Abstract: A heating device into which a compule of dental material can be inserted to elevate the temperature of the dental material to above ambient temperature prior to clinical use having a base for housing a heating element, a temperature control mechanism for controlling the temperature of the heating element, a power connection for electrically connecting the temperature control mechanism to a source of power and a heating receptacle removably mounted on the base. The heating receptacle comprises a heating tray composed of a conductive material and an upstanding section extending from the heating tray and having a heating chamber open to the atmosphere which is adapted to receive one end of a conventional dispenser in which the compule of dental material is stored for raising the temperature of said dental material in said compule to an elevated temperature.

Abstract: A radiometer and method for providing an indication of the amount of time (exposure duration) needed to cause a light curable dental resin composite material to maximally polymerize in response to the application of light from any light-curing source during the preparation of a dental restoration. It describes a radiometer comprising a sample holder of a size designed to hold a sample equivalent of said dental light curable dental material such that the thickness of the sample of light curable material in the sample holder will correspond to the depth of the composite material in the dental restoration; a solid state light sensor; a microprocessor programmed to respond to the output voltage or change in electrical resistance of the light sensor based upon an algorithm defining a mathematical model representative of the change in light transmission through the light curable dental material as a function of the degree to which said light curable dental material is being polymerized.

Abstract: A compule for storing dental composite material to be extruded from the compule using a standard dispenser in the preparation or repair of a dental restoration. The compule comprises: a cylindrical body having an orifice at one end thereof through which the dental composite material is extruded and a means at the opposite end thereof to facilitate the extrusion of said dental composite material using the dispenser. The body of the compule may be surrounded by an electrically conductive plastic or composed of a thermally and electrically conductive plastic having a thermal conductivity in the range of between 1.0 w/mk and 500 w/mk and electrical resistivity in the range 0.01-10,000 ohm-cm.

Abstract: A compule for storing dental composite material to be extruded from the compule using a standard dispenser in the preparation or repair of a dental restoration. The compule comprises: a cylindrical body having an orifice at one end thereof through which the dental composite material is extruded and a means at the opposite end thereof to facilitate the extrusion of said dental composite material using the dispenser. The body of the compule is composed of an electrically conductive plastic or alternatively may be composed of a thermally and electrically conductive plastic having a thermal conductivity in the range of between 1.0 w/mk and 500 w/mk and an electrical resistivity in the range 0.01-10,000 ohm-cm.

Abstract: A dental bleaching gel composition having a long shelf life for use with an activator system to cause accelerated bleaching action over a shortened time period of a peroxide bleaching agent in the bleaching gel composition when applied upon a tooth surface for cosmetically whitening the tooth and/or for the treatment of stains or discolorations.

Abstract: A heating device into which a compule of dental material can be inserted to elevate the temperature of the dental material to above ambient temperature prior to clinical use having a base for housing a heating element, a temperature control mechanism for controlling the temperature of the heating element, a power connection for electrically connecting the temperature control mechanism to a source of power and a heating receptacle removably mounted on the base. The heating receptacle comprises a heating tray composed of a conductive material and an upstanding section extending from the heating tray and having a heating chamber open to the atmosphere which is adapted to receive one end of a conventional dispenser in which the compule of dental material is stored for raising the temperature of said dental material in said compule to an elevated temperature.

Abstract: The elastomeric member of the present invention is a flexible light guide and curing aid, which permits pressure to be applied to a photo curable material during the clinical restoration of a tooth while simultaneously curing the material by exposing the photo curable material to light. The method of the present invention permits the high forces developed between the occlusal surfaces of opposing teeth when engaged to be utilized to create the applied pressure on the photo curable material. The elastomeric member is soft and has an optically transparent body with a first section having first and second opposing planar surfaces adapted for placement in lateral juxtaposition between the occlusal surfaces of opposing teeth of human dentition and a second section extending from the first section adapted to facilitate contact with a dental light guide while the opposing teeth are engaged.

Abstract: A dispenser for controllably heating a compule of dental material removably inserted in the dispenser and for extruding dental material from the compule. The dispenser includes an elongated tubular barrel having a substantially semi-cylindrical front end to accommodate the body of the compule, a cavity at the front end of the dispenser open to the atmosphere and a slot disposed transverse to the longitudinal axis of the for accommodating an end flange of the compule when the compule is inserted into the dispenser. The dispenser further includes a plunger reciprocally mounted in the tubular barrel in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the cavity for engaging the compule to express dental material from said compule by means of a motorized assembly or manual control under the control of the operator and a heating unit disposed in the cavity at the front end of the dispenser for heating the compule.

Abstract: A dental bleaching gel composition having a long shelf life for use with an activator system to cause accelerated bleaching action over a shortened time period of a peroxide bleaching agent in the bleaching gel composition when applied upon a tooth surface for cosmetically whitening the tooth and/or for the treatment of stains or discolorations.

