Abstract: Treatment devices in the shape of a dental tray, strip or patch include a barrier layer and a protective adhesive composition. Treatment kits include one or more treatment devices and one or more treatment compositions that are initially separate from the treatment devices. The treatment compositions may be contained within a syringe (e.g., a unit dose syringe) for ease of delivery. The treatment composition is dispensed from the syringe onto the barrier layer and then placed over a person's teeth and/or gums. The protective adhesive composition, in combination with the barrier layer, at least partially confines the treatment composition to a desired location within the person's mouth during use. The barrier layer protects the treatment and protective adhesive compositions from saliva or moisture found in the person's mouth.

Abstract: Hemostatic compositions and dental etching compositions for oral use include methyl salicylate in order to mask or disguise their otherwise unpleasant taste. The methyl salicylate, hemostatic and/or dental etching agent are dispersed within an aqueous carrier, which may be liquid or viscous as desired. In order to increase the stickiness and the viscosity of the carrier, a higher molecular weight polyol and/or a finely divided inorganic filler may be included. Methyl salicylate is selected as the flavorant because it has been found to have enhanced stability in the presence of strongly acidic compositions compared to other flavorants known in the art. In addition, methyl salicylate does not leave behind an unpleasant after taste. For this reason, methyl salicylate is uniquely suited for masking or disguising the profoundly sour, bitter and rusty taste of hemostatic agents or the sour or bitter taste of dental etching agents.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket system including a plurality of interchangeable ligation covers so as to allow the patient and practitioner to create a desired aesthetic look. The inventive orthodontic bracket system includes a bracket base, at least one arch wire slot formed in the bracket base adapted to receive an arch wire therein, a first interchangeable ligation cover that when releasably assembled to the bracket base can be selectively moved relative to the bracket base between an open non-ligating position relative to the arch wire slot and a closed, ligating position relative to the arch wire slot, and a second interchangeable ligation cover of a different color and/or formed of a different material relative to the first cover. The interchangeable ligation covers can be removed and replaced with another cover of a different color and/or different material to create a different aesthetic appearance.

Abstract: Methods for injecting a local anesthetic into dental tissues, such as tough, dense ligamentary tissue adjacent to a patient's tooth. According to one embodiment, the method involves puncturing a patient's gingival tissue adjacent a selected tooth with an array of micro-needles having a length so that the micro-needles penetrate into ligamentary tissue adjacent to the tooth. A local anesthetic is then injected through the micro-needles so as to deliver the local anesthetic to the tissue surrounding the tooth. The micro-needles may be short to limit penetration through tissue and of narrow diameter to minimize pain and discomfort to the patient.

Abstract: Injection needle devices for administering a local anesthetic into tough, dense ligamentary tissue surrounding a tooth. The injection needle is a two-part needle that includes a proximal needle portion formed of metal, ceramic or rigid plastic and a distal needle portion formed of ceramic or hardened metal. The distal penetrating needle portion has an exposed length not more than about 8 mm, and an maximum outside diameter of about 25 gauge. At the transition between the proximal needle portion and the distal needle portion there can be an abrupt stop surface for limiting penetration through tissue. Alternatively, the proximal needle portion can have a tapered surface that permits penetration of the tapered surface into tissue. The injection needle device is designed to minimize pain and prevent buckling of the distal needle portion.

Abstract: A pre-packaged dental treatment system including a dental treatment device having a barrier layer configured for placement over at least a portion of a person's teeth, a dental treatment composition (e.g., a bleaching composition) disposed adjacent to the barrier layer, and a sealed packaging container within which the dental treatment device is disposed. At least a portion of the packaging container includes a laminated polymer material that is substantially impervious to water molecules, which prevents the dental treatment composition from drying out. The laminated polymer material is optionally also a barrier to oxygen molecules.

