Abstract: A wireless teeth whitening system includes a mouthpiece that is devoid of any electrical circuitry so that it may easily be cleaned and sterilized. A control module may be coupled to the mouthpiece. This module has an electrical circuit board with LEDs and heating elements mounted on it. When the control module is coupled to the mouthpiece, the system may be used to whiten teeth. The control module includes a battery that may be inductively charged, and may be wirelessly controlled via Bluetooth from a mobile application.

Abstract: A wireless teeth whitening system includes a mouthpiece that is devoid of any electrical circuitry so that it may easily be cleaned and sterilized. A control module may be coupled to the mouthpiece. This module has an electrical circuit board with LEDs and heating elements mounted on it. When the control module is coupled to the mouthpiece, the system may be used to whiten teeth. The control module includes a battery that may be inductively charged, and may be wirelessly controlled via Bluetooth from a mobile application.

Abstract: A lip positioner shows the surgeon where the upper lip is to be repositioned. It includes a mouthpiece and a platform extending to support the upper lip. It may be fabricated from poured stone in dental casts. The material sits on the upper teeth and has a forward facing platform sitting under the upper lip to “lift up” the lip to its new desired position during and after surgery. It can be used to show the proposed position of the upper lip preliminary to performing plastic surgery or hold the upper lip in a desired position while sleeping or working to retain the upper lip in a desired orientation or to hold the lip in the desired position during healing surgery to minimize the gravitational pull on the lip which will also minimize scarring of the incision area. The method of making and using the lip positioner is also disclosed.

Abstract: A dispensing vial includes three component parts, a container for an oral care formulation, an applicator tip, and a cap removably overlying the tip. The cap includes a 4-way locking system. The applicator tip has concentric rows of upwardly extending projections with the outer peripheral row of projections or nibs being longer and higher than the inner peripheral row. The projections facilitate maximum flexibility when used in the oral cavity. Preferably, the applicator projections are made of polyethylene or polypropylene with a Shore A hardness in the range of 35-75. Preferably, the oral care formulation is maintained at a viscosity in the range of 14000-21000 CP. This combination facilitates the formulation easily dispensing from the container, spreading over the applicator projections, and being applied within the oral cavity of the user.

Abstract: A method employs a closed system mouthpiece using light and heat generation to activate a gel formulation to increase its volume. The gel formulation is coated into the mouthpiece, which is inserted into the user's mouth. Application of heat above a threshold temperature causes the gel to transform into foam and expand out of the mouthpiece and into the oral cavity. The mouthpiece creates a hermetic seal such that the foam expands out throughout the oral cavity into nooks and crannies that are normally difficult to access. Activation of a light source embedded within the mouthpiece enhances the bacteria killing properties of the foam material. The pH balance of the mouth is restored by the inventive method and apparatus to a neutral level in the range of 6.75 to 7.25.

Abstract: A formulation starts as a gel and transforms into a foam under influence of light and heat to expand out into the oral cavity of a user for advantageous health benefits. A closed system mouthpiece includes light and heat generation to activate the formulation to increase its volume. Application of heat above a threshold temperature causes the gel to transform into foam and expand out of the mouthpiece and into the oral cavity. With the foam so dispersed within the oral cavity, activation of a light source embedded within the mouthpiece enhances the bacteria killing properties of the now foam material. The foam spreads onto the tongue of the user as well and acts to kill any damaging bacteria found there. As a result, the pH balance of the mouth is restored to a neutral level in the range of 6.75 to 7.25 or maintained at that pH level.

Abstract: A method employs a closed system mouthpiece using light and heat generation to activate a gel formulation to increase its volume. The gel formulation is coated into the mouthpiece, which is inserted into the user's mouth. Application of heat above a threshold temperature causes the gel to transform into foam and expand out of the mouthpiece and into the oral cavity. The mouthpiece creates a hermetic seal such that the foam expands out throughout the oral cavity into nooks and crannies that are normally difficult to access. Activation of a light source embedded within the mouthpiece enhances the bacteria killing properties of the foam material. The pH balance of the mouth is restored by the inventive method and apparatus to a neutral level in the range of 6.75 to 7.25.

Abstract: A formulation starts as a gel and transforms into a foam under influence of light and heat to expand out into the oral cavity of a user for advantageous health benefits. A closed system mouthpiece includes light and heat generation to activate the formulation to increase its volume. Application of heat above a threshold temperature causes the gel to transform into foam and expand out of the mouthpiece and into the oral cavity. With the foam so dispersed within the oral cavity, activation of a light source embedded within the mouthpiece enhances the bacteria killing properties of the now foam material. The foam spreads onto the tongue of the user as well and acts to kill any damaging bacteria found there. As a result, the pH balance of the mouth is restored to a neutral level in the range of 6.75 to 7.25 or maintained at that pH level.

