Abstract: A dental post analog includes an analog post body, and at least one of means for determining the depth of placement of the distal insertion portion, means for gripping the post body, or means for tethering the post body. The analog post body includes a distal insertion portion and a proximal portion that extends beyond the distal insertion portion. The distal insertion portion is configured for temporary insertion into a recess of a tooth, and at least approximately corresponds to the size, shape, and length of a permanent dental post. The post analog may be radiopaque. It may be disposable or autoclavable.

Abstract: A delivery tip for dispensing a high viscosity composition (e.g., a fluoride varnish composition) includes a tip body and a fiber flocked enlarged wing element disposed near a distal delivery end of the tip body. The tip body includes a passageway extending between an inlet orifice at a proximal end and a delivery orifice at the distal delivery end. A ratio of the width of the enlarged wing element to an inside diameter of the delivery orifice is at least about 5:1, which controls flow of the fluoride varnish composition through the delivery orifice while also providing for a wide application width for easily brushing the composition onto a patient's tooth.

Abstract: A time-indicating syringe-in-syringe mixing system for mixing, storing and dispensing a two-part composition that, when mixed together, yields a time-sensitive dental composition. The system includes a first plunger, a hollow second plunger configured to contain a first component, a syringe barrel configured to contain a second component, structure for recording a date when a first component was mixed with a second component, and structure for protecting the recorded date from damage or alteration. The first plunger is slidably disposed within the hollow second plunger, and the hollow second plunger is slidably disposed within the syringe barrel during use. A second syringe may be coupled to the system to provide syringe-to-syringe mixing.

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: Locking structures and syringe systems provide increased locking force and/or sealing between a syringe and another syringe or applicator tip coupled thereto. One locking structure includes a tubular member having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, one or more first tabs projecting from the exterior surface of the tubular member so as to at least partially encircle the tubular member, and means for increasing resistance between the one or more first tabs and corresponding structure (e.g., grooves) of a device (e.g., a syringe or applicator tip) that is selectively coupleable to the tubular member.

Abstract: A hand-held vacuum pump apparatus for use in attaching one or more saliva control devices over one or more selected salivary ducts. The apparatus can be operated using a single hand. The apparatus includes a body having a grippable handle and a support member, a hollow suction tube supported by the support member of the body, a plunger slidably disposed within the hollow suction tube, and means for proximally moving the plunger within the hollow suction tube in response to squeezing a practitioner's hand and/or at least one finger.

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.

Abstract: A dental post analog includes an analog post body, and at least one of means for determining the depth of placement of the distal insertion portion, means for gripping the post body, or means for tethering the post body. The analog post body includes a distal insertion portion and a proximal portion that extends beyond the distal insertion portion. The distal insertion portion is configured for temporary insertion into a recess of a tooth, and at least approximately corresponds to the size, shape, and length of a permanent dental post. The post analog may be radiopaque. It may be disposable or autoclavable.

Abstract: A non-custom, tray-shaped dental treatment device includes a moisture-resistant barrier layer having a front side wall and a bottom wall, and a dental treatment composition. In addition, the tray-shaped dental treatment device includes at least one of the following anatomical features to enhance the fit of the device: (1) the bottom wall includes a plurality of cuts positioned to help the bottom wall better conform to abrupt changes in the diameters of a person's teeth where the bicuspids and canines meet, and/or (2) the bottom wall includes at least one V-shaped or U-shaped indentation configured to be inserted into the depression typically found along the top surfaces of a person's molars, and/or (3) the front side wall and bottom wall include radii of curvature that account for typical flaring of a patient's incisors.

Abstract: A syringe delivery system for dispensing a highly viscous material through a syringe delivery opening. The system includes a syringe barrel having a delivery opening, a plunger including a threaded shaft that threadably engages the syringe barrel for selectively dispensing a viscous material through the delivery opening, and a plunger gripping member in griping communication with the plunger that includes means for sealing the threaded shaft of the plunger so as to prevent contamination by foreign matter. According to one embodiment, a sheath may be included that covers the threaded shaft of the plunger so as to hide the plunger beneath the sheath. The sheath provides a sealed environment for the threaded shaft so as to prevent entrance or contamination by foreign matter.

Abstract: 5A light meter for detecting two or more different wavelengths of light and methods for determining whether a light source configure to emit light at two or more dominant wavelengths is working properly. The inventive light meter includes a housing, two or more receiving means for receiving light energy emitted by an external light source wherein each receiving means is configured to receive light energy of a desired wavelength, detecting means for detecting and measuring light energy received by the receiving means, and display means for providing a visual indication of the existence and intensity of one or more wavelengths of light energy received by the receiving means.

