Abstract: A dental system includes a light source, a power supply that adjusts a quantity of light produced by the light source, a measuring device that measures a quantity of light received from the light source, an input, through which user data, including a desired quantity of light, can be entered, and a controller which, together with the measuring device, forms at least part of a feedback loop. The controller receives the user data and communicates with the measuring device and the power supply so that the power supply adjusts a quantity of light emitted by the light source. As a result, the quantity of light received from the light source becomes substantially equal to the desired quantity of light.

Abstract: A device adapted to facilitate retention and release of a dental laminate includes an elongated main body having a channel extending through it, a resilient element connected to a first end of the main body for contact with the dental laminate, a connector disposed at a second end of the main body adapted to communicate the channel with vacuum suction, and a particularly configured valve body. The valve body includes a passage defined therein that is selectively rotatable between increased and decreased alignments with the main body channel to permit variable fluid flow through the channel as well as to essentially cut off fluid flow through the channel when desired. A bearing assembly is also disposed between an extension of the connector and a proximal portion of the elongated main body, thereby permitting essentially stress-free rotational movement between the connector and the main body.

Abstract: Stain-removal, desensitizing, anti-tartar and anti-gingivitis dentifrice compositions. The dentifrices comprise a fluoride agent; an abrasive agent; a proteolytic agent; a foaming agent; a sweetening/flavoring agent; an emulsifying agent; either desensitizing, anti-tartar or anti-gingivitis agents or combinations thereof; and a delivery agent. The dentifrices are visually pleasing and impart a soothing sensation during and after brushing.

Abstract: A biocompatible stent with a fluoride-containing hydrophilic water insoluble crosslinked resin layer. A therapeutic substance-containing layer may also be included. A method of making a biocompatible stent.

Abstract: A method and system for whitening teeth using at least a whitening gel, a whitening toothpaste, and a whitening rinse. Preferably the system employs a predetermined weight percentage of a peroxide based bleaching agent to effect tooth whitening. In certain formulations the components may use carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide as a bleaching agent. The system may be used at home and preferably does not require clinical visits. The method includes the steps of brushing the teeth daily and before each bleaching with a whitening toothpaste, bleaching the teeth with a whitening gel twice daily, and rinsing with a whitening rinse. Daily brushing with a whitening toothpaste and preferably rinsing with a whitening rinse follow these whitening treatments. A system or kit for whitening teeth includes all of the components necessary to follow the aforementioned method, including a whitening gel, whitening toothpaste, a whitening rinse, and one or more mouth guard trays.

Abstract: A substantially anhydrous gel useful for bleaching teeth comprising: (i) at least 25% by weight of organic polyol; (ii) less than 3% by weight polyacrylic acid thickening agent; (iii) at least 10% by weight carbamide peroxide (or a chemically equivalent amount of another bleaching agent, such as 3% by weight hydrogen peroxide); (iv) neutralizing agent; (v) chelating agents; (vi) desensitizing agent; and (vii) miscellaneous ingredients such as Cirtoxain® and flavorants. The organic polyol is preferably glycerin. The polyacrylic acid thickening agent is preferably a carbomer. The desensitizing agent is preferably potassium nitrate, strontium chloride, potassium citrate, strontium nitrate, or a similarly effective alkali or alkaline earth metal salt of an organic or inorganic acid.

Abstract: A thixotropic, smooth-flowing liquid, bulk-water-free dentifrice gel/paste that contains a stable mixture of at least one of amylopectin containing discrete solid particles and modified amylopectin containing discrete solid particles, uniformly suspended in and wetted by an inert essentially anhydrous organic hydroxylated liquid matrix material, and which dentifrice gel/paste is characterized by a high surface sheen. Preferably, the modified homopolysaccharide discrete particles contain esterified amylopectin and/or esterified amylose. The dentifrice gel/paste can be used as a toothpaste, a bleaching gel and a brushing gel.

Abstract: A process for bonding a denture to the tissue surfaces of the jaw over which the denture is superimposed during use which comprises the steps of providing at the interface of the denture and the jaw's tissues, a liquid irreversible hydrocolloid of an alginate dental impression formulation, applying pressure to the denture so that it presses into the tissue surfaces and causes the liquid hydrocolloid to flow within such interface, and then allowing the hydrocolloid to solidify within the interface. Also described is a novel relatively-thin film, settable hydrocolloid denture aid and the set, cushiony, relatively-thin film denture aid obtained from it.

Abstract: A single package adhesive for tooth bonding application comprising a solvent-based homogeneous mixture ofa) an ethylenically unsaturated functional and hygroscopically functional monomer;b) an ethylenically unsaturated functional and hygroscopically functional coupling agent that is capable of (a) chemically reacting with and through the ethylenic bond of the ethylenically unsaturated functional monomer of 1) above and (b) chemically bonding to the surface to which the adhesive is applied;c) a poly-ethylenically unsaturated functional crosslinking agent that is capable of reacting with the monomer of 1) above and the coupling agent of 2) above; andd) a photoinitiator that induces addition polymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated compound.A method for forming a composite and composite structure are included that emply the single package adhesive.

Abstract: A process for enhancing the(a) normal healing processes involving a live mammalian body of(i) injured non-dental-related soft tissue, and(ii) non-dental-related osseous material, and(b) for enhancing the biocompatibility and adhesion of bone and/or prosthetic device involved in a non-dental surgical or nonsurgical repair procedure, to ossified and non-ossified tissue components with which they are in contact, where there is an injury to either soft or hard tissue or a non-biocompatible prosthesis is placed in the body, that involves placing at the injury or on the prosthesisa) a primary coating that is a tenaciously-bonded hydrophilic water insoluble crosslinked resin coating,b) that optionally contains a measurable amount of a water/fluid leachable fluoride capable of (a) being leached from the coating in a metered amount, and (b) transporting a small amount of leached fluoride from the coating into the afflicted area ("the primary coating with fluoride").

