Abstract: Photodynamic therapy is used in the treatment of orthopaedic infections. Particularly, it is used in the treatment of infections related to orthopaedic conditions and surgery and includes treatment of sites of deterioration or trauma, such as prior to and after prosthetic fixation such as joint replacement or treatment of trauma sites such as pinning of bone fractures. An orthopaedic disinfection apparatus includes a photosensitiser and a light delivery system capable of producing and delivering light at a wavelength which is capable of being absorbed by the photosensitiser. Methods of treatment of orthopaedic infections are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of filling a dental root canal is disclosed herein. The method includes gaining access to the dental root canal and introducing a flowable photosensitizer into the dental root canal. After introducing the flowable photosensitizer into the dental root operation is performed for activating the flowable photosensitizer by exposing the walls of the dental root canal to light via an optical fiber within the dental root canal. Activating the flowable photosensitizer at least partially kills bacteria within the dental root canal and pulp chamber. After activating the flowable photosensitizer, the dental root canal is obturated.

Abstract: A polymerisable dental filling and sealing composition is provided which comprises a mixture of at least one resin containing on average at least two acrylate or methacrylate groups and a copolymerisable methacrylate or acrylate monomer, which has a low viscosity compared with said resin, the copolymerisable monomer being present in an amount such that the composition can be introduced by syringing into a cavity having a diameter of less than 1 mm.

Abstract: A polymerisable dental filling and sealing composition is provided which comprises a mixture of at least one resin containing on average at least two acrylate or methacrylate groups and a copolymerisable methacrylate or acrylate monomer, which has a low viscosity compared with said resin, the copolymerisable monomer being present in an amount such that the composition can be introduced by syringing into a cavity having a diameter of less than 1 mm.

Abstract: A polymerisable cement composition, particularly for dental and biomedical uses, comprises a mixture of polymerisable monomer materials including between 5 and 95% by weight tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate (THFMA), and at least 5% by weight secondary monomer, preferably a dimethacrylate; and active filler material, preferably powdered fluoroaluminosillicate glass, capable of undergoing an acid-base reaction in the presence of water with acid or acid derivative groups in the composition. The composition is conveniently in the form of a resin-modified glass-ionomer cement or a compomer composition. The use of THFMA as a monomer material has a number of advantages. THFMA has low shrinkage on polymerisation, good biological acceptability and advantageous water uptake properties in comparison to other monomer systems. The invention also covers a method of preparing a polymerisable cement, and a method of dental treatment.

Abstract: Glass polyalkenoate (glass ionomer) cements are used formed into dental crowns, despite their reputedly inadequate toughness, strength and wear-resistance early after forming for such an application, by heating the newly formed glass ionomer crown under a relative humidity of 100% in a bomb under silicone oil at 120-200.degree. C. for an hour.

Abstract: A fluoride releasing dental composition comprising a polymer, a monomer and a metal fluoride. The polymer may be an acrylate polymer, a methacrylate polymer or a copolymer thereof. The monomer may be a monomeric heterocyclic acrylic ester, a monomeric heterocyclic methacrylic ester, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.16 alkyl acrylic ester or a C.sub.3 -C.sub.16 methacrylic ester. The metal fluoride is a nontoxic, biologically acceptable metal fluoride. In certain embodiments, the metal fluoride is sodium fluoride. The metal fluoride may comprise from approximately 0.1% to approximately 2% of the composition by weight.