Abstract: A pre-dosed, pre-packaged mixing system and associated method for mixing, storing, and dispensing a two-part dental composition that becomes less stable upon mixing. The mixing system includes a pre-dosed, pre-packaged quantity of a first component contained within a first chamber, and a pre-dosed, pre-packaged quantity of a second component contained within a second chamber. The chambers are separated by separation means so as to separate the two-components prior to mixing. Once mixed, the practitioner is able to record a mixing and/or expiration date on at least a portion of the mixing system so as to indicate a shelf-life of the less stable mixed dental composition.

Abstract: Fluoride varnish compositions for temporary application and adhesion to a person's teeth. The composition includes a carrier comprising a resin and an adhesion promoting agent comprising an alkyl phosphoric acid. A fluoride ion source (e.g., a fluoride salt such as sodium fluoride) is dispersed within the carrier so as to provide biologically available fluoride ions to the tooth tissue being treated. 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 delivery system that includes a bone growth promoting material encapsulated within a water absorptive gelatinizable covering is used to promote bone growth in order to repair a bone defect and/or strengthen a weakened bone region. The delivery system may be shaped and sized in order to fit within a bleeding wound (e.g. one that is formed in the gingiva when a tooth is extracted). The covering may be formed of a gelatinizable gauze that forms a gel-like material when moistened with water. The delivery system is contained within a moisture resistant package prior to use. Alternatively, the delivery system comprises a bone growth promoting material and thickening agent contained within a syringe that, upon adding water, form a viscous gel or stiff putty.

Abstract: Mixing devices used with a syringe or syringe system and related systems for mixing dissimilar components contained therein. The devices and systems include a hollow elongate handle having a proximal end, a distal delivery end, and a delivery passageway therethrough. A mixing member is disposed at or near the proximal end of the hollow elongate handle, which mixing member and a portion of the handle are axially slidable within a syringe barrel during use. The user may push and pull the distal end of the handle, causing corresponding axial movement of the mixing member within the syringe barrel. The devices and systems may be used to homogenously mix difficult to mix two part compositions, as well as single part compositions which include components that may tend to separate over time (e.g., a fluoride varnish composition).

Abstract: A brush tipped applicator includes an applicator tip having a body defining an external surface and an internal conduit. The applicator tip body can have a proximal end defining a proximal opening of the internal conduit and a distal end. The proximal end of the applicator tip body can have a first fastener that is configured for being coupled to a fastener (i.e., second fastener) of a member containing the dental bleaching composition such that the internal conduit of the applicator tip body is capable of being fluidly coupled with the dental bleaching composition. Additionally, the brush tip includes at least one filament disposed on the external surface of the applicator tip body. A dental bleach activator disposed within the filament in an amount sufficient for activating the dental bleaching composition for whitening the teeth.

Abstract: Methods and systems for temporarily coating intra-oral devices (e.g., orthodontic brackets and/or wires) so as to reduce discomfort to soft tissues within a patient's mouth. One embodiment of such a system includes at least one orthodontic bracket or orthodontic arch wire and a two-part polymerizable temporary coating composition for use in coating selected surfaces of the brackets and/or wires. One silicone polymerizable two-part composition includes a vinyl siloxane component, a cross-linking component, and a catalyst activator initially divided between the two parts so that at least one of the components is kept separate from at least one other component (i.e., all three components are not initially commingled). Upon mixing of the first and second parts, the composition begins to polymerize.

Abstract: A self-customizable dental tray usable in a dental application is prepared as follows: providing a barrier layer in the shape of a dental treatment tray having a wall thickness of less than or about 1 mm; introducing a curable elastomeric material onto an impression-receiving surface of the barrier layer; placing the barrier layer having the curable elastomeric material onto the teeth so that the curable elastomeric material forms an impression layer; and allowing the curable elastomeric material to cure so as to form an impression layer having a teeth-receiving surface with contours adapted to conform with the teeth, said impression layer having a wall thickness of less than or about 1 mm. Optionally, the barrier layer is a liner that can be separated from a support tray that provides a tray shape to the liner.

