Abstract:
A delivery system that includes a bone growth promoting material encapsulated within a water absorptive gelatinizable covering is used to promote bone growth in order to repair a bone defect and/or strengthen a weakened bone region. The delivery system may be shaped and sized in order to fit within a bleeding wound (e.g. one that is formed in the gingiva when a tooth is extracted). The covering may be formed of a gelatinizable gauze that forms a gel-like material when moistened with water. The delivery system is contained within a moisture resistant package prior to use. Alternatively, the delivery system comprises a bone growth promoting material and thickening agent contained within a syringe that, upon adding water, form a viscous gel or stiff putty. A polymerizable resin may be placed over the bone growth composition after placement on a bone to form a protective barrier layer.
Abstract:
A dental post analog includes an analog post body, and at least one of means for determining the depth of placement of the distal insertion portion, means for gripping the post body, or means for tethering the post body. The analog post body includes a distal insertion portion and a proximal portion that extends beyond the distal insertion portion. The distal insertion portion is configured for temporary insertion into a recess of a tooth, and at least approximately corresponds to the size, shape, and length of a permanent dental post. The post analog may be radiopaque. It may be disposable or autoclavable.
Abstract:
Kits and methods for improving the wear and abrasion resistance of filling material involving applying a coating material to at least a portion of a surface of a dental filling material. The dental filling material to be coated is substantially free of organically modified inorganic particles. The coating material includes a polymerizable resin and a plurality of inorganic particles that are organically modified to have polymerizable functional groups thereon. The coating material is cured such that the polymerizable resin and the functional groups on the organically modified inorganic particles co-polymerize or cross-link to form a cured protective coating layer on the dental filling material. The cured coating layer has a maximum thickness of less than about 30 microns.
Abstract:
A kit used to form a customized dental tray from a heat-softenable polymeric material using a person's teeth as a template includes a preformed tray and a color-changing temperature indicator. The color-changing temperature indicator may be attached to or separate from the preformed tray. When heated together, the indicator signals to the user by a color change when the tray has reached a customization temperature range. This signal prevents errors of underheating and overheating common in the customization process.
Abstract:
A dental treatment system used to treat (e.g., bleach) a person's teeth. The inventive system includes an inner dental treatment tray having a tray configuration so as to fit over at least a portion of a person's upper or lower dental arch. The inner dental treatment tray is sufficiently thin and flexible so as to at least partially conform to a person's teeth without heating when used in combination with a dental treatment and/or adhesive composition. The dental treatment system includes an outer support tray positioned adjacent to the inner dental treatment tray so as to maintain the inner dental treatment tray in the tray configuration prior to placement of the inner dental treatment tray over the person's teeth. The dental treatment system also includes temporary adhesion means (e.g., a weak adhesive) for maintaining the outer support tray adjacent to the inner dental treatment tray prior to and during placement of the inner dental treatment tray over the person's teeth.
Abstract:
Treatment devices in the shape of a dental tray, strip or patch include a barrier layer and a protective adhesive composition. Treatment kits include one or more treatment devices and one or more treatment compositions that are initially separate from the treatment devices. The treatment compositions may be contained within a syringe (e.g., a unit dose syringe) for ease of delivery. The treatment composition is dispensed from the syringe onto the barrier layer and then placed over a person's teeth and/or gums. The protective adhesive composition, in combination with the barrier layer, at least partially confines the treatment composition to a desired location within the person's mouth during use. The barrier layer protects the treatment and protective adhesive compositions from saliva or moisture found in the person's mouth.
Abstract:
A delivery system that includes a bone growth promoting material encapsulated within a water absorptive gelatinizable covering is used to promote bone growth in order to repair a bone defect and/or strengthen a weakened bone region. The delivery system may be shaped and sized in order to fit within a bleeding wound (e.g. one that is formed in the gingiva when a tooth is extracted). The covering may be formed of a gelatinizable gauze that forms a gel-like material when moistened with water. The delivery system is contained within a moisture resistant package prior to use. Alternatively, the delivery system comprises a bone growth promoting material and thickening agent contained within a syringe that, upon adding water, form a viscous gel or stiff putty.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing endodontic files involves a chemical milling process to yield endodontic files having a desired taper and/or degree of sharpness. The process involves the steps of (a) forming helical cutting edges in the cutting portion of the metallic rod; and (b) chemically milling the cutting portion of the rod so as to sharpen and/or taper the cutting portion. The rod may be formed of any desirable metallic material, for example stainless steel or a nickel-titanium alloy. The cutting edges may be formed by torsioning, cutting, grinding, machining, laser micromachining, or grit blasting.
Abstract:
A time-indicating syringe-in-syringe mixing system for mixing, storing and dispensing a two-part composition that, when mixed together, yields a time-sensitive dental composition. The system includes a first plunger, a hollow second plunger configured to contain a first component, a syringe barrel configured to contain a second component, structure for recording a date when a first component was mixed with a second component, and structure for protecting the recorded date from damage or alteration. The first plunger is slidably disposed within the hollow second plunger, and the hollow second plunger is slidably disposed within the syringe barrel during use. A second syringe may be coupled to the system to provide syringe-to-syringe mixing.
Abstract:
A pre-dosed, pre-packaged mixing system and associated method for mixing, storing, and dispensing a two-part dental composition that becomes less stable upon mixing. The mixing system includes a pre-dosed, pre-packaged quantity of a first component contained within a first chamber, and a pre-dosed, pre-packaged quantity of a second component contained within a second chamber. The chambers are separated by separation means so as to separate the two-components prior to mixing. Once mixed, the practitioner is able to record a mixing and/or expiration date on at least a portion of the mixing system so as to indicate a shelf-life of the less stable mixed dental composition.