Abstract: A self-heating chemically activated pouch formed to hold a medical or dental device or material prior to use or application. The pouch has a construction to readily receive a dental device or material, such as a tip or syringe containing a dental material or composite, permitting easy activation of an activator or trigger to initiate an exothermic chemical reaction of a heating material to heat the dental device or material. Heating the dental material or composite improves its flowability and properties.

Abstract: A unit dose package for applying a material with an applicator having a separate material and applicator portion. In one embodiment, a material well is squeezed to dispense the material onto an applicator through a releasable portion between the material well and the edge of the tray. In another embodiment, a plurality of material wells is used to mix different materials to be dispensed with an applicator. In another embodiment a portion of the cover is removable.

Abstract: A method and a device for effecting the cordless retraction of the gingival sulcus tissue that includes a dam shaped to be fitted onto a tooth. In one embodiment, the well of the dam is pre-filled with a predetermined amount of a flowable retraction material having a heavy viscosity or putty consistency. The preloaded tooth dam is fitted to a prepared tooth so that when pressure is applied onto the tooth dam, the retraction material is displaced under pressure and forced into the sulcus, causing the gingival tissue to retract away from the tooth to enlarge the gingival sulcus. In another embodiment the cap is filled with a dilatant material. In another embodiment, the cap is filled with an impregnated compressible porous material. In yet another embodiment, the cap is pre-dosed with an astringent or hemostatic agent.

Abstract: A composition applied to exposed dentin of a tooth comprising hydroxyethylmethacrylate or HEMA, glutaldehyde, and a thickening agent in aqueous solution. The thickening agent or viscosity enhancing material increases the viscosity of the composition, preventing the composition from moving out of position or dripping on a vertical surface. The present invention helps the composition from contacting or irritating soft tissue in the mouth of a patient. The composition decreases tooth sensitivity and improves bonding.

Abstract: A method and a device for effecting the cordless retraction of the gingival sulcus tissue that includes a dam shaped to be fitted onto a tooth. The dam having a peripheral wall defining a well. The peripheral wall may be either pervious or impervious to light rays and opened at at least one end. The well of the dam is pre-filled with a predetermined amount of a flowable retraction material having a heavy viscosity or putty consistency. The preloaded tooth dam is fitted to a prepared tooth so that when pressure is applied onto the tooth dam, the retraction material is displaced under pressure and forced into the sulcus, causing the gingival tissue to retract away from the tooth to enlarge the gingival sulcus. In one form of the invention, the structure of the dam enables the retraction material to mechanically bond or adhere to the internal surfaces of the dam, permitting the retraction material to be removed simultaneously with the removal of the tooth dam to leave behind a clean enlarged sulcus.

Abstract: A tray for dispensing a material to be applied with an applicator having a plurality of applicator support openings. The applicator support openings have a depth and width sufficient so that when an applicator is placed therein, it is held substantially upright. The material and applicator support wells may be funnel shaped. The relatively deep narrow funnel shape protects the material placed therein from ambient light, contamination, evaporation, and spilling. The invention is particularly well suited to use in a dental procedure that may require the application of multiple different materials or materials that react with one another or that are light activated. The plurality of different material wells are readily identifiable and keep the different materials separate and ready for use.

Abstract: A dispenser made of a pliable material having a slit therein for dispensing primarily low viscosity materials. A block made of pliable foam contains a low viscosity material within a slit. Dental instruments or dental material applicators having an applicating end are inserted into the slit of the block, coating the applicator end with the low viscosity material. The resilient nature of the block material also helps to keep the dental instrument clean by wiping the instrument against the interior sides of the pocket formed by the slit. The present invention is particularly well suited for dispensing a lubricating material, such as a resin, on dental instruments used in working, shaping, or contouring a relatively viscous composite restorative material on a patient's tooth.

Abstract: A unit dose package for applying a material with an applicator having a separate material and applicator portion. In one embodiment, a plurality of material wells is used to mix different materials to be dispensed with an applicator. In an embodiment the plurality of material wells are concentric. In another embodiment a portion of the cover is removable. In another embodiment, a material well is squeezed to dispense the material onto an applicator.

Abstract: A dental nozzle, cartridge, capsule or container having a porous or foam flow through applicator connected at the discharge end thereof; and having a body portion containing or receiving a low viscosity dental material. In one form, a displaceable plunger or piston is disposed within the body portion to extrude the dental material through the discharge orifice and attached flow through applicator. The foam or porous applicator may be connected to the discharge end at the time of manufacture as by molding, or by mechanically connecting or by adhering the same to the discharge orifice as part of the assembly process. The flow through applicator may be made in a variety of shapes to provide improved and controlled application of a low viscosity dental material to a dental site. Additionally, the porosity of the porous or foam material may be matched to the viscosity of the dental material to control the flow of dental material therethrough.

Abstract: A dispenser made of a pliable material having a slit therein for dispensing primarily low viscosity materials. A block made of pliable foam contains a low viscosity material within a slit. Dental instruments or dental material applicators having an applicating end are inserted into the slit of the block, coating the applicator end with the low viscosity material. The resilient nature of the block material also helps to keep the dental instrument clean by wiping the instrument against the interior sides of the pocket formed by the slit. The present invention is particularly well suited for dispensing a lubricating material, such as a resin, on dental instruments used in working, shaping, or contouring a relatively viscous composite restorative material on a patient's tooth.

