Abstract: The method of the present invention is directed to the storage and dispensing of a peroxide containing tooth whitening composition. During storage and subsequent use the composition in the storage chamber must be maintained segregated from the applicator surface. This is accomplished by delivering the peroxide containing tooth whitening composition from the storage chamber through a delivery channel having a length and a cross-sectional diameter sufficient to preclude the migration of moisture and the enzyme catalase from the application surface to the storage chamber. The composition is applied to teeth by means of bristles, a sponge surface or fibrillated surface. This applicator can be used with both aqueous and non-aqueous peroxide containing tooth whitening compositions.

Abstract: A root canal filling system is provided that allows for better control of position, temperature delivery, and/or compaction forces of filling material when sealing root canals. The system includes a removable filler material delivery device and a holder. The delivery device has the capacity to provide information related to the position of the filler material, allows for a thorough and precise heating of the filler material in vivo, and allows for 3-dimensional packing forces to be applied to the filler material simultaneously as conditions are monitored. The system can additionally include a base unit and/or a plugger. The system (1) analyzes the position of the filler material in the canal prior to heating and packing the filler material, (2) heats the filler material such that the filler material is of a substantially uniform temperature, and (3) allows for packing of the filler material simultaneously as the delivery device is removed.

Abstract: An application device for dental compositions. At the rear end, the application device is provided with a connection for a discharge container. A channel extends from the connection to a channel opening arranged at the front end. Flat protrusions are formed at the front end, which enclose therebetween a receiving space for the dental composition. Using the receiving space, the excess dental composition can be taken up again and removed.

Abstract: A bone powder filling tool includes a handle connectable to a rotary dental instrument, and a bone powder propelling bit located one end of the handle. The bone powder propelling bit has opposing top end portion and bottom end portion, bone powder transferring grooves spirally extending around the periphery thereof from the top end portion to the bottom end portion, and bone powder propelling threads extending around the periphery thereof at different elevations for rapidly and uniformly propelling bone powder into the space between the sinus floor and the cortical bone to increase the thickness of the cortical bone in favor of the process of the subsequent tooth implanting, helping the doctor in charge of the operation save operating time and physical strength.

Abstract: An oral care dispenser and oral care system incorporating the system that includes a resilient applicator that optimizes application of the subject fluid to the desired oral surfaces. In one embodiment, the invention is a dispenser comprising a housing having an internal reservoir containing the fluid. The resilient applicator is coupled to the housing and comprises a dispensing orifice. The resilient applicator comprises a working surface that is oriented at an oblique angle to a longitudinal axis of the housing and is defined by a polygonal perimeter edge, the polygonal perimeter edge comprising a plurality of apex portions and a plurality of side portions, wherein one of the plurality of side portions forms a distal most-portion of the resilient applicator.

Abstract: A hand-held device, particularly for dental purposes, comprising a dispenser for dispensing a pasty filling material as well a device for emitting a radiation that causes the filling material to cure.

Abstract: A pressure-regulating, handheld adapter receiving pressurized air from a coupling of a dental chair. A disposable, micro-abrasive dental blasting tip fits into the handheld adapter. The adapter regulates air pressure being supplied to the tip, and is adjustable. The resulting combination/assembly of adapter and tip constitutes a pressure-regulated, micro-abrasive, dental blasting device which may be used for dental air abrasive and prophylaxis procedures. The handheld adapter may include a detritus evacuation portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dental composition for detecting bacteria comprising a solvent, at least one electron acceptor component and at least one electron donor component, the composition being substantially free of components which enable or facilitate the electron transmission between the electron acceptor component and the electron donor component. The invention also relates to a kit of parts and the use of the dental composition for producing a means for the inter-oral detection of bacteria.

Abstract: A prophy device incorporating a shaft and one or more corrugated members which eliminate the need for plastic gears of the prior art is disclosed. The corrugated members effectively transfer rotational energy from a shaft to an applicator. In another version, a flexible paste chamber contains polish within a housing of the device. A difference between a rotational speed at a front of the paste chamber and rear of the paste chamber causes the flexible chamber to contract on itself thereby automatically forcing polish from the chamber and into a polish applicator. A user dictates the amount of polish dispensed by controlling the rotational speed at the front of the paste chamber by pressing the polish applicator against the teeth of a patient. As the speed differential increases, the amount of polish dispensed increases as well.

Abstract: An endodontic obturator for filling an endodontically prepared root canal of a tooth. The endodontic obturator includes an elongated shaft of having a proximate portion and a distal portion. The proximate portion has a handle portion connected thereto or is suitable for being releasably connected to a handle portion. A layer of filler material is coated about the shaft. The filler material has a low operating temperature at which it becomes plasticized or partially molten. The filler material in the layer disposed close to the distal end can have a higher viscosity at the operating temperate than the filler material close to the distal end.

