Dental restorative formula selector and methods of use

Abstract

A dental restorative formula selector including a formula matrix is disclosed. The formula matrix includes tooth shade markings and two or more dental restorative formulas correlated to each tooth shade marking. Each dental restorative formula includes at least one dental restorative composition code, and at least one dental restorative formula of the two or more dental restorative formulas provided includes at least two dental restorative composition codes. The dental restorative formula selector may provide a practitioner with multiple dental restorative formula options for restoring teeth using dental restorative compositions.

1 . A dental restorative formula selector, the selector comprising: 
 a medium comprising a first major surface;    a formula matrix on the first major surface of the medium, the formula matrix comprising: 
 a plurality of tooth shade markings; and  
 a plurality of dental restorative formulas, wherein two or more dental restorative formulas of the plurality of dental restorative formulas are correlated to each tooth shade marking of the plurality of tooth shade markings, wherein each dental restorative formula of the plurality of dental restorative formulas comprises at least one dental restorative composition code, and further wherein at least one dental restorative formula of the two or more dental restorative formulas correlated to each tooth shade marking comprises at least two dental restorative composition codes.  
   
   
   
       2 . The selector of  claim 1 , wherein the selector further comprises a selector element comprising: 
 an input window; and    at least one output window, wherein the formula matrix and the selector element are movable relative to each other such that a selected tooth shade marking of the plurality of tooth shade markings is viewable through the input window, and further wherein at least one dental restorative formula correlated to the selected tooth shade marking is viewable through the at least one output window.    
   
   
       3 . The selector of  claim 2 , wherein the medium further comprises a circular shape, wherein the selector element further comprises a circular shape, and further wherein the selector element is rotatably connected to the medium.  
   
   
       4 . The selector of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the two or more dental restorative formulas correlated to each tooth shade marking comprises a single composition dental restorative formula.  
   
   
       5 . The selector of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the two or more dental restorative formulas correlated to each tooth shade marking comprises a two-composition dental restorative formula.  
   
   
       6 . The selector of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the two or more dental restorative formulas correlated to each tooth shade marking comprises a multi-composition dental restorative formula.  
   
   
       7 . A dental restorative kit, the kit comprising: 
 a dental restorative formula selector, the selector comprising: 
 a medium comprising a first major surface;  
 a formula matrix on the first major surface of the medium, the formula matrix comprising: 
 a plurality of tooth shade markings; and  
 a plurality of dental restorative formulas, wherein two or more dental restorative formulas of the plurality of dental restorative formulas are correlated to each tooth shade marking of the plurality of tooth shade markings, wherein each formula of the plurality of dental restorative formulas comprises at least one dental restorative composition code, and further wherein at least one dental restorative formula of the two or more dental restorative formulas comprises at least two dental restorative composition codes; and  
 
   at least one dental restorative composition.    
   
   
       8 . The kit of  claim 7 , wherein the kit further comprises a tooth shade guide comprising a plurality of tooth shades, wherein each tooth shade of the plurality of tooth shades is correlated to each tooth shade marking of the plurality of tooth shade markings of the formula matrix.  
   
   
       9 . The kit of  claim 8 , wherein the kit further comprises a selector element comprising: 
 an input window; and    at least one output window, wherein the formula matrix and the selector element are movable relative to each other such that a selected tooth shade marking of the plurality of tooth shade markings is viewable through the input window, and further wherein at least one dental restorative formula correlated to the selected tooth shade marking is viewable through the at least one output window.    
   
   
       10 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the medium further comprises a circular shape, wherein the selector element further comprises a circular shape, and further wherein the selector element is rotatably connected to the medium.  
   
   
       11 . The kit of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the two or more dental restorative formulas correlated to each tooth shade marking comprises a single composition dental restorative formula.  
   
   
       12 . The kit of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the two or more dental restorative formulas correlated to each tooth shade marking comprises a two-composition dental restorative formula.  
   
   
       13 . The kit of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the two or more dental restorative formulas correlated to each tooth shade marking comprises a multi-composition dental restorative formula.