Abstract: A sensor holder (10) includes a frame member (20) that bounds a void area (21) and which is configured to receive a sensor (11). A retaining means (50, 51) is provided to hold the sensor (11) to the frame (20) such that a connecting cable (12) affixed to the sensor (11) is secured and positioned by the void area (21) for a subsequent imaging procedure.

Abstract: A container enclosing an applicator and a dental composition including a volatile organic solvent. The container is sealed. The volatile organic solvent is effectively retained within the container, even after storage at about 43° C. for one week. Preferably the container is made of a copolymer of a cycloolefin and an open chain olefin.

Abstract: A tip (10) for mixing a plurality of components and for dispensing the mixture. The tip is particularly suited for use with a bulk supply of the components (11). The tip is further particularly suited for the mixing and dispensing of reactive materials. The tip (10) includes a housing (32) having a stator (31) positioned therein. The housing (32) includes a plurality of feeder channels (20, 21) that correspond to outlet channels of the bulk storage device. At least one of the feeder channels (20, 21) has a length dimension such that it extends into the outlet channel of the bulk storage device to prevent cross-contamination of the components held within the bulk storage device.

Abstract: A composition of macrocyclic oligomer with at least one (meth)acrylate polymerizable group. A method includes preparing an activated precursor of an oligomer at pseudo high-dilution conditions. A method also includes preparing an activated precursor of an oligomer by reacting the precursor with an activated coupling agent, wherein the precursor is condensable and polymerizable.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plastic tray orthodontic device (11) which may have embedded activators (10) and which is provided with an over-shell (12). The over-shell (12) acts as a force module.

Abstract: An integrated dental porcelain system for making dental prostheses and restorations is provided. The system includes three universal major components: a) opaque porcelain composition; b) pressable dentin ingot; and c) veneering porcelain composition that can be used interchangeably for making restorations. Techniques for making the prostheses and restorations include porcelain fused-to-metal (PFM), press-to-metal (PTM), and either pressed and/or machined all-ceramic methods. The system uses both a hand-layering of veneering porcelain (PFM technique) and a hot-pressing process (PTM and all-ceramic technique) to fabricate the prostheses and restorations.

Abstract: Methods for disinfecting and removing smear layer from prepared tooth surfaces are provided. The methods involve irrigating the tooth surface with a disinfectant solution containing doxycycline or tetracycline, a surfactant such as polysorbate, and organic acid such as citric acid. The methods can be used in various dental treatments including, for example, endodontic and periodontic procedures as well as tooth restoration and reconstruction.

Abstract: A pontic (10) having a prefabricated notch, channel or slot (11) to physically engage and ensure a secure mechanical lock with the dental appliance (30). The invention also pertains to a method of fabricating a dental appliance (30) and a kit for facilitating the same. The invention has particular application to thermoformed, removable appliances.

Abstract: The invention provides a low polymerization shrinkage dental composition and a polymerizable dental material selected from the group consisting of wax-like dental material that undergoes ring open polymerization. The dental composition is useful as restorative material and for making artificial teeth, dentures, restoratives, crowns and bridges of high strength dental polymeric material.

Abstract: A series of ceramic ingots is provided in which each ingot in the series, referred to as base ingots, has a shade corresponding to a different shade of a shade guide. The number of differently shaded base ingots is less than the total number of shades associated with the shade guide. A base ingot is selected from the series having a shade of a value at least as high as a shade associated with a patient's tooth. If the base ingot shade matches the patient's tooth, a restoration made with the selected base ingot can be glazed as is; otherwise the dental restoration is stained with a stain having a lower value than the selected base ingot to match the tooth. Thus, the total different number of ingot shades needed in inventory is reduced but without requiring staining in every case.

Abstract: A dispensing syringe for dispensing a multi-component dental composition, preferably a two component composition, is provided. The syringe includes a syringe body with multiple elongated barrels for storing the components of the composition; a threaded plunger rod assembly; and a rotatable, threaded connector knob. Preferably, the syringe body has a double-barrel structure and the plunger rod assembly includes two plunger rods that slide within the barrels. The threaded knob has a through-bore with a continuous internal thread for engaging the outer threads of the first and second plunger rods. A dental practitioner manually rotates the knob to displace the first and second plunger rods and discharge the components. The dispensing syringe may further include a dispensing tip containing a static mixing element for mixing the components and dispensing the mixed composition.

Abstract: The application of a dental material to a site in the oral cavity includes the application of vibrational energy and heat to the dental material in order to substantially impart a preselected or desired viscosity to the dental material.

Abstract: A dental root canal sealing composition curable in the absence of a polymerisation initiator, which comprises (i) an amino terminated prepolymer having a viscosity at 23° C. of less than 100 Pas. (ii) a compound capable of undergoing polyaddition with the aminoterminated prepolymer (i); (iii) 40 to 85 wt.-% of a filler for providing a minimum radioopacity of at least 3 mm/mm Al.

Abstract: Dental composition having an improved light and thermal stability, including a mixture of at least a polymerizable resin, at least a polymerizable monomer, at least a polymerization initiator and/or a sensitizer and stabilizer, and at least an organic and/or inorganic filler and pigments in a content of 0 to 90 percent and at least one of the stable radicals.

Abstract: A dental bite block (20) and sensor holder (21) assembly (11) has a bite block (20) configured (31) to detachably affix to a sensor holder (21). Affixing surfaces (30, 31) are provided between the bite block (20) and the sensor holder (21) such that the sensor holder (21) is removably affixed to the bite block (20). An alternative guide arm (100) has more than one attachment site (101a, 101b) for removably affixing a sensor holder (102, 103, 104) to the guide arm (100).

Abstract: A package (10) for the storage and dispensing of a plurality of materials includes a first and a second longitudinally juxtaposed barrels (11, 12). Each barrel (11, 12) having a first and a second end (20, 21). Each first and second barrels (11, 12) having a quantity of at least one of the materials initially contained therein, and each barrel having an open end (20) and a dispensing end (21). A sealing plunger (40) disposed in each barrel (11, 12) such that the material in each barrel (11, 12) is initially positioned between the dispensing end (21) of the barrels (11, 12) and the respective ones of the sealing plungers (40). A snap cap (23) is contiguously formed to initially close each of the dispensing ends (21) of the barrels (11, 12), such that the snap cap (23) may be broken from the barrels (11, 12) to thereby forming a secondary open end (22) at the dispensing end (21) of the barrels (11, 12), thereby facilitating the material contained in each barrel (11, 12) to flow through and be dispensed.

Abstract: A dual-string tension dynamometer (1) utilizes two strings (10, 11) wrapped around approximately ninety degrees of a test wheel (12). The lateral forces (E, F) are balanced such that the total lateral force net value is zero. The results reflect purely torsional loading.

Abstract: A dental apparatus provides a substantially uniform concentration of abrasive material entrained in a pressurized gas to a desired location substantially irrespective the amount of abrasive material in a pressurized container of the apparatus, and resists clogging by the abrasive material. The apparatus includes a control unit having a container that secures the abrasive material, the abrasive material in the container becoming entrained in pressurized gas received from a dental unit. The concentration of the mixture of entrained abrasive material in pressurized gas is maintained by upwardly directing the flow of the mixture in a first conduit against a cap, a portion of the entrained abrasive material returning to the container, with the regulated mixture of entrained abrasive material in pressurized gas being delivered through a hand piece to the desired location.