Abstract: A closed system mouthpiece uses light and heat generation to activate a gel formulation to increase its volume. The gel formulation is coated into the mouthpiece, which is inserted into the user's mouth. Application of heat above a threshold temperature causes the gel to transform into foam and expand out of the mouthpiece and into the oral cavity. The mouthpiece creates a hermetic seal such that the foam expands out throughout the oral cavity into nooks and crannies that are normally difficult to access. Activation of a light source embedded within the mouthpiece enhances the bacteria killing properties of the foam material. The pH balance of the mouth is restored by the inventive method and apparatus to a neutral level in the range of 6.75 to 7.25.

Abstract: A structure for a hardened optically transmissive material including a hard coating is provided. The structure for the hardened optically transmissive material including the hard coating includes a substrate, and an aluminum oxide film disposed over the substrate, wherein the aluminum oxide film is grown to between 100 nanometers (nm) and 5 microns (um). The aluminum oxide film demonstrates a hardness greater than 10 gigapascals (GPa) as measured by nanoindentation, and the aluminum oxide film exhibits a transparency value such that at least 84 percent of light waves transmit through the aluminum oxide film for light waves within a range of wavelengths.

Abstract: A dispensing vial includes three component parts, a container for an oral care formulation, an applicator tip, and a cap removably overlying the tip. The cap includes a 4-way locking system. The applicator tip has concentric rows of upwardly extending projections with the outer peripheral row of projections or nibs being longer and higher than the inner peripheral row. The projections facilitate maximum flexibility when used in the oral cavity. Preferably, the applicator projections are made of polyethylene or polypropylene with a Shore A hardness in the range of 35-75. Preferably, the oral care formulation is maintained at a viscosity in the range of 14000-21000 CP. This combination facilitates the formulation easily dispensing from the container, spreading over the applicator projections, and being applied within the oral cavity of the user.

Abstract: The inventive retractor includes two half-moon shaped trays at each side located on the sides of the mouth covering the lips and opening the mouth to reveal the teeth from the front. The trays are interconnected by a strap-like member spacing the upper and lower teeth from one another by a slight amount. The angulation between the trays and the strap-like member is devised to improve the patient's comfort level and to better facilitate alignment of the retractor with typical human oral anatomy. Each of the inventive trays has a handle so that the retractor may easily be gripped for insertion into the mouth and removal therefrom.

Abstract: A method for producing one or more free-standing aluminum oxide windows or laminates by using a substrate of aluminum oxide and one or more sacrificial layers that each separates one or more deposited aluminum oxide layer. The sacrificial layer may be decomposed to producing one or more a free-standing aluminum oxide windows. The free-standing windows or laminates are substantially in finished form requiring little or no post growth processing. The produced windows or laminates may be hard, scratch resistant net-shaped sapphire ready for use in cell phones, electronic devices, a tablet computer, watches, glass applications, or the like.

Abstract: The inventive retractor includes two half-moon shaped trays at each side located on the sides of the mouth covering the lips and opening the mouth to reveal the teeth from the front. The trays are interconnected by a strap-like member spacing the upper and lower teeth from one another by a slight amount. The angulation between the trays and the strap-like member is devised to improve the patient's comfort level and to better facilitate alignment of the retractor with typical human oral anatomy. Each of the inventive trays has a handle so that the retractor may easily be gripped for insertion into the mouth and removal therefrom.

Abstract: A closed system mouthpiece uses light and heat generation to activate a gel formulation to increase its volume. The gel formulation is coated into the mouthpiece, which is inserted into the user's mouth. Application of heat above a threshold temperature causes the gel to transform into foam and expand out of the mouthpiece and into the oral cavity. The mouthpiece creates a hermetic seal such that the foam expands out throughout the oral cavity into nooks and crannies that are normally difficult to access. Activation of a light source embedded within the mouthpiece enhances the bacteria killing properties of the foam material. The pH balance of the mouth is restored by the inventive method and apparatus to a neutral level in the range of 6.75 to 7.25.

Abstract: A container has a sealed chamber. An applicator mounted on the container has a passageway and a comb-like applicator having a central opening that allows flow of a gel through its plural teeth. A cap is mounted over the applicator member and carries a piercing element. A limit stop limits the downward movement of the cap. The limit stop is attached to the applicator member by a frangible coupling. The limit stop can be broken off the applicator, whereupon the cap may be pushed downward so the piercing element pierces the foil seal. Thereafter, the flexible container may be squeezed to dispense the gel. The tip of the applicator is designed to target the gel to the teeth, avoiding the lips and the gums and avoiding irritation and preventing contact with sensitive areas.