Abstract: An optical waveguide concentrator and photocuring device with the optical waveguide concentrator having at least one solid optically transparent member for combining the output radiant energy from a plurality of optoelectronic light emitting devices mounted in a circular array facing the solid optically transparent member with the optically transparent member having an input surface, an output surface and a sloping surface intersecting the input and output surface to form an acute angle and with with each optoelectronic light emitting device having an optical axis directed parallel to or inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the concentrator. The geometry of the solid optically transparent member may be conical or hyperbolic with the sloping surface tapered to form a tapered angle of between 5° and 15°.

Abstract: A dental device for assisting in the filling and curing of a dental restoration with light activated materials having a truncated conical shape with a disposable insert member at its apex. The conical holding device has an opening at the base to accommodate a light guide and an opening at the apex to accommodate a disposable insert member. Each insert member has a shape tapered at one end thereof and an indicator means to monitor the depth of the restoration to the pulpal floor and to provide alignment of the preparation relative to the marginal ridge of the adjacent tooth.

Abstract: A dental bleaching gel composition having a long shelf life for use with an activator system to cause accelerated bleaching action of a peroxide bleaching agent in the bleaching gel composition when applied upon a tooth surface and to a method for applying and activating a dental bleaching gel upon a tooth surface for cosmetically whitening the tooth and/or for the treatment of stains or discolorations over a shortened time period. The dental bleaching gel has a pH independent thickening agent, a stabilizing agent for the peroxide bleaching agent and a FD & C approved dye.

Abstract: A dental bleaching gel composition having a long shelf life for use with an activator system to cause accelerated bleaching action of a peroxide bleaching agent in the bleaching gel composition when applied upon a tooth surface and to a method for applying and activating a dental bleaching gel upon a tooth surface for cosmetically whitening the tooth and/or for the treatment of stains or discolorations over a shortened time period. The dental bleaching gel has a pH independent thickening agent, a stabilizing agent for the peroxide bleaching agent and a FD & C approved dye.

Abstract: A dispenser for controllably heating a compule of dental material removably inserted in the dispenser and for extruding dental material from the compule. The dispenser includes an elongated tubular barrel having a substantially semi-cylindrical front end to accommodate the body of the compule, a cavity at the front end of the dispenser open to the atmosphere and a slot disposed transverse to the longitudinal axis of the for accommodating an end flange of the compule when the compule is inserted into the dispenser. The dispenser further includes a plunger reciprocally mounted in the tubular barrel in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the cavity for engaging the compule to express dental material from said compule by means of a motorized assembly or manual control under the control of the operator and a heating unit disposed in the cavity at the front end of the dispenser for heating the compule.

Abstract: An optical waveguide concentrator and photocuring device with the optical waveguide concentrator having at least one solid optically transparent member for combining the output radiant energy from a plurality of optoelectronic light emitting devices mounted in a circular array facing the solid optically transparent member with the optically transparent member having an input surface, an output surface and a sloping surface intersecting the input and output surface to form an acute angle and with with each optoelectronic light emitting device having an optical axis directed parallel to or inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the concentrator. The geometry of the solid optically transparent member may be conical or hyperbolic with the sloping surface tapered to form a tapered angle of between 5° and 15°.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for enhancing the cure of photocurable dental restorative composite(s) containing unreactive monomer(s) and filler upon exposure to light radiation comprising the steps of preheating the photocurable dental restorative composite(s) to an elevated temperature above ambient prior to said exposure to light radiation during clinical usage. The heating assembly of the present invention may be used to preheat any dental material(s) stored in one or more compules to an elevated temperature above ambient prior to clinical usage.

Abstract: A dispenser for controllably heating a compule of dental material removably inserted in the dispenser and for extruding dental material from the compule. The dispenser includes an elongated tubular barrel having a substantially semi-cylindrical front end to accommodate the body of the compule, a cavity at the front end of the dispenser open to the atmosphere and a slot disposed transverse to the longitudinal axis of the for accommodating an end flange of the compule when the compule is inserted into the dispenser. The dispenser further includes a housing having one end connected to the tubular barrel and an opposite end having an extended handle in the form of a pistol grip, a plunger reciprocally mounted in the tubular barrel having a piston extending in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the cavity and a manually movable lever arm coupled to the plunger by means of a rack and pinion mechanism to dispense dental material from from the dispenser.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for enhancing the cure of photocurable dental restorative composite(s) containing unreactive monomer(s) and filler upon exposure to light radiation comprising the steps of preheating the photocurable dental restorative composite(s) to an elevated temperature above ambient prior to said exposure to light radiation during clinical usage. The heating assembly of the present invention may be used to preheat any dental material(s) stored in one or more compules to an elevated temperature above ambient prior to clinical usage.

Abstract: A fiber optic light guide for forming a concentrated high intensity light, comprising a multiplicity of fiber optic strands bundled together, with each strand uniformly tapered to form an elongated tapered section having a cumulative taper of less than five degrees (<5.degree.) and a curved section extending distally from said elongated tapered section.

Abstract: The optical light guide of the present invention is composed of a solid, transparent material selected from the class consisting of glass, acrylic, polystyrene, and polycarbonate. The light guide has a head, a tapered section and a curved section. The head has a light-receiving, concave surface geometry at the proximal end of the light guide.