Abstract: A method of treating biofilm disease using a pH adjusted therapeutic rinse that comprises two parts that are separated and in amounts that upon mixing provide a single dose. The two parts together and then rinsing a patient's mouth with the single dose and expectorating.

Abstract: The invention provides the tools needed for a dental patient's caries risk assessment. Included is a complete turnkey system for caries risk assessment and treatment, including an ATP test and a plurality of rinses and educational and diagnostic materials. The system for the detection and treatment of the bacterial infection that causes dental caries in a patient comprises a disposable ATP Bioluminescence sampler to swab areas of the patient's mouth, a bioluminescent light meter which measures the amount of ATP present in the patient's mouth, a rapid culture test for the detection of Mutans streptococci and lactobacilli, a diagnostic testing component that includes a caries risk assessment questionnaire, a treatment component that includes a short term therapeutic oral rinse of at least two components, and a long term maintenance rinse.

Abstract: A method for reducing dental disease in a patient comprises a patient wearing in the patient's mouth an appliance containing an oral care product comprising a carrier and an anti-dental disease agent with a pH above 7.0. The appliance brings the patient's teeth in direct and sustained contact with the product and is custom made for each individual patient. The oral care product is specifically prescribed and formulated for the particular dental disease of that individual patient.

Abstract: A method of treating biofilm disease using a pH adjusted therapeutic rinse that comprises two parts that are separated and in amounts that upon mixing provide a single dose. The two parts together and then rinsing a patient's mouth with the single dose and expectorating.

Abstract: The invention provides the tools needed for a dental patient's caries risk assessment. Included is a complete turnkey system for caries risk assessment and treatment, including an ATP test and a plurality of rinses and educational and diagnostic materials. The system for the detection and treatment of the bacterial infection that causes dental caries in a patient comprises a disposable ATP Bioluminescence sampler to swab areas of the patient's mouth, a bioluminescent light meter which measures the amount of ATP present in the patient's mouth, a rapid culture test for the detection of Mutans streptococci and lactobacilli, a diagnostic testing component that includes a caries risk assessment questionnaire, a treatment component that includes a short term therapeutic oral rinse of at least two components, and a long term maintenance rinse.

Abstract: A method of treating biofilm disease using a pH adjusted therapeutic rinse that comprises two parts that are separated and in amounts that upon mixing provide a single dose. The two parts together and then rinsing a patient's mouth with the single dose and expectorating.

Abstract: The invention provides the tools needed for a dental patient's caries risk assessment. Included is a complete turnkey system for caries risk assessment and treatment, including an ATP test and a plurality of rinses and educational and diagnostic materials. The system for the detection and treatment of the bacterial infection that causes dental caries in a patient comprises a disposable ATP Bioluminescence sampler to swab areas of the patient's mouth, a bioluminescent light meter which measures the amount of ATP present in the patient's mouth, a rapid culture test for the detection of Mutans streptococci and lactobacilli, a diagnostic testing component that includes a caries risk assessment questionnaire, a treatment component that includes a short term therapeutic oral rinse of at least two components, and a long term maintenance rinse.

Abstract: A method for reducing dental disease in a patient comprises a patient wearing in the patient's mouth an appliance containing an oral care product comprising a carrier and an anti-dental disease agent with a pH above 7.0. The appliance brings the patient's teeth in direct and sustained contact with the product and is custom made for each individual patient. The oral care product is specifically prescribed and formulated for the particular dental disease of that individual patient.

Abstract: This invention comprises a kit of materials necessary for a patient to clean and maintain a dental appliance made of plastic resin. More specifically, the kit contains a special brush, a polishing paste, a gel for use under the appliance when worn, an oral care rinse to use with the appliance, a powdered material that is dissolved in water that becomes a solution that cleans and disinfects the appliance, and a plurality of protective cases.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to an efficient and inexpensive way to form dental clasps and fixed single unit temporary prostheses from molten thermoplastic resin. The apparatus and method allow a dental laboratory to make non-metallic clasps using an inexpensive handheld thermoplastic injection unit/gun that injects molten resin into a model of the clasp made from wax. A silicone putty matrix allows the resin to flow into a vacated wax model of the clasp. The time and money needed for this is much less than is needed to create such clasps using hot press equipment.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus, materials, devices and methods for the use of a variety of thermoplastic resins in fabricating dental prostheses without the use of expensive hot-press equipment unavailable to most dental laboratories. The prostheses made by the process and materials disclosed herein provide more attractive and longer lasting prostheses with significant savings in both costs and materials. Among the aims of the technology disclosed is to save time and money for the dental industry (dentists, dental labs) and the dental consumer/patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a instrument for use in an air abrasion dental instrument that allows direct contact between a nozzle which delivers a stream of abrasive particles directly through a primary opening to a tooth surface. As the primary opening if the nozzles of this invention are in continuous close contact with a tooth surface, exhaust amounts of abrasive-laden fluid escape secondary openings at a direction lateral to the tooth surface. The invention also embodies removable nozzle covers having both primary and secondary openings that enable prior art nozzles to be easily converted to contact nozzles. Both the nozzles and removable nozzle covers of this invention define areas for dental restoration that remove a minimal amount of healthy tooth structure. The invention allows the comfort of air abrasion dentistry to the patient as well as both visual and tactile feedback to the dentist, the latter filling a long felt need of the practicing dental community.

