Abstract: An optical wave guide used for irradiation purposes in the dental field comprises a portion (10) tapering from a mean diameter at a radiation-entrance end (13) to a relatively small diameter, an intermediate portion (11) of said small diameter and curved about 90.degree., and a portion (12) succeeding the curved portion (11) and flaring out from said small diameter to a relatively large diameter at a radiation exit end (14) of the wave guide. Due to the fact that the curved portion (11) has a relatively small diameter it is possible also to minimize the radius of curvature of this portion without causing radiation loss. At the same time a relatively large area is obtained at the radiation-exit end (14) from which the radiation exits uniformly. The optical wave guide configured in this way is especially suitable for sealing occlusal tooth faces onto which the exit end (14) of the wave guide is flatly placed.

Abstract: A container suitable for dispensing compositions, particularly dental preparations, has a dispensing tube (14) which constitutes a separate part and is supported for pivotal movement about a pivot axis extending transversely to the longitudinal axis (18) of the container. It is thereby possible to pivot the tube (14) to the operative position most favourable for the respective application, while there is no risk of a cross-sectional constriction or even breakage which might occur on bending. Furthermore, a closing position may be provided in which a bearing member (15) integrally formed with the tube (14) interrupts communication between the tube (14) and the container compartment (10).

Abstract: In an apparatus for treating dental materials with radiation of a selected spectral range, a receptacle accommodating the material to be treated is surrounded by one or a plurality of fluorescent tubes. The maximum emission of the fluorescent tubes is about 460 nm. The receptacle which accommodates the dental material during the irradiation process is preferably hermetically sealed and is made of a material that is transparent to the radiation.

Abstract: A one-hand operated dispenser for metering dental compositions comprises a casing for accommodating the dental composition between a forward dispensing opening and a plunger which is slidable within the casing. The plunger is advanced by means of a threaded spindle which engages in a nut mounted at the casing rear end so as to be secured against rotation and axial displacement. The casing rear end is rotatably supported within a sleeve which in turn is detachably inserted in a handle. The sleeve is formed with an axially extending slot through which a finger is visible which is disposed at the rear end of the spindle. When the handle is gripped, the casing may be rotated between the thumb and index finger such that the spindle advances the plunger thereby urging the dental composition out of the dispensing opening. During the forward movement of the spindle the finger travels forwardly in the axially extending slot and indicates the level of the dental composition.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating dental prosthetic parts includes a lamp, a reflector, a filter and an optical wave guide to project radiation of a selected spectral range onto a location of treatment. When an object is placed at this location, it actuates an infrared proximity switch which turns on the lamp for at least a predetermined period of time. A protective pane is disposed in front of the lamp and location of treatment which absorbs the selected spectral range but transmits other visible light to avoid glaring of an operator. The portion of the apparatus beneath the location of treatment includes a plate which is also absorptive in the selected spectral range to avoid disturbing reflections, and is replaceable since it may become contaminated by dental material dropping onto it and curing there.

Abstract: A one-hand operated dispenser for metering dental compositions comprises a casing for receiving the dental composition between a forward dispensing end and a plunger which is movably mounted within the casing. The plunger is moved forwardly by means of a threaded spindle which engages with a nut disposed on the rear casing end so as to be secured against rotation and axial movement. The thus formed assembly may be inserted into two bifurcated brackets of a generally U-shaped receptacle forming part of a manipulating member. The spindle is guided in the one bracket so as to be axially movable and non-rotatable, while the casing with the nut is mounted in the other bracket so as to be non-displaceable but rotatable. When the manipulating member is gripped, the casing may be turned between thumb and index finger such that the spindle is pushed forwards, whereby the dental composition exits from the dispensing opening.

Abstract: A device for the non-contacting dosing or metering of liquids, designed as a dosing syringe, comprises a piston centrally disposed within a sleeve, with a spring surrounding the piston. The spring bears against an upper end of a barrel within which the piston reciprocates and which is surrounded by the lower end of the sleeve. The outside of the barrel is formed with stroke-limiting abutments.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating, particularly bleaching, dental objects, such as dentures or parts thereof, made of synthetic material includes a support disposed in a drawer for receiving the objects and a lamp disposed above the drawer for emitting radiation in a spectral range (approximately 400 to 500 nm) suitable for the bleaching process. An upper reflector surrounding the lamp reflects from the total radiation emitted by the lamp mainly the portion lying within the said spectral range while it transmits the remaining radiation to the outside. An inner surface of the drawer forms a lower reflector. The support also consists of reflective material and has a central semi-spherical projection to ensure that the object positioned on the support so as to surround the projection is irradiated from all sides.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating, particularly bleaching, dental objects, such as dentures or parts thereof, made of synthetic material includes a support disposed in a drawer for receiving the objects and a lamp disposed above the drawer for emitting radiation in a spectral range (approximately 400 to 500 nm) suitable for the bleaching process. An upper reflector surrounding the lamp reflects from the total radiation emitted by the lamp mainly the portion lying within the said spectral range while it transmits the remaining radiation to the outside. An inner surface of the drawer forms a lower reflector. The support also consists of reflective material and has a central semi-spherical projection to ensure that the object positioned on the support so as to surround the projection is irradiated from all sides.In another embodiment, the support for the dental object is made of glass, and two lamps each surrounded by a reflector are used to irradiate the object from above and below.

Abstract: A multiple-tube dispenser contains components of a composition to be prepared by mixing the components at a fixed ratio. The tube cylinders are interconnected by a web and each have a discharge opening at their front end. Pistons provided in the tube cylinders are advanced in unison by plungers extending into the tube cylinders and interconnected by a common head portion. A threaded spindle extends through a bore provided in the head portion and engages a threaded bore provided in the web interconnecting the tube cylinders. The two bores are slotted in a direction perpendicular to the spindle axis so that the spindle may be inserted and removed at any position of the plungers relative to the tube cylinders. The web interconnecting the cylinders is made preferably of synthetic material and the bore in this web has an initially smooth inner surface in which the counter-thread is automatically tapped when the threaded spindle is inserted.

Abstract: A quartz rod used as an optical wave guide to direct radiation of a desired spectrum onto a limited area, such as a dental cavity filled with a material curable by the radiation, is protected by a case including at least two rigid shells which tightly enclose the quartz rod but are easy to disassemble for being cleaned, and easy to reassemble thereafter. The interior wall of the case formed by the shells is spaced from the outer surface of the quartz rod except at a few points at both ends of the case, to leave the total reflection characteristics at the quartz rod surface unaffected.

Abstract: An apparatus for irradiating substances curable by radiation comprises a lamp the emitted radiation of which includes both the UVA or near-UVA spectral range required for the curing and spectral ranges outside these useful ranges. A glass substrate surrounding the lamp has an ellipsoidal concave surface carrying a thin-film filter which reflects only the useful radiation but transmits the undesired spectral ranges, particularly the major portion of the visible light and the thermal radiation. When the power consumption of the lamp decreases as a result of clustering of the filament, the power supply is periodically interrupted thereby producing a flashing signal to warn the user.

Abstract: A dispensing device for high-viscosity compositions includes a hollow cylindrical body in which the composition is contained between a closeable discharge opening at the front end of the body and a piston movable in the longitudinal direction of the body. The piston is driven by a threaded spindle engaging a threaded nut and bearing with its front end against the rear face of the piston. The nut is slid in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body into engagement with a flange provided at the rear end of the body. A detent mounted on the nut cooperates with a longitudinal groove provided on the spindle to indicate the angular position of the spindle, thus the amount of composition being discharged, in addition to preventing the spindle from reverse rotation.