Abstract: Packaging systems are configured for improving long-term stability of a composition. Packaging systems may include a packaging container defining an enclosed volume. The packaging system may additionally include a removable cover that enables the packaging container to be opened and closed such that the packaging container system includes a sealed or sealable volume to contain a main composition in fluid communication with a sacrificial composition. The main composition may include one or more volatile or gas-releasing materials and the sacrificial material may include a stabilizing component that replaces the at least one volatile or gas-releasing component within the main composition or displaces the at least one volatile or gas-releasing component within the enclosed volume. The sacrificial composition helps maintain stability of the main composition by accelerating equilibrium of vapors or gases within the headspace of the sealed interior volume.

Abstract: Rotating dental systems and related guards and methods are disclosed. In some instances a guard may be configured to prevent material from building up on at least a portion of the dental system. The guard may be configured to prevent materials from being discharged from the dental system. In some embodiments, the guard may also be configured to direct the flow of material along a portion of the dental system. Some guards within the scope of this disclosure comprise bristles.

Abstract: Wax-based compositions for making barrier layers used in oral treatment devices are thermally stable when formed into a flat sheet or three-dimensional article to a temperature of at least 45° C. and are plastically deformable at room temperature (25° C.). The wax-based compositions include a wax fraction homogeneously blended with a polymer fraction. The wax fraction includes at least one wax and the polymer fraction includes at least one polymer selected such that, when the at least one wax and at least one polymer are homogeneously blended together, they yield a wax-based composition having the desired properties of thermal stability and plastic deformability. Barrier layers and oral treatment devices made from such wax-based compositions are dimensionally stable to a temperature of at least 40° C. without external support and can be plastically deformed in a user's mouth to become at least partially customized to the size and shape of user's unique dentition.

Abstract: Cheek and lip expansion devices including an upper frame portion configured to extend about an upper dental arch, and a lower frame portion configured to extend about a lower dental arch. The upper and lower frame portions may each include first and second side members, each with anterior and posterior regions. An upper connecting member may extend between the anterior regions of the upper side members. A lower connecting member may extend between the anterior regions of the lower side members. The posterior regions of the upper and lower side members on respective sides of the frame are joined to one another to form a bendable radius that resists bending at a distinct point. The bendable radius on opposed sides permits the frame to be collapsed top to bottom. The frame may be collapsible side-to-side. A posterior crossbar may be provided extending between the posterior regions of the side members.

Abstract: Systems and methods for viewing stereoscopic video images are disclosed. The systems can include a first video camera configured to generate a first video feed of a subject, and a second video camera configured to generate a second video feed of the subject. The first video feed and the second video feed combined generate a near real-time stereoscopic video image. A tracking module can be associated with the first video camera and the second video camera, and can be configured to cause the first video camera and the second video camera to be directed to a desired convergent point relative to a selected tracking point to maintain stereopsis. The system may further include an array of video cameras, a gesture control module, an image adjustment module, a calibration module, or a 3-D modeling module, for example.

Abstract: Dental compositions (e.g., adhesives, cements, primers, sealants, and etchants) and related methods of use are disclosed herein. The dental compositions can include diamond particles. The diamond particles can have an average size of below 10 microns. In some instances, the dental adhesives can act as a one-part dental adhesive, and can be configured to remove portions of the smear layer and act as an adhesive or bonding agent.

Abstract: Oral treatment devices formed from wax-based compositions that are thermally stable when formed into a three-dimensional shape to a temperature of at least 45° C. and plastically deformable at room temperature (25° C.). The wax-based compositions include a wax fraction homogeneously blended with a polymer fraction. The wax fraction includes at least one wax. The polymer fraction includes at least one polymer selected such that, when the wax and polymer are homogeneously blended together, they yield a wax-based composition having the desired properties of thermal stability and plastic deformability. Oral treatment devices are dimensionally stable to a temperature of at least 40° C. without external support and can be plastically deformed in a user's mouth to become at least partially customized to the size and shape of user's unique dentition and/or an appliance in a user's mouth.

Abstract: A dental curing light includes a device body that efficiently conducts heat away from the light emitting diode (LED) portion of the curing light. The device body is one-piece body formed from a continuous seamless piece of thermally conductive material extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The one-piece body includes a gripping handle portion extending to the proximal end and a light-emitting head portion extending to the distal end. The one-piece thermally conductive body acts as a heat sink to efficiently conduct heat away from the LED dies during use. The one-piece body eliminates problems of multi-segmented curing lights that include one or more joints between adjacent segments. Eliminating joints increases thermal conductivity of the body, eliminates crevices where microbes can grow, and eliminates the risk of accidental separation if the curing light is dropped.

Abstract: Fluoride varnish compositions for temporary application and adhesion to a person's teeth include a carrier that remains stable and translucent during storage. The compositions include a carrier comprising a stable and translucent resin and a fluoride ion source (e.g., a fluoride salt such as sodium fluoride) dispersed within the carrier so as to provide biologically available fluoride ions to teeth being treated. The carrier resists formation of solids that can plug a 25 gauge (or 30 gauge) syringe brush applicator tip. The compositions may also include an adhesion promoting agent comprising an alkyl phosphoric acid. The composition adheres only temporarily to tooth tissue (e.g., for a period of at least about 4 minutes, but not more than about 1 year), after which the composition spontaneously wears away as a natural result of the action of the tongue, saliva and/or other factors.

Abstract: A dental matrix device may include a body and a clamp retainer. The body may include a clamp cavity, an aperture, and a ramp immediately adjacent to the aperture. The clamp retainer may be at least partially positioned in the clamp cavity. The clamp retainer may be at least partially positioned in the clamp cavity and may include a clamp portion at a first end that may include a levered portion that is rotatably connected to a base. Translation of the clamp retainer in a first direction may draw the clamp retainer into the clamp cavity such that a lower surface of the levered portion rotates towards an upper surface of the base. Translation of the clamp retainer in a second direction may push the levered portion up the ramp to separate the lower surface of the levered portion from the upper surface of the base.