Abstract: A temporary dental cement composition temporarily affixes a dental prosthesis or appliance to a tooth or other dental substrate. The dental cement includes a mixture of: (i) an ion leaching agent; (ii) polycarboxylic acid; (iii) sugar; and (iv) water. The sugar is added in a sufficient amount that the ion leaching agent and polycarboxylic acid form a hardenable adhesive having an adhesive matrix which forms a relatively weak, temporary bond, as opposed to a permanent bond. The temporary cement composition is compatible with subsequent deposition of typical bonding materials, such as resin luting agents as well as non-resin permanent cements.

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: Toothpaste and other dentifrices formulated to include a volume increasing agent (density reducing agent) in order to significantly increase the volume of the toothpaste at the time it is dispensed onto a toothbrush. The inventive dental compositions preferably include a substantial quantity of entrained or trapped air or other gas in order to reduce the density, and hence the weight, of toothpaste actually placed within a person's mouth. The result is a reduction in the amount of active ingredients introduced into a person's mouth that might be ingested. The entrained air or other gas can also increase the availability of the active ingredient since the foamed composition increases the dispersibility of the active ingredients within saliva. The net effect is that a person decreases the actual amount of toothpaste without decreasing the volume, or visual amount, of toothpaste dispensed on the toothbrush.

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: Toothpaste and other dentifrices formulated to include substantially spherical cleaning particles for enhanced plaque-removal capability. The cleaning particles are relatively large, having a diameter in a range from about 10 microns to about 200 microns, and are substantially round-edge and nonjagged so as to be far less abrasive compared to conventional abrasive particles, which tend to have a more jagged profile. Preferred cleaning particles include hollow glass spheres, which not only provide enhanced plaque-removal properties but which yield dental compositions having greatly reduced density. Air and other gases may optionally be entrained into the inventive dental compositions, either during manufacture or upon dispensing the dental compositions onto a toothbrush.

Abstract: Adhesive antimicrobial dental compositions and methods for forming and using compositions are disclosed. The compositions are primarily useful as pulp caps and dentin liners. The composition includes an alkyl methacrylate having an oxyphosphorus group, a polymerization initiator and an antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial agent can be organohalogens, antibiotics, alkali metal hydroxides, alkaline earth metal oxides and alkaline earth metal hydroxides. The compositions have high dentin tensile bond strength, are stable as a single component or package system, can be polymerized in situ, prevent ingress by microorganisms into an area of a tooth treated with the compositions and can be syringe delivered.

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 ever 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: Dental bleaching compositions that include a high concentration of bleaching agent and a bleaching agent stabilizer that maintains the potency of the bleaching agent over time. The dental bleaching compositions of the present invention may 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 stabilizer includes an impurity scavenger that binds or ties up impurities, such as errant or residual metal ions, that can cause decomposition of the bleaching agent. The bleaching agent stabilizer may include a carboxylic acid chelator or a tin salt. The bleaching composition may include a thickening agent to achieve a selected viscosity and a neutralizing agent to adjust the pH and a carrier to help provide selected consistency and potency.

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: A syringe-deliverable neutralizing barrier and methods for delivering a composition to form the neutralizing barrier. The neutralizing barrier is formed from a viscous caulking-type material delivered onto a tooth surface to define an etching area while protecting surrounding dental tissues during the application of an etching composition. The caulking-type material includes a matrix material and a neutralizing agent and has a viscosity such that it is syringe-deliverable yet will intimately and continuously adhere to the tooth surface without substantially flowing after being placed in a desired configuration. The neutralizing barrier is generally water soluble in order to facilitate quick and easy rinsing of the etching composition and neutralizing barrier in order to terminate the etching process, and preparatory to subsequent bonding of a porcelain crown or resinous composite to the tooth or porcelain prosthesis.

Abstract: A gondola moving system is provided for moving fully loaded gondolas in lateral or longitudinal directions. The gondola mover includes a plurality of lift assemblies, which can be sequentially connected to one another, depending upon the length of the gondola. Each lift assembly includes a lift arm having a first end extending through the gondola posts, and a second end mounted upon a jack assembly. A base bracket extends between the lift arm and the leg of the gondola. Connecting bars extend between adjacent lift arms. The lift assembly components are quickly and easily assembled and installed upon the gondola without the use of tools.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for priming or sealing dental or biological substrates for subsequent bonding. The primer is particularly useful for priming dentin of a tooth to prepare the dentin for bonding with a resinous material. The primer comprises a mixture of a polymerization initiator such as camphoroquinone and a polymerizable promoter such as methacrylic acid. Polymerizable promoters within the scope of the present invention have at least one ethylenically unsaturated group and at least one carboxylic acid group. The primer may further comprise a solvent such as ethanol, a natural resin such as Canadian balsam and a polymerizable resin such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). The primer can also be formed from a mixture of a polymerization initiator, a natural resin and a polymerizable resin.

Abstract: A syringe-deliverable neutralizing barrier and methods for delivering a composition to form the neutralizing barrier. The neutralizing barrier is formed from a viscous caulking-type material delivered onto a tooth surface to define an etching area while protecting surrounding dental tissues during the application etching solution. The caulking-type material includes a matrix material and a neutralizing agent and has a viscosity such that it is syringe-deliverable yet will intimately and continuously adhere to the tooth surface without substantially flowing after being placed in a desired configuration. The neutralizing barrier is generally water soluble in order to facilitate quick and easy rinsing of the etching solution and neutralizing barrier in order to terminate the etching process, and preparatory to subsequent bonding of a porcelain crown or resinous composite to the tooth or porcelain prosthesis.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for priming or sealing dental or biological substrates for subsequent bonding. The primer is particularly useful for priming dentin of a tooth to prepare the dentin for bonding with a resinous material. The primer comprises a mixture of a polymerization initiator such as camphoroquinone and a polymerizable promoter such as methacrylic acid. Polymerizable promoters within the scope of the present invention have at least one ethylenically unsaturated group and at least one carboxylic acid group. The primer may further comprise a solvent such as ethanol, a natural resin such as Canadian balsam and a polymerizable resin such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). The primer can also be formed from a mixture of a polymerization initiator, a natural resin and a polymerizable resin.