Abstract: A vibrating applicator is provided for applying a dental composite material onto a tooth. The applicator has an elongated body and a tip that is coupled to the elongated body to apply the dental composite material onto the tooth. The applicator further has a vibrating apparatus for vibrating the tip and a sensor for sensing a condition of the dental composite material. A controller is operatively coupled to the vibrating apparatus and to the sensor and is configured to automatically vary an output frequency of the vibrating apparatus in response to the condition sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: The method of curing a dental composite includes forming a composite filling in a cavity of a tooth surface by filling the cavity with an uncured composite and determining the geometry of the composite filling, including locations of interfaces between the composite filling and the tooth surface. The method further includes calculating a predetermined polymerization pattern for minimizing shrinkage stress at the interfaces, based on the geometry of the composite filling, and scanning a focused laser beam across the composite filling in accordance with the predetermined polymerization pattern to selectively and progressively cure the composite filling.

Abstract: A dental bur and method for removing a soft deposit from a tooth or an implant, the bur having a shank adapted to be connected to a rotary device. A head extends from the shank. The head has a material hardness adapted to remove soft deposits attached to the tooth but deflect against the tooth. Furthermore, the head is sized for insertion into a periodontal pocket adjacent to the tooth without surgery. Thus, the dental bur may be rotated against the tooth for removing the soft deposits but deflect and/or wear against the tooth for preventing damage to the tooth.

Abstract: The method of curing a dental composite includes forming a composite filling in a cavity of a tooth surface by filling the cavity with an uncured composite and determining the geometry of the composite filling, including locations of interfaces between the composite filling and the tooth surface. The method further includes calculating a predetermined polymerization pattern for minimizing shrinkage stress at the interfaces, based on the geometry of the composite filling, and scanning a focused laser beam across the composite filling in accordance with the predetermined polymerization pattern to selectively and progressively cure the composite filling.

Abstract: A prophylactic (prophy) paste composition comprising about 40 percent by weight to about 55 percent by weight expanded perlite comprising perlite granules in the range of about 20 ?m to about 70 ?m and floaters. The prophy paste composition further comprises no more than 5 percent by weight of a surfactant, and greater than about 10 percent by weight water. In some embodiments, the inventive paste also contains a humectant and optionally, may contain coloring agents, preservative agents, alcohol, flavoring agents, viscosity increasing agents, and sodium fluoride. The present invention also provides methods for controlling the floater content of the expanded perlite used in the inventive paste and methods of packaging the expanded perlite paste composition in a tube. The present invention also provides a prophy paste product comprising the inventive prophy paste contained within a squeezable tube.

Abstract: A vibrating dental instrument is provided that may be used with different styles of tips for performing different dental procedures. The dental instrument has an elongated body and a tip that is releasably coupled to the elongated body. The dental instrument further has a vibrating apparatus for vibrating the tip and a sensor for sensing a condition of a dental composite material when the tip is used to apply the dental composite material onto a tooth. A controller is operatively coupled to the vibrating apparatus and to the sensor and is configured to automatically vary an output frequency of the vibrating apparatus in response to the condition sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the affixation of dental dams and Class III matrixes utilized in conservative dentistry and oral surgery. In particular, the present invention relates to a device and method for retaining and stabilizing a dental dam or Class III matrix, or other device, in the mouth of the patient, which can be clamped between two adjacent teeth.

Abstract: The dental matrix band includes an elongated body having first and second opposing ends adapted to wrap around a tooth to be restored, and having first and second opposing longitudinal edges extending between the first and second opposing ends. The dental matrix band further includes a first line of weakness in the elongated body where the elongated body is separable along the first line of weakness. The dental matrix includes a fixture adjacent the first line of weakness. The dental matrix band may further include a second line of weakness. The dental matrix band may include an annealed section.

