Abstract: An optical loupe assembly includes mechanical or electromechanical apparatus for varying the magnification of objects viewed through the loupe and or varying a working distance of the loupe. In another embodiment, an optical loupe may include a lens system comprising one or more liquid lens assemblies or liquid crystal lens assemblies for providing variable magnification.

Abstract: A hand held dental instrument for curing light-curable compounds including a housing with a handle portion and a barrel portion configured for being manipulated for positioning a tip end of the barrel portion proximate to a curing site. A plurality of solid state, light-emitting elements are mounted in a collective array to collectively form a beam of light. The array of elements is operable for collectively emitting a beam of light having wavelengths within a band of wavelengths and at a power to cure a dental compound. The array of elements is positioned proximate to the tip end of the barrel portion and the emitted light beam from the array illuminating a curing site. A radiation focusing device is positioned proximate the array of elements at the tip end of the barrel portion to focus the beam of light before it illuminates the curing site.

Abstract: A universal dental impression material system uses a programmable device having containers for separately housing two or more components that form a dental impression material when mixed. A mixing chamber and a dispensing means respectively receive/mix the components and dispense the dental impression material. One or more viscosity modification zones are configured to apply viscosity manipulation to a component prior to mixing, to the components in the mixing chamber during mixing, and/or to the dental impression material in the dispensing means after mixing. A user interface accepts user input of desired properties, such as viscosity, color, work/set time and/or extrusion rate. A controller operatively coupled to the user interface is configured to control dispensing of the components to the mixing chamber, activation as needed of the viscosity modification zones, and dispensing from the dispensing means in response to the user input to achieve the desired properties.

Abstract: An instrument for curing light-curable compounds curable in the mouth of a patient, including a housing including a handle portion and a barrel portion removably secured with respect to the handle portion. A plurality of solid state, light-emitting semiconductor junction elements form an array on a substrate, and collectively emit light having wavelengths within a narrow band of wavelengths suitable for curing a compound. The array of light-emitting elements are positioned proximate to the distal end of the barrel portion, and an elongated heat-conducting element extends from the distal end of the barrel portion toward the proximal end for conducting heat away from the array. A generally clear layer extends on the substrate and over the plurality of light-emitting semiconductor junction elements, and a non-imaging optical focusing device is positioned at the distal end of the barrel portion to collimate the emitted light.

Abstract: A dental adhesive composition comprising (i) at least one non-acidic polymerizable monomer having at least one ethylenically unsaturated group, (ii) optionally one or more acidic compounds, (iii) at least one photoinitiator, (iv) at least one solvent, and (v) about 0-40% by weight of one or more fillers; wherein the weight ratio of non-acidic polymerizable monomers/acidic compounds in the adhesive composition is more than about 4.5; the viscosity of the adhesive composition is less than about 350 centipoise (cP) at 25° C.; and the adhesive composition excluding solvent and filler has an acid number of less than about 0.75 mmol NaOH/g. The dental adhesive composition is used with a dental primer composition, which may be provided together in a kit.

Abstract: A dental paste dispensing device having a modified dispensing end for atraumatic contact with soft tissue is disclosed. The dispensing device includes a needle having a dispensing end with a terminal edge for dispensing the dental paste to a location in a patient mouth containing soft tissue, wherein the dispensing end includes an atraumatic modification. The modification comprises one of a non-metal coating on an outer surface of the dispensing end, a plastic tip member over the dispensing end, or a decreasing diameter at the terminal edge from a first point on the outer surface to a distal-most point of the outer surface.

