Abstract: A dental matrix according to the present invention comprises (a) a metal matrix band comprising an internal surface and an external surface; and (b) an organic light emitting diode (OLED) layer disposed on at least a first portion of the internal surface of the metal matrix band, the OLED layer comprising a first electroluminescent polymer disposed between a first and a second electrode layer. Applying an electrical current across the OLED generates light energy suitable for curing dental restoration material with the light energy being applied from the interproximal space.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a blank of lithium silicate glass a starting composition of at least 8 wt-% of a stabilizer selected from the group consisting of ZrO2, HfO2, and mixtures thereof, wherein the method includes the steps of mixing the raw materials comprising the stabilizer in powder form, wherein the powder of the stabilizer has a particle size d50=x with 0.3 ?m?x?1.5 ?m, melting the raw materials in a crucible at a temperature TAU and storing the melt in the crucible for a time tH, pouring the homogenized melt into molds, wherein the melt flows out of the crucible with a discharge temperature TAB being TAU?TAB, wherein the filling of the molds and the molding of the melt in the molds takes place with a cooling rate A.

Abstract: A method and apparatus related to forming prosthetic dental items or tooth restorations. A defective tooth, prosthetic dental item, or a dentition is scanned. A first electronic data set from a three-dimensional scan of a defective tooth, defective prosthetic dental item, or the dentition is generated, and one or more correspondence points or structure in the first electronic data set are assigned to one or more corresponding points or structures in a second electronic data set. The second electronic data set represents a tooth model. To generate a patient specific tooth model, the tooth model is adjusted such that a function which describes one or more distances between the one or more correspondence points or structures in the first electronic data set and the one or more corresponding points or structures in the second electronic data set is minimized.

Abstract: Dental composition comprising (i) a particulate filler; (ii) a polymerizable hydrolysis-stable compound of the following formula (1) AXn wherein A is a linker group containing at least n nitrogen atoms and optionally one or more acidic groups, X are moieties containing a polymerizable double bond and forming an amide bond with a nitrogen atom of A, which X may be the same or different and are represented by the following formula (2) wherein R1 and R2 are independent from each other and represent a hydrogen atom, a C1-6 alkyl group or a group —(CH2)m—Z, wherein Z is COOM, OPO3M2, PO3M2, SO3M, and M is independently a hydrogen atom or a metal atom, and m is an integer of from 0 to 6, L is a bond, a C1-6 alkylene group; and n is an integer of at least 1; provided that at least one X cannot be a (meth)acryl group; and (iii) an initiator system.

Abstract: An aluminosilicate glass composition comprising: (a) 10-35% by weight of silica; (b) 10-35% by weight of alumina; (c) 3-30% by weight of zinc oxide; (d) 4-30% by weight P205; and (e) 3-25% by weight of fluoride which contains at most 3% by weight of alkaline metals calculated as M20, wherein M is Li, Na, and/or K, and wherein the weight ratio of the sum of zinc oxide and fluoride to P205 of from 0.8 to 3.0.

Abstract: A dental wedge, for use in the inter-proximal space between adjacent teeth, includes a head portion, a body portion, wherein, the body portion includes a backbone, wherein the backbone, viewed from the side, has a curved profile, the body portion includes at least three pairs of wings extending from the backbone, wherein the wings are separated by a plurality of notches such that the wings extend independently, and the body portion has three sections, wherein a proximal wing section includes a pair of wings closest to the head portion, a distal wing section includes a pair of wings furthest from the head portion, and a central wing section has at least one pair of wings, and a neck portion, wherein the neck portion connects the head and body portions.