Abstract: A device for removing material from biological organisms by directing an abrasive fluid stream onto a surface of a biological organism. The device operates on a standard household pressure source and includes a converging-diverging nozzle that produces a super-sonic abrasive-laden air stream having a temperature that is harmless to the biological organism. The device operates at such a temperature without the use of external elements, such as additional heaters or coolers. The internal contour of the nozzle bore is variable and determines conditions, such as, for example, velocity, temperature and shape of the particle-laden air stream.

Abstract: A dental instrument includes a handpiece having a nozzle from which is ejected a stream of abrasive particles, and a valve operated under the control of a microprocessor which regulate, as selected by a user, the stream of abrasive particles either as a continuous flowing stream or a pulsed flowing stream. The microprocessor enables the valves to be operated at a plurality of different pulse durations. A remote control unit, small enough to fit into the palm of a hand of a user, provides control of the basic parameters of the instrument, allowing the instrument to be conveniently placed and allowing fingertip control of the instrument without having to move away from the patient. The handpiece is integrated with a main dental unit foot control for a dental drill, so that the main dental unit foot control operates both the dental drill and the handpiece.

Abstract: A composition and method for bleaching teeth is disclosed wherein red dye is dissolved in a solvent and combined with an inert, inorganic carrier. The composition is mixed chairside by the dental practitioner, with a source of active oxygen to form a bleaching paste, which is applied to prepared teeth. Teeth coated with the paste are then exposed to light of a visible wavelength range of from 400-550 or an argon laser. When the active oxygen is spent, the bleaching paste on the teeth turns colorless. The red dye greatly accelerates the bleach time.

Abstract: The invention enables accurate control of particle flow with regard to feeding abrasive material to a surface. The unit does not employ a vibrator and may be used to remove undesired material from a surface. A particular application is in a dental air abrasion unit for both cleaning and cutting tooth surfaces. When used in an air abrasion dental instrument, the abrasive material is stored in a container which is separated from a mixing chamber by an orifice member. The flow of particles is electronically controlled by the differential in pressure in the container section above the particle level and the pressure below an orifice member in a mixing chamber. The resulting particle flow to the surface is substantially linear and less erratic than that of prior air abrasion instruments.

Abstract: A device for removing material from biological organisms by directing an abrasive fluid stream onto a surface of a biological organism. The device operates on a standard household pressure source and includes a converging-diverging nozzle that produces a super-sonic abrasive-laden air stream having a temperature that is harmless to the biological organism. The device operates at such a temperature without the use of external elements, such as additional heaters or coolers. The internal contour of the nozzle bore is variable and determines conditions, such as, for example, velocity, temperature and shape of the particle-laden air stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the effective removal of both hard and soft decay using micro air abrasion dentistry. The process uses a composition which is treated to make it biologically inactive. It comprises at least 95% alumina of a certain particle size distribution and is optimized to remove both hard and soft decay, including carious enamel, carious dentin, stains, calculus, materia alba, organic plug, glass ionomer, composites, resin restoratives, cementum and spent amalgam. Over 50% of the abrasive has particle sizes ranging from 15 to 45.mu. with an average particle size of 27.5.mu.. Other unique features of the abrasive include the addition of color and flavor agents to detect the presence of caries and increase patient enjoyment, respectively.

Abstract: A dental repair process removes an area of tooth decay from a tooth structure, and prepares the tooth structure, including dentin and enamel surfaces of the tooth structure, for bonding with a filler material. It is characterized by the use of a soft abrasive particulate material such as a urea resin with a Mohs hardness in the range of from 3.0 to 4.0 and a particle size of 10 to 200 microns. Such material is capable of effectively removing soft tooth decay when carried in a fluid stream that is directed towards the decayed area under pressure.