Abstract: A thermoplastic-based polymer adhesive for use in dentistry includes a thermoplastic polymer and an additional polymer or additive including at least one moiety, monomer, or prepolymer capable of changing at least one property of the thermoplastic-based polymer adhesive when exposed to an activation energy. The activation energy may be heat energy and/or sonic or ultrasonic energy. Bonding a dental component to a tooth includes placing the thermoplastic-based polymer adhesive between the dental component and the surface of the tooth and compressing the dental component against the adhesive, and, while compressing, applying an activation energy to cause crosslinking of the additional polymer or additive with the thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: A dental adhesive composition comprising (i) at least one non-acidic polymerizable monomer having at least one ethylenically unsaturated group, (ii) optionally one or more acidic compounds, (iii) at least one photoinitiator, (iv) at least one solvent, and (v) about 0-40% by weight of one or more fillers; wherein the weight ratio of non-acidic polymerizable monomers/acidic compounds in the adhesive composition is more than about 4.5; the viscosity of the adhesive composition is less than about 350 centipoise (cP) at 25° C.; and the adhesive composition excluding solvent and filler has an acid number of less than about 0.75 mmol NaOH/g. The dental adhesive composition is used with a dental primer composition, which may be provided together in a kit.

Abstract: The dental composite includes a resin base and a combination of a short-cut fiber filler and a particulate filler. The short-cut fibers may be made of a glass or a polymer, and may have an average length of about 2 mm to about 6 mm. The particulate filler includes a ground structural filler, which consists of particles having an average particle size of between about 0.05 ?m and about 0.5 ?m, and a microfiller, which consists of particles having a mean particle size of about 0.04 ?m or less. The cured dental composite provides high strength, an improved wear resistance, a dramatically improved fracture resistance and a high gloss retention in simulated extended clinical wear.

Abstract: A dental restorative composition is provided that includes a polymerizable resin, a substantially translucent structural filler, a nanofiller having a mean particle size less than 100 nm, and at least one rheology-modifying additive. In one embodiment, the structural filler has a refractive index substantially similar to that of the polymerizable resin, a coarse particle fraction, and a fine particle fraction having a mean particle size greater than 0.1 ?m and smaller than the mean particle size of the coarse particle fraction. The relative ratio of the coarse particle fraction to the fine particle fraction is in the range from about 12:1 to about 2:1 by volume, the particle size distribution of each fraction is essentially monomodal, and the D(90) of the fine particle fraction is less than or equal to the D(10) of the coarse particle fraction.

Abstract: A dental adhesive composition comprising (i) at least one non-acidic polymerizable monomer having at least one ethylenically unsaturated group, (ii) optionally one or more acidic compounds, (iii) at least one photoinitiator, (iv) at least one solvent, and (v) about 0-40% by weight of one or more fillers; wherein the weight ratio of non-acidic polymerizable monomers/acidic compounds in the adhesive composition is more than about 4.5; the viscosity of the adhesive composition is less than about 350 centipoise (cP) at 25° C.; and the adhesive composition excluding solvent and filler has an acid number of less than about 0.75 mmol NaOH/g. The dental adhesive composition is used with a dental primer composition, which may be provided together in a kit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a handheld portable, efficient instrument for curing light-curable compounds. The instrument comprises a housing, a light emitted structure supported in the housing, and a reflector configured to interface with the light emitting structure such that light emitted is captured and directed by the reflector onto a light-curable compound. The reflector maximizes the amount of light transferred and contacting the light-curable compound thereby reducing the instrument=s power requirements and improving efficiency. The light emitting structure comprises state of the art, energy efficient, light generating dies. The curing light instrument may also have a self-contained power supply lending portability and convenient of use.

Abstract: In one aspect, a user-wearable illumination assembly 10 includes eyeglass frames 12 and a headlamp 20 removably coupled to the eyeglass frames 12. Electrical circuitry 58 may be integrated with the eyeglass frames 12. The headlamp 20 and the eyeglass frames 12 have mounting structure 22, 26 that cooperate to removably support the headlamp 20 thereon. A light source 36 is disposed within the headlamp 20 and electrical communication between the light source 36 and the electrical circuitry 58 of the eyeglass frames 12 is provided by electrical contacts 40, 42 associated with the mounting structures 22, 26 of the headlamp 20 and eyeglass frames 12. In another aspect, a user-wearable illumination assembly 210 for use with eyeglass frames 212 includes a clip assembly 230 that is selectively removably couplable to a bridge portion 214 of the eyeglass frames 212, and a headlamp 240 coupled to the clip assembly 230.

