Abstract: A reusable dental impression tray having a reusable rigid tray holder with opposing sidewalls spaced apart substantially a first distance, a connector at a distal end of the tray holder couples the sidewalls together, the sidewalls and connector define an inward facing surface, a channel formed in and extends along the inward facing surface, and a disposable mesh bite tray having a generally U-shaped frame having an open end and a closed end, the U-shaped frame is made of a flexible material wherein the U-shaped frame has a static shape having a width at the closed end substantially the first distance and a width at the open end which is greater than the first distance, wherein with the U-shaped frame received in the channel, the open and of the U-shaped frame is held with the open end having a compressed width substantially the same as the first distance.

Abstract: The present invention employs a dental component that includes at least one first indexing element and at least one second indexing element having an apical end located apically of the apical end of said first indexing element, wherein the second indexing element is designed to present a play with mating features of a dental fixture.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a nonlinear superelastic file comprising the steps of: providing a superelastic file having a shaft and a file axis; providing a fixture including a file groove being defined by one or more displacement members, the file groove configured for receiving the shaft; inserting at least a portion of the shaft into the fixture along the file groove, the portion of the shaft including a first portion of the shaft; contacting the first portion of the shaft with a first displacement member of the one or more displacement members such that the first portion of the shaft is displaced from the file axis thereby forming a first offset portion of the shaft; heating the portion of the shaft while inserted in the fixture to a temperature of at least about 300° C. for a time period of at least about 1 minute to shape-set the portion of the shaft thereby forming a shape-set nonlinear file.

Abstract: A dental appliance comprising at least two plies of thermoformable material, wherein a first ply of a first material, having a first set of characteristics properties, provides a first primary surface of the dental appliance and wherein a second ply of a material different from the first ply, having a second set of characteristic properties, provides an opposing second primary surface of the dental appliance.

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

Abstract: The present invention relates to a set of fixtures for installation in bone tissue. Each fixture provides a static strain to the bone which is different from the static strain provided by the other fixtures of the set. The difference in static strain may be at least with respect to magnitude and/or axial extension. The invention also relates to an implantation system and a method of selecting a fixture from a set of fixtures.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dental composition, and specifically to an improved composition for endodontic instruments useful for filling root canals or sealing.

Abstract: A method for controlling a dental instrument includes a foot pedal responsive to commands from a user. An operating mode is selectable between normal and boost cycle. A conventional mode is selectable by pressing and holding the foot pedal to a first level to operate in normal mode. The foot pedal operates in a boost mode when the pedal advances to a second level. Maintained mode is selectable by tapping the foot pedal to change modes between idle, normal and boost mode. Each mode is switched by tapping the foot pedal. The pedal switches between the second process and the first process by pressing and holding the foot pedal at the desired level corresponding to normal or boost mode. The pedal switches from the first process to the second process by tapping the foot pedal at the level corresponding to normal or boost.

Abstract: A positioning device for holding a dental x-ray imaging media during the taking of a dental x-ray includes an aiming ring, a bite block and a positioning arm extending therebetween. The bite block carries a journal or barrel for receiving a portion of the positioning arm therein such that the portion of the positioning arm thus received can rotate or move therein, such that the position between the bite block and the aiming ring can be selected in one of a plurality of positions corresponding to a position for taking one of a plurality of dental x-ray images. In another embodiment, the bite block carries a window through which a color-coded or other indicia portion of the positioning arm is positioned such that the user can view the indicia to determine the x-ray image for which the device is set.

Abstract: A bone repair material is described that is of putty-like consistency, particularly useful for repairing dental bony defects such as those caused by bone loss resulting from moderate or severe periodontitis, augmenting of bony defects of the alveolar ridge, filling tooth extraction sites, or sinus elevation grafting. The repair material includes a porous, resorbable particulate that is bone-derived or derived from bone-like hydroxyapatite or synthetic hydroxyapatite; and, a resorbable carrier, such as high molecular weight polysaccharides, such as hyaluronic acid. A high concentration of particulate in the putty enhances bone repair and requires a high concentration of carrier to retain the putty at the defect site. For a particulate density of about 1.2 g/cc such as PEPGEN P-15® Bone Graft, a preferred formulation comprises about 55% percent by weight of the putty suspended in a hyaluronic acid gel of about 1.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for the endodontic treatment of a root canal, comprising (i) an endodontic instrument; (ii) an endodontic handpiece having a drive motor for rotating the endodontic instrument releasably attached to the handpiece; (iii) a control unit for controlling the rotation of the endodontic instrument according to one or more predetermined rotational sequences; the rotational sequences comprising reciprocating the endodontic instrument by continuously sequentially rotating the endodontic instrument in a first direction followed by reversing the direction of rotation so that 0.5×???<? and 3??/??20, wherein ? represents a rotational angle in a direction in which the rotating endodontic instrument removes debris from the root canal, ? represents a rotational angle in the opposite direction, and ? represents the elastic angle of the endodontic instrument at which plastic deformation occurs in the direction of ?.

Abstract: Dental compositions and dental products having a resin derived from a cyclic diol such as 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol.

Abstract: A denial matrix band retainer is provided with a retractor, main body portion and a bias mechanism. The retractor includes a proximal end and a distal end, with a band engagement portion at the proximal end. The main body portion having a proximal end and a distal end, with a head portion located at the proximal end. The bias mechanism coupling the retractor to the main body portion, the bias mechanism having a static position and a fully active position, wherein in the static position the head portion is spaced apart from the band engagement portion a first distance, and in the fully active position the head portion is spaced apart from the band engagement portion a second distance which is greater than the first distance, the bias mechanism including an actuator for urging the bias mechanism towards the fully active position.

Abstract: A tip assembly for use with a dental tool, the tip assembly comprising a housing for attaching to the dental tool, at least one aspiration needle having a passageway extending at least partially through the aspiration needle, a substantial length of the aspiration needle, or at least from one end to the other end of the aspiration needle, the passageway providing a single continuous path to aspirate the irrigant and/or debris from the root canal cavity of the tooth, and at least one irrigation needle having a passageway extending at least partially through the irrigation needle, a substantial length of the irrigation needle, or at least from one end to the other end of the irrigation needle, the passageway provides a continuous flow path for delivering fluid/irrigant from a reservoir in communication with a proximal end of the irrigation needle to the distal end of the irrigation needle and into a root canal/coronal opening of a tooth.

Abstract: One-component heat-curable sealant composition for the protection of exposed dental surfaces, comprising (a) a polymerizable monomer and/or oligomer which has at least two polymerizable double bonds per molecule, and (b) an initiator system comprising benzoylperoxide in an amount of at least 2 wt.-% based on the total composition.

Abstract: An integrated dental component, carrier and affixation tool provides a clinician with a large object to hold the dental component, and allows for single-handed orientation, placement and fastening with the integration of an affixation tool.

Abstract: Described herein is a dental filler material having a core made of a core material and a shell made of a shell material, where the shell material coats or covers at least a portion of the core.

Abstract: A urinary catheter is disclosed comprising an elongate shaft with an insertion end, a handle connected to the elongate shaft at a distance from the aid insertion end, and a discharge end extending past the handle in a direction opposite the insertion end. The elongate shaft is provided with at least one discharge channel having an elongate opening extending along the elongate shaft, wherein the discharge channel(s), including the elongate opening, further extends at least partly into the discharge end.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are substantially transparent and colorless dental varnishes having improved fluoride release, transparency and color once coated.