Abstract: Chitosan nanoparticles are provided for use in the in vivo treatment of connective tissues in root canal therapies. The nanoparticles are optionally linked with one or more photoactivatable compounds for providing antibacterial/antibiofilm properties, neutralizing bacterial byproducts and/or chemical/photodynamic crosslinking to achieve enhanced mechanical properties, chemical stability in connective tissues and/or to improve surface/interfacial integrity between filling material and connective tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photosensitising composition comprising a mixture of: at least one surfactant; at least one alcohol; and/or water, with the proviso that when the at least one surfactant is an alcohol, it is different from the at least one alcohol. In particular, the composition may comprise a mixture of glycerol, ethanol and water. Alternatively, the composition may comprise a mixture of polyethylene glycol, ethanol and water. The photosensitising composition may further comprise at least one photosensitising compound. The present invention also provides a method of treating and/or preventing conditions caused by microorganisms in a subject.

Abstract: A medical/dental handpiece comprises a housing having distal portion, the head portion having a bottom surface defining an opening. A motor and a light source are positioned with the handpiece, and the handpiece removably receives a light guide in alignment with the light source, to receive light from the light source. The light guide includes a probe which can be positioned adjacent or within a treatment area. The handpiece can be operated to activate only the light source, such that light is directed through the probe to or into the treatment area, to activate only the motor to rotationally or reciprocatingly drive the light guide, or to activate both the light source and the motor.

Abstract: A light transmitting probe for use in endodontic procedures comprises a light transmitting core and a metallic sheath surrounding said core. The metallic sheath defines a reflective inner surface. The probe further includes a plurality of apertures formed in the sheath, such that light can exit said probe through the apertures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photosensitising composition comprising a mixture of at least one surfactant at least one alcohol; and/or water, with the proviso that when the at least one surfactant is an alcohol, it is different from the at least one alcohol. In particular, the composition may comprise a mixture of glycerol, ethanol and water. Alternatively, the composition may comprise a mixture of polyethylene glycol, ethanol and water. The photosensitising composition may further comprise at least one photosensitising compound. The present invention also provides a method of treating and/or preventing conditions caused by microorganisms in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photosensitising composition comprising a mixture of at least one oxygen carrier, at least one oxidising agent and at least one surfactant, and its uses. The ratio of the at least one oxygen carrier to the at least one oxidising agent to the at least one surfactant may be in the range of 50:40:10 to 80:19.8:0.2. The photosensitising composition may be used for treating and/or preventing conditions caused by microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photosensitising composition comprising a mixture of at least one oxygen carrier, at least one oxidising agent and at least one surfactant, and its uses. The ratio of the at least one oxygen carrier to the at least one oxidising agent to the at least one surfactant may be in the range of 50:40:10 to 80:19.8:0.2. The photosensitising composition may be used for treating and/or preventing conditions caused by microorganisms.

Abstract: A light transmitting probe for use in endodontic procedures comprises a light transmitting core and a metallic sheath surrounding said core. The metallic sheath defines a reflective inner surface. The probe further includes a plurality of apertures formed in the sheath, such that light can exit said probe through the apertures.

Abstract: A structural member made at least in part from a fiber reinforced composite material is provided for use in strengthening the crown of an endodontically treated tooth. The structural member can be attached to a post member, such that the structural member and post member, in combination, define a 3D post for reinforcing an endodontically treated tooth.

Abstract: A photoactive solution and a micro-bubble solution are provided as part of a system for use in disinfecting a root canal. The system also include a handpiece having a flexible tip. When the handpiece is energized, vibrations are induced in the flexible tip to mechanically activate the micro-bubble solution in the root canal. The photoactive solution contains a photoactive compound dissolved in an alcohol carrier solution; and the micro-bubble solution contains an oxygen carrier, an oxidizing agent and a surfactant. The flexible tip transmits light energy into the root canal. The micro-bubble solution facilitates delivery of the light to the photoactive solution to activate the photoactive solution in the canal. The activated photoactive solution then acts on the oxygen introduced in the canal via the micro-bubble solution to disinfect the root canal.