Abstract: A venting syringe plunger assembly for use with a syringe system allows for venting of gas from the syringe system during use. The plunger assembly includes a hollow outer sleeve having an interior surface, and an inner stem having an exterior surface. At least a portion of the inner stem is disposed within the outer sleeve so as to be movable (e.g., slidable) within the outer sleeve. A venting passageway is defined between the interior surface of the outer sleeve and the exterior surface of the inner stem. The plunger assembly also includes means for selectively moving the inner stem within the outer sleeve so as to selectively open and close the venting passageway.

Abstract: Time-indicating syringe mixing systems for mixing, storing, and dispensing a two-part dental composition that becomes less stable upon mixing including a first plunger comprising an elongate stem and a plug at a distal end of the elongate stem, a hollow first chamber configured to contain a first component, a hollow second chamber configured to contain a second component, and means for indicating a recorded date when a first component initially contained within the hollow first chamber is mixed with a second component initially contained within the hollow second chamber. The inventive syringe mixing systems may be configured as syringe-in-syringe systems and/or syringe-to-syringe systems.

Abstract: Dental instruments and appliances are manufactured from a superelastic alloy, which includes atoms from the group IVB and group VB transition metals and oxygen so as to exhibit superior strength and flexibility. The metal alloys are cold worked to increase the tensile strength of the dental instruments and appliances. Cold working the metal also increases the flexibility of the dental instruments and appliances and prevents work hardening. Dental instruments made from the superelastic alloy exhibit higher strength, flexibility, resistance to work hardening, and biocompatibility compared to dental instruments made from nickel-titanium alloys. In one particular example a super-elastic endodontic file is described.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a delivery system that includes a bone growth promoting material encapsulated within a water-absorbing, water-gelatinizable covering used to promote bone growth in order to repair a bone defect and/or strengthen a weakened bone region. The delivery system may be shaped and sized in order to fit within a bleeding wound (e.g., one that is formed in the gingiva when a tooth is extracted). The covering may be formed of a gelatinizable-gauze (e.g., oxidized cellulose) that forms a gel-like material when moistened with water. The delivery system may be stored in a moisture resistant package prior to use.

Abstract: A dental curing light includes a body, one or more LEDs configured to emit a first spectrum of light having a relatively short first peak wavelength (e.g., UV) disposed on the body, and a fluorescing lens that converts at least a portion of the first spectrum of light into a second spectrum of light having a second peak wavelength that is longer than the first peak wavelength. The second spectrum of light is selected so as to match the curing spectrum of a desired light-curable dental composition. In a preferred embodiment, the body comprises an elongate wand having a proximal end and distal end. The LEDs may be disposed at or near the distal end of the elongate wand.

Abstract: Kits and methods facilitate chair-side coating of an endodontic cone for improved sealing between the hydrophilic root canal tissue, the hydrophobic elastomer substrate of the endodontic cone, and a hydrophilic sealing resin. The kit includes one or more endodontic cones (e.g., formed of gutta percha) and a micro-dose container containing an adhesive composition. The practitioner can dip the cones into the adhesive composition so as to coat the cones chair-side, just prior to use. The adhesive composition includes an adhesive resin compound comprising at least one hydrophobic region and at least one hydrophilic region. The hydrophobic region is compatible with the hydrophobic elastomer substrate of the endodontic cone, while the hydrophilic region is compatible with a hydrophilic endodontic sealing resin.

Abstract: An exoskeleton support and associated placement system for use in placing a thin, flexible dental treatment strip over a person's tooth surfaces. The exoskeleton support includes an exoskeleton body that is curved so as to approximate the curvature of a person's dental arch. The exoskeleton support includes an inner surface that is oriented toward a person's tooth surfaces during use, an outer surface oriented away from the person's tooth surfaces during use, and means for temporarily holding or attaching a flexible dental treatment strip to the inner surface of the exoskeleton support. The exoskeleton support allows a user to more easily and accurately place a dental treatment strip on tooth surfaces to be treated.