Abstract: A single package adhesive for tooth bonding application comprising a solvent-based homogeneous mixture ofa) an ethylenically unsaturated functional and hygroscopically functional monomer;b) an ethylenically unsaturated functional and hygroscopically functional coupling agent that is capable of (a) chemically reacting with and through the ethylenic bond of the ethylenically unsaturated functional monomer of 1) above and (b) chemically bonding to the surface to which the adhesive is applied;c) a poly-ethylenically unsaturated functional crosslinking agent that is capable of reacting with the monomer of 1) above and the coupling agent of 2) above; andd) a photoinitiator that induces addition polymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated compound.A method for forming a composite and composite structure are included that emply the single package adhesive.

Abstract: A single package adhesive for tooth bonding applications which comprises a bulk-water-free solvent-based homogeneous liquid containing:1) An ethylenically unsaturated monomer that possesses a hygroscopic functional group that (a) is capable of chemically reacting with and through the ethylenic bond of the ethylenically unsaturated-functional monomer of 2) below, and (b) provides the capacity for chemical bonding to the surface to which the adhesive is applied.

Abstract: An antibacterial oral hygiene composition in aqueous form comprising:(a) from about 0.05% to about 0.2% by weight of sodium benzoate;(b) from about 0.01% to about 1.0% by weight of a weak carboxylic acid;(c) from about 2.0% to about 5.0% by weight of a buffering agent capable of buffering the composition to a pH of about 3.0 to about 8.0;(d) from 0% to about 1.5% by weight of a surfactant;(e) from 0% to about 0.2% by weight of sodium saccharin, or an amount sufficient to provide a sweetening effect equivalent thereto of a sweetening agent;(f) from 0% to about 2.0% by weight of a flavoring agent; and(g) sufficient water to total 100%.

Abstract: In the process of implanting a metal dental prosthesis into or on the alveolar bone, to provide anchorage or stabilization either to a tooth or to another prosthesis, which involves surgical exposure of the alveolar bone, providing means for (a) fixing a metal implant in the alveolar bone, and (b) fixing the metal implant to either a tooth or to the other prosthesis, and closing the exposure of the alveolar bone, the improvement which comprises including in respect to such means the step of applying to one or more portions of the implant or to the locus of the implant in the alveolar bone, a primary coating comprising a crosslinked resin that (i) optionally contains leachable fluoride and (ii) is biocompatible with osseous and non-osseous tissue, to effect direct bonding of the implant to the tooth or to the prosthesis, or to bone or to non-osseous tissue or a combination of them. A treated prosthetic is also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heat-curing light-cured resins by means of placing the resin in an oven attachment coupled to a high intensity light source, such that heat generated by the light source raises the temperature within the oven attachment to at least 140.degree. C., and maintains the temperature above 140.degree. C. for at least 10 minutes. The oven attachment has a body fabricated from a rigid material having a relatively low thermal conductivity. The oven attachment is fashioned to fit over the light outlet of a conventional light source. The oven attachment is preferably held in place by the same mechanism that holds a light-curing "wand" to the light source. The light source is turned on for a heating period of approximately 15 minutes, causing the temperature within an oven chamber within the oven attachment to rise. Upon completion of the heating period, the light source is turned off and the heat-cured restoration may be removed.

Abstract: An adhesive composition useful for restoration comprising a finely-divided reinforcing filler, a polymerizable matrix material, a bonding agent, a coupling agent, and a thermal initiator.

Abstract: Two-part dental cement systems based on glass ionomers which are curable on exposure to light. The dental cement systems comprise a two-part blend of sodium N(p-tolyl)glycine-glycidyl methacrylate (Na NTG-GMA) and pyromellitic dianhydride-methyl methacrylate (PMDM) resins and glass ionomers.

Abstract: A dental porcelain having the following composition:______________________________________ Ingredient Weight by Percent ______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 52.7%-64.6% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 6.3%-16.4% Li.sub.2 O 0%-0.5% Na.sub.2 O 3.9%-14.2% K.sub.2 O 4.5%-11.7% MgO 0%-.3% CaO 1.6%-3.3% Sro 0.9%-2.3% BaO 0.3%-8.1% TiO.sub.2 0.1%-3.6% B.sub.2 O.sub.3 0.2%-5.0% ______________________________________made by blending powdered first-fire frit with pacifiers, heating this first-fire frit to 2000.degree. F., and rapidly cooling the charge.

Abstract: A toothpaste characterized by a low abrasion, non-reactive base formulation. The toothpaste has a near neutral or neutral pH. The toothpaste contains a concentration of citric acid, sodium or potassium citrate, papain, and fine-particle-sized aluminum oxide, in particular portions which effectively clean away plaque, mucin and tartar.

Abstract: A bonding adhesive for dentistry and a method for preparing the surface of dentin, enamel, or other natural or industrial substrates containing or capable of binding metallic ions, for adhesion of composite materials or resins. First, an aqueous solution of phosphoric acid or a mixture of phosphoric and nitric acids along with aluminum oxalate, or phosphoric acid alone, is applied to the surface. Second, a solution comprising a solvent and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of .[.(1) N-phenylglycine in a mixture with.]. the alkali metal .[.salt.]. .Iadd.salts .Iaddend.of (.Iadd.1) .Iaddend.N-phenylglycine, (2) .[.a mixture of.]. the adduct of .[.the alkali salts.]. N(p-tolyl)glycine and glycidyl methacrylate, .[.with the mixture N(p-tolyl)glycine and glycidyl methacrylate.]. (3) the addition reaction product .[.of the alkali metal salt.].