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: An apparatus and method for delivering a granular or powdered material, e.g., a bone growth promoting material. The inventive syringe apparatus includes a syringe barrel having a proximal and distal end, a lid attached to the syringe barrel that is selectively movable between an open and closed position relative to the syringe barrel, and biasing means for biasing the lid toward a closed position relative to the syringe barrel. The biasing means may comprise a leaf spring, coiled spring, or elastomeric material. The syringe barrel may be straight or curved.

Abstract: A dental instrument having a two-shot molded handle and methods for making the same. The dental instrument includes a dental instrument shank of metal with a handle formed near the proximal end of the shank. The handle includes a first polymer formed over a portion of the shank, and a second polymer formed over at least a portion of the first polymer. The first polymer may be rigid so as to more firmly attach to the shank and better resist torsional and/or tensional slippage between the shank and handle during use, while the second polymer may be flexible so as to increase gripability and comfort during manual use of the instrument. The first and second polymers may be of different colors to provide contrast (e.g., to highlight characters formed in the first rigid polymer).

Abstract: A method for overmolding a plurality of polymers having different properties onto a dental instrument. The method involves providing a dental instrument substrate made of metal, overmolding a first polymer onto a portion of the dental instrument substrate, and then applying a second polymer over a portion of the first polymer. The first polymer, which is advantageously rigid, is overmolded so that an exposed outer surface of the first polymer corresponds to a portion of the dental instrument to be gripped within a collet of a dental hand piece for powered use. The second polymer, which is advantageously soft and flexible, is applied so that an exposed outer surface of the second polymer corresponds to a portion of the dental instrument to be gripped by a dental practitioner for manual use.

Abstract: Valve syringes of the invention include a syringe barrel and an applicator valve adapted to rotate relative to the barrel between closed and open positions. In the open position, one or more slots in the applicator valve align with one or more holes in a discharge end of the syringe barrel in order to allow fluid material to flow therethrough. In a closed position, the contact surface of the applicator valve occludes the holes in the barrel in order to seal them and prevent flow of fluid material therethrough. The valve syringe may include structure that increases the sealing engagement between the syringe barrel and applicator valve when rotated toward at least one of the open or closed positions. The applicator valve may include an applicator tip that is either integrally or detachably connected to the applicator valve. The valve syringe may also include a plunger adapted to expel fluid material contained in the syringe barrel through the discharge end and into the applicator valve.

Abstract: Valve syringes of the invention include a barrel, a plunger and an applicator valve. The applicator valve, which controls the flow of the fluid material contained within the barrel, can rotate at the end of the barrel between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, slots in the applicator valve align with holes in the barrel and allow the fluid material to flow therethrough. In the closed position, a contact surface seals the holes in the barrel closed to prevent the flow of the fluid material therethrough. The applicator valve includes an applicator tip that is either integrally connected to or detachably connected with the applicator valve. The valve syringe also includes means for releasably securing the applicator valve in the closed position to prevent undesired leaking and evaporation during periods of nonuse.

Abstract: Syringes of the invention include a barrel having a tapered outlet portion and a plunger that is conformingly tapered to enter the tapered portion of the barrel and to expel the fluid material contained within the tapered portion of the barrel. To help expel the material from the barrel, the syringes of the invention include sealing means that are configured to seal the stem of the plunger to the barrel. The sealing means may include one or more rings that circumferentially protrude away from the stem and slidably engage the inner surface of the barrel. In certain embodiments, the syringes also include applicator valves that are disposed at the outlet end of the barrel and that can be rotated between open and closed positions to control the flow of the fluid material out of the barrel.

Abstract: The syringe devices of the invention include detachably connecting barrels and detachably connecting plungers. The barrels can be manufactured at different times and out of different materials to have differing colors, insulating properties, inner diameters, material compositions, and clearness. The syringe devices also include barrel connecting means for detachably connecting the barrels and plunger connecting means for detachably connecting the plungers. In certain embodiments, the syringe devices also include applicator tips configured for thoroughly mixing the components contained in the barrels before being dispensed through the applicator tip.

Abstract: Syringes of the invention include a barrel having a tapered outlet portion and a plunger that is conformingly tapered to enter the tapered portion of the barrel and to expel the fluid material contained within the tapered portion of the barrel. To help expel the material from the barrel, the syringes of the invention include sealing means that are configured to seal the stem of the plunger to the barrel. The sealing means may include one or more rings that circumferentially protrude away from the stem and slidably engage the inner surface of the barrel. In certain embodiments, the syringes also include applicator valves that are disposed at the outlet end of the barrel and that can be rotated between open and closed positions to control the flow of the fluid material out of the barrel.

Abstract: The invention comprises an asymmetrically shaped matrix band. The asymmetrical shape of the matrix band provides form for molding a dental filling into a shape that closely approximates the asymmetrical and generally trapezoidal shape of a tooth. The matrix band comprises a cross-sectional area that curves asymmetrically in the vertical direction along a curve that is constrained by two radii. The first radius is applied near the top of the matrix band and has a magnitude that is approximately one third of the magnitude of the second radius that is applied at the bottom of the matrix band. The curvature of the cross-sectional area enables the matrix band to also provide form for molding a dental filling with a contact point in the anatomically correct location on a restored tooth.

