Abstract: A dental anesthetic buffering system using pre-dosed dry buffering material. Liquid dental anesthetic from a standard anesthetic cartridge or carpule is injected into a dry buffering material buffering the anesthetic improving efficacy and comfort. A buffer dosing cartridge or carpule configured to fit within an anesthetic syringe is pre-dosed with a dry buffering material and injected with a liquid anesthetic from a standard anesthetic cartridge or carpule forming a buffered anesthetic cartridge or carpule. The buffered anesthetic cartridge or carpule is placed in an anesthetic syringe used to immediately administer the buffered anesthetic to a patient. Ease-of-use, effectiveness, and comfort to the patient are provided making dentistry easier.

Abstract: A dental retraction and impression system providing self-retracting and impression taking of a prepared tooth in one step. Paired setting materials simultaneously retract gingiva, widen a sulcus around the tooth, and take an impression of the tooth and margins. A low viscosity setting gingival retracting impression material having an astringent and a high viscosity setting impression material set together. The high viscosity setting impression material is heavy body and has a higher viscosity than the low viscosity setting gingival retracting material so as to force the low viscosity setting gingival retracting impression material into the gingival space or sulcus.

Abstract: A single dose package having a material chamber frangibly separable from a handle and concentric partial or semi-cylinders holding an applicator. An outer partial cylinder placed over an inner semi-cylinder encloses and holds an applicator. Moving the handle relative to the material chamber separates the handle from the material chamber to access a material contained within the material chamber. Different sizes and shapes of plugs sealing the material chamber selectively adjust the volume of the material chamber.

Abstract: A cartridge having a plunger cylinder with an external diameter smaller than a piston cylinder internal diameter. The cartridge has a plunger cylinder adapted to fit within a breach opening of a syringe. The piston cylinder having a larger internal diameter than the external diameter of the plunger cylinder, the cartridge is capable of holding a larger volume of material in the piston cylinder than could be held in the plunger cylinder fitted within the syringe breach opening. A piston placed in the piston cylinder has a concave surface.

Abstract: A container holding pre-dosed applicators for applying a material. The container holds the pre-dosed applicators upright with the absorbent end of the pre-dosed applicator contacting an absorbent pad on the bottom of the container containing a solution with a desired material to be applied. The absorbent pad holds a predetermined quantity of material for dosing the applicators. The packaging and dosing of the applicators can be performed concurrently facilitating manufacturing and making packaging more efficient and cost effective.

Abstract: A single dose material and applicator package that is easily held for removal of a cover and that contains an easily removable applicator. A tray has an applicator well and a material well. Formed in the applicator well is a finger depression adjacent the material well and an applicator support depression adjacent an opposing end of the applicator well. The finger depression permits easy grasping of the tray for removing the cover. The applicator support depression acts as a fulcrum to pivot or lever the applicator out of the tray when a force is applied to one end of the applicator. A material well ramp permits a controlled amount of material to be placed on the applicator brush.

Abstract: Biased blind side fasteners and related methods for temporarily securing together at least two work pieces that each define a hole through which at least a portion of the fastener may pass. Fastener embodiments include an elongate, hollow case for substantially housing a generally cylindrical collet body and a bias element for urging the collet body into the case, and at least partially housing a central rod having a proximal end linked to a proximal portion of the case by a web element and a distal end extending from the case. Such embodiments further include a translatable plunger for temporarily overcoming the urging of the bias element and causing extension of the collet body away from the case, thereby permitting insertion of a fastener into the work pieces' holes, wherein the plunger is formed to substantially translatably pass through the web element.

Abstract: Fasteners and related systems according to the invention include a collet body having a first part of a two part anti-rotation arrangement and a cylinder body having a second part of the two part anti-rotation arrangement wherein the collet body and the cylinder body are matably axially translatable with respect to each other, and have the same or similar outer diameter in some embodiments or not in others. A threaded member rotationally engages the collet body and compressively contacts the cylinder body during operation of the fastener to creating a clamping effect. Rotational interference between the first and second parts of the anti-rotation arrangement preferably occurs at sectional face portions of at least the collet body. Resistance to induced rotation of the cylinder body relative to a work piece rotation of the threaded member is preferably provided by a tool engaging a tool interface present on the cylinder body.

