Abstract: Disclosed are endodontic filling materials and methods. A method for filling a dental root canal may include providing a hydrosetting filling material and inserting the hydrosetting filling material into the dental root canal, the material setting in the root canal to form a biocompatible filling. The hydrosetting filling material comprises a hydrogel former and a filler. The hydrogel former is at least one of a reactive organic hydrogel formers, an inorganic hydrogel formers, and a non-reactive organic hydrogel formers, and the filler is at least one of a self-hardening and a non-hardening filler. Plural filling material precursor compositions that collectively contain hydrogel formers and fillers may be provided.

Abstract: A material deposition device includes a solution supply component, a gas supply component, and a co-axial discharge mechanism. The co-axial discharge mechanism includes a solution discharge mechanism, and a gas discharge mechanism co-axial with the solution discharge mechanism. The material deposition device further includes an alignment component that aligns the solution discharge mechanism in a center of the gas discharge mechanism; and an orifice plate with a number of turbulence inducing structures that induce turbulence in gas exiting the gas discharge mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for characterizing the performance of air turbine handpieces including high speed dental handpieces and chucking devices in terms of speed, torque, power, and air consumption include an air or fluid supply source for the handpiece and various sensors to measure input, flow rate, temperature and pressure and output speed and forces on the output shaft of the handpiece. Data from the sensors is collected, collated, processed and recorded to continuously provide a record of the handpiece characteristics for purposes of evaluating efficiency, quality control, safety and compliance with standards.

Abstract: An apparatus for characterizing the performance of air turbine handpieces including high speed dental handpieces and chucking devices in terms of speed, torque, power, and air consumption include an air or fluid supply source for the handpiece and various sensors to measure input, flow rate, temperature and pressure and output speed and forces on the output shaft of the handpiece. Data from the sensors is collected, collated, processed and recorded to continuously provide a record of the handpiece characteristics for purposes of evaluating efficiency, quality control, safety and compliance with standards.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the polishability of a solid material such as a dental restorative material includes using a series of apparatus to perform the steps of forming the material into a desired specimen with a generally planar surface, conditioning the surface by abrasion, measuring the abraded surface with a profile determination device, optionally measuring the amount of material abraded from the surface and the gloss of the abraded surface, polishing a portion of the abraded surface with a polishing device at a controlled load for a pre-determined time and measuring the roughness and/or gloss of the polished surface followed by comparison thereof to the corresponding measurements of the unpolished, conditioned portion of the specimen surface. Polishing materials and devices may also be tested using the apparatus and method for polishing a standardized material.

Abstract: Disclosed are dual-phase cement precursor systems and associated methods and kits. The cement precursor systems comprises at least first and second phases each containing a calcium phosphate compound. When mixed, the first and second cement precursor phases form a biocompatible cement. The disclosed systems include an organic acid in an amount effective to enhance the working time of the cement precursor composition, and also include a setting accelerator. In some embodiments, one or more of the calcium phosphate compounds is provided in the form of particles with a nonmonomial particle sized distribution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the polishability of a solid material such as a dental restorative material includes using a series of apparatus to perform the steps of forming the material into a desired specimen with a generally planar surface, conditioning the surface by abrasion, measuring the abraded surface with a profile determination device, optionally measuring the amount of material abraded from the surface and the gloss of the abraded surface, polishing a portion of the abraded surface with a polishing device at a controlled load for a pre-determined time and measuring the roughness and/or gloss of the polished surface followed by comparison thereof to the corresponding measurements of the unpolished, conditioned portion of the specimen surface. Polishing materials and devices may also be tested using the apparatus and method for polishing a standardized material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the polishability of a solid material such as a dental restorative material includes using a series of apparatus to perform the steps of forming the material into a desired specimen with a generally planar surface, conditioning the surface by abrasion, measuring the abraded surface with a profile determination device, optionally measuring the amount of material abraded from the surface and the gloss of the abraded surface, polishing a portion of the abraded surface with a polishing device at a controlled load for a pre-determined time and measuring the roughness and/or gloss of the polished surface followed by comparison thereof to the corresponding measurements of the unpolished, conditioned portion of the specimen surface. Polishing materials and devices may also be tested using the apparatus and method for polishing a standardized material.

Abstract: Disclosed are dual-phase cement precursor systems and associated methods and kits. The cement precursor systems comprises at least first and second phases each containing a calcium phosphate compound. When mixed, the first and second cement precursor phases form a biocompatible cement. The disclosed systems include an organic acid in an amount effective to enhance the working time of the cement precursor composition, and also include a setting accelerator. In some embodiments, one or more of the calcium phosphate compounds is provided in the form of particles with a nonmonomial particle sized distribution.

