Abstract: This disclosure relates to an anhydrous dental etchant composition that includes a mixture of phosphoric acid or an equivalent and anhydrous glycerin having a final acid concentration in the range of 10% to 40%, and having a trace of a color indicator therein; and a unit package and dispenser for the anhydrous dental etch that includes an applicator and a predetermined amount of anhydrous etchant which is self contained for single patient application and which can be readily disposed of after use.

Abstract: A calcium hydroxide unit-dose multi-package and method of forming the package that includes sealed chambers or compartments each containing a capsule having a connected needle forming a nozzle which is open at the discharge end. The capsule is pre-filled with a predetermined amount of calcium hydroxide formulation that is confined within the capsule by an end plug that functions as a piston to extrude the calcium hydroxide formulation from the capsule and directly to the tooth when used. Disposed within the sealed chamber or compartment containing the capsule, is a quantity of preservative liquid or distilled water saturated with calcium hydroxide to prevent dehydration or decomposition of the calcium hydroxide formulation in the capsule during shipping or storage. The multi-package with the capsule and liquid sealed therein can be sterilized by gamma radiation to ensure sterility of the calcium hydroxide and to prevent growth in the sealed container.

Abstract: A dental capsule that requires a capsule body defining a reservoir that is loaded with predetermined amounts of one or more materials to be mixed, sealed by a removable plug having flexible gripping flange fingers extending laterally relative to the axis of the capsule to facilitate the removal of the plug. Subsequent to the mixing of the materials within the capsule by amalgamation, the capsule is placed in a suitable ejector or syringe whereby the mixed materials can be readily extruded therefrom and directly placed in or about a prepared tooth whereby the flexible gripping flange fingers function as a base for storing the capsule in a vertical position and which flexible fingers are capable of being deflected so as to be pushed through the capsule as the plug is displaced to extrude the mixed material.

Abstract: A calcium hydroxide package and method of forming the package that includes a sealed vial containing a capsule having a connected needle forming a nozzle which is open at the discharge end. The capsule is prefilled with a predetermined amount of calcium hydroxide formulation that is confined within the capsule by an end plug that functions as a piston to extrude the calcium hydroxide formulation from the capsule and directly to the tooth when used. Disposed within the sealed vial containing the capsule, prefilled with the calcium hydroxide formulation, is a quantity of preservative liquid or distilled water saturated with calcium hydroxide to prevent dehydration or decomposition of the calcium hydroxide formulation during shipping or storage, and wherein the vial with the capsule and liquid sealed therein can be subsequently sterilized by gamma radiation to ensure sterility of the calcium hydroxide and to prevent growth in the sealed container containing distilled water.

Abstract: A moldable material formed over teeth with a second flowable material containing an astringent placed into the impression of the teeth in the moldable material providing retraction and hemostasis at the gum line. A moldable material, preferably a silicone, may contain an astringent such as aluminum ammonium sulfate is made into a mold of teeth. The impression formed in the mold of the teeth is filled with a less viscous or initially flowable material also containing an astringent. The mold with the flowable material is placed over the teeth. The initially flowable material preferably sets into a solid. The flowable material may be made of a condensation silicone having a base and catalyst. The mold helps to apply pressure to the flowable material which is transmitted to the gum tissue resulting in retraction and hemostasis.

Abstract: A tray having wells or depressions therein for holding a medicament or material and an applicator for applying the medicament or material. The applicator well has one open end from which a portion of the applicator extends. A cover seals the medicament or material well and the applicator well and a portion of the applicator. In one embodiment, the cover is a thin sheet or film that adheres or is heat sealed to substantially the entire surface of the tray. The portion of the applicator extending beyond the applicator well is used to facilitate the removal of the cover whereby the extended portion of the applicator acts as a lever to pry the cover form the body of the tray. Additionally, packaging material required to form the tray can be substantially lessened in those cases where the applicator that is relatively large in comparison with the amount of material to be packaged. Therefore, a larger applicator that is easy to use is associated with the material without unnecessary packaging.

Abstract: A manual dental extruder or syringe gun having a front end with rigid side walls and an opening therein adapted to receive a dental cartridge, capsule, ampule or tip having a flange. The body portion of the cartridge has a diameter less than that of the lateral width of the opening in the rigid side walls so that the dental cartridge can easily be dropped therein. At one end of the cartridge opening is a flange retainer. After dropping the dental cartridge in the front end, the cartridge is slid forward into the flange retainer. A portion of the rigid side walls extend over the flange when the dental cartridge is in position to be extruded. The rigid side walls improve the durability and strength of the dental extruder and prevents the dental cartridge from being pushed through the end of the extruder due to the large longitudinal forces required to extrude viscous dental materials.

