Abstract:
Sealing and filling compositions for use in filling and/or sealing a root canal. The sealer and filler compositions include a polymerizable material that shrinks when polymerized. The composition also includes a gas releasing component that at least partially offsets the shrinkage caused by polymerization of the polymerizable material. The gas releasing component offsets polymerization shrinkage by creating tiny gas bubbles in the polymeric material, which causes expansion. The gas releasing component can be an acid and a base such as citric acid and sodium bicarbonate, which when mixed give off carbon dioxide. The composition can also include a dispersing agent to disperse the gas bubbles throughout the composition.
Abstract:
Dental bonding compositions and methods for promoting adhesion of an amalgam-based restorative material to a dental substrate. The inventive compositions include one or more polymerizable resins that are able to adhere to a dental substrate when at least partially polymerized, one or more polymerization photoinitiators in an amount so as to result in partial polymerization of the resin when the compositions are irradiated with radiant energy, and one or more chemical initiators (e.g., benzoyl peroxide) that cause further polymerization of the resin when the composition is contacted with an amalgam restorative. A bonding composition applied to a dental substrate and irradiated with radiant energy is more polymerized in a region adjacent to the dental substrate, while a less polymerized inhibition layer forms in the region of the surface. Packing an uncured amalgam into the dental preparation mechanically disrupts the inhibition layer so as to form peaks, troughs and other irregularities. Upon curing the amalgam and bonding composition, the disrupted inhibition layer greatly enhances the overall bond between the amalgam, bonding composition, and dental substrate.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for viewing stereoscopic video images are disclosed. One system comprises a first video camera configured to generate a first video feed of a subject. A second video camera is spaced a pupilary distance from the first video camera and configured to generate a second video feed of the subject. A tracking module associated with the first video camera and the second video camera is configured to cause the first video camera and the second video camera to be directed to a desired convergent point relative to a selected tracking point to maintain stereopsis. A zooming module associated with the first video camera and the second video camera is configured to provide a desired magnification of the near real-time stereoscopic video image.
Abstract:
Medicament compositions are in the shape of a dental tray or tray-like configuration, optionally in combination with a protective barrier layer. Shaped medicament compositions comprise a substantially solid medicament layer that has increased adhesiveness to teeth and/or gingiva when moistened with saliva or water. The shape of the medicament composition facilitates placement of the composition over a person's teeth and/or gingiva with substantially less manipulation compared to the use of initially flat strips. The substantially solid medicament composition becomes more adhesive when moistened with saliva or water, yet remains intact and coherent after the medicament composition is placed over a person's teeth and/or gingiva, particularly when used in combination with a moisture-resistant barrier. The result is that the moistened medicament composition is able to reliably adhere against a user's teeth and/or gingiva during a treatment procedure.
Abstract:
Kits for bleaching and desensitizing a person's teeth include 1) at least one dental bleaching composition or device in the shape of a dental tray or having a tray-like configuration and 2) at least one dental desensitizing composition or device in the shape of a dental tray or having a tray-like configuration. The shaped treatment compositions comprising the kit have increased adhesiveness to teeth when moistened with saliva or water. The shape of the treatment composition or device facilitates placement of the composition or device over a person's teeth with substantially less manipulation compared to the use of initially flat strips. The substantially solid treatment compositions become more adhesive when moistened with saliva or water, yet remain intact and coherent when protected by a moisture-resistant barrier layer. The substantially solid treatment compositions adhere and remain in place more reliably than treatment strips that include a treatment composition initially in a gel-like condition.
Abstract:
Dental bleaching compositions in the shape of a dental tray or tray-like form include a substantially solid adhesive layer and a dental bleaching gel. A barrier layer may be included on an outer surface of the adhesive layer to form a dental bleaching device. The adhesive layer comprises a substantially solid adhesive composition that has increased adhesiveness to oral tissue when moistened with saliva or water. The adhesive layer is formed from an intermediate composition that is heated to drive off the solvent. Using a bleaching gel separate from the adhesive layer improves the potency and stability of the bleaching agent, as the bleaching gel is not heated like the adhesive layer. The shape of the dental bleaching device facilitates placement of the device over a person's teeth with substantially less manipulation compared to the use of initially flat bleaching strips. The moistened adhesive composition reliably adheres the dental bleaching composition or device against a user's teeth during a bleaching procedure. Because a substantial portion of the adhesive composition remains solid or semi-solid during bleaching, the adhesive composition maintains a substantial portion of its adhesive properties and internal cohesive strength compared to, e.g., a bleaching gel used by itself.
Abstract:
Dental bonding compositions and methods for promoting adhesion of an amalgam-based restorative material to a dental substrate. The inventive compositions include one or more polymerizable resins that are able to adhere to a dental substrate when at least partially polymerized, one or more polymerization photoinitiators in an amount so as to result in partial polymerization of the resin when the compositions are irradiated with radiant energy, and one or more chemical initiators (e.g., benzoyl peroxide) that cause further polymerization of the resin when the composition is contacted with an amalgam restorative. A bonding composition applied to a dental substrate and irradiated with radiant energy is more polymerized in a region adjacent to the dental substrate, while a less polymerized inhibition layer forms in the region of the surface. Packing an uncured amalgam into the dental preparation mechanically disrupts the inhibition layer so as to form peaks, troughs and other irregularities. Upon curing the amalgam and bonding composition, the disrupted inhibition layer greatly enhances the overall bond between the amalgam, bonding composition, and dental substrate.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to methods and related systems for evaluating and demonstrating various performance characteristics of one or more dental curing lights. The method and system employs a performance evaluation member (e.g., in the shape of a disc) comprising a carrier material (e.g., any of various suitable polymeric materials) and a color-changing material on or within (e.g., impregnated within) the body material. A user is able to use the performance evaluation member to demonstrate and evaluate performance characteristics relating to the presence of particularly desired wavelengths within the light emitted by a dental curing light, footprint size and shape of emitted light, uniformity of intensity within the emitted footprint, as well as relative intensities of desired wavelengths provided by two or more dental curing lights.
Abstract:
A non-custom, dental tray device includes a moisture-resistant barrier layer having a labial-buccal wall, a lingual wall, and a bottom wall. The dental tray device includes at least one of the following structural features to enhance the fit of the device; (1) the bottom wall includes an abrupt reduction of width at a location corresponding to where the first bicuspid meets the canine; (2) a bottom wall in the posterior region having a width that is equal to or less than the width of the bottom wall in the anterior region, with no lingual wall in the posterior region; or (3) a transition portion between the bottom wall and either the labial-buccal wall or the lingual wall has a larger radius of curvature as compared to a radius of curvature at a transition portion between the bottom wall the other of the labial-buccal wall and the lingual wall.