Abstract: A self-etching and self-adhesive dental restorative composition is described herein. The composition includes a polymerizable compound having at least one phosphorus containing acidic group, a polymerizable compound having at least one carboxylic acid group, and a copolymerizable multi-functional (meth)acrylate monomers. Compositions described herein demonstrate adhesion to dentin and enamel and are useful as a cavity filler, dental pit and fissure sealants, and restoratives.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus including a printed circuit board with electronic circuit components mounted thereon and configured for wireless communication between the various components and devices used in a wireless dental device.

Abstract: A dental adhesive composition has an adhesive component and an activator component. The adhesive composition has a volatile organic solvent component, one or more polymerizable (meth)acrylate compounds optionally containing fillers, and a polymerization photoinitiator. The adhesive component may also be a substantially homogeneous mixture of one or more polymerizable (meth)acrylate compounds and an effective amount of a photoinitiator, without a solvent. The activator component includes an aromatic sulfinate salt and an activator component solvent. A method for adhering a restorative to a dental surface includes preparing the surface for restoration; applying a mixture of an adhesive component and an activator component to the prepared cavity, thereby forming a coated cavity surface; and, applying a direct or indirect dental restorative to the coated cavity surface.

Abstract: Thermoforming of plastic sheets over a model includes varying the thickness in the area that is stretched over the model so that when it thins it becomes more uniform in thickness. The plastic sheet is fabricated in a substantially uniform thickness but with a preformed a complex profile or 3D area that partially builds in part of the area that would be stretched so that it thins much less than a flat sheet. Combinations of these elements may also be made.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for heating and sterilizing or disinfecting a material used in dental treatment, the heating apparatus comprising a heating compartment with a heating element for heating all or part of the material within the heating compartment; at least one holder for receiving and holding at least a part of the material used in dental treatment inside the heating compartment; and an disinfection device having a light source for sterilizing all or part of the material within the heating compartment.

Abstract: An adhesion promoter for endodontic sealant compositions for filling and sealing a root canal.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a medical tubular object, such as a catheter, for insertion into a body passageway. The method comprises the steps of extruding a tube by pushing tube material though an extrusion nozzle and cutting the extruded tube at a predetermined length. Further, an initial part of the extruded tube is advanced onto a tapered mandrel arranged adjacent the extrusion nozzle such that a flared end is formed, and after a predetermined length of the extruded tube has been advanced onto the tapered mandrel, the tapered mandrel is moved away from the extrusion nozzle to prevent that the rest of the extruded tube is expanded by the tapered mandrel.

Abstract: A universal cervical matrix for dental use comprising a lamina having at least an outer layer and an inner layer, the inner layer comprising a non-stick surface to prevent adhering to a chemically-cured dental restoration material, and the outer layer comprising an energy-absorbing material. The energy-absorbing material absorbs energy output from a dental curing light and provides heat to the dental restoration material, thereby increasing curing rate.

Abstract: The orthodontic alignment of misaligned teeth includes preparing a digital and/or physical overlay model which is the superimposed positioning of the patient's original misaligned dentition with the target or final position. The superimposition of one upon the other creates an open space through which teeth may move in a natural manner, allowing for a treatment plan that takes into account the physical interaction of one tooth with another or the differences in tooth movement rates due in part to differences in underlying bone density or the like. An aligner tray fabricated using the model will likewise represent the before and after tooth positions and will also have the open space to allow tooth movement. Force exerting structures are preferably placed into the aligner tray to impinge upon the patient's teeth in a prescribed manner when the aligner tray is inserted into the patient's oral cavity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tweezer for dental and other applications. The tweezer including a main body portion (12, 14) extending in a generally longitudinal direction. The main body portion having a first end (20) and a second end (18). A hinge connector (16) is located between the first end and the second end. A first pair of pincers is located at the first end (20). A second pair of pincers is located at the second end (18). A bias mechanism (22) urges the first pair of pincers (20) into a closed position and urging the second pair of pincers (18) in an open position, whereby the user may apply a force to the tweezers to overcome the bias mechanism (22) and urge the first pair of pincers (20) away from the closed position and the second pair of pincers (18) away from the open position.

Abstract: A dental component having a first indexing element and at least two second indexing elements having apical ends located apically of the apical end of said first indexing element.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, in a set of male dental components, such as abutment screws, each male dental component has a threaded portion with different core diameter. Each male dental component is to be connected to a mating female dental component, such as an abutment. The smaller core diameter a threaded portion has, the higher friction is provided when the male dental component is finally tightened to its mating female dental component, even though the same insertion torque is applied to all male dental components.

Abstract: A photopolymerizable and photocleavable (P&P) resin monomer is derived from a reactive photoresponsible moiety via various linkages to form photopolymerizable monomers and/or oligomers.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for heating and sterilizing or disinfecting a material used in dental treatment, the heating apparatus comprising a heating compartment with a heating element for heating all or part of the material within the heating compartment; at least one holder for receiving and holding at least a part of the material used in dental treatment inside the heating compartment; and an disinfection device having a light source for sterilizing all or part of the material within the heating compartment.

Abstract: The invention provides a biocompatible article having a surface comprising collagen fibrils attached to said surface via one or more linker molecules, wherein each of said collagen fibrils is attached to at least one of said one or more linker molecules at a proximal end of the fibril, and wherein each of said collagen fibril has a proximal portion extending from said proximal end to a point P along said fibril, wherein, for a majority of said fibrils, each fibril at said point P is oriented so as to form an angle ?P in the range of 0° to 45° to the surface normal N at the point of attachment of said fibril to said surface. The collagen fibril-coated surface has improved biocompatibility and is useful in a medical implant intended for implantation into soft tissue or bone tissue.

Abstract: An aqueous dental glass ionomer composition comprising (a) a reactive particulate glass, and (b) a linear or branched polymer comprising acidic groups, which is reactive with the particulate glass in a cement reaction, whereby the linear or branched polymer comprising acidic groups has a polymer backbone and optionally pendant side chains, (c) optionally dispersed nanoparticles, and (d) optionally a low molecular compound, characterized in that the glass ionomer composition comprises—S.sub.xH groups, wherein x is an integer of from 1 to 6, which crosslink the particulate glass and/or the linear polycarboxylic acid and/or the optional dispersed nanoparticles and/or the optional low molecular compound.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a tissue management impression material and a method of application into the sulcus of a patient, whereby the tissue management impression material is a part of the final dental impression made when manufacturing a dental device, such as a crown.