Abstract: A new type of syringe for delivering composite material for direct application of the material in the mouth of a patient. The new type of syringe includes a threaded screw for driving a piston through the syringe in order to extrude the material from the end of the syringe. The extrusion force is thus generated in the syringe, thereby allowing for a simpler, less costly motorised driving system using a torque driving movement. The syringe also includes a localised heating arrangement at the extrusion end.

Abstract: A dental paste dispensing device having a modified dispensing end for atraumatic contact with soft tissue is disclosed. The dispensing device has a 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 is a plastic tip member over the dispensing end having a flattened static position and a rounded dynamic position.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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 material is proposed as an essential abrasive component for cleaning agents in cleaning products for delicate surfaces which is essentially composed of platelets. These platelets are preferably shaped without sharp points, i.e. their circumference is similar to a polygon whose corners do not show angles that are in the majority smaller than 30° and greater than 330°. Glass flakes are for example such a material. The abrasive component of the invention may for example be used for the manufacture of toothpastes and prophylaxis pastes that are efficient but nevertheless not harmful to teeth.