Abstract: A delivery system (10) includes a tube (11) having a central passageway (12) and a dispensing orifice (22) and a venting orifice (23, 50). An amount of the material to be dispensed is drawn into the central passageway (12), after which the venting orifice (23, 50) is closed off, causing the material within the central passageway (12) to remain due to unequal pressures between the central passageway (12) and the atmosphere, until the venting orifice (23, 50) is again uncovered. A squeeze pump (40) may be positioned between the dispensing orifice (22) and the dispensing orifice (23) to be pinched, thereby drawing liquid into or dispensing liquid from the central passageway (12).

Abstract: A process and product comprising collagen and demineralized bone particles. The product may contain a maximum of 20% by weight inorganic materials. The product may densified by compression. Additional osteogenic factors, mitogens, drugs or antibiotics may be incorporated therein. Inorganic materials may be bound to the organic matrix via precoating with a calcium or hydroxyapatite binding protein, peptide or amino acid. The materials also display long lasting drug release characteristics.

Abstract: A dental composite material includes a hardenable resin matrix and a filler component. The filler component includes (a) a first plurality of preferably glass particles having an average particle size of from about 1 to about 10 micrometers; (b) a second plurality of preferably glass particles having an average particle size of from about 0.1 to about 1 micrometers; and, (c) a plurality of filler particles having an average particle size of from about 0.01 to about 0.04 micrometers. A method according to the invention includes compacting a dental composite material into a prepared tooth cavity, wherein the material has a packability index above about 300 g/mm2.

Abstract: A process and product comprising collagen and demineralized bone particles. The product may contain a maximum of 20% by weight inorganic materials. The product may densified by compression. Additional osteogenic factors, mitogens, drugs or antibiotics may be incorporated therein. Inorganic materials may be bound to the organic matrix via precoating with a calcium or hydroxyapatite binding protein, peptide or amino acid. The materials also display long lasting drug release characteristics.

Abstract: There are several techniques that are recommended for removal of cement after cementation of castings, veneers, and all ceramic units. With the introduction of resin and resin ionomer cements and their inherent hardness after setting, removal of excess cement has become more difficult. To determine by means of an in vitro study whether the marginal integrity and seal of indirectly fabricated restorations cemented with a resin-based cement are affected by the technique of cement removal. Materials & Methods: Chamfer preparations were made on extracted human teeth. Impressions of the preparations were pour in die stone and wax patterns were fabricated and cast in gold using conventional laboratory techniques. A resin cement was used for cementation and 5 techniques (three castings per technique) were employed for removal of excess cement. After cementation the samples were immersed in methylene blue dye solution for 24 hours and sectioned.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved osteogenic compositions having enhanced by the sorption of growth factors, of nutrient factors, or drugs onto or into the compositions. Compositions may consist of collagen and demineralized bone materials onto and into which growth factors, antimicrobial agent,s nutrient factors, or other soluble factors may be sorbed to enhance the osteogenic factor. These materials can be used in a wide range of clinical procedures to replace and restore osseous or periodontal defects.

Abstract: A method and material for forming translucent wear resistant dental enamel and the dental enamel material formed which has an opacity less than 50 percent and a localized wear volume loss of less than 0.025 mm3. The dental enamel material is formed from a polymerizable matrix and a filler. The material for forming translucent wear resistant dental enamel having an opacity less than 50 percent, a localized wear volume loss of less than 0.025 mm3 and a localized extended wear volume loss of less than 0.04 mm3, comprises a polymerizable matrix forming liquid and inorganic filler particles. The liquid comprises polymerizable material having a first refractive index. The filler comprising a first plurality of particles having a second refractive index. The first plurality of particles being formed from a low and a high median particle size plurality of particles. The low median particle size plurality of particles having a median particle size between 0.1 and 1.0 micrometers.

Abstract: Osteogenic compositions, and methods for preparing same, which compositions comprise a porous or semi-porous matrix, an osteogenic factor and an agent such as growth factors, nutrient factors, drugs, calcium-containing compounds, blood products, large molecular weight proteins, or combinations thereof. These materials can be used in a wide range of clinical procedures to replace and restore osseous or periodontal defects.

Abstract: An abrasive or polishing device for dispensing and applying primers, cavity liners, varnishes, therapeutic agents, and/or adhesives into or onto tooth structure or within a cavity in a patient's tooth. The primers, liners, varnishes, or adhesives may contain a therapeutic agent or a drug, such as fluoride-containing compound or a tooth desensitizing agent, such as a cationic salt of oxalic acid, potassium nitrate, or similar compounds. The adhesive or therapeutic may be applied directly to the tooth surfaces by the elastomeric abrasive or polishing impliments. Alternatively they may be impregnated within the devices and applied directly, optionally using water as a vehicle. The application devices may also, optionally, contain an abrasive so that the application device simmultaneously abrades the tooth structure while applying an adhesive or therapeutic agent.A dispensing and abrasive device for simultaneously dispensing primer and/or adhesive and abrading tooth material within a cavity in a patient's tooth.

