Abstract: Methods for sealing a root canal using sealant or other filling materials. The compositions may include one or more resins that promote adhesion to hydrophilic dental tissues. The compositions are introduced into the root canal using a narrow cannula coupled to a high pressure hydraulic delivery device. In the case where a chemical cure composition is used to seal the root canal, a chemical initiator can be used to cause the mixed composition to harden over time. Hardening of at least a portion of the composition can be accelerated by including a photoinitiator and irratiating the mixed composition with radiant energy (e.g., from a dental curing lamp).

Abstract: A root canal is filled and/or sealed using a hydrophilic sealing composition, optionally in combination with other filling materials. The sealing composition may include one or more resins that promote adhesion to hydrophilic dental tissues. The composition may be introduced into the root canal using a narrow cannula coupled to a high pressure hydraulic delivery device. In the case where a chemical cure composition is used to seal the root canal, a chemical initiator can be used to cause the mixed composition to harden over time. Hardening of at least a portion of the composition can be accelerated by including a photoinitiator and irratiating the mixed composition with radiant energy (e.g., from a dental curing lamp).

Abstract: Hemostatic compositions and dental etching compositions for oral use include sucralose in order to mask or disguise their otherwise sour or bitter taste. The sucralose, hemostatic and/or dental etching agent are dispersed within an aqueous carrier, which may be liquid or viscous as desired. In order to increase the stickiness and the viscosity of the carrier, a higher molecular weight polyol and/or a finely divided inorganic filler may be included. Sucralose is selected as a sweetener because it has been found to have enhanced stability in the presence of strongly acidic compositions compared to other non-nutritive sweeteners known in the art. In addition, sucralose does not leave behind a bitter after taste. For this reason, sucralose is uniquely suited for masking or disguising the profoundly sour or bitter taste of hemostatic agents and/or dental etching agents.

Abstract: Endodontic sealant compositions and methods for sealing a root canal using sealant or other filling materials. The compositions include one or more resins that promote adhesion to hydrophilic dental tissues. Examples include alkyl methacrylates and derivatives thereof, such as alkylamino methacrylates and oxyphosphoro methacrylates. The compositions include a radio opacifying agent, so that they may be seen using X-rays, and one or more polymerization initiators to effect curing, at least one chemical initiator and, optionally, a photoinitiator, to yield a curable sealant composition. The compositions are introduced into the root canal using a narrow cannula coupled to a high pressure hydraulic delivery device. Additional pressure may be applied to the sealant compositions using a syringe-like plunger introduced within a cylindrical access hole drilled through the crown of the tooth. The chemical initiator causes the mixed composition to harden over time.

Abstract: Methods for sealing a root canal using sealant or other filling materials. The compositions may include one or more resins that promote adhesion to hydrophilic dental tissues. The compositions are introduced into the root canal using a narrow cannula coupled to a high pressure hydraulic delivery device. In the case where a chemical cure composition is used to seal the root canal, a chemical initiator can be used to cause the mixed composition to harden over time. Hardening of at least a portion of the composition can be accelerated by including a photoinitiator and irratiating the mixed composition with radiant energy (e.g., from a dental curing lamp).

Abstract: Endodontic sealant compositions and methods for sealing a root canal using sealant or other filling materials. The compositions include one or more resins that promote adhesion to hydrophilic dental tissues. Examples include alkyl methacrylates and derivatives thereof, such as alkylamino methacrylates and oxyphosphoro methacrylates. The compositions include a radio opacifying agent, so that they may be seen using X-rays, and one or more polymerization initiators to effect curing, typically both chemical and photo initiators to yield a dual cure sealant composition. The compositions are introduced into the root canal using a narrow cannula coupled to a high pressure hydraulic delivery device. Additional pressure may be applied to the sealant compositions using a syringe-like plunger introduced within a cylindrical access hole drilled through the crown of the tooth.

Abstract: Endodontic sealant compositions and methods for sealing a root canal using sealant or other filling materials. The compositions include one or more resins that promote adhesion to hydrophilic dental tissues. Examples include alkyl methacrylates and derivatives thereof, such as alkylamino methacrylates and oxyphosphoro methacrylates. The compositions include a radio opacifying agent, so that they may be seen using X-rays, and one or more polymerization initiators to effect curing, at least one chemical initiator and, optionally, a photoinitiator, to yield a curable sealant composition. The compositions are introduced into the root canal using a narrow cannula coupled to a high pressure hydraulic delivery device. Additional pressure may be applied to the sealant compositions using a syringe-like plunger introduced within a cylindrical access hole drilled through the crown of the tooth. The chemical initiator causes the mixed composition to harden over time.