Abstract: A protective coating material applied to whitened or bleached teeth. The protective coating material comprises microcrystalline wax, mineral oil, vitamin E, and amorphous calcium phosphate or ACP. The protective coating material covers the whitened or bleached tooth surface protecting it from staining thereby prolonging the whiteness of the teeth. The whitened or bleached damaged tooth enamel may also be strengthened or repaired.

Abstract: A retraction material promoting both retraction and drying of the gingival sulcus around a tooth. The retraction material comprises an astringent and an absorbing or drying agent. The retraction material is placed with a syringe and capsule around the gingival sulcus prior to the taking of an impression in a dental procedure.

Abstract: A material capsule containing a reactive or caustic dental material and a separately attachable delivery tip having a metal cannula. A material capsule for placement in a syringe contains a reactive or caustic dental material for dispensing through a metal cannula. The material capsule is sealed for storing the caustic or reactive dental material, preventing prolonged contact with or proximity to the metal cannula of a delivery tip. Contact with the reactive or caustic dental material only occurs during actual dispensing. Transition portions facilitate dispensing of viscous material. External grips facilitate attachment of the delivery tip. The dispensing and accurate placement of caustic or reactive dental materials is facilitated, making dentistry easier.

Abstract: A sheet of material having a central body portion with attached wings capable of folding towards each other on either side. The wings of the bite block fold toward each other along fold lines adjacent the central body portion and provide a structure for biting down upon for propping the mouth of a patient open during a dental procedure. A mirrored surface may be placed on the central body portion for improving visibility in the mouth. In a unilateral bite block embodiment, the unilateral bite block is placed in only one side of the mouth. In another quadrant embodiment a bite extension extends out of an opposing side of the patent's mouth and facilitates holding the patient's mouth open. The bite block may be made inexpensively and is disposable.

Abstract: A method and a device for effecting the cordless retraction of the gingival sulcus tissue that includes a dam shaped to be fitted onto a tooth. In one embodiment, the well of the dam is pre-filled with a predetermined amount of a flowable retraction material having a heavy viscosity or putty consistency. In another embodiment a hydrophilic material is added. The preloaded tooth dam is fitted to a prepared tooth so that when pressure is applied onto the tooth dam, the retraction material is displaced under pressure and forced into the sulcus, causing the gingival tissue to retract away from the tooth to enlarge the gingival sulcus. In another embodiment the cap is filled with a dilatant material. In another embodiment, the cap is filled with an impregnated compressible porous material. In yet another embodiment, the cap is pre-dosed with an astringent or hemostatic agent.

Abstract: A sheet of material having a central body portion with attached wings capable of folding towards each other on either side. The wings of the bite block fold toward each other along fold lines adjacent the central body portion and provide a structure for biting down upon for propping the mouth of a patient open during a dental procedure. A mirrored surface may be placed on the central body portion for improving visibility in the mouth. The bite block also holds or retracts the tongue and cheeks away from a work area in the mouth. The wings protect the cheeks as well as provide improved visibility within the mouth. Additionally, moisture control within the mouth is improved. The bite block may be made inexpensively and is disposable.

Abstract: A material capsule containing a reactive or caustic dental material and a separately attachable delivery tip having a metal cannula. A material capsule for placement in a syringe contains a reactive or caustic dental material for dispensing through a metal cannula. The material capsule is sealed for storing the caustic or reactive dental material, preventing prolonged contact with or proximity to the metal cannula of a delivery tip. Contact with the reactive or caustic dental material only occurs during actual dispensing. Transition portions facilitate dispensing of viscous material. External grips facilitate attachment of the delivery tip. The dispensing and accurate placement of caustic or reactive dental materials is facilitated, making dentistry easier.