Abstract: A dental treatment system used to treat (e.g., bleach) a person's teeth. The inventive system includes an inner dental treatment tray having a tray configuration so as to fit over at least a portion of a person's upper or lower dental arch. The inner dental treatment tray is sufficiently thin and flexible so as to at least partially conform to a person's teeth without heating when used in combination with a dental treatment and/or adhesive composition. The dental treatment system includes an outer support tray positioned adjacent to the inner dental treatment tray so as to maintain the inner dental treatment tray in the tray configuration prior to placement of the inner dental treatment tray over the person's teeth. The dental treatment system also includes temporary adhesion means (e.g., a weak adhesive) for maintaining the outer support tray adjacent to the inner dental treatment tray prior to and during placement of the inner dental treatment tray over the person's teeth.

Abstract: A dental treatment tray used to provide a desired treatment is injection molded from a composition that includes at least one thermoplastic resin and at least plasticizer. The plasticized thermoplastic resin permits the dental treatment tray to be injection molded even while having a wall thickness less than about 0.015 inch. The plasticizer increases the melt flow index of the thermoplastic resin while in a molten state, which facilitates complete filling of the mold cavity by the thermoplastic resin. The plasticizer also softens the thermoplastic polymer while in a solidified state in order to yield a dental tray that is even more flexible and comfortable for the user to wear.

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: Dental instruments and appliances made from a super-flexible alloy, which includes atoms from the group IVB and group VB transition metals and oxygen have 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. In one particular example a super-elastic endodontic file is described.

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: Dental bleaching methods and kits employ a dental bleaching composition, a protective composition and a barrier layer. The dental bleaching composition is positioned so as to contact a person's tooth surfaces. The protective composition is positioned so as to shield a person's gingival tissue from the bleaching composition during tooth bleaching. The barrier layer protects at least the bleaching composition from saliva and/or mechanical forces during tooth bleaching. The dental bleaching composition and protective composition can be in the form of a sticky and viscous gel. The protective composition may alternatively be a flexible polymerizable material. The barrier layer may be a substantially flat sheet, strip or patch, or it may comprise a dental tray.

Abstract: A root canal is filled and/or sealed using a hydrophilic sealing composition, optionally in combination with other filling materials. The sealing composition may include one or more resins that promote adhesion to hydrophilic dental tissues: The composition may be introduced into the root canal using a narrow cannula coupled to a high pressure hydraulic delivery device. In the case where a chemical cure composition is used to seal the root canal, a chemical initiator can be used to cause the mixed composition to harden over time. Hardening of at least a portion of the composition can be accelerated by including a photoinitiator and irratiating the mixed composition with radiant energy (e.g., from a dental curing lamp).

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 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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: Dental bleaching compositions in the shape of a dental tray, strip or patch include an adhesive activation composition and a dental bleaching gel. A barrier layer may be included to form a dental bleaching device that protects the bleaching composition from saliva or moisture during use. The adhesive activation composition is substantially solid and has increased adhesiveness to oral tissue when moistened with saliva or water. The adhesive activation composition is formed from an intermediate composition that is heated to drive off the solvent. Using a bleaching gel separate from the adhesive activation composition improves the potency and stability of the bleaching agent prior to use. During use, saliva or moisture cause the bleaching gel to be activated as the bleaching agent activator in the activation composition is leached therefrom so as to react with and destabilize the bleaching agent within the bleaching gel.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing endodontic files involves a chemical milling process to yield endodontic files having a desired taper and/or degree of sharpness. The process involves the steps of (a) forming helical cutting edges in the cutting portion of the metallic rod; and (b) chemically milling the cutting portion of the rod so as to sharpen and/or taper the cutting portion. The rod may be formed of any desirable metallic material, for example stainless steel or a nickel-titanium alloy. The cutting edges may be formed by torsioning, cutting, grinding, machining, laser micromachining, or grit blasting.

Abstract: A dental device configured for curing light-curable compounds includes an extension portion conforming along a first axis, and a handle portion conforming along an intersecting axis, the axes forming an obtuse angle. An LED light source is disposed on the extension portion, and faces away from the obtuse angle, though rotatable embodiments allow for other configurations. The LED light source may include transilluminating lenses for filtering out undesired radiant energy. The dental device may include finger controls for controlling the emission of light from the LED light source of the dental device. A remote power supply connected with the dental device provides power to the dental device without increasing the size or weight of the dental device.

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.