Abstract: Various compositions and methods are provided to alleviate one or more symptoms associated with hyposalivation and/or xerostomia. Preferred compositions and methods employ one or more plant pulp products and/or a proanthocyanidin at a concentration effective to reduce or eliminate the symptoms. Especially preferred product components are isolated from a fruit and/or seed (e.g., grape, cranberry, blue berry, black berry, etc.), and where a second component is is preferably a freeze-dried pulp from a citrus fruit (e.g., lemon, orange, lime, grapefruit, tangerine, mandarin orange, ugli fruit, etc.) not containing peel or juice therein.

Abstract: Various compositions and methods are provided to alleviate one or more symptoms associated with hyposalivation or xerostomia. Preferred compositions and methods employ one or more plant extracts and/or a proanthocyanidin at a concentration effective to reduce or eliminate the symptoms. Especially preferred extracts are isolated from a fruit and/or seed (e.g., grape, cranberry, blue berry, black berry, etc.), and where a second extract is present, such extract is preferably isolated from a citrus fruit (e.g., lemon, orange, lime, grapefruit, tangerine, mandarin orange, ugli fruit, etc.).

Abstract: A dental prosthesis, such as a crown, a bridge, inlay, onlay, a laminate veneer or an artificial tooth, or a dental prosthesis base material, such as an abutment, an abutment having a post, or a post, is made with a low cost in a short time by using dental glass ionomer cement, which is excellent in cost, mechanical strength and biocompatibility and has fluorine sustained releasability in general, by a method comprising steps of enclosing a mixture of dental glass ionomer cement into a mold in a shape fitting to the dental prosthesis or the dental prosthesis base material to be made, putting the mold into water, irradiating the whole mold with a microwave, and curing the dental glass ionomer cement in a short time, thereby a conventional problem of slow curing reaction in dental glass ionomer cement is solved.

Abstract: An endoscopic device includes an endoscopic tube for insertion into a cavity to be viewed; an optical system including a video camera and illuminating means for viewing the cavity, the image on the screen being a noninverted image; and a removable, rigid, sterilizable or discardable sheath completely enclosing the endoscopic tube and the illuminating means to prevent their exposure to the cavity environment.

Abstract: An inta-oral device for viewing the oral cavity comprises a handle having a tube extending therefrom for insertion into the oral cavity to be viewed; an optical system within the tube; a video camera within the handle and illuminating means for illuminating the cavity; and a removable, rigid, sterilizable sheath completely enclosing the tube and illuminating means to prevent their exposure to the oral cavity. The optical means provides a non-reversed image to appear on a video screen.

Abstract: An endoscopic device includes an endoscopic tube for insertion into a cavity to be viewed; an optical system including a video camera and illuminating means for viewing the cavity, the image on the screen being a noninverted image; and a removable, rigid, sterilizable or discardable sheath completely enclosing the endoscopic tube and the illuminating means to prevent their exposure to the cavity environment.