Patents Assigned to Dentsply Research & Development Corp
  • Dental prophy angle
    Patent number: 5040978
    Abstract: A prophy angle having a single snap-in retention mechanism that is integral with the housing for retaining the prophy cup rotating member in permanent field position and providing good smooth rotation performance and a detent drive shaft snap-in retention mechanism that locks in position when the dental handpiece is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development Corp.
    Inventors: Charles J. Falcon, William C. Foster, Robert L. Walton
  • Battery powered condenser for root canals
    Patent number: 4992045
    Abstract: A self contained heated root canal dental instrument which combines the operations of a root canal spreader, a root canal condenser and a root canal filling material heater is provided. The instrument has batteries in its handle for use as a power source for heating root canal filling material and employs a non-corrosive dental tool that has a resistive element in its tip to provide the heating when electricity from the batteries is conducted through the tip. A method for making the dental tool is provided which comprises threading a resistive element through a cannula which is used as a dental tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development Corp.
    Inventor: Robert F. Beisel
  • Biological compatible adhesive containing a phosphorous adhesion promoter and accelerator
    Patent number: 4966934
    Abstract: A biologically compatible adhesive dental primer that is shelf stable as a single component adhesive and includes a mixture of an adhesive promoting and polymerizable monomer system having a free radical polymerizable monomer or prepolymer having ethylenic unsaturation and a phosphorus containing adhesion promoter which is free from halogen atoms bonded directly to a phosphorus atom, and optionally a free radical polymerization catalyst, and an accelerator for the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development Corp.
    Inventors: Chin-Teh Huang, Gordon B. Blackwell
  • Method for obtaining a band technique dental impression
    Patent number: 4961706
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing a dental impression using an improved band technique. The method comprises placing an actinic light transparent band containing light polymerizable impression material over a tooth or a tooth preparation, and polymerizing the impression material and contacting the band with the polymerized impression material with tray impression material and incorporating the band into the overall impression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development Corp.
    Inventor: Steven R. Jefferies
  • Dental adhesive system
    Patent number: 4936775
    Abstract: Dental cements and abrasives are provided which are polymerizable with visible light. Such adhesives may be applied in thinner films than heretofore possible and demonstrate superior physical properties. Processes employing such materials are disclosed wherein the polymerization of the adhesive is accomplished by transmitting visible light through tooth or other structures to effect the adhesion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development, Corp.
    Inventor: Richard J. Bennett
  • Method of preparing dental appliances
    Patent number: 4892478
    Abstract: A method of producing dental appliances, especially orthodontic appliances, but also including dentures and other dental prosthesis. The method includes placing a self-merging dental gel especially as a stream on a dental cast and under and around preformed dental parts mounted on the cast and merging the dental gel into a homogeneous form of the complete part and then curing the formed dental appliance. The dental gel is a colloidal system including a hardenable dispersing medium, a colloid and a catalyst, preferably a photoinitiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development Corp.
    Inventors: Louis H. Tateosian, Louis C. Souder
  • Dental composite carrier and composite package
    Patent number: 4892481
    Abstract: A dental composite carrier and a packaging means for a composite used for posterior restorations in a tooth is provided. The composite carrier comprises a handle having a lever with a jaw on one end, and the package comprises individual incremental portions of composite material contained in ampules, and a number of ampules packaged in a tray. The composite carrier is used to pick an ampule out of the tray, carry it to a tooth, and deliver it into a cavity in the tooth. Optionally, the handle may have a condenser on its opposite end to be used for packing and smoothing the composite in the tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas V. Kopunek, Douglas D. Bennett
  • Method and composition for detecting dentin
    Patent number: 4875858
    Abstract: A method of detecting dentin is provided. Also provided is a method of repairing a tooth in which dentin is detected using a substance that stains protein, and is thereby clearly delineated from enamel, the enamel is then selectively acid etched, taking care that none of the acid from the etching procedure contacts dentin, and composite filling material is applied to the tooth. The use of a composition for staining dentin is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development Corp.
    Inventors: Steven R. Jefferies, Chin-Teh Huang
  • Pre-loaded dental impression package and method of making
    Patent number: 4867680
    Abstract: A dental impression package pre-loaded with dental impression material adapted for taking accurate impressions of a patient's teeth and/or gums by professional personnel is provided. The impression material used is flowable to a desired degree and has a viscosity of substantially one million centipoises. Packaging a pre-loaded dental impression tray is accomplished by first quickly immersing the loaded tray in a solution of natural latex for a few seconds and then quickly removing the coated product followed by quickly immersing it in a coagulating solution of acetic acid for a few seconds to stabilize the latex coating; withdrawing the stabilized coated product; drying it; and suitably packaging the product for storage and sale. If the impression material is of a light-curable nature, the packaging is of light-opaque nature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development Corp.
    Inventors: Pamela H. Hare, Robert V. Hare, Paul D. Hammesfahr
  • Dental impression tray
    Patent number: 4867682
    Abstract: A dental impression tray and method of using it to form in a light-polymerizable impression material an impression of a portion of dental anatomy in an oral cavity, the tray being formed of transparent material, preferably clear plastic, and molded into a channel-like shape defined by walls capable of having visible actinic light applied to the walls transmitted both through and within the walls. At least some of the outer edge portions of the tray are beveled, guiding light that has entered the walls of the tray against exiting loss that would not be effective in initiating polymerization of the impression material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development Corp.
    Inventors: Paul D. Hammesfahr, Steven R. Jefferies, Ronald L. Sitzema, Jr.