Abstract: Endodontic sealant compositions and methods for sealing a root canal using sealant or other filling materials. The compositions include one or more resins that promote adhesion to hydrophilic dental tissues. Examples include alkyl methacrylates and derivatives thereof, such as alkylamino methacrylates and oxyphosphoro methacrylates. The compositions include a radio opacifying agent, so that they may be seen using X-rays, and one or more polymerization initiators to effect curing, typically both chemical and photo initiators to yield a dual cure sealant composition. The compositions are introduced into the root canal using a narrow cannula coupled to a high pressure hydraulic delivery device. Additional pressure may be applied to the sealant compositions using a syringe-like plunger introduced within a cylindrical access hole drilled through the crown of the tooth.

Abstract: Dental bleaching compositions that include perborate bleaching agents, such as sodium perborate monohydrate. The bleaching agent is dispersed within a sticky and viscous carrier such as a mixture of propylene glycol and silica fume. Anhydrous propylene glycol and/or anhydrous glycerin are especially useful in order to maintain the desired degree of hydration of the perborate being used. Flavorants may be added to enhance the taste of the dental compositions, since they will be used within a person's mouth. For best results, a flexible, thin-walled, comfortable-fitting, custom dental tray is used with the dental bleaching compositions. The dental compositions are sufficiently sticky and viscous so as to adhere and retain a dental tray against a person's teeth which is designed so as to not exert significant mechanical pressure onto the person's teeth.

Abstract: Compositions, method and systems for bleaching tooth surfaces in an accelerated manner. The dental bleaching compositions include a bleaching agent and a stable radiant energy absorbing material that acts as a bleaching agent activator. The dental bleaching compositions of the present invention can be stable one-part compositions that do not require mixing at the time of treating a person's teeth but which remain stable over time. The dental bleaching composition is applied to the labial surface of teeth that are to be bleached. A source of radiant energy is directed onto the treated tooth surfaces to accelerate bleaching activity. The radiant energy source includes a dental light guide having an arcuate light directing member that is positioned in close proximity to the treated teeth. The light directing member has one or more light-emitting panels communicating with a radiant energy generating source that efficiently direct radiant energy onto the treated tooth surfaces.

Abstract: Dental bleaching compositions are made with a bleaching agent and a stable radiant-energy absorbing compound that acts as a bleaching agent activator. The dental bleaching compositions of the present invention can be one-part, pre-mixed compositions that do not require mixing at the time of treating a patient's teeth but which remain stable over time. The bleaching agent may consist of hydrogen peroxide, either in aqueous form or complexed with urea (carbamide peroxide) or sodium perborate. The bleaching agent activator includes hydrocarbons that are stable in the presence of the bleaching agent, which do not prematurely accelerate liberation of the bleaching agent, but which allow for selective activation of the bleaching agent by irradiation of the bleaching composition with radiant energy.

Abstract: Gingival retracting cords including propylhexedrine (e.g., propylhexedrine HCI) for providing hemostasis and retraction or displacement of gingival tissue. The retraction cords include a hemostatic and tissue stiffening and retraction effective amount of propylhexedrine which avoids the negative side effects associated with the use of epinephrine, commonly used in conventional retraction cords. Retraction cords incorporating propylhexedrine do not cause increased blood pressure or accelerated heart rate. In addition, such retraction cords may include astringents, such as iron (III) salts without causing discoloration of the retraction cord, the patient's teeth or gums, or the fingers of the dental practitioner, as would occur if one were to blend epinephrine with iron (III) salts. Water or other appropriate solvents may be used to impregnate, or otherwise treat, the retraction cord with propylhexedrine (e.g., propylhexedrine HCI).