Abstract: In a dental operatory system a master device coordinates the activity levels of multiple slave devices. The master device coordinates activity via a communication link with all slave devices. A communication protocol incorporates a closed system addresses scheme in which the master device learns all associated addresses of slave devices, and all slave devices learn all associated addresses of the master device. Each communication between master device and any slave device includes both the master device address and the slave device address. The master device scans all slave devices for an activity status and determines which slave device exhibits a threshold level of activity, and whether activity is increasing or decreasing. The master device passes a communication control token to the slave device to be controlled by operation of the master device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are polymerizable dental materials and dental products based upon such materials. More particularly, disclosed are materials and products based upon BPA-free, polymerizable resins that are derived from 1,4:3,6-dianhydro-glucidol (isosorbide).

Abstract: A method for controlling a magnetostrictive ultrasonic transducer of the type used in a magnetostrictive ultrasonic dental scaler includes generating a drive signal for a resonant circuit using a full bridge synchronous class D amplifier. The electrical signal output by the resonant circuit drives an excitation coil that generates an electromagnetic field that causes the magnetostrictive ultrasonic transducer to vibrate. A feedback wire is rendered unnecessary by measuring current and voltage outputs of the resonant circuit and quadrature sampling the measured current and voltage outputs at the same sampling rate as used for the generation of the electrical signal by the resonant circuit. A pulse width modulated signal is generated from the quadrature sampled sensed current and voltage that represents a pulse train approximation of a sine wave of the drive signal for, in turn, being applied to the full bridge synchronous class D amplifier to generate the drive signal for the resonant circuit.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a hollow instrument comprising the steps of: providing a hollow tube having a longitudinal tube axis; forming at least one opening along a shaft portion of the hollow tube following a predetermined pattern thereby defining a plurality of fingers; and deforming at least a portion of the hollow tube into a desired shape; and optionally joining at least two fingers along a portion of the opening to secure the hollow tube in the desired shape thereby forming the hollow instrument.

Abstract: A coupling device for a tubular arrangement for medical use including a first connector part and a second connector part and, an engagement/disengagement member for at least assisting in engaging and disengaging the engagement between said connector parts, wherein the first connector part includes at least two female connecting portions arranged in a first connector surface and a guiding edge protruding from the first connector surface arranged around the at least two female connecting portions and the second connector part includes at least two male connecting portions arranged in a second connector surface, and wherein at least one of the first connector part and the second connector part includes a locking element arranged to rotatably engage with the engagement/disengagement member.

Abstract: A photopolymerization accelerator composition improving color stability and controlling polymerization shrinkage stress of cured resin and/or the resulting composite paste thereby feature by tertiary twisted biphenyldiamine with the general formula I: R2 and R3 are each independently alkyl having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms; R and R1 are each independently hydrogen or halogen; alkyl alkoxy, or alkylthio having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms; or phenyl and/or substituted phenyl alkoxy, or alkylthio having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms. It can be used in part with conventional photosensitizers and radically polymerizable monomers.

Abstract: A method of designing a dental restoration component. A set of design dimensional constraints is defined which must be satisfied for the dental restoration component. A set of design parameters for the dental restoration component also is defined. Using at least in part a penalty function, a value is assigned to each of said design parameters for the dental restoration component, consistent with the constraints for said component, said penalty function taking into account at least more than one of said design parameters and which signals a constraint being reached when the value of any of said parameters violates a constraint.

Abstract: The present invention employs a self-ligating orthodontic bracket comprising a body having a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings, the gingival and occlusal tie wings projecting from a labial surface of the body; an arch wire slot extending mesially-distally across the body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings to accommodate an arch wire; a free-sliding, controlled-locking, or pivoting clip wherein the clip allows placement and removal of the arch wire when in the open position and prevents the displacement of the arch wire from the bracket member when in the closed position.

Abstract: An ultrasonic dental scaler includes a handpiece and a control unit. The handpiece has a tip, and a water irrigator for providing water to the tip, the handpiece being constructed and arranged to vibrate the tip. The control unit is in communication with the handpiece and receives electrical feedback from the tip. The control unit automatically controls water flow from the water irrigator to the tip and the vibration of the tip based on the received electrical feedback.