Abstract: A system and method for tooth bleaching are disclosed wherein a patient's mouth is prepped for tooth bleaching treatment, a light activated tooth bleaching composition is applied on a tooth surface to be bleached, a lamp assembly is placed in position to activate the oxidizing compound in the bleaching composition, and one or more spacer is coupled to the patient and to the lamp assembly to set a distance between the two.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat sink material that can more efficiently remove or divert heat from a light source or sources with a given weight of heat sink material when compare to a heat sink made of a solid block of thermally conductive material such as metal. It further relates to a heat sink that can more efficiently remove or divert heat from a curing light device when a reduced weight of heat sink material is used. The inventive heat sink has at least one suitable phase change material including organic materials, inorganic materials and combinations thereof. These materials can undergo substantially reversible phase changes, and can typically go through a large, if not an infinite number of cycles without losing their effectiveness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to curing light devices for use in dentistry. Specifically, this invention relates to curing light devices generating convergent and uniform light with high intensity. The curing light device has a handle portion and a front portion wherein a light module is located in a desirable position in the interior of the front portion. The light module may include a light source comprising at least three LEDs in a compact manner, an optical element adapted to direct and/or focus the LEDs, and a lens cap to protect the LEDs and the optical elements. The lens cap may include a peripheral groove extending more than half of the periphery of the lens cap, which provides a longer engagement portion and thus a more secured attachment when “over-centeredly” engaging with a receiving edge on the light emitting end.

Abstract: An ultrasonic dental insert having at least one light source. A first transducer generates ultrasonic vibrations. A connecting body has a proximal end and a distal end having a tip attached thereto. The proximal end is attached to the first transducer so as to receive the ultrasonic vibrations therefrom and to transmit the ultrasonic vibrations toward the tip attached to the distal end. A second transducer is disposed substantially proximate to the connecting body for generating a voltage signal in response to movement of a portion of the connecting body according to the ultrasonic vibrations. A magnetic material including a source of a magnetic field is present in close proximity to the insert. At least one light source substantially proximate or distal to the tip is connected to and receives the voltage signal from the second transducer to generate light.

Abstract: An arrangement, for use in whitening a patient's teeth includes an arched surface and an array of light-generating devices, for example, light emitting diodes positioned on the arched surface. The light-generating devices are arranged to form a relatively uniform field of light in a particular range of wavelengths, and further arranged to focus the generated light in an overlapping manner onto a patient's teeth when the mouthpiece is properly positioned relative to the patient's face. The proper positioning is aided by a number of light sources, in the visible range, that shine on the patient's face in a predetermined manner when the mouthpiece is properly positioned. To remove whatever heat is generated at the surface of the patient's teeth in the course of the procedure, the mouthpiece includes air passages between the light emitting devices, and a fan that draws air away from the patient's face.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dental implement such as tongue scraper that is disposable and is adapted for prophylactic and/or therapeutic action for the oral cavity. The dental implement may include a tongue scraper, a dental floss, a toothpick, a toothbrush or combinations thereof. The dental implement may include a strip having a longitudinal dimension that is longer than its traverse dimension. The strip may be coated with a coating of a mixture including at least one medicament and a water soluble or erodible carrier. In one embodiment, the coating may be present on at least one of the longitudinal edges, for example, of a tongue scraper, toothpick or a dental floss. In another embodiment, the coating may be present on at least one of the traverse edges, for example, of a tooth pick or the bristles of a toothbrush. In a further embodiment, the coating may be present on a combination of edges.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multi-compartment devices having a pre-applied dispensing element. The device is adapted for dispensing multi-component compositions that are kept separate prior to use. Supplying a pre-applied dispensing element facilitates and simplifies the dispensing operation during use and reduces the chance of misuse due to improper application of the mixing element, loss and/or damage of the component.

Abstract: An ultrasonic dental handpiece for holding a transducer is provided. The transducer converts electrical energy into ultrasonic vibrations. The dental handpiece includes a body, a rotator head, and a retainer ring. The body rotatably receives the transducer. The rotator head engages the transducer for rotation thereof. The retainer ring is fixedly coupled to one of the body and the rotator head and rotatably coupled to the other of the body and the rotator head, such that the rotator head is rotatably coupled to the body.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a consumer with dental services and products from a retail location, such as, for example, a local shopping mall. The dental service or product may include a teeth whitening product or service. The retail location is operated by a registered dental assistant or hygienist under supervision of a licensed off-site dentist. The dental assistant or hygienist uses an intra-oral camera and/or x-ray machine to take images of the customer's teeth and/or mouth. The images are transmitted to the off-site dentist over a data communications network. The off-site dentist evaluates the images and approves or denies a request for a particular dental service or product. If approved, the product or service is dispensed from the retail location. The off-site dentist may also recommend that the customer see a specialist. In this case, a referral to a specialist in the customer's area is made.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to dental prophylaxis devices that improve portability, maneuverability and aid in retaining clean conditions for use on dental patients, particularly to dental handpieces. The present invention is also directed prophylaxis or prophy angles for use with such handpieces. In general, a dental prophylaxis device includes a handpiece and a prophy angle which includes a driven shaft and a prophy cup attached for rotation thereto. The handpiece generally includes a body which houses a rotational source coupled to an output shaft which couples to the driven shaft in the prophy angle via angled gear interfaces on the output shaft and the driven shaft.

