Abstract: An integrated magnetic shield and bearing holder useable with electric motors includes a shaft portion and a cover portion extending radially outward from the shaft portion. The shaft portion includes an inner wall defining a channel and a ledge extending radially inward from the inner wall. The cover portion includes a first layer, a second layer extending substantially parallel to the first layer, a magnetic shield extending between the first layer and the second layer, and an outer wall extending from the first layer and/or the second layer such that a space is defined between the outer wall and the shaft portion. The cover portion includes one or more retainers coupled to the magnetic shield to restrict movement of the magnetic shield relative to the first layer and/or the second layer.

Abstract: An integrated magnetic shield and bearing holder useable with electric motors includes a shaft portion and a cover portion extending radially outward from the shaft portion. The shaft portion includes an inner wall defining a channel and a ledge extending radially inward from the inner wall. The cover portion includes a first layer, a second layer extending substantially parallel to the first layer, a magnetic shield extending between the first layer and the second layer, and an outer wall extending from the first layer and/or the second layer such that a space is defined between the outer wall and the shaft portion. The cover portion includes one or more retainers coupled to the magnetic shield to restrict movement of the magnetic shield relative to the first layer and/or the second layer.

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: Composition and methods include a dental bleaching agent, potassium nitrate a fluoride salt for enhanced whitening and reduced tooth sensitivity. The potassium nitrate and fluoride salt both reduce or eliminate tooth sensitivity that may otherwise be caused by the bleaching agent. For prolonged treatment of teeth, lower quantities of potassium nitrate (e.g., 0.5%) have actually been found to work better than larger quantities (e.g., 3%). The dental compositions may be applied directly to the person's teeth, or they may be loaded into a comfortable fitting, flexible, thin-walled dental tray and placed over the person's teeth. In that case, the dental compositions will include a tackifying agent, such as carboxypolymethylene, which assists the composition in retaining the dental tray over the person's teeth as a result of the adhesive properties of the dental composition rather than due to mechanical interlocking of the tray over the person's teeth.

Abstract: Gingival retraction cords are constructed from two or more strands that are interlocked to form a knitted, braided, woven, or twisted retraction cord. At least one strand is made from an absorbent material and another strand is made from a degradation-resistant material, such as nylon, polyester, fiberglass, or metal. The absorbent strands are impregnated with an active agent. The degradation-resistant strands resist degradation by the active agent. Alternatively, one or more strands are used to make the knit, weave, or braid and each strand is made from two or more different fibers. For example, one or more absorbent fibers and one or more synthetic fibers can be twisted to make a blended strand. The blended strands can be used to knit, braid, or weave a retraction cord. Because the degradation-resistant strands are part of the strand pattern, the retraction cords can be made sturdier without adversely affecting the cord's inherent deformation properties.

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: A system for storing a dental composition having a given shelf-life. The storage system includes a container (e.g., a syringe) and activatable time sensitive marking means disposed on or within the container. Upon activation of the time sensitive marking means, the system begins to indicate time lapsed since activation. The time sensitive marking means allows a dental practitioner to determine whether a dental composition within the container has expired, or how much time remains before the composition expires and should either be used up or discarded.

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. A polymerizable resin may be placed over the bone growth composition after placement on a bone to form a protective barrier layer.

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: 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 curing light including an elongate wand having a proximal end and a distal end, a plurality of LEDs disposed at or near a distal end of the elongate wand and a printed circuit board for mounting the plurality of LEDs. The LEDs include a main through mount LED and a plurality of surface mount LEDs positioned around the main through mount LED. The main LED is through mounted relative to the printed circuit board such that the power connections of the main through mount LED are made through a hole or holes in the printed circuit board. The power connections of the main through mount LED are made on an opposite surface of the printed circuit board relative to the “top” surface to which the surface mount LEDs are mounted.

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 kit of dental sub-kits for use in placing a dental post in a prepared recess (e.g., a root canal) of a person's tooth. The kit includes a tray having an interior recess configured to removably receive therein a plurality of individual dental sub-kits. Each sub-kit may have an associated color, number, letter, or other marking to distinguish it from at least one other sub-kit within the kit. The color or marking associated with each sub-kit identifies the size of components contained within the sub-kit. Each sub-kit includes a finishing drill and one or more permanent dental posts. Each sub-kit may optionally include a starter drill and/or a dental post analog. Each sub-kit and its contents may be disposable or autoclavable.

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: 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 dental kit for use in placing a dental post in a prepared recess (e.g., a root canal) of a person's tooth. The dental kit includes a finishing drill, a plurality of permanent dental posts, a dental post analog, and optionally, a starter drill. The kit also includes a container having an interior, means for suspending the kit components within the container, and a removable lid.

Abstract: Kits and methods for improving the wear and abrasion resistance of filling material involving applying a coating material to at least a portion of a surface of a dental filling material. The dental filling material to be coated is substantially free of organically modified inorganic particles. The coating material includes a polymerizable resin and a plurality of inorganic particles that are organically modified to have polymerizable functional groups thereon. The coating material is cured such that the polymerizable resin and the functional groups on the organically modified inorganic particles co-polymerize or cross-link to form a cured protective coating layer on the dental filling material. The cured coating layer has a maximum thickness of less than about 30 microns.

Abstract: A kit used to form a customized dental tray from a heat-softenable polymeric material using a person's teeth as a template includes a preformed tray and a color-changing temperature indicator. The color-changing temperature indicator may be attached to or separate from the preformed tray. When heated together, the indicator signals to the user by a color change when the tray has reached a customization temperature range. This signal prevents errors of underheating and overheating common in the customization process.