Abstract: A vibrating applicator is provided for applying a dental composite material onto a tooth. The applicator has an elongated body and a tip that is coupled to the elongated body to apply the dental composite material onto the tooth. The applicator further has a vibrating apparatus for vibrating the tip and a sensor for sensing a condition of the dental composite material. A controller is operatively coupled to the vibrating apparatus and to the sensor and is configured to automatically vary an output frequency of the vibrating apparatus in response to the condition sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: A dental dam clamp comprises first and second spaced, opposing jaws and respective first and second tooth engaging portions on the jaws. The first and second tooth engaging portions are positioned in confronting relation to one another and are biased toward one another by a resilient member when the jaws are moved outwardly from a free state defining a first position of the jaws. In one embodiment, first ends of the tooth engaging portions are spaced closer together than the second ends of the tooth engaging portions when the jaws are in the first position. The spacing between the first ends of the tooth engaging portions may be substantially the same as the spacing between the second ends of the tooth engaging portions when the jaws are moved outwardly to a second position. In another embodiment, the tooth engaging portions include friction-increasing surfaces to help secure the clamp to a tooth.

Abstract: A prophylactic (prophy) paste composition comprising about 40 percent by weight to about 55 percent by weight expanded perlite comprising perlite granules in the range of about 20 ?m to about 70 ?m and floaters. The prophy paste composition further comprises no more than 5 percent by weight of a surfactant, and greater than about 10 percent by weight water. In some embodiments, the inventive paste also contains a humectant and optionally, may contain coloring agents, preservative agents, alcohol, flavoring agents, viscosity increasing agents, and sodium fluoride. The present invention also provides methods for controlling the floater content of the expanded perlite used in the inventive paste and methods of packaging the expanded perlite paste composition in a tube. The present invention also provides a prophy paste product comprising the inventive prophy paste contained within a squeezable tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the affixation of dental dams and Class III matrixes utilized in conservative dentistry and oral surgery. In particular, the present invention relates to a device and method for retaining and stabilizing a dental dam or Class III matrix, or other device, in the mouth of the patient, which can be clamped between two adjacent teeth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the affixation of dental dams and Class III matrixes utilized in conservative dentistry and oral surgery. In particular, the present invention relates to a device and method for retaining and stabilizing a dental dam or Class III matrix, or other device, in the mouth of the patient, which can be clamped between 2 adjacent teeth.

Abstract: A dental sensor clamp has a clamp body with a connector on one end for connecting the sensor clamp to a bite plate. A clamp body opposite end has a fixed stop locatable adjacent an apical area of a tooth. A clamping slide is mounted within a thickness of the clamp body, and the clamping slide supports a member providing a resilient clamping force upon the member being moved against the sensor and the fixed stop. The dental sensor clamp reliably secures an imaging sensor adjacent the apical area of the tooth.

Abstract: A cheek and lip retractor for dentistry comprises respective cheek portions and lip portions for the upper and lower lips. In one embodiment, the lip portions each comprise a lip shield and mucosa pads that are separate and spaced apart from the lip shield. The lip shield includes a first side edge that is disposed within a patient's mouth, and a second side edge that is disposed outside the patient's mouth, when the retractor is used to separate the lips of the patient. The cheek portions and lip portions are connected to each other by flexible connecting elements, and the connecting elements are disposed between the lip shields and the mucosa pads. In another embodiment, the cheek portions of the retractor include first side edges disposed within a patient's mouth, and second side edges disposed outside the patient's mouth during use to separate the lips of the patient.

Abstract: The cheek and lip retractor for dentistry comprises respective cheek portions and lip portions for the upper and lower lip, the lip portions comprising a lip shield and mucous pads which are separate and spaced apart from the lip shield, the cheek portions and lip portions being connected to each other by flexible connecting elements, and the connecting elements being disposed between the lip shield and the mucous pad. Such a retractor allows a largely free treatment of the tooth portions to be treated and provides a comfortable fit for the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the affixation of dental dams and Class III matrixes utilized in conservative dentistry and oral surgery. In particular, the present invention relates to a device and method for retaining and stabilizing a dental dam or Class III matrix, or other device, in the mouth of the patient, which can be clamped between 2 adjacent teeth.

Abstract: A dental instrument with interchangeable roller tips for distributing restorative materials on a tooth surface quickly, precisely and homogeneously with little adherence of the restorative material to the instrument. The instrument has an elongate body with a handle portion and one or two working ends extending therefrom with a roller tip rotatably mounted on each working end. The roller tip may be removable from the working end, such that differently shaped tips may be used interchangeably during the restoration of the tooth, as necessary. The roller tip may rotate directly about the working end, or alternatively, a bushing or bearing may be rotatably mounted on the working end between the working end and the roller tip, such that the roller tip is rotatable on the working end by means of the rotatable bushing or bearing.