Abstract: A system for dispensing materials made of two components includes a side-by-side pair of collapsible tubes that fit within a barrel of a pressurized air applicator. As air is admitted into the barrel, the tubes simultaneously collapse to direct components in the tubes through outlet ports and into a static mixer where the components are mixed to a homogeneous mass. Each tube includes a relatively rigid front and rear end piece, and the end pieces are coupled together by pin elements for ease of handling and to facilitate dispensing.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket, such as a bracket made of ceramic material, is provided with a liner that enhances sliding mechanics between the bracket and an archwire. A portion of the liner projects beyond the bracket body and optionally includes an occlusal, gingival or lingual section that extends over a mesial or distal side of the bracket body. A bottom surface of the liner is located a distance from a bottom wall of a channel receiving the liner, and the distance optionally varies along the length of the archwire slot in order to urge the attached tooth to rotate as needed about its long axis. The liner is bonded to the bracket body in such a manner that the bracket body is thereafter held by the liner in compression.

Abstract: A grip training assembly for use with a golf club includes a sensor for detecting grip pressure, a covering extending over the sensor and an indicator for indicating when the grip pressure is greater than a certain value. The sensor and the covering are relatively thin and flexible to avoid interfering with the golfer's normal grip. The covering is releasably connected to the handle portion of the club to enable the position of the sensor to be changed as desired.

Abstract: A dental dispensing tray has a plurality of wells formed in a substrate, along with a cover that is slidably attached to the substrate. The cover transmits at least a portion of the visible light spectrum but does not transmit a substantial portion of actinic radiation that might otherwise prematurely cure photocurable material in the wells.

Abstract: A molded, cup-shaped face mask especially useful for medical and dental personnel has a first, second and third layer. Edge portions of the layers are substantially free of adhesion to one another, and outer edges of the mask are free of any peripheral seal or the like, so that the edge portions of all three layers are movable relative to each other and present a soft, comfortable feel to the wearer. Exhalation of air through the mask is facilitated by the flexible nature of the edge portions, and during inhalation the flexible edge portions are drawn toward a position of conformed contact with the wearer's face.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket having mesial and distal sections is debonded from a tooth by pivoting the sections toward each other in respective arcs about a central reference axis extending in an occlusal-gingival direction. The mesial and distal sections are discrete and spaced apart from each other, or alternatively integrally joined by a relatively thin web that bends and optionally fractures upon debonding. A metallic archwire slot liner interconnects the mesial and distal sections and enhances sliding mechanics of the bracket. A pliers-like debonding tool includes jaws with stops for limiting the lingual depth of engagement of the laws with the mesial and distal sides of the bracket, to facilitate pivoting of the mesial and distal sections during debonding.

Abstract: TENS electrodes and connectors useful with such electrodes are disclosed. The electrodes include active electrodes and return electrodes having a common carrier with a field of pressure sensitive adhesive for adhering the electrode to a hand (finger or thumb) of the practitioner or an applicator. Extraoral electrodes adhere to facial skin of mammals and provide TENS treatment for intraoral-procedures. The electrodes can be single channel or dual channel to combine active electrodes and return electrodes on one electrode. The connector can be single channel or dual channel and has a ridge for projecting through the tab portion of the electrode for more secure mechanical and electrical connection. Optionally, a dual channel electrode is used in combination with an elongated applicator having a bifurcated end in order to facilitate guiding a syringe needle toward a desired injection site.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket includes a ceramic body having an elongated channel, and a metallic archwire slot liner that is received in the channel. The liner is affixed to the ceramic body by a brazing process using a brazing material such as platinum, silver, an active metal or a mixture of molybdenum and manganese. Alternatively, the liner is formed in situ in the bracket body.

Abstract: A polymerizable, storage-stable adhesive for adhesive precoated orthodontic appliances includes sufficient EBDA to impart to the adhesive a viscosity that will retain an orthodontic bracket in place on a vertical tooth surface during polymerization of the adhesive.

Abstract: A dispensing system for dental appliances such as orthodontic brackets includes a plurality of containers releasably connected to a carrier strip. The carrier strip is received in channels of an organizer tray that hold the carrier strip in place as individual containers are detached from the carrier strip. Individual containers, each containing a dental appliance, are selected and removed from the organizer tray for placement in a patient setup tray that is then carried to the patient's chair.

Abstract: A packaged dental article includes a dental appliance that is precoated with an adhesive. The adhesive is in contact with a flexible film having a low adhesion surface. The film is secured to a container at a location spaced from the appliance so that the film tends to peel away from the adhesive when the appliance is removed from the container in order to inhibit separation of the adhesive from the appliance. The container has a sidewall with a recess that engages a carrier to hold the container, and the carrier is flexible to permit the container to be inserted into or released from the carrier when desired.

Abstract: An orthodontic band has a laser engraved mark with a white, frosty appearance. The mark is characterized by an absence of dark surface oxides, and is aesthetic and easy to read.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance such as a bracket is made of a polymeric material with reinforcing fiber structure embedded in the polymeric material. The reinforcing fiber structure includes relatively long filaments that extend about the perimeter of the bracket including the periphery of an archwire slot. In one embodiment, a method for making the bracket includes the steps of placing a tubular fiber preform in a mold assembly in an orientation aligned with a mesial-distal axis of the resultant bracket, and then closing the mold assembly in directions toward a central axis of the preform.

Abstract: An elastomeric orthodonic device such as a ligature, rotation wedge or force module is made of a composition selected from one or more classes of materials, such that the device has certain physical properties useful for orthodontic treatment and also is resistant to staining by common foods and beverages such as mustard, tea and coffee.

Abstract: An assembly for mixing and dispensing preparations such as dental cements includes a capsule and a lever actuated dispensing device. The capsule is received in a first orientation of the dispensing device for initial movement of a piston of the capsule to combine two components in a mixing chamber of the capsule. The capsule is received in a second orientation when dispensing of the components is desired. The capsule includes flanges engageable with one or more retention members of the dispensing device, and the flanges are positioned to substantially utilize the mechanical advantage provided by the dispensing device regardless of whether the capsule is in the first orientation or in the second orientation. The flanges are also arranged to substantially prohibit bursting of the capsule when the components are discharged from the mixing chamber, and essentially preclude dispensing of the components when the capsule is in the first orientation.

Abstract: A forming apparatus has a passage with a chamfered entrance for bending a tip of a syringe such as a syringe used for dispensing dental material. The passage and chamfered entrance enable the tip to be bent to a desired angular configuration while in view of the user.

Abstract: An orthodontic archwire is coated with a hard carbon coating of polycrystalline diamond, diamond-like amorphous hydrogen-free carbon, diamond-like hydrogenated amorphous carbon, or combinations thereof. The hard carbon coating presents a barrier to nickel and chromium that might otherwise diffuse from an underlying metal substrate, and as such is useful for patients exhibiting sensitivity to nickel and chromium.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing material from a collapsible tube includes a housing and a cover connected to the housing by pins that enable movement of the cover in an arc toward and away from the housing in clamshell-like fashion. An inflatable bladder is received in a recess of the housing and, when inflated, bears against the tube for collapsing the tube and directing material in the tube toward an application site.

Abstract: A disposable spray dispensing assembly for liquid materials includes a container comprising an aerosol can, and a spray head initially detached from the container. A cap closes an opening of the can and has a coined cover portion which may be ruptured by impact force to present a hole for reception of a dip tube of the spray head. A resilient, deflectable leg has a groove which locks with the cap when the dip tube is inserted into the container, and thereby provides a non-releasable coupling to secure the spray head to the container in captive fashion.