Abstract: A dental material is provided that exhibits a color change upon or after mixing or contacting components of the composition. The composition includes an acidic component in one part, and a basic component in another part that upon contact with the acidic component initiates a chemical reaction thereof that alters the pH of the composition. An acid or base sensitive color change agent is present in the composition that registers the change in pH by changing color as the pH changes.

Abstract: A self-cure, dual-cure or tri-cure polymerizable dental composition is provided with at least one functional chemical. The dental composition is divided into a three-part composition to avoid stability issues caused by degradation and/or loss of function of one component in the extended presence of another component, and the three parts are packaged in a tri-barrel syringe or cartridge delivery system to avoid premature chemical interaction between the functional chemical, redox initiator and/or acid/base.

Abstract: A self-cure or dual-cure polymerizable dental composition is provided with a redox indicator. The composition exhibits an initial first color upon mixing of the two parts and then changes to a second color that is noticeably different from the first color during the curing or polymerization of the composition initiated through the redox initiator system. Advantageously, the first color may be distinctively different from tooth structure and can be easily noticed. The second color may be essentially colorless, a neutral color, or a non-visually observable color in reference to the tooth structure.

Abstract: A dental restorative composition comprises: (A) polymerizable monomer(s) selected from hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate phosphate, hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate phosphate, hydroxybutyl (meth)acrylate phosphate, dipentaerythritol penta(meth)acrylate phosphate, pentaerythritol tri(meth)acrylate phosphate, phenyl (meth)acryloxyethyl phosphate, and a combination thereof; (B) polymerizable monomer(s) having a molecular weight of 100-250, at least one hydroxyl group, and at least one ethylenically unsaturated group; (C) polymerizable monomer(s) having a molecular weight of 270-900, at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups and no acidic functional group; (D) photo-initiator(s); and (E) filler(s) each having a mean particle size of more than 0.005 microns and less than 70 microns. The weight ratio of (A+B):(C) ranges from 30:70 to 90:10, and the composition has a shear bond strength of at least 10MPa to both dentin and enamel after being light-cured.

Abstract: A dental paste dispensing device having a modified dispensing end for atraumatic contact with soft tissue is disclosed. The dispensing device has a metal needle with an attachment end adapted to be attached to a capsule containing the dental paste and a dispensing end with a terminal edge for dispensing the dental paste to a location in a patient mouth containing soft tissue, wherein the dispensing end includes an atraumatic modification. The modification comprises one of a non-metal coating on an outer surface of the dispensing end, a plastic tip member over the dispensing end, or a decreasing diameter at the terminal edge from a first point on the outer surface to a distal-most point of the outer surface.

Abstract: An instrument for curing light-curable compounds that includes at least one light-emitting element operable for emitting light in a band of wavelengths and is capable of curing a light-curable compound. A control circuit controls the operation of the light-emitting element. The control circuit is operable for providing a power signal to the light-emitting element at a steady state power level to drive the element to emit a steady state light output. The control circuit, while continuing with a power signal at the steady state power level, is further operable to provide temporary micro-pulses in the power signal to temporarily provide an increased power level to the light-emitting element above the steady state power level before returning to the steady state power level, to thereby increase the light output of the instrument while controlling heat generated thereby.

Abstract: A dental adhesive composition comprising (i) at least one non-acidic polymerizable monomer having at least one ethylenically unsaturated group, (ii) optionally one or more acidic compounds, (iii) at least one photoinitiator, (iv) at least one solvent, and (v) about 0-40% by weight of one or more fillers; wherein the weight ratio of non-acidic polymerizable monomers/acidic compounds in the adhesive composition is more than about 4.5; the viscosity of the adhesive composition is less than about 350 centipoise (cP) at 25° C.; and the adhesive composition excluding solvent and filler has an acid number of less than about 0.75 mmol NaOH/g. The dental adhesive composition is used with a dental primer composition, which may be provided together in a kit.