Abstract: Impression trays for taking dental impression of a subject are discussed herein with particular discussion extended to impression trays know as triple trays. Triple trays are so coined for their ability to simultaneously capture the upper and lower impressions and the bite registration of a subject during a same dental procedure. The trays described elsewhere herein incorporate features that strengthen or increase the rigidity of the frame so that an impression taken of the dentition of the subject using one of the trays described elsewhere herein is not distorted and is therefore an accurate reflection of the true dentition.

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 to the tip is connected to and receives the voltage signal from the second transducer to generate light. The ultrasonic dental insert may be inserted into a handpiece for providing electromagnetic energy to the first transducer to generate the ultrasonic vibrations.

Abstract: A dental lamp boom hinge includes a pivot supporting a dental lamp head and a base supporting the pivot where the pivot may be rotated about a substantially vertical axis with respect to the base. The rotational movement between the pivot and the base is damped with a damping device. The damping device in one embodiment is adjustable to provide a variable level of damping.

Abstract: A dental illumination system includes an adjustable self-supporting frame and a lamp head coupled to the frame. The lamp head includes a housing and a spacer having formations that is adapted to removably mechanically couple the lamp head to a reference device, again having formations, for facilitating illumination of a tooth by a light source contained within the lamp head. The spacer and lamp head may be formed integrally. If formed separately, both the lamp head and the spacer may include formations.

Abstract: A system and method for tooth whitening are disclosed wherein at least one peroxide-containing gel and at least one transition metal compound- containing gel, particularly at least one lower atomic number transition metal compound, more particularly at least a ferrous compound including gluconate, sulfate, nitrate, acetate or mixtures thereof, are applied to a patient's mouth. Gelling agent is also included. The activation of the peroxide whitens the patient's teeth. The system may be used with or without the application of light. The system further provides an additional gel including a sensitivity reduction compound including potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate or mixtures thereof for possible sensitivity treatment if needed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ultrasonic dental tools having an integral sheath and at least one light source adapted to utilize the electromagnetic energy already available in the existing ultrasonic dental unit. The handpiece includes a substantially hollow housing having a primary power source that may include a coil. In one aspect, the ultrasonic dental insert includes a sheath. The sheath may be formed such that it may cover at least part of the handpiece housing. In general, the sheath may serve as a barrier such that it may reduce cross-contamination to and from the patient's mouth. During operation, the primary coil of the handpiece may be inductively coupled to an illumination energy coil such that the illumination energy coil may draw energy from the electromagnetic field of the primary coil to power at least one light emitting element.

Abstract: A two-component whitening system has a de-sensitizing effect as well as re-mineralizing capability. The system may be an unfoamed, a foamed or a foamable composition. The system has a first component with at least one peroxide compound, at least one source of phosphate and at least one gelling agent; and a second component with at least one source of calcium, strontium and/or mixtures thereof. The second component may also contain at least one gelling agent, and the composition maybe present as a foam or is foamable. The composition may be packed in a two-compartment syringe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retracting device for retracting at least a portion of a user's mouth. The retracting device includes formations, which may be inter-engaging and/or non-inter-engaging with other dental tools or apparatus. The formations are adapted for repeatably positioning a subject's mouth with respect to a light system, and/or an imaging film, and/or a dental tray.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hand grip for dental instruments that provides a dental professional with a more secure and comfortable means of grasping a dental hygiene tool. In one embodiment, the instrument has an elongated dental handpiece having an interior that is solid, hollow or partially solid. The elongated handpiece has a distal end and a proximal end and a longitudinal portion in between. A grip portion is attached to the body of the handpiece anywhere between the distal end and the proximal end, comprising a grip stop against which the operator's hand rests while gripping the handpiece and using the tool. At least one insert is present on the handpiece at an end. A locking mechanism for locking the position of the grip anywhere along the handpiece is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a curing light having a detachable tip for spot curing of light sensitive composites. A series of tips having varying apertures is also envisioned. The present invention also relates to a curing light having a detachable tip for effecting partial curing of light sensitive composites. The advantage of the tip of the present invention, as compared to prior art tips, is that it is adapted to be fitted over the end of a curing light device without the need to remove any protective cover, focusing lens or similar structure that may be mislaid or lost. It also offers the added advantage of a simplified design without the necessity of having built-in complex optical properties normally served by the protective cover while, at the same time, the tip retains the advantages offered by prior art tips.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved endodontic instrument. The instrument can be constructed of a ribbon of material such as any material that has a suitable edge for cutting and can be twisted or bent into any desired shape. The ribbon can be made of a metal, a polymeric film or combinations thereof. The ribbon can have a straight edge or a serrated one. The instrument is in the shape of a cone, tapering towards one end. It has a hollow interior and cutting edges disposed in a helical pattern along its length. The instrument can perform various or all of the functions of any endodontic instrument used in the root canal procedure.

