A heater assembly made of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) material such as barium titanate ceramic that may be self-regulating. A dental compule that holds a dental (e.g. composite) material may be made from thermally conductive plastic and/or electrically conductive plastic that is self-heating when an electric current is passed through the compule. A compule may be generally cylindrical and include an electrically conductive polymer that may exhibit PTC characteristics while generating heat when electric current is applied to the polymer, two flat contact areas each disposed along one portion of the generally cylindrical compule, an orifice or opening positioned at one end of the compule, an inner chamber; and extrudable dental material held within the inner chamber.

A heater assembly made of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) material such as barium titanate ceramic that may be self-regulating. A dental compule that holds a dental (e.g. composite) material may be made from thermally conductive plastic and/or electrically conductive plastic that is self-heating when an electric current is passed through the compule. A compule may be generally cylindrical and include an electrically conductive polymer that may exhibit PTC characteristics while generating heat when electric current is applied to the polymer, two flat contact areas each disposed along one portion of the generally cylindrical compule, an orifice or opening positioned at one end of the compule, an inner chamber; and extrudable dental material held within the inner chamber.

A self-heating electric plugger/syringe needle (10/70) with the conductive element (50) on the external surface of the needle (10/70) is described. The needle (10/70), which can be divided into shank (30) and tip (20) portions, is hollow and is made of an electrically resistive material. A conductive element (50) located on the external surface of the needle runs along the length of its shank (30) and the length of its tip (20). An insulating material (60) located between the conductive element (50) and the external surface of the needle runs along the length of the shank (30). The conductive element (50) contacts the tip (20) of the needle, causing the needle to self-heat when electric current is supplied. A method for filling a root canal using the self-heating electric plugger/syringe needle (10/70) is also described.

A self-heating electric plugger/syringe needle (10/70) with the conductive element (50) on the external surface of the needle (10/70) is described. The needle (10/70), which can be divided into shank (30) and tip (20) portions, is hollow and is made of an electrically resistive material. A conductive element (50) located on the external surface of the needle runs along the length of its shank (30) and the length of its tip (20). An insulating material (60) located between the conductive element (50) and the external surface of the needle runs along the length of the shank (30). The conductive element (50) contacts the tip (20) of the needle, causing the needle to self-heat when electric current is supplied. A method for filling a root canal using the self-heating electric plugger/syringe needle (10/70) is also described.

Chitosan nanoparticles are provided for use in the in vivo treatment of connective tissues in root canal therapies. The nanoparticles are optionally linked with one or more photoactivatable compounds for providing antibactenal/antibiofilm properties, neutralizing bacterial byproducts and/or chemical/photodynamic crosslinking to achieve enhanced mechanical properties, chemical stability in connective tissues and/or to improve surface/interfacial integrity between filling material and connective tissue.

Chitosan nanoparticles are provided for use in the in vivo treatment of connective tissues in root canal therapies. The nanoparticles are optionally linked with one or more photoactivatable compounds for providing antibactenal/antibiofilm properties, neutralizing bacterial byproducts and/or chemical/photodynamic crosslinking to achieve enhanced mechanical properties, chemical stability in connective tissues and/or to improve surface/interfacial integrity between filling material and connective tissue.

The present invention is directed to a dental composition, and specifically to an improved composition for endodontic instruments useful for filling root canals or sealing.

The present invention is directed to a dental composition, and specifically to an improved composition for endodontic instruments useful for filling root canals or sealing.

Apparatuses and methods for extruding a dental filling material into a tooth. The extrusion is accomplished by harnessing a combination of motor power (such as from an electrical motor) and spring loaded power. This combination overcomes the shortcomings of each of these power sources. In addition, because this combination significantly reduces battery power requirements, it allows for more thermal heating, down-packing, and obturation to be performed than would otherwise be possible.

A system for providing endodontic material includes an application device and a docking station for the application device. The application device includes a cartridge having a chamber structure containing endodontic material, with the chamber structure capable of being heated by magnetic induction. The application device also includes a handle assembly configured to hold the cartridge. The docking station includes a slot configured to contain the application device with a part of the application device positioned in the slot. The docking station is provided with an induction heating coil positioned adjacent to the slot, with the induction heating slot being configured to heat the cartridge of the application device.