Abstract: A dental interproximal disk formed of rigid sheet material as a unitary or integrally formed handle portion and blade portion with an arcuate cutting edge. The handle portion includes a plurality of corrugated flutes terminating in a laterally offset flange. The side surfaces of the blade portions may be either smooth or roughened on one or both surfaces thereof. An aperture is formed adjacent one end of the handle portion for attachment of a string or cord to effect retrieving if necessary as a matter of safety.

Abstract: A disposable capsule for dispensing a dental material and a method of making the capsule wherein the capsule includes a reservoir portion containing a predetermined amount of material to be dispensed, and which reservoir is connected in communication with a discharge tip. Connected to the end of the tip and projecting therethrough is a needle cannula through which the material is ejected. A displaceable piston may be provided when material is desired to be sealed within the reservoir portion, and which forces the material through the cannula when displaced within the reservoir portion. The method of forming such capsule includes the step of flaring one end of the cannula radially outwardly and inserting the cannula with the flared end trailing into the reservoir and through the discharge tip. A force is then applied to the cannula to force the flared end to be imbedded into the material of the capsule adjacent the end of the discharge tip.

Abstract: A disposable barrel dental impression syringe having a rotatable malleable needle cannula. A disposable barrel is fitted with a malleable needle cannula that is seated to permit easy rotation thereof. A handle is threaded onto the open end of the barrel. A plunger is fitted through the handle and barrel forming a syringe for the extrusion of dental impression material. The needle cannula is positioned within the discharge end of the barrel in such a way to permit easy rotation, yet prevent pushing or pulling the needle cannula through the discharge end of the barrel. This permits exact positioning of the needle cannula for placement of dental impression material. Additionally, only the barrel portion of the syringe being disposable, the precision and feel of a high quality impression syringe is maintained.

Abstract: A dental cartridge for dispensing a dental material having a body portion made of a material transparent to at least a portion of the visible light spectrum and opaque to the actinic light of the dental material contained therein. Also, a dental cartridge having a body portion formed from a toroidal segment and a coaxial nozzle attached thereto. The dental cartridges are used in a dental syringe for application of the dental material to a patient. Several embodiments provide various discharge end configurations, including hemispherical, conical frustum, and flat. Additionally, dosing indicia are placed on the body portion of the dental cartridge, permitting the dentist to fill the dental cartridge with a predetermined volume of dental material. A specially configured piston having an appendage thereon is used in combination with the dental cartridge for extruding substantially all of the costly dental material therein.

Abstract: A dental tray for counting, storing, shipping and dispensing cartridges that includes a plurality of integrally formed wells for securely holding and sealing a dental cartridge which are placed horizontally within the wells in a manner whereby the discharge nozzle of the cartridge is positioned so that it abuts a portion of the well for sealing it from contamination and which the tray may be formed of opaque or color material which will block curing rays when light activated material is placed within the dental cartridges. Each cartridge is individually retained within its respective well by a snap or friction fit. A sliding or rotating cover is provided which is spaced slightly above the cartridges so as to prevent unintentional dislodgement of the cartridge from its well or seat.

Abstract: A dental capsule for mixing a cement powder with an activating liquid having a frangible seal. The frangible seal is placed between a nozzle and the body portion of a capsule preventing unmixed cement from entering the nozzle. The nozzle has a circumferential groove facilitating positioning thereof. A vent formed in the body of the capsule prevents premature rupturing of the frangible seal upon insertion of the plug. A second and third embodiment use a two-part plug for dispensing activating liquid to the cement powder contained within the body of the capsule.

Abstract: A dental cartridge for dispensing a dental material having a body portion made of a material transparent to at least a portion of the visible light spectrum and opaque to the actinic light of the dental material contained therein. Also, a dental cartridge having a body portion formed from a toroidal segment and a coaxial nozzle attached thereto. The dental cartridges arae used in a dental syringe for application of the dental material to a patient. Several embodiments provide various discharge end configurations, including hemispherical, conical frustum, and flat. Additionally, dosing indicia are placed on the body portion of the dental cartridge, permitting the dentist to fill the dental cartridge with a predetermined volume of dental material. A specially configured piston having an appendage thereon is used in combination with the dental cartridge for extruding substantially all of the costly dental material therein.

Abstract: A disposable dental brush for applying various dental materials onto a tooth in thin even, coatings, e.g. etchants, sealants, bonding agents, tints, opaquers, varnishes and the like that includes an elongated straight handle having a tuft of bristles connected to one end thereof. The elongated handle is constructed so as to allow the portion thereof adjacent to the brush end to be readily bent so as to angularly dispose the brush end relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle. The arrangement is such that the brush can be used either as a straight brush or an angularly bent brush to reach difficult areas of the mouth or teeth. Also, the brush is made of inexpensive plastic material so as to render it readily expendable or disposable after each use.