Abstract: A tooth surface treatment composition includes an acidic component which is at least one water-soluble acid in an aqueous solution, such that when the composition is applied to the tooth surface and not subsequently washed, it will increase the adhesiveness of the tooth structure. A method of treating a tooth structure includes contacting the tooth structure with such a composition.

Abstract: An article and method to create retrievable sites of implantable and transplantable bone marrow, in a human or animal recipient, by implanting bone-marrow inducing conjugates of collagen and demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) into accessible soft or hard tissue sites is provided. The implantation of such collagen-DFDBA conjugate grafts into suitable ectotrophic sites results in the formation of bone-marrow and hematopoietic tissue within the implant. By removing all or a portion of the bone marrow containing areas of the implant, an additional source of hematopoietic tissue and bone marrow cells is formed which can subsequently be transplanted into the same individual as an autograft, or a related or compatible individual as an allograft.

Abstract: A process and product comprising collagen and demineralized bone particles. The product may contain a maximum of 20% by weight inorganic materials. The product may densified by compression. Additional osteogenic factors, mitogens, drugs or antibiotics may be incorporated therein. Inorganic materials may be bound to the organic matrix via precoating with a calcium or hydroxyapatite binding protein, peptide or amino acid. The materials also display long lasting drug release characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved osteogenic compositions having enhanced by the sorption of growth factors, of nutrient factors, or drugs onto or into the compositions. Compositions may consist of collagen and demineralized bone materials onto and into which growth factors, antimicrobial agent, a nutrient factors, or other soluble factors may be sorbed to enhance the osteogenic factor. These materials can be used in a wide range of clinical procedures to replace and restore osseous or periodontal defects.

Abstract: A dental impression tray having a rough textured surface which provides a multiplicity of pits made up of valleys and peaks, holes that don't penetrate through the tray, cavities, craters, crevices, ledges and/or undercuts which retain and/or stabilize the impression material. The rough textured surface of the handle provides a non-slip surface for a gloved hand.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polishing element for use in a system and apparatus and a method for finishing and polishing a dental composite restorative material in a tooth. The system of the invention uses an elastomeric polymer disc which is impregnated with an abrasive for reduction of the composite, and an element for polishing the composite as well as the dental materials. A method of using the above apparatus in a finishing/polishing system is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides dental composite compositions formed by mixing a curable liquid composition with a powder in preselected proportions. The composite compositions formed are useful as cement, liner, base, restorative, pit and fissure sealants, and/or core build-up material, etc. having improved adhesion to dentin. These composite compositions include polyalkenoic acid, filler which provides elutable cations which are reactive with the polyalkenoic acid and fluoride ion, water to provide for elution of cations reactive with polyalkenoic acid, polymerizable monomer and/or prepolymer composition, unsaturated organic acid having 1 or more polymerizable groups and a catalyst system for polymerization. Optionally the composites include inert reinforcing filler for strength, aesthetics, and radiopacity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and apparatus and a method for finishing and polishing a dental composite restorative material in a tooth. The system of the invention uses an elastomeric polymer disc which is impregnated with an abrasive for reducing of the composite, and a felt, suede, or elastomeric polymer foam element for polishing the composite. A method of using the above apparatus in a finishing/polishing system is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing a dental impression using an improved band technique. The method comprises placing an actinic light transparent band containing light polymerizable impression material over a tooth or a tooth preparation, and polymerizing the impression material and contacting the band with the polymerized impression material with tray impression material and incorporating the band into the overall impression.

Abstract: A method of detecting dentin is provided. Also provided is a method of repairing a tooth in which dentin is detected using a substance that stains protein, and is thereby clearly delineated from enamel, the enamel is then selectively acid etched, taking care that none of the acid from the etching procedure contacts dentin, and composite filling material is applied to the tooth. The use of a composition for staining dentin is also provided.

Abstract: A dental impression tray and method of using it to form in a light-polymerizable impression material an impression of a portion of dental anatomy in an oral cavity, the tray being formed of transparent material, preferably clear plastic, and molded into a channel-like shape defined by walls capable of having visible actinic light applied to the walls transmitted both through and within the walls. At least some of the outer edge portions of the tray are beveled, guiding light that has entered the walls of the tray against exiting loss that would not be effective in initiating polymerization of the impression material.