Abstract: Chitosan nanoparticles are provided for use in the in vivo treatment of connective tissues in root canal therapies. The nanoparticles are optionally linked with one or more photoactivatable compounds for providing antibactenal/antibiofilm properties, neutralizing bacterial byproducts and/or chemical/photodynamic crosslinking to achieve enhanced mechanical properties, chemical stability in connective tissues and/or to improve surface/interfacial integrity between filling material and connective tissue.

Abstract: A photo-chemically activated micro-bubble based root canal disinfection method for disinfecting a shaped root canal comprises (a) introducing a photoactive solution into the root canal, the photoactive solution containing a photoactive compound (such as methylene blue) dissolved in an alcohol carrier solution (such as polyethylene glycol and/or ethanol); (b) removing excess photoactive solution from the root canal; (c) introducing a micro-bubble solution comprised of an oxygen carrier (such as perfluorocarbon), an oxidizing agent (such as hydrogen peroxide) and a surfactant (such as a nonionic polyoxyethylene surfactant); (d) sonically or ultrasonically activating the micro-bubble solution in the canal; and (e) introducing light into the canal.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a system and method for reducing bacteria of a tooth receiving root canal treatment, the tooth having a root canal, and the method includes deploying an intracanal electrode within the root canal; deploying an intraoral electrode in close proximity to the root canal and external to the tooth; and applying a potential difference between the electrodes to create an electric field therebetween to reduce the bacteria of the tooth.

Abstract: Chitosan nanoparticles are provided for use in the in vivo treatment of connective tissues in root canal therapies. The nanoparticles are optionally linked with one or more photoactivatable compounds for providing antibacterial/antibiofilm properties, neutralizing bacterial byproducts and/or chemical/photodynamic crosslinking to achieve enhanced mechanical properties, chemical stability in connective tissues and/or to improve surface/interfacial integrity between filling material and connective tissue.

Abstract: A photo-chemically activated micro-bubble based root canal disinfection method for disinfecting a shaped root canal comprises (a) introducing a photoactive solution into the root canal, the photoactive solution containing a photoactive compound (such as methylene blue) dissolved in an alcohol carrier solution (such as polyethylene glycol and/or ethanol); (b) removing excess photoactive solution from the root canal; (c) introducing a micro-bubble solution comprised of an oxygen carrier (such as perfluorocarbon), an oxidizing agent (such as hydrogen peroxide) and a surfactant (such as a nonionic polyoxyethylene surfactant); (d) sonically or ultrasonically activating the micro-bubble solution in the canal; and (e) introducing light into the canal.

Abstract: Chitosan nanoparticles are provided for use in the in vivo treatment of connective tissues in root canal therapies. The nanoparticles are optionally linked with one or more photoactivatable compounds for providing antibactenal/antibiofilm properties, neutralizing bacterial byproducts and/or chemical/photodynamic crosslinking to achieve enhanced mechanical properties, chemical stability in connective tissues and/or to improve surface/interfacial integrity between filling material and connective tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photosensitising composition comprising a mixture of at least one oxygen carrier, at least one oxidising agent and at least one surfactant, and its uses. The ratio of the at least one oxygen carrier to the at least one oxidising agent to the at least one surfactant may be in the range of 50:40:10 to 80:19.8:0.2. The photosensitising composition may be used for treating and/or preventing conditions caused by microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photosensitising composition comprising a mixture of: at least one surfactant; at least one alcohol; and/or water, with the proviso that when the at least one surfactant is an alcohol, it is different from the at least one alcohol. In particular, the composition may comprise a mixture of glycerol, ethanol and water. Alternatively, the composition may comprise a mixture of polyethylene glycol, ethanol and water. The photosensitising composition may further comprise at least one photosensitising compound. The present invention also provides a method of treating and/or preventing conditions caused by microorganisms in a subject.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing and monitoring a property associated with transformation of a biochemical analyte by a micro-organism, the sensor comprising a glass permeable coating applied to an unclad portion (14) of a fibre optic member (13). The coating has a transformable precursor impregnated into it, the precursor being specifically metabolisable by one or more targeted organisms. When the sensor is placed in contact with a sample in a container (15) contacting an active targeted micro-organisms, the precursor is transformed by the micro-organisms to produce a spectroscopically detectable indicator of the property of the analyte. Spectroscopic information may be analysed by a computer program to provide an overall index of microbiological activity for the targeted micro-organism. The invention extends to a method of producing a sensor and a method of identifying the presence of a targeted micro-organism.