Abstract: Valve syringes of the invention include a syringe barrel and an applicator valve adapted to rotate relative to the barrel between closed and open positions. In the open position, one or more slots in the applicator valve align with one or more holes in a discharge end of the syringe barrel in order to allow fluid material to flow therethrough. In a closed position, the contact surface of the applicator valve occludes the holes in the barrel in order to seal them and prevent flow of fluid material therethrough. The valve syringe may include structure that increases the sealing engagement between the syringe barrel and applicator valve when rotated toward at least one of the open or closed positions. The applicator valve may include an applicator tip that is either integrally or detachably connected to the applicator valve. The valve syringe may also include a plunger adapted to expel fluid material contained in the syringe barrel through the discharge end and into the applicator valve.

Abstract: The syringe devices of the invention include detachably connecting barrels and detachably connecting plungers. The barrels can be manufactured at different times and out of different materials to have differing colors, insulating properties, inner diameters, material compositions, and clearness. The syringe devices also include barrel connecting means for detachably connecting the barrels and plunger connecting means for detachably connecting the plungers. In certain embodiments, the syringe devices also include applicator tips configured for thoroughly mixing the components contained in the barrels before being dispensed through the applicator tip.

Abstract: Valve syringes of the invention include a barrel, a plunger and an applicator valve. The applicator valve, which controls the flow of the fluid material contained within the barrel, can rotate at the end of the barrel between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, slots in the applicator valve align with holes in the barrel and allow the fluid material to flow therethrough. In the closed position, a contact surface seals the holes in the barrel closed to prevent the flow of the fluid material therethrough. The applicator valve includes an applicator tip that is either integrally connected to or detachably connected with the applicator valve. The valve syringe also includes means for releasably securing the applicator valve in the closed position to prevent undesired leaking and evaporation during periods of nonuse.

Abstract: The invention comprises improved matrix band retainers for use in dental procedures. The matrix band retainers comprise a pair of tines anatomically configured to be inserted into the interproximal spaces between adjacent teeth for holding a matrix band in proper alignment during a dental filling procedure. The matrix band retainers have a thin profile characterized by the cross-sectional area of the flexible body member in which the width of the body is greater than the height of the body. The tines are connected to the flexible body member by crossbar members. The matrix band retainers also comprise receptacle means for securely receiving the prongs of a spreading device. The receptacle means may include hole formations formed in the body member configured for engaging the prongs of a rubber dam clamp spreading tool.

Abstract: The invention comprises improved matrix band retainers for use in dental procedures. The matrix band retainers comprise a pair of tines anatomically configured to be inserted into the interproximal spaces between adjacent teeth for holding a matrix band in proper alignment during a dental filling procedure. The matrix band retainers have a thin profile characterized by the cross-sectional area of the flexible body member in which the width of the body is greater than the height of the body. The tines are connected to the flexible body member by crossbar members. The matrix band retainers also comprise receptacle means for securely receiving the prongs of a spreading device. The receptacle means may include hole formations formed in the body member configured for engaging the prongs of a rubber dam clamp.

Abstract: The invention comprises an asymmetrically shaped matrix band. The asymmetrical shape of the matrix band provides form for molding a dental filling into a shape that closely approximates the asymmetrical and generally trapezoidal shape of a tooth. The matrix band comprises a cross-sectional area that curves asymmetrically in the vertical direction along a curve that is constrained by two radii. The first radius is applied near the top of the matrix band and has a magnitude that is approximately one third of the magnitude of the second radius that is applied at the bottom of the matrix band. The curvature of the cross-sectional area enables the matrix band to also provide form for molding a dental filling with a contact point in the anatomically correct location on a restored tooth.

Abstract: The invention comprises improved matrix band retainers for use in dental procedures. The matrix band retainers comprise a pair of tines that are anatomically configured to be inserted into the interproximal spaces between teeth for holding a matrix band in proper alignment during a dental filling procedure and for keeping the matrix band retainer from slipping out of position. The tines may be curved and/or include a wedge-shaped portion to facilitate insertion of the tines into the interproximal spaces between two adjacent teeth. The matrix band retainers also comprise two apertures that are configured in size and shape to receive the prongs of a rubber dam clamp or other tine-spreading device for enabling the rubber dam clamp to spread the tines of the matrix band retainer in a safe and secure manner.

Abstract: Enhanced radiographic detection is provided by an endodontic marking instrument having a highly radiopaque elongate member, thereby enabling a dentist to better identify the location of the instrument in a root canal and the length of the root canal. The highly radiopaque, high contrast material of the elongate member is a non-toxic, material such as gold, platinum, palladium, silver, tungsten, and the like. The endodontic marking tools of the present invention are distinctly visible on radiographic images in light of the substantial contrast between the highly radiopaque material and the tooth of the patient.

Abstract: The syringe system has a two separate pathways for delivering two materials for mixing. The syringe system has a plunger unit with two plungers that engage two barrels of a dual barrel cartridge to push the two materials into two separate lumens in a nipple on the dual barrel cartridge. The nipple has side portals for directing the materials away from each other as the materials are pushed out of the side portals. The nipple is inserted into a delivery chamber of a delivery tip that houses a static mixing element. The sidewalls of the delivery chamber mate with surfaces of the nipple such that the materials continue to have separate pathways after being pushed out of the side portals and reach the static mixing element.

Abstract: Enhanced radiographic detection is provided by an endodontic marking instrument having a highly radiopaque elongate member, thereby enabling a dentist to better identify the location of the instrument in a root canal and the length of the root canal. The highly radiopaque, high contrast material of the elongate member is a non-toxic, material such as gold, platinum, palladium, silver, tungsten, and the like. The endodontic marking tools of the present invention are distinctly visible on radiographic images in light of the substantial contrast between the highly radiopaque material and the tooth of the patient.