Abstract: Composition and methods that include potassium nitrate for whitening and/or reducing tooth sensitivity. The dental compositions may optionally include a dental bleaching agent, such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. The dental compositions may be applied directly to the person's teeth, or they may be loaded into a comfortable fitting, flexible, thin-walled dental tray and placed over the person's teeth. In that case, the dental compositions will include a tackifying agent, such as carboxypolymethylene, dispersed within a solvent, which assists the composition in retaining the dental tray over the person's teeth as a result of the adhesive properties of the dental composition rather than due to mechanical interlocking of the tray over the person's teeth. The dental compositions may further include anticariogenic and antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: Dental bleaching compositions that include sucralose as a non-nutritive sweetener. The bleaching agent is dispersed within a carrier, which is optimally sticky and viscous, such as a mixture of a liquid or solvent carrier and a tackifying agent. Propylene glycol and/or glycerin are especially useful liquid or solvent carriers. Flavorants may be added to enhance the taste of the dental compositions, since they will be used within a person's mouth. For best results, a flexible, thin-walled, comfortable-fitting, custom dental tray is used with the dental bleaching compositions. The dental compositions are preferably sufficiently sticky and viscous so as to adhere and retain a dental tray against a person's teeth which is designed so as to not exert significant mechanical pressure onto the person's teeth.

Abstract: Dental bleaching compositions that include sucralose. The bleaching agent is dispersed within a carrier, which is optimally sticky and viscous such as a mixture of propylene glycol and silica fume. Anhydrous propylene glycol and/or anhydrous glycerin are especially useful in order to maintain the desired degree of hydration of the perborate being used. Flavorants may be added to enhance the taste of the dental compositions, since they will be used within a person's mouth. For best results, a flexible, thin-walled, comfortable-fitting, custom dental tray is used with the dental bleaching compositions. The dental compositions are sufficiently sticky and viscous so as to adhere and retain a dental tray against a person's teeth which is designed so as to not exert significant mechanical pressure onto the person's teeth.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits for providing hemostasis and sealing of exposed tooth pulp and/or pink dentin. The inventive methods and kits employ propylhexedrine as a hemostatic agent, such as in the form of an aqueous composition of propylhexedrine hydrochloride, and an adhesive sealant composition. The propylhexedrine solution is advantageously applied to the exposed pulp and pink dentin by means of a cotton pellet or other absorbent applicator. The adhesive sealant composition is advantageously applied to exposed pulp and pink dentin, which has been previously treated with the propylhexedrine solution, by means of a syringe. The adhesive sealant composition may include an alkyl methacrylate having an oxyphosphorus group, a polymerization initiator and an antimicrobial agent, such as calcium hydroxide. The adhesive sealant composition can be polymerized in situ and is used to prevent ingress by microorgaism into an area of the tooth being treated.

Abstract: Composition and methods that include potassium nitrate for whitening and/or reducing tooth sensitivity. The dental compositions may optionally include a dental bleaching agent, such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. The dental compositions may be applied directly to the person's teeth, or they may be loaded into a comfortable fitting, flexible, thin-walled dental tray and placed over the person's teeth. In that case, the dental compositions will include a tackifying agent, such as carboxypolymethylene, dispersed within a solvent, which assists the composition in retaining the dental tray over the person's teeth as a result of the adhesive properties of the dental composition rather than due to mechanical interlocking of the tray over the person's teeth. The dental compositions may further include anticariogenic and antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: Composition and methods that include potassium nitrate for whitening and/or reducing tooth sensitivity. The dental compositions may optionally include a dental bleaching agent, such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. The dental compositions may be applied directly to the person's teeth, or they may be loaded into a comfortable fitting, flexible, thin-walled dental tray and placed over the person's teeth. In that case, the dental compositions will include a tackifying agent, such as carboxypolymethylene, which assists the composition in retaining the dental tray over the person's teeth as a result of the adhesive properties of the dental composition rather than due to mechanical interlocking of the tray over the person's teeth. The dental compositions may further include anticariogenic and antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: The polymerizable dental isolation barrier has a monomer and an initiator. The barrier composition has at least one additive including a polymer strength reducer, a wet tissue adherence accentuator, and a reflective material. The polymer strength reducer is an organic compound that prevents complete polymerization. The tissue adherence accentuator enables the barrier to adhere to a dental substrate even after polymerization. The reflective material lowers the reaction rate and lowers the production of excess heat to reduce patient discomfort and to avoid tissue damage.

Abstract: The polymerizable dental isolation barrier has a monomer and an initiator. The barrier composition has at least one additive including a polymer strength reducer, a wet tissue adherence accentuator, and a reflective material. The polymer strength reducer is an organic compound that prevents complete polymerization. The tissue adherence accentuator enables the barrier to adhere to a dental substrate even after polymerization. The reflective material lowers the reaction rate and lowers the production of excess heat to reduce patient discomfort and to avoid tissue damage.