Abstract:
A hollow inner plunger for use within a syringe-in-syringe mixing system for mixing a two-part dental composition. The hollow inner plunger includes a body having a continuous cylindrical wall defining an internal chamber for containing a first component. The body includes a proximal end and a distal end. A sealing plug and rupturable membrane are disposed at the distal end of the body, and the sealing plug and rupturable membrane are integrally formed together as a single piece (e.g., formed of a single piece of elastomeric material). An associated syringe-in-syringe mixing system includes a first plunger, the hollow inner plunger, and a syringe barrel configured to contain a second component. When assembled, the first plunger is slidably disposed within the hollow inner plunger, and the hollow inner plunger is slidably disposed within the syringe barrel. The two components are initially separated by the rupturable membrane.
Abstract:
A venting syringe plunger assembly for use with a syringe system allows for venting of gas from the syringe system during use. The plunger assembly includes a hollow outer sleeve having an interior surface, and an inner stem having an exterior surface. At least a portion of the inner stem is disposed within the outer sleeve so as to be movable (e.g., slidable) within the outer sleeve. A venting passageway is defined between the interior surface of the outer sleeve and the exterior surface of the inner stem. The plunger assembly also includes means for selectively moving the inner stem within the outer sleeve so as to selectively open and close the venting passageway.
Abstract:
Treatment compositions in the shape of a strip or patch include a substantially solid adhesive layer and a treatment gel. A barrier layer may be included on an outer surface of the adhesive layer to form a treatment strip. 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 treatment gel separate from the adhesive layer improves the potency and stability of an active agent that is sensitive to heat, as the treatment gel is typically not heated prior to use like the adhesive layer. The adhesiveness of the treatment composition or strip facilitates placement over a person's teeth. The moistened adhesive composition reliably adheres the treatment composition or strip against a user's teeth during a desired procedure. Because a substantial portion of the adhesive composition remains solid or semi-solid during treatment, the adhesive composition maintains a substantial portion of its adhesive properties and internal cohesive strength compared to, e.g., a treatment gel used by itself.
Abstract:
A venting syringe plunger assembly for use with a syringe system allows for venting of gas from the syringe system during use. The plunger assembly includes a hollow outer sleeve having an interior surface, and an inner stem having an exterior surface. At least a portion of the inner stem is disposed within the outer sleeve so as to be movable (e.g., slidable) within the outer sleeve. A venting passageway is defined between the interior surface of the outer sleeve and the exterior surface of the inner stem. The plunger assembly also includes means for selectively moving the inner stem within the outer sleeve so as to selectively open and close the venting passageway.
Abstract:
Activating endodontic points and dental tools are sized and configured to be placed in the root canal of a tooth. The activating endodontic points or dental tools are coated or impregnated with a curing agent that initiates or accelerates polymerization of a sealer or filler composition when placed in contact with the sealer or filler material. Curing agents can include amines that can destabilize a peroxide in the sealer or filler material to initiate or accelerate polymerization, or they may comprise the peroxide. An implement can be dipped in a concentrated curing composition just prior to inserting the implement into a root canal to contact the filler or sealer composition. Kits may include a plurality of curing agent compositions having different concentrations and/or amounts of curing agent. Kits may also include a curable resin material that includes a first part of a multi-part curing system and a curing composition that includes, as curing agent a complementary part of the curing system.
Abstract:
Activating endodontic points and dental tools are sized and configured to be placed in the root canal of a tooth. The activating endodontic points or dental tools are coated or impregnated with a curing agent that initiates or accelerates polymerization of a sealer or filling composition when placed in contact with the sealer or filler material. Curing agents can include amines that can destabilize a peroxide in the sealer or filler material to initiate or accelerate polymerization. Kits are also disclosed that include a plurality of endodontic points or dental tools that have different concentrations of curing agent coated on or impregnated within the endodontic points or dental tools such that the endodontic points or dental tools have different cure times. In another kit, a plurality of curing agent compositions are provided for dipping a substrate to coat or impregnate substrates having different concentrations of curing agent.
Abstract:
A dental composition capable of being used in dual dental diagnostics can include at least one polymerizable resin and at least two different types of color changing materials. Alternatively, a two-part composition can include at least one dental composition configured for placement onto a person's tooth, and at least two different types of color changing materials to be mixed into the at least one dental composition to form a dental composition capable of being used in dual dental diagnostics. The dental composition can be formulated to blend with a person's tooth, and also be capable of changing color to be distinguishable from the tooth. The dental composition can be used in a method for performing a dental procedure by applying the dental composition to a tooth, and exposing the dental composition to at least one color changing stimulus. Accordingly, the dual dental diagnostic capable composition can aid a dental professional in distinguishing between the location of the dental composition and the tooth.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a dental bracket and associated kit used to attach a medicament-releasing pellet on a tooth. The kit is designed to provide slow release of fluoride or other medicament over a desired period of time. The medicament release kit includes a medicament-releasing pellet and a dental bracket. The bracket comprises a base and a socket configured to receive and retain the pellet at least partially therein. The device may be installed by a dental practitioner and remain attached to a patient's tooth for a few months or up to 20 years. The medicament-releasing pellet, designed to slowly release small quantities of fluoride or another medicament, may be replaced, for example, every 6 months to 2 years. Replacement of the medicament-releasing pellet may be performed at home or at a dentist's office.
Abstract:
A dental curing light system is configured to include a dental curing light (100) having a device body (102) with a proximal handle portion (106) and a distal head portion (104). One or more light sources (120) for generating light are disposed on or within the device body (102). Generated light is emitted from the distal head portion (104) and includes wavelengths greater than about 420 nm and wavelengths less than 420 nm. A separate head attachment member or device (160) is coupleable over the distal head (110) of the device body (102) so as to receive substantially all light emitted from the distal head portion (104) of the device body (102).
Abstract:
A hollow inner plunger (100) for use within a syringe-in-syringe mixing system for mixing a two-part dental composition. The hollow inner plunger includes a body having a continuous cylindrical wall (102) defining an internal chamber (108) for containing a first component (HOa). The body (100) includes a proximal end (104) and a distal end (106). A sealing plug and rupturable membrane (116) are disposed at the distal end of the body, and the sealing plug and rupturable membrane (116) are integrally formed together as a single piece (e.g., formed of a single piece of elastomeric material). An associated syringe-in-syringe mixing system (124) includes a first plunger (126), the hollow inner plunger (100), and a syringe barrel (128) configured to contain a second component (HOb). When assembled, the first plunger (126) is slidably disposed within the hollow inner plunger (100), and the hollow inner plunger (100) is slidably disposed within the syringe barrel (128). The two components (110a, 110b) are initially separated by the rupturable membrane (116).