Abstract: A dental syringe and disposable capsule for use therewith wherein the disposable capsule includes a body portion formed with a laterally extending collar having a groove therein connected to one end and having a discharge nozzle connected at the other end of the capsule body portion. A displaceable plug seals the material within the cartridge. The syringe includes a plastic barrel having a bore extending therethrough for receiving a reciprocating plunger slidably supported therein. Connected to the barrel adjacent one end is a handle extending normal thereto with a lever pivotally connected relative thereto for engaging the end of the plunger for effecting the displacement of the plunger when the lever is actuated. Connected to the front end of the plastic barrel is a cartridge holder formed as a metal part having a rear portion and a forwardly extending seat portion. The rear portion is embedded into the material of the plastic barrel with the seat portion extending forwardly of the front end of the barrel.

Abstract: A dental cartridge for dispensing a dental material having a body portion made of a material transparent to at least a portion of the visible light spectrum and opaque to the actinic light of the dental material contained therein. Also, a dental cartridge having a body portion formed from a toroidal segment and a coaxial nozzle attached thereto. The dental cartridges are used in a dental syringe for application of the dental material to a patient. Several embodiments provide various discharge end configurations, including hemispherical, conical frustum, and flat. Additionally, dosing indicia are placed on the body portion of the dental cartridge, permitting the dentist to fill the dental cartridge with a predetermined volume of dental material. A specially configured piston having an appendage thereon is used in combination with the dental cartridge for extruding substantially all of the costly dental material therein.

Abstract: A dental tray for counting, storing, shipping and dispensing cartridges that includes a plurality of integrally formed wells for securely holding and sealing a dental cartridge which are placed horizontally within the wells in a manner whereby the discharge nozzle of the cartridge is positioned so that it abuts a portion of the well for sealing it from contamination and which the tray may be formed of opaque or color material which will block curing rays when light activated material is placed within the dental cartridges. Each cartridge is individually retained within its respective well by a snap or friction fit. A sliding or rotating cover is provided which is spaced slightly above the cartridges so as to prevent unintentional dislodgement of the cartridge from its well or seat.

Abstract: A dental capsule for mixing a cement powder with an activating liquid having a frangible seal. The frangible seal is placed between a nozzle and the body portion of a capsule preventing unmixed cement from entering the nozzle. The nozzle has a circumferential groove facilitating positioning thereof. A vent formed in the body of the capsule prevents premature rupturing of the frangible seal upon insertion of the plug. A second and third embodiment use a two-part plug for dispensing activating liquid to the cement powder contained within the body of the capsule.

Abstract: A dental cartridge for dispensing a dental material having a body portion made of a material transparent to at least a portion of the visible light spectrum and opaque to the actinic light of the dental material contained therein. Also, a dental cartridge having a body portion formed from a toroidal segment and a coaxial nozzle attached thereto. The dental cartridges arae used in a dental syringe for application of the dental material to a patient. Several embodiments provide various discharge end configurations, including hemispherical, conical frustum, and flat. Additionally, dosing indicia are placed on the body portion of the dental cartridge, permitting the dentist to fill the dental cartridge with a predetermined volume of dental material. A specially configured piston having an appendage thereon is used in combination with the dental cartridge for extruding substantially all of the costly dental material therein.

Abstract: A disposable dental brush for applying various dental materials onto a tooth in thin even, coatings, e.g. etchants, sealants, bonding agents, tints, opaquers, varnishes and the like that includes an elongated straight handle having a tuft of bristles connected to one end thereof. The elongated handle is constructed so as to allow the portion thereof adjacent to the brush end to be readily bent so as to angularly dispose the brush end relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle. The arrangement is such that the brush can be used either as a straight brush or an angularly bent brush to reach difficult areas of the mouth or teeth. Also, the brush is made of inexpensive plastic material so as to render it readily expendable or disposable after each use.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a dental syringe having a capsule holder and a plunger for accurately and precisely placing a viscous or low viscosity composite resin dental restorative material from a capsule directly into a tooth. The improvement resides in a plunger having an ejector tip which is maintained under a positive bias that is intended to retract when a resistance exceeding a predetermined amount is met during an ejecting procedure so as to prevent any build-up of pressure within the capsule containing the material to be dispensed that may tend to distort or rupture the capsule. In the case of a low viscosity resin, the plunger having an ejector tip maintained under a positive bias that is intended to retract when the speed of ejection exceeds that of a predetermined rate, so as to prevent sudden and excessive extrusion of material from the capsule.

Abstract: A manual extruder or syringe having a longitudinal slot therein adjacent the full circumference front end for receiving the nozzle of a cartridge. A barrel of a syringe having a front end and a breach opening adjacent thereto for receiving a cartridge of the type having an angularly disposed nozzle and rear flange. The slot in the front end is only wide enough to receive the width of the nozzle and prevents the body portion of the cartridge from passing therethrough. The body portion can then easily be slid along the barrel into the front end to be held by the flange against a substantially full circumference shoulder. The front end can be made very rigid, and the shoulder extending substantially the full circumference of the front end securely holds the cartridge preventing any possibility of unintentional separation from the syringe. In one embodiment, a notch is also provided to permit the cartridge to be inserted with the nozzle pointing upward.