Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for radiometry in dental applications. The disclosed systems include a radiometer, a dental curing light, a composite material reader, and a restoration data storage device, where one or more of the radiometer, dental curing light, composite material reader, and restoration data storage device include one or more communication modules that enable wireless communication between one or more components. The radiometer is preferably programmed to determine the change in a rate of cure of a light-curable composite material and thereby determine whether an optimum cure time has been reached for the light-curable composite material. The communication modules may be used to transmit information between the radiometer and the curing light, and between one or more of the radiometer and curing light and one or more of the composite material reader and restoration data storage device.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for radiometry in dental applications. The disclosed systems include a radiometer, a dental curing light, a composite material reader, and a restoration data storage device, where one or more of the radiometer, dental curing light, composite material reader, and restoration data storage device include one or more communication modules that enable wireless communication between one or more components. The radiometer is preferably programmed to determine the change in a rate of cure of a light-curable composite material and thereby determine whether an optimum cure time has been reached for the light-curable composite material. The communication modules may be used to transmit information between the radiometer and the curing light, and between one or more of the radiometer and curing light and one or more of the composite material reader and restoration data storage device.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for radiometry in dental applications. The disclosed systems include a radiometer, a dental curing light, a composite material reader module, and a restoration data storage device, where one or more of the radiometer, dental curing light, composite material reader module, and restoration data storage device include one or more communication modules that enable wireless communication between one or more of the radiometer, curing light, composite material reader module, and restoration data storage device. In some preferred embodiments, the radiometer includes at least one communication module and the curing light includes at least one communication module. In such embodiments, the communication modules may be used to transmit information between the radiometer and the curing light, and between one or more of the radiometer and curing light and one or more of the composite material reader module and restoration data storage device.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a device used to determine the optimal post-curing exposure time for 3D printed products and methods of using the same. The disclosed device is a self-contained multi-chamber radiometer for continuous monitoring of electromagnetic radiation transmitted through 3D printed objects during a post-curing process. The device includes multiple detector ports, including a control port and one or more sample ports. The detector ports may preferably be photocells configured to generate a voltage proportional to the intensity of the incident electromagnetic radiation at specific wavelength(s). The transmittance is directly correlated with the voltage and may be measured using the determined voltages. The disclosed device may further comprise a microprocessor, a memory module for storage of data obtained by the sensors, and one or more communication modules configured to enable wireless communication with a data storage device such as a computer.

Abstract: A combination heater assembly made of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) material such as barium titanate ceramic that may be self-regulating. A dental compule may be generally cylindrical, or another shape, and may hold a dental (e.g. composite) material. The compule may be made from conventional plastic or thermally conductive plastic. A compule may also be made from electrically conductive plastic that is self-heating when an electric current is passed through the compule. A compule may be generally cylindrical and include an electrically conductive polymer that may exhibit PTC characteristics while generating heat when electric current is applied to the polymer through two flat contact areas each disposed along one portion of the generally cylindrical compule, an orifice or opening positioned at one end of the compule, an inner chamber; and extrudable dental material held within the inner chamber.

Abstract: A combination heater assembly made of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) material such as barium titanate ceramic that may be self-regulating. A dental compule may be generally cylindrical, or another shape, and may hold a dental (e.g. composite) material. The compule may be made from conventional plastic or thermally conductive plastic. A compule may also be made from electrically conductive plastic that is self-heating when an electric current is passed through the compule. A compule may be generally cylindrical and include an electrically conductive polymer that may exhibit PTC characteristics while generating heat when electric current is applied to the polymer through two flat contact areas each disposed along one portion of the generally cylindrical compule, an orifice or opening positioned at one end of the compule, an inner chamber; and extrudable dental material held within the inner chamber.

Abstract: A heater assembly made of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) material such as barium titanate ceramic that may be self-regulating. A dental compule that holds a dental (e.g. composite) material may be made from thermally conductive plastic and/or electrically conductive plastic that is self-heating when an electric current is passed through the compule. A compule may be generally cylindrical and include an electrically conductive polymer that may exhibit PTC characteristics while generating heat when electric current is applied to the polymer, two flat contact areas each disposed along one portion of the generally cylindrical compule, an orifice or opening positioned at one end of the compule, an inner chamber; and extrudable dental material held within the inner chamber.

Abstract: A heater assembly made of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) material such as barium titanate ceramic that may be self-regulating. A dental compule that holds a dental (e.g. composite) material may be made from thermally conductive plastic and/or electrically conductive plastic that is self-heating when an electric current is passed through the compule. A compule may be generally cylindrical and include an electrically conductive polymer that may exhibit PTC characteristics while generating heat when electric current is applied to the polymer, two flat contact areas each disposed along one portion of the generally cylindrical compule, an orifice or opening positioned at one end of the compule, an inner chamber; and extrudable dental material held within the inner chamber.

Abstract: A dental bleaching gel composition having a long shelf life for use with an activator system to cause accelerated bleaching action over a shortened time period of a peroxide bleaching agent in the bleaching gel composition when applied upon a tooth surface for cosmetically whitening the tooth and/or for the treatment of stains or discolorations.

Abstract: An optical waveguide concentrator and photocuring device with the optical waveguide concentrator having at least one solid optically transparent member for combining the output radiant energy from a plurality of optoelectronic light emitting devices mounted in a circular array facing the solid optically transparent member with the optically transparent member having an input surface, an output surface and a sloping surface intersecting the input and output surface to form an acute angle and with with each optoelectronic light emitting device having an optical axis directed parallel to or inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the concentrator. The geometry of the solid optically transparent member may be conical or hyperbolic with the sloping surface tapered to form a tapered angle of between 5° and 15°.

Abstract: A dental bleaching gel composition having a long shelf life for use with an activator system to cause accelerated bleaching action of a peroxide bleaching agent in the bleaching gel composition when applied upon a tooth surface and to a method for applying and activating a dental bleaching gel upon a tooth surface for cosmetically whitening the tooth and/or for the treatment of stains or discolorations over a shortened time period. The dental bleaching gel has a pH independent thickening agent, a stabilizing agent for the peroxide bleaching agent and a FD & C approved dye.

Abstract: A dental instrument for assisting in the filling and curing of a dental restoration with light activated resin composite material(s) having a handle with an elongated body of triangular shape, a first and second end section extending from the elongated body at each opposite end thereof and a first and second opening in each end section in combination with a first and second insert member removably engaging said first and second opening respectively in each of the opposite ends of the handle. Each insert member has a shaped body tapered at one end thereof and indicator means to monitor the depth of the restoration to the pulpal floor and to provide alignment of the preparation relative to the marginal ridge of an adjacent tooth.