include a carrier comprising a stable and translucent resin and a fluoride ion source (e.g., a fluoride salt such as sodium fluoride) dispersed within the carrier so as to provide biologically available fluoride ions to teeth being treated. The carrier resists formation of solids that can plug a 25 gauge or smaller syringe brush applicator tip. The compositions may also include an adhesion promoting agent comprising an alkyl phosphoric acid. The composition adheres only temporarily to tooth tissue (e.g., for a period of at least about 4 minutes, but not more than about 1 year), after which the composition spontaneously wears away as a natural result of the action of the tongue, saliva and/or other factors.

Abstract: Orthodontic force modules and assemblies for use in correcting class II and/or class III malocclusions include an elongate hollow outer body extending between proximal and distal ends, a plunger, spring, and push rod. The plunger and push rod are slidably received within different ends of the hollow outer body. The spring is positioned within the hollow outer body and provides an expansion force which provides a desired corrective force. The outer body, plunger, spring, and push rod can be configured in a telescoping relationship in order for the components to be telescopically compressed and expanded during use. The distal end can include a bendable pin or latch mechanism for attachment to a buccal tube. The push rod can include a hook, hole, or slot for attachment to an archwire. Various connectors for coupling an orthodontic force module to a buccal tube portion of a molar bracket are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dental bleaching composition comprises a dental bleaching agent and a polyvinylpyrrolidone thickening agent. The bleaching composition may include a liquid component, flavoring agents, a basic substance and desensitizing agents, as desired. Polyvinylpyrrolidone avoids acid etching and chelation of teeth that were problematic in bleaches using carbomer as a thickener. A delivery system for delivering the bleaching composition comprises the aforementioned dental bleaching composition in combination with a moisture-resistant barrier layer such as a dental tray or a flexible strip of material.

Abstract: Methods for use in selectively conditioning and remineralizing teeth. An exemplary method comprises the steps of applying a conditioning composition to one or more of a person's teeth, and separately applying a remineralizing composition to the person's teeth. The conditioning composition includes a conditioning agent, and the remineralizing composition includes a remineralizing agent comprising calcium ions and/or fluoride ions. The conditioning composition may be applied prior to or after application of the remineralizing composition. In one embodiment, both the conditioning composition and the remineralizing composition include different remineralizing ions (e.g., one including calcium, one including fluoride).

Abstract: A non-custom dental treatment device includes a moisture-resistant barrier layer that is flexible so as to conform to a plurality of differently-sized and shaped dental arches during use. The moisture-resistant barrier layer comprised of wax, paraffin wax and/or polyolefin. The dental treatment device also includes a substantially solid dental treatment composition adapted so as to be initially substantially dry to the touch and so as to become sticky and adhesive to dental tissue when moistened. The substantially solid dental treatment composition includes at least one tissue adhesion agent and at least one active agent, such as a dental bleaching agent.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a dental bleaching device including a dental bleaching composition and a barrier layer. The bleaching composition includes a dental bleaching agent, a generally linear high molecular weight polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and/or polyethylene oxide (PEO) tissue adhesion agent that imparts adhesiveness, a rheology-modifying agent such as fumed silica or fumed alumina that reduces or eliminates stringiness otherwise caused by the high molecular weight PVP and/or PEO, and a carrier. The barrier layer may comprise a dental tray or strip. Dental treatment devices including a barrier layer and a quantity of the dental bleaching composition positioned adjacent to the barrier layer.

Abstract: Dental cement compositions (including two-part compositions), kits, and related methods are used for bonding a dental prosthetic appliance to a tooth. A first part includes an amine activator component and a zinc oxide reactive filler, while a second part includes a polymerization initiator (e.g., benzoyl peroxide) and a polymerizable component having a structure including at least one acrylate or methacrylate group at one end and a carboxylic acid group at another end. A temporary cement composition advantageously exhibits reduced compressive and/or bonding strength relative to permanent cement compositions, which provides sufficient strength to facilitate normal use of the teeth while the provisional appliance is in use, while also facilitating easy removal of the provisional appliance for replacement with a permanent appliance at a later time.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing a denture including providing a cavity having a plurality of wells formed therein for receiving denture teeth, inserting denture teeth into the wells so that distal coronal aspects face into the wells, positioning the cavity over a core to form a molding void therebetween, in which the exposed proximal aspects of the denture teeth are in the molding void, and introducing a molding material into the molding void to envelope the proximal aspects of the denture teeth and form a denture base upon at least partial setting of the molding material. Once set, the denture base with denture teeth retained therein may be removed from the cavity and core. Using such methods, a kit of differently sized prefabricated dentures in which the denture bases comprise a plastically deformable material may be provided, an appropriate denture selected, and semi-customized to a patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods for viewing stereoscopic video images are disclosed. One system comprises a first video camera configured to generate a first video feed of a subject. A second video camera is spaced a pupilary distance from the first video camera and configured to generate a second video feed of the subject. A tracking module associated with the first video camera and the second video camera is configured to cause the first video camera and the second video camera to be directed to a desired convergent point relative to a selected tracking point to maintain stereopsis. A zooming module associated with the first video camera and the second video camera is configured to provide a desired magnification of the near real-time stereoscopic video image.