Abstract: A dental lamp includes a control system adapted to control operation of a light source within the dental lamp. The control system requires that an unexpended light guide including a recordable medium be coupled to a lamp head of the dental lamp, in order to illuminate the light source. The control system records a first data signal on the recordable medium during illumination of the light source indicating that the light guide has been expended. The control system also records a second data signal onto a second recordable medium so that a particular duration of use of the light source may be indicated.

Abstract: An endodontic reamer (10) and a method for manufacturing endodontic reamers (10) and files, more specifically an endodontic reamer (10) having a cylindrical shaft (12) and a working portion (16) extending forward from a removed end of the shaft. The working portion (16) includes, typically, a pair of wedged shaped projecting sections (18) that extend beyond the diameter of the shaft (12). Forward from the wedge shaped sections (18) is a nose, typically noncutting nose (24a), that has a diameter of about equal to the diameter of the shaft (12). There are typically two wedge-shaped sections projecting outward opposite one another. A novel method is provided for manufacturing an endodontic reamer (10), which consists of using a two-piece mold and a wire blank between the mold, followed by forcing the mod together, under compression, against the wire blank, to deform the blank into the shape of mold parts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a unique solution for relieving repetitive stress to dental professionals during the course of a day and is directed to sets of identical instruments, having handles made with varying diameters for grasping, designed to be used interchangeably throughout the day, thus cutting down on the repetitive grasping action through the change of grasp. Therefore, even if a dental professional uses the same type of instrument throughout the day, the hands, wrists and elbows can experience varying rather than repetitive action because the positioning of the hands, wrists and elbows are interchanging throughout the day. The dental instrument may also be ergonomically designed. Additionally, the instrument may also have a vibratory module. Further, a rotator may also be implemented.

Abstract: A dental apparatus includes a substantially longitudinal housing having a distal end, a proximal end having a tooth brush attached to it, and a tongue scraper attached to the housing. The tongue scraper can be attached to the inside or the outside of the housing. It can be fully extended during storage or in a roll form. The tooth brush can be an electric tooth brush. The tooth brush may also include a light source. The housing may also include vents along a portion thereon so that the tongue scraper may be cleaned and air dried during storage. The tongue scraper may extend outwardly from the distal end of the housing, perpendicular to the housing, or in a manner resembling a bow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wireless remote control for dental equipment, such as dental scaler tools, dental drills, prophy angles and other rotary instruments. The wireless control switch can control the on and off state of the dental tool, or it can also be programmed to control the speed of the tool by a switch on the tool. The wireless control switch can be in the form of, for example, a foot switch, and replaces manual and foot operated controls formerly connected by cables to the dental tools. This removes a potential safety hazard in the dentist's office and makes the equipment control more versatile and easier to adapt to various office conditions. The wireless control can be battery powered, further eliminating the need for cables.

Abstract: In an endodontic procedure, after the working of a root canal by instruments to remove material and shape the walls of the canal, irrigant is supplied via a microcannula. A vacuum is applied via a tube which is inserted partway down the root canal. The tube and microcannula pass through a material created by a standard dental filling material of a composite nature which provides a seal at a position near the top of the coronal opening. The irrigant is supplied in a manner sufficient to ensure delivery to a side vent of the microcannula. The vacuum at the end of tube draws the irrigant and debris up from the apex of the root canal into the tube. The side vent may have a plurality of more round holes, a diagonal slit, or a U shaped slit, or any other shape. The vent opening should not extend more than approximately 0.75 mm from the closed spherical tip of the microcannula, it must be burr free and the opening must be smaller than the internal diameter of the microcannula.

Abstract: An endodontic reamer (10) and a method for manufacturing endodontic reamers (10) and files, more specifically an endodontic reamer (10) having a cylindrical shaft (12) and a working portion (16) extending forward from a removed end of the shaft. The working portion (16) includes, typically, a pair of wedged shaped projecting sections (18) that extend beyond the diameter of the shaft (12). Forward from the wedge shaped sections (18) is a nose, typically noncutting nose (24a), that has a diameter of about equal to the diameter of the shaft (12). There are typically two wedge-shaped sections projecting outward opposite one another. A novel method is provided for manufacturing an endodontic reamer (10), which consists of using a two-piece mold and a wire blank between the mold, followed by forcing the mod together, under compression, against the wire blank, to deform the blank into the shape of mold parts.

Abstract: A one-component prescription fluoride treatment composition having both fluoride efficacy and sensitivity relief is disclosed. The composition includes at least one metal fluoride and a nerve desensitizing agent such as potassium nitrate. The invention further includes a composition having at least one metal fluoride less than about 1.15% by weight of at least one metal fluoride; less than about 5 percent by weight of at least one alkali metal salt having desensitizing effect; at least one carrier; and at least one foaming agent that has thickening property. The composition may be formulated into a gel, a paste or any other convenient form, some of which contain abrasives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat sink material that can more efficiently remove or divert heat from a light source or sources with a given weight of heat sink material when compare to a heat sink made of a solid block of thermally conductive material such as metal. It further relates to a heat sink that can more efficiently remove or divert heat from a curing light device when a reduced weight of heat sink material is used. The inventive heat sink has at least one suitable phase change material including organic materials, inorganic materials and combinations thereof. These materials can undergo substantially reversible phase changes, and can typically go through a large, if not an infinite number of cycles without losing their effectiveness.