Abstract: A dental wedge for inserting into the interproximal space between adjacent teeth comprises a first and second sidewall comprised of a shape memory material, including a nickel-titanium alloy, wherein the dental wedge is in a first, resting state when outside of the interproximal space and transforms to a second, operational state when the dental wedge is interested into the interproximal space between adjacent teeth and exposed to a first transformation stimulus, namely exposure to the higher temperature in the interproximal space. The expansion force generated by the dental wedge when in the second, operational stage is sufficient to secure a dental matrix against the tooth being restored and to separate the tooth being restored and adjacent tooth to expand the interproximal space.

Abstract: A dental wedge, for use in the inter-proximal space between adjacent teeth, includes a head portion, a body portion, wherein, the body portion includes a backbone, wherein the backbone, viewed from the side, has a curved profile, the body portion includes at least three pairs of wings extending from the backbone, wherein the wings are separated by a plurality of notches such that the wings extend independently, and the body portion has three sections, wherein a proximal wing section includes a pair of wings closest to the head portion, a distal wing section includes a pair of wings furthest from the head portion, and a central wing section has at least one pair of wings, and a neck portion, wherein the neck portion connects the head and body portions.

Abstract: A dental wedge for inserting into the interproximal space between adjacent teeth comprises a first and second sidewall comprised of a shape memory material, including a nickel-titanium alloy, wherein the dental wedge is in a first, resting state when outside of the interproximal space and transforms to a second, operational state when the dental wedge is interested into the interproximal space between adjacent teeth and exposed to a first transformation stimulus, namely exposure to the higher temperature in the interproximal space. The expansion force generated by the dental wedge when in the second, operational stage is sufficient to secure a dental matrix against the tooth being restored and to separate the tooth being restored and adjacent tooth to expand the interproximal space.

Abstract: A reusable dental impression tray having a reusable rigid tray holder with opposing sidewalls spaced apart substantially a first distance, a connector at a distal end of the tray holder couples the sidewalls together, the sidewalls and connector define an inward facing surface, a channel formed in and extends along the inward facing surface, and a disposable mesh bite tray having a generally U-shaped frame having an open end and a closed end, the U-shaped frame is made of a flexible material wherein the U-shaped frame has a static shape having a width at the closed end substantially the first distance and a width at the open end which is greater than the first distance, wherein with the U-shaped frame received in the channel, the open and of the U-shaped frame is held with the open end having a compressed width substantially the same as the first distance.

Abstract: A dental wedge, for use in the inter-proximal space between adjacent teeth, includes a head portion, a body portion, wherein, said body portion includes a backbone, wherein said backbone, viewed from the side, has a curved profile, said body portion includes at least three pairs of wings extending from the backbone, wherein said wings are separated by a plurality of notches such that the wings extend independently, and said body portion has three sections, wherein a proximal wing section includes a pair of wings closest to the head portion, a distal wing section includes a pair of wings furthest from the head portion, and a central wing section has at least one pair of wings, and a neck portion, wherein said neck portion connects the head and body portions.

Abstract: A dental restorative material capsule for mixing and dispensing two flowable materials and dispensing the resulting mixture, comprises a mixing chamber with a removable partition separating the flowable materials prior to use, a plunger for dispensing the contents of the mixing chamber and a dispensing tip for applying the resulting mixture to the desired area.

Abstract: A dental wedge for use in the inter-proximal space between adjacent teeth. The wedge includes a taper section ending at a tip, and a body section extending to the tapering section at one end. The body section has an inverted V-shaped cross-section, flexing of the sides of the V-shape allowing the wedge to adapt to various contours of the inter-proximal space. The mid-portion of the body section is narrower than at least a portion of the wedge at either end of the mid-portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dental crowns for use in restoring a prepared tooth wherein the dental crown comprises a universally sized crown shell and crown matrix to enable the sizing and fitting of the dental crown to the patient in a single sitting and without an impression or laboratory procedure.

Abstract: A manufactured device for handling a dental restoration, the device comprising an adhesive receiving surface and handle adjacent thereto for grasping of the device by a dental hand tool such as a tweezer or forceps. The handle may also include a bore configured to receive the pins ends of the pin tweezer for grasping the device. The adhesive receiving surface is configured with varying dimensions and shapes to correspond to the different restorations. The adhesive receiving surface may also include lug portions for controlling the amount of adhesive to the device.

Abstract: A matrix band retainer for dental restoration has a unitary member of a stiff planar spring material. The unitary member has an open ring substantially in a first plane, with the plane of the material of the ring perpendicular to the first plane. A tine at each end of the open ring extends substantially normal to the plane of the ring. Each tine has a first planar portion extending from the ring and a second planar portion extending from the first planar portion. The second planar portion is at an angle to the first planar portion and adjoins the first planar portion to define a ridge. The ridges of each tine face each other across a gap. Each tine may be bifurcated at the end distal from the ring so that the distal portion of each of the first planar portion and the second planar portion are divided by a notch. A dental wedge can be inserted through the notch with the matrix band retainer in place.

Abstract: A dental contact matrix system is described for the placement of dental fillings. The dental contact matrix system includes a matrix, a retainer for placing and retaining the 5 matrix and an elastic wedge. The retainer includes two lugs or tines that fit between two teeth on the buccal and lingual sides of the teeth. The lugs are connected by spring member that presses the lugs against the lingual and buccal sides of the teeth. There is an adaptation to hold the elastic wedge in a stretched condition between the lugs.

Abstract: A dental contact matrix system is described for the placement of dental fillings. The dental contact matrix system includes a matrix, a retainer for placing and retaining the 5 matrix and an elastic wedge. The retainer includes two lugs or tines that fit between two teeth on the buccal and lingual sides of the teeth. The lugs are connected by spring member that presses the lugs against the lingual and buccal sides of the teeth. There is an adaptation to hold the elastic wedge in a stretched condition between the lugs.

Abstract: A dental contact matrix system is described for the placement of dental fillings. The dental contact matrix system includes a matrix, a retainer for placing and retaining the 5 matrix and an elastic wedge. The retainer includes two lugs or tines that fit between two teeth on the buccal and lingual sides of the teeth. The lugs are connected by a spring member that presses the lugs against the lingual and buccal sides of the teeth. There is an adaptation to hold the elastic wedge in a stretched condition between the lugs.