Abstract: A dental curing light system is configured to include a dental curing light (100) having a device body (102) with a proximal handle portion (106) and a distal head portion (104). One or more light sources (120) for generating light are disposed on or within the device body (102). Generated light is emitted from the distal head portion (104) and includes wavelengths greater than about 420 nm and wavelengths less than 420 nm. A separate head attachment member or device (160) is coupleable over the distal head (110) of the device body (102) so as to receive substantially all light emitted from the distal head portion (104) of the device body (102).

Abstract: A pin connector for attaching an orthodontic force module to an orthodontic appliance is configured to preferentially bend in a middle segment along an elongate pin body of the pin connector. The pin connector includes an elongate pin body and an extension rod extending laterally from an end of the pin body for interconnecting the pin body and an orthodontic force module. The elongate pin body includes first, second and third segments, with the second segment having reduced cross-sectional diameter relative to the first and third segments so that pin body preferentially bends in the second segment rather than the first and third segments when attaching the orthodontic force module to the orthodontic appliance. This provides a preselected amount of distance or play between the orthodontic force module and the orthodontic appliance.

Abstract: Provided herein is a retraction device for retracting soft tissue from the dental surfaces in the oral cavity of a patient. The retraction device is comprised of a topology conformable structure, where the topology conformable structure is adaptable to be delivered to the oral cavity in a constrained shape. The device can then undergo a conformation change in the oral cavity, where the device transforms into its unconstrained shape. The unconstrained shape of the device creates a useable working field in the oral cavity. The useable working field can provide increased accessibility to and/or visibility within the oral cavity. Also provided herein are methods for using the device and kits.

Abstract: Dental bleaching compositions include a dental bleaching agent, a generally linear high molecular weight (e.g., greater than about 500,000) polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and/or polyethylene oxide (PEO) tissue adhesion agent included in amount that imparts a high level of adhesiveness, a rheology-modifying agent such as fumed silica or fumed alumina that reduces or eliminates stringiness otherwise caused by the high molecular weight PVP and/or PEO, and a solvent or carrier. Dental bleaching compositions may include carboxypolymethylene instead of or in addition to PVP and/or PEO, wherein the fumed silica or fumed alumina increases long-term rheological stability even in the presence of a high concentration of dental bleaching agent. Dental treatment devices including a barrier layer and a quantity of the dental bleaching composition positioned adjacent to the barrier layer.

Abstract: Two-part resin-reinforced cement compositions, kits, and related methods are used for bonding a dental prosthetic appliance to a tooth. A first part includes an amine activator component and a zinc oxide reactive filler, while a second part includes a polymerization initiator (e.g., benzoyl peroxide) and a polymerizable component having a structure including at least one acrylate or methacrylate group at one end and a carboxylic acid group at another end. A temporary cement composition advantageously exhibits reduced compressive and/or bonding strength relative to permanent cement compositions, which provides sufficient strength to facilitate normal use of the teeth while the provisional appliance is in use, while also facilitating easy removal of the provisional appliance for replacement with a permanent appliance at a later time.

Abstract: A dental bleaching composition comprises a dental bleaching agent, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and at least 0.1% water. The bleaching composition may include a liquid component, flavoring agent, basic substance, and/or desensitizing agent as desired. Polyvinylpyrrolidone avoids acid etching and chelation of teeth that were problematic in bleaches using carbomer as a thickener. A delivery system for delivering the bleaching composition comprises the aforementioned dental bleaching composition in combination with a moisture-resistant barrier layer such as a dental tray or a flexible strip of material.