Abstract: Method and system of managing requests arriving at a central location. One embodiment of the invention provides a system for managing requests. The system includes destination paths configured to receive the requests and a server configured to receive the requests and forward each request to one of the destination paths. The system also includes an application executed on the server that intercepts the requests forwarded by the server to the destination paths, analyzes each request, extracts information from each request, and places the extracted information in a formatted output file before forwarding the request to one of the destination paths.

Abstract: A kit that may be used to place a dental bracket and a medicament-releasing pellet in the mouth of a patient, and methods for using such kits. The pellet is designed to provide slow release of fluoride or another medicament over a desired period of time. The kit includes a medicament-releasing pellet, a dental bracket, and a placement device. The dental bracket comprises a base and a socket. The bracket may be installed by a dental practitioner and may remain attached to the patient's tooth for up to 20 years. The placement device aids the dental practitioner in placing the bracket on a patient's tooth.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dental bracket and associated kit used to attach a medicament-releasing pellet on a tooth. The kit is designed to provide slow release of fluoride or other medicament over a desired period of time. The medicament release kit includes a medicament-releasing pellet and a dental bracket. The bracket comprises a base and a socket configured to receive and retain the pellet at least partially therein. The device may be installed by a dental practitioner and remain attached to a patient's tooth for a few months or up to 20 years. The medicament-releasing pellet, designed to slowly release small quantities of fluoride or another medicament, may be replaced, for example, every 6 months to 2 years. Replacement of the medicament-releasing pellet may be performed at home or at a dentist's office.

Abstract: A placement device for placing a dental bracket designed to receive a medicament-releasing pellet onto a tooth of a patient. According to one embodiment, the placement device includes a body and a protrusion disposed on the body. The protrusion is sized and configured so as to releasably attach to the socket of a dental bracket used to receive and retain a medicament-releasing pellet. The protrusion may be male, or alternatively, may include a female cavity designed to receive a socket of a dental bracket.

Abstract: A tray-shaped dental treatment device includes a moisture-resistant barrier layer having a front side wall and a bottom wall, and a dental treatment composition. In addition, the tray-shaped dental treatment device includes at least one of the following anatomical features to enhance the fit of the device: (1) the bottom wall includes a plurality of cuts positioned to help the bottom wall better conform to abrupt changes in the diameters of a person's teeth where the bicuspids and canines meet, or (2) the bottom wall includes at least one V-shaped or U-shaped indentation configured to be inserted into the depression typically found along the top surfaces of a person's molars, or (3) the front side wall and bottom wall include radii of curvature that account for typical flaring of a patient's incisors.

Abstract: An integrated remote control and sound recording device includes a housing, a remote control input interface for enabling a user to control at least one electronic entertainment device, and a sound recorder at least partially enclosed within the housing. The integrated device enables control of devices such as a television, an audio system, a video disc player, a video cassette recorder, a direct broadcast satellite receiver, a personal video recorder, a cable box, and a digital portable music and/or entertainment system. In addition, the device may be used as a sound recorder.

Abstract: A flexible protective cover cushions the impact of a rigid light emitting device when placed in contact with a patient's teeth or a dental appliance. The protective cover includes a base configured to attach to a rigid light emitting device, and a flexible translucent body. The body includes a first and second end. Light from the light emitting device enters the cover through the first end and exits through the second end. The flexible cover may be made of polyurethane, silicone, flexible polyethylene, or another elastomer.

Abstract: A light curing dental device is configured for curing light-curable compounds and includes a rechargeable power supply. The light curing device is configured to be received by and recharged by a recharging docking station that is connected with a dental hand piece holder tray. The recharging docking station may take the form of a dental hand piece holder. Some light curing devices can be recharged by electrical contact when they are placed within a recharging docking station. Some other light curing devices are water-tight and do not have exposed electrical contacts. These other light curing devices can be recharged by the recharging docking station through induction.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket packaging kit and system includes a base tray, a plurality of pedestals for supporting individual orthodontic brackets, and a protective lid. The kit may also include a blister cover fitting over the orthodontic brackets, helping to hold them in place on top of the individual pedestals. The base tray may have an undulating profile defining a lower level and an upper level, along with a tongue raised towards the lower level. The upper level may be used for placement of maxillary brackets, while the lower level may hold mandibular brackets. The pedestals may be arranged along the base tray in a staggered, radial arc arrangement to facilitate manual retrieval of the brackets. The protective cover may be substantially opaque to curing light wavelengths to protect light curable adhesive pre-applied to the individual brackets.