Abstract: Living cellular material is encapsulated or placed in a protective material (cell protector) which is biocompatible, biodegradable and has a three-dimensional form. The three dimensional form is incorporated into a matrix that maybe implanted in vivo, ultimately degrade and thereby by replaced by living cell generated material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the polishability of a solid material such as a dental restorative material includes using a series of apparatus to perform the steps of forming the material into a desired specimen with a generally planar surface, conditioning the surface by abrasion, measuring the abraded surface with a profile determination device, optionally measuring the amount of material abraded from the surface and the gloss of the abraded surface, polishing a portion of the abraded surface with a polishing device at a controlled load for a pre-determined time and measuring the roughness and/or gloss of the polished surface followed by comparison thereof to the corresponding measurements of the unpolished, conditioned portion of the specimen surface. Polishing materials and devices may also be tested using the apparatus and method for polishing a standardized material.

Abstract: Nano-particles of calcium and phosphorous compounds are made in a highly pure generally amorphous state by spray drying a weak acid solution of said compound and evaporating the liquid from the atomized spray in a heated column followed by collection of the precipitated particles. Hydroxyapatite (HA) particles formed by such apparatus and methods are examples of particle manufacture useful in bone and dental therapies. Dual nozzle spraying techniques are utilized for generally insoluble compounds.

Abstract: Combining nanosized particles of a source of desired dental restorative, repair or therapeutic materials with strengthening agents in various generally nanosized form such as whiskers, fibers, particles and the like in a resin matrix provides a highly strain resistant composite which more effectively releases the therapeutic agents. The utilization of nano sized particles of the therapeutic agent in the combination enables observation of significantly improved therapeutic results.

Abstract: Nano-particles of calcium and phosphorous compounds are made in a highly pure generally amorphous state by spray drying a weak acid solution of said compound and evaporating the liquid from the atomized spray in a heated column followed by collection of the precipitated particles. Hydroxyapatite (HA) particles formed by such apparatus and methods are examples of particle manufacture useful in bone and dental therapies. Dual nozzle spraying techniques are utilized for generally insoluble compounds.

Abstract: Nano-particles of calcium and phosphorous compounds are made in a highly pure generally amorphous state by spray drying a weak acid solution of said compound and evaporating the liquid from the atomized spray in a heated column followed by collection of the precipitated particles. Hydroxy apetite (HA) particles formed by such apparatus and methods are examples of particle manufacture useful in bone and dental therapies.

Abstract: Mouth rinses, dentifrices, lozenges, confections, chewing gums, and similar delivery vehicles containing non-toxic soluble calcium are used prior to administration of a fluoride-containing composition to increase the effectiveness of the fluoride therapy. An effective amount of calcium is released into the oral cavity and allowed to penetrate into the oral tissue. Calcium-bound fluoride deposits form in the oral tissue upon subsequent administration of the fluoride-containing composition to provide increased salivary, plaque and oral tissue fluoride concentrations.

Abstract: Kits and methods that combine whitening/stain removal of teeth with remineralization are disclosed. These kits advantageously comprise separate compositions comprising a soluble calcium salt, a soluble orthophosphate salt, and a soluble peroxide, in order to optimize the stability of these components for storage and/or the activity of these components upon use. The active ingredients may also be separated in a solid composition (e.g., a powder) or in a stable dispersion comprising a non-aqueous dispersion medium.

Abstract: Nano-particles of calcium and phosphorous compounds are made in a highly pure generally amorphous state by spray drying a weak acid solution of said compound and evaporating the liquid from the atomized spray in a heated colunm followed by collection of the precipitated particles. Hydroxyapatite (HA) particles formed by such apparatus and methods are examples of particle manufacture useful in bone and dental therapies. Dual nozzle spraying etechniques are utilized for generally insoluble compounds.

Abstract: A bone replacement material and therapy comprises the combination of calcium phosphate compounds and two or more soluble fillers in the form of fibers, mesh or other materials which have the dual functions of reinforcing an in vivo implant while dissolving at a programmed rate to form macropores capable of receiving natural bone ingrowth.

Abstract: Calcium peroxyphosphate compounds and dental compositions comprising these compounds that combine both whitening/stain removal of teeth with remineralization are disclosed. The calcium peroxyphosphate compounds are capable of releasing, in an aqueous environment, whitening and remineralization effective amounts of calcium ion, phosphate ion, and active oxygen. Preferred compounds are calcium peroxymonophosphate or calcium diperoxymonophosphate compounds. These compounds may be used in humans and other animals, including other mammals.