Abstract: A dental cleaning attachment for a dental handpiece which comprises a disposable prophy angle having a neck and a right angle head, wherein the neck is removably attached to the dental handpiece. A polishing cup is rotatably connected to the head of the prophy angle. An encompassing toroidal pouch has a tube fluidly formed to and extending from the toroidal pouch. The tube runs externally along a top surface of the neck, is bent at a right angle, goes through a rear aperture in the head of the prophy angle and into a top aperture in the polishing cup. A paste material is carried within the toroidal pouch, the tube and the polishing cup. When the dental handpiece is gripped by a hand of a dental hygienist and the polishing cup is applied to a tooth, any finger of the hand of the dental hygienist can squeeze the toroidal pouch to force some of the paste material through the tube and out of the polishing cup, so that the paste material can be applied onto the tooth for cleaning.

Abstract: An impactor for safely, efficiently, and effectively placing mercury-free dental restorations in a cavity of a patient's tooth, the impactor having a housing, anvil, hammer, solenoid or other transducer, end cap, source of restoration paste, and paste feeder tube for condensing mercury-free paste in the cavity. The impactor provides periodic impulses by activating the solenoid, causing the hammer to strike the anvil. The anvil is forced into contact with the paste, thereby condensing the paste into a high-density metal or other material suitable for dental restoration. (Also disclosed is a solenoid or other transducer having a “T” shaped hammer which strikes an anvil.) The solenoid or other transducer can be used to compact or strike any surface. The paste feeder may be incorporated into the impactor or alternatively be a separate hand operated device.

Abstract: An impactor for safely, efficiently, and effectively placing mercury-free dental restorations in a cavity of a patient's tooth, the impactor having a housing, anvil, hammer, solenoid or other transducer, end cap, source of restoration paste, and paste feeder tube for condensing mercury-free paste in the cavity. The impactor provides periodic impulses by activating the solenoid, causing the hammer to strike the anvil. The anvil is forced into contact with the paste, thereby condensing the paste into a high-density metal or other material suitable for dental restoration. (Also disclosed is a solenoid or other transducer having a “T” shaped hammer which strikes an anvil.) The solenoid or other transducer can be used to compact or strike any surface. The paste feeder may be incorporated into the impactor or alternatively be a separate hand operated device.

Abstract: A disposable dental prophylaxis angle including an elongated housing which defines a longitudinal axis and has a central bore and a head portion in fluid communication with the central bore. A prophylaxis cup is rotatably supported by the head portion and in fluid communication with the central bore through the head portion. An actuator is movably supported by the housing and includes a piston cooperatively received and supported in the central bore. Together, the piston and the central bore define a fluid chamber of decreasable volume located therebetween. A flowable dentifrice material may be contained within this chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides for the incorporation of dentifrice preparations, which are commonly accessed from a container on a tray during teeth cleaning, internally within the housing of a disposable prophy angle. Auger, baffle or piston members are used to move the preparations from the housing through passages in the head of the prophy angle to a moving prophy cup. If a reusable autoclavable prophy angle is being used, the invention provides for an annular chamber containing the dentifrice preparation that interfits as a sleeve over the prophy angle body. In such case, the prophy angle head is enlarged and includes an inlet connection with the annular chamber. Passageways in the head direct the dentifrice preparation to the prophy cup and a piston ring is used to move the dentifrice preparation from the chamber through the passageways. Alternatively, an external pressurized supply of the dentifrice preparation may be connected to a conduit which is attached to the body in place of the annular chamber.

Abstract: Present day amalgam carriers include a separate spring member for urging the dispensing lever to its original position after serving to dispense the amalgam or restorative material into a prepared cavity, for example. Fracturing of the spring member occurs periodically and replacement thereof in the carrier, even if replaceable, is a time-consuming and frustrating operation and demands digital dexterity. The present invention provides an improved amalgam carrier wherein the spring and dispensing lever form a unitary member which requires infrequent replacement, if any, and when so replaced, or any other replaceable component of the carrier, may be done with comparative ease.

Abstract: A dental implement for dispensing amalgam includes a handle on which are mounted at least one amalgam dispenser and a plugger corresponding to each amalgam dispenser for condensing the amalgam dispensed by the dispenser.

Abstract: A dental implement for dispensing and compacting amalgam includes separate dispensing and compacting assemblies at opposite ends of a handle. The assemblies each have an amalgam carrier cooperating with a plugger portion which extends from an end of the handle. A spring-biased lever maintains the amalgam carrier in a normally lowered position capable of receiving amalgam. Each assembly features a lock for releasably retaining the amalgam carrier in a raised position whereby the plugger portion extends beyond its respective amalgam carrier for tamping the amalgam into a tooth cavity.