Abstract: An active dental tool including a vibratory mechanism and a power storage reservoir. The vibratory mechanism includes an electrical motor and an elliptical load. The elliptical load is adapted to be rotated by the motor and to thereby impart an oscillatory motion to a tooth-contacting portion of the dental tool.

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: The present invention relates to a light guide for a lamp for dentistry procedures. The light guide provides an optical channel between a light source and a dental substrate. The light guide may be a one-patient use light guide including a recording medium to record the time used. The light guide further provides protection for a patient's soft tissues during treatment.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing endodontic instruments is disclosed. Each of the instruments includes a substantially non-cutting pilot portion, a relatively short working portion, and a flexible shank portion which is of a substantially smaller average circumferential span than the working portion. The working portion of one instrument may have a maximum circumferential span as that of the blank from which it is made. The instrument may be treated with either a surface treatment and/or a bulk treatment. The instrument may have a handle at its distal end for manual manipulation, or may be adapted for attachment to a mechanical handpiece. The non-cutting pilot, the short length of the working portion, and the flexibility of the shank combine to allow the instrument to be used in curved root canals without causing undue change in the natural root canal contours.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing endodontic instruments is disclosed. Each of the instruments includes a substantially non-cutting pilot portion, a relatively short working portion, and a flexible shank portion which is of a substantially smaller average circumferential span than the working portion. The working portion of the instrument has a maximum circumferential span larger than that of the blank from which it is made. The instrument may have a handle at its distal end for manual manipulation, or may be adapted for attachment to a mechanical handpiece. The non-cutting pilot, the short length of the working portion, and the flexibility of the shank combine to allow the instrument to be used in curved root canals without causing undue change in the natural root canal contours.

Abstract: A whitening system has a de-sensitizing effect as well as re-mineralizing capability. The system may be a one-component or a two-component composition. The system may also be an unfoamed, a foamed or a foamable composition. For a one-component system, a sparingly soluble calcium phosphate salt may be in dry particle form with at least one gelling agent, wherein the salt is capable of sustained release of both calcium and phosphate ions into saliva upon exposure of the particle thereto and providing a hydroxyapatite remineralization. In a two component system, a first component has at least one peroxide compound, at least one source of phosphate and at least one gelling agent; and a second component has at least one source of calcium, strontium and/or mixtures thereof. The second component may also contain at least one gelling agent, and the composition maybe present as a foam or is foamable. The composition may be packed in a two-compartment syringe, or be present in a carrier or coated onto a substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ultrasonic dental tools having an insert that includes monitoring mechanism(s) for usage, performance and indication mechanism(s) for replacement. The dental tool includes a dental insert having a transducer for generating ultrasonic vibrations. The ultrasonic dental insert includes a housing and a connecting body having a proximal end and a distal end having a tip attached thereto. The proximal end is attached to the transducer so as to generate the ultrasonic vibrations therefrom and to transmit the ultrasonic vibrations toward the tip attached to the distal end. In one aspect, the ultrasonic dental tool includes monitoring systems for tool usage and condition. The dental tool may include, for example, usage time monitoring circuitry, wear usage circuitry, electromagnetic monitoring circuitry and/or any other appropriate monitoring systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a curing light suitable for curing light curable dental composite materials. The curing light device has a light module housing having at least one heat sink located therein. The heat sink has at least two mounting platforms arranged in different geometric arrangements. More than two light sources may be used, emitting at least two different wavelengths. The curing light includes at least one heat sink having various geometric shapes, which facilitate the arrangement of the light sources in the curing light and minimizing the concentration.