Abstract:
Methods and systems for temporarily coating intra-oral devices (e.g., orthodontic brackets and/or wires) so as to reduce discomfort to soft tissues within a patient's mouth. One embodiment of such a system includes at least one orthodontic bracket or orthodontic arch wire and a two-part polymerizable temporary coating composition for use in coating selected surfaces of the brackets and/or wires. One silicone polymerizable two-part composition includes a vinyl siloxane component, a cross-linking component, and a catalyst activator initially divided between the two parts so that at least one of the components is kept separate from at least one other component (i.e., all three components are not initially commingled). Upon mixing of the first and second parts, the composition begins to polymerize.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for temporarily coating intra-oral devices (e.g., orthodontic brackets and/or wires) so as to reduce discomfort to soft tissues within a patient's mouth. One embodiment of such a system includes at least one orthodontic bracket or orthodontic arch wire and a two-part polymerizable temporary coating composition for use in coating selected surfaces of the brackets and/or wires. One silicone polymerizable two-part composition includes a vinyl siloxane component, a cross-linking component, and a catalyst activator initially divided between the two parts so that at least one of the components is kept separate from at least one other component (i.e., all three components are not initially commingled). Upon mixing of the first and second parts, the composition begins to polymerize.
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:
Mixing devices used with a syringe or syringe system and related systems for mixing dissimilar components contained therein. The devices and systems include a hollow elongate handle having a proximal end, a distal delivery end, and a delivery passageway therethrough. A mixing member is disposed at or near the proximal end of the hollow elongate handle, which mixing member and a portion of the handle are axially slidable within a syringe barrel during use. The user may push and pull the distal end of the handle, causing corresponding axial movement of the mixing member within the syringe barrel. The devices and systems may be used to homogenously mix difficult to mix two part compositions, as well as single part compositions which include components that may tend to separate over time (e.g., a fluoride varnish composition).
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.