  • Process for preparing interpenetrating polymer network objects employing rubber-modified polymers
    Patent number: 4863977
    Abstract: This invention provides hardenable compositions useful as construction media for a wide range of applications. Particular utility is found in the dental and medical arts where such compositions are highly suitable for the formation and construction of denture base, denture baseplates, denture liners, denture repair, custom trays, veneering for crowns and bridgework, artificial teeth, veneers and repair for natural teeth, and tooth restorative fillings. Such materials having improved impact strengths and elastic moduli when hardened are disclosed which include rubber-modified polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development Corp.
    Inventors: Louis H Tateosian, W. Donald Wilson
  • Spray shield
    Patent number: 4850868
    Abstract: The apparatus comprises a tubular member that is adapted to be attached to the working end of a dental handpiece and is used to contain and direct material dispensed from the handpiece in order to reduce the amount of airborne particles emitted into the atmosphere by the handpiece and to accurately direct the dispensed material to the desired area. The apparatus is adapted to provide a reference point for the practitioner in establishing the optimum working distance of the handpiece from a particular working area in the mouth when the handpiece is used. An improved dental handpiece using the apparatus of the invention and a method of using the apparatus are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development Corp.
    Inventors: Gerard Wright, George E. Warrin, Richard H. Paschke
  • Wound dressing membrane
    Patent number: 4846165
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing an intra-oral dental bandage membrane and/or therapeutic membrane containing therapeutic agent. Actinic light is used to polymerize the membrane composition material to fix the composition in position locked with rigid dental structure such as teeth. The polymerizable substance is manipulated and shaped in a fluid state and then set, as shaped very rapidly in situ. Also disclosed is a new treatment membrane that in a preferred form is a non-symetrical oligomer that is a urethane polyacrylate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development Corp.
    Inventors: Pamela H. Hare, Steven R. Jefferies
  • Method for providing direct cool beam incident light on dental target
    Patent number: 4836782
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for generating a condensed beam of light having a limited degree of scatter, or deviation, comprising light collimating means for providing a source of collimating light and light condensing means operatively connected to the collimating means, such as a truncated cone with a reflective inner surface, the condensing means providing a light beam output having a light divergence limited to about 30.degree. or less. The low divergence beam generating apparatus might be incorporated into larger dental apparatus which can be operator manipulated to provide different modes of light output, which modes include the condensed beam with and without a bandpass of visible wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development Corp.
    Inventor: Donald I. Gonser
  • Single multi-function handpiece for dental instruments
    Patent number: 4820152
    Abstract: A single handpiece that can be used in multiple dental treatments is provided. The handpiece comprises a housing having a coil for producing an electromagnetic or electrostrictive field in the housing, and a number of inserts that react with the electromagnetic or electrostrictive field and can be used with the housing to complete the handpiece. A switching system used with the handpiece, which electrically recognizes the particular insert used with the housing provide for automatically controlling circuitry that determines which of a number of materials and medicaments are to be delivered to the handpiece for use with a particular insert. Circuitry which provides better control of the ultrasonic insert in the handpiece is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development Corp.
    Inventors: George E. Warrin, Rene J. Perdreaux, Richard H. Paschke, Teodor E. Constantinescu, Robert McGill
  • Biologically compatible adhesive visible light curable compositions
    Patent number: 4816495
    Abstract: A biologically compatible adhesive that is shelf stable as a single component adhesive and includes a mixture of an adhesive promoting and polymerizable monomer system having a free radical polymerizable monomer or prepolymer having ethylenic unsaturation and a phosphorus containing adhesion promoter which is free from halogen atoms bonded directly to a phosphorus atom, a free radical polymerization catalyst, and an accelerator for the catalyst, the accelerator selected from the group consisting of sulfinic acid or salt thereof, amine or amine salt and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development Corp.
    Inventors: Gordon B. Blackwell, Chin-Teh Huang
  • Method of treating living pulp tissue
    Patent number: 4813876
    Abstract: Biocompatible, shelf-stable, polymerizable compositions which are especially useful for applications requiring direct contact with living pulpal tissue, bone or dentin, and methods for using the compositions are disclosed. The compositions are non-toxic, both before and after in situ polymerization, and include at least one polymerizable monomer or prepolymer which polymerized by a mechanism other than chelation or saponification. In one aspect, the compositions comprise at least one non-toxic polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer or prepolymer and a catalytically effective amount of a free radical initiator system, and preferably, from about 5 to about 70% by weight of calcium hydroxide or calcium oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development Corp.
    Inventor: Wu-Lan Wang
  • Dual bonding adhesive composition
    Patent number: 4814423
    Abstract: An adhesive for bonding polymeric material to both collagen and calcium is provided. The adhesive contains a glutaraldehyde component for bonding to collagen and a monophosphate component for bonding to calcium. It has been found that in bonding polymeric filling materials to teeth that the adhesive substantially reduces microleakage around the filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development Corp.
    Inventors: Chin-Teh Huang, Steven R. Jefferies
  • Chain extended urethane diacrylate and dental impression formation
    Patent number: 4813875
    Abstract: Disclosed is a new urethane polyacrylate having at least one terminal isocyanato acrylic pendent radical. Preferably the molecular chain within the acrylate caps has been extended with a polyhydroxy compound just before final end capping with isocyanato acrylic. The isocyanato acrylic is preferably isocyanato ethyl methacrylate and the urethane is diisocyanate capped polyether and the polyether radical is oxyalkylene. The method for producing the urethane polyacrylate involves end capping a polyol with diisocyanate yielding a reaction product with two reactive equivalents of isocyanate and then capping less than all of the isocyanate with a hydroxyacrylate, after which the remaining isocyanate is reacted with polyol to provide chain extension. The chain extending polyol is then capped with a isocyanato acrylic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development Corp.
    Inventor: Pamela H. Hare
  • Curing oven for photopolymerization
    Patent number: D308976
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development Corp.
    Inventor: Donald I. Gonser