Abstract: A temporary alignment system and method for holding a dental coping to an implant abutment using the same threads in the abutment that are used for definitive attachment are disclosed. The disclosed temporary fasteners initially orient and hold a coping against an abutment with a force along the same axis as the semi-definitive screw. The aligned coping can be picked-up in a closed-tray impression process without unscrewing the temporary fastener. Embodiments include threaded posts that release copings from the abutment through axial forces. Some embodiments include a threaded post with separable cap that is picked-up with the coping. Methods for converting an existing prosthesis for screw attachment to implants in a single visit and digital capture of the converted prosthesis are described.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatuses and techniques for distalizing, mesializing and/or expanding teeth in the upper or lower dental arch of a patient's mouth to make room for crowded or protruded teeth located in the anterior arch region to distally and laterally shift into. In some aspects, an apparatus includes a body; a first arm coupled to an adjustment mechanism of the body and attachable to a molar; a second arm coupled to the apparatus body and attachable to a non-molar tooth; and an anchorage device attachable to a bone in the mouth, which the first arm is configured to transfer a force onto the molar when the adjustment mechanism is actuated to cause movement of the molar in the dental arch, and which the anchorage device is operable to positionally stabilize the body and the second arm to prevent movement of the non-molar tooth in the dental arch.

Abstract: An applicator includes a first applicator tool and a second applicator tool, wherein the first and second applicator tools are positioned diagonally apart from each other; and the applicator has an overall width that decreases with the flexing of a spring holding the first and second applicator tools as the first and second tools overlap with each other.

Abstract: A method of producing a positioning guide for an orthodontic bracket is provided. The method includes determining and fixing a position of the orthodontic bracket in relation to a side surface of a corresponding tooth of a setup dental model, wherein the setup dental model has a dentition state of the patient's dental arch after orthodontic treatment; forming a rigid guiding structure with a first part covering the outer surface of each orthodontic bracket and a second part covering the occlusal surface of the corresponding tooth; and forming a flexible linking structure to connect the first part and the second part of the rigid guiding structure to obtain the positioning guide for the respective orthodontic bracket, wherein the rigid guiding structure is inflexible and the flexible linking structure is elastic and retains form.

Abstract: A plurality of occlusal blocks for a mandibular relocation may include a first occlusal block including a first engagement surface and a first side surface with a first undercut formed in the first side surface of the first occlusal block. A second occlusal block may include a second engagement surface to engage the first engagement surface and a second side surface with a second undercut formed in the second side surface of the second occlusal block.

Abstract: A first appliance and a second appliance comprise engagement surfaces that provide mandibular relocation forces and forces to limit lateral movement of the jaw, such as opposing inclined surfaces on opposite sides of the mouth. In some embodiments, engagement surfaces between oral appliances comprise a curvature difference, which allows engagement at differing angles and positions.

Abstract: In order to improve the reliability of a dental restoration, a method of implanting the dental restoration is provided. The method includes virtually disposing a virtual implant selected from a digital library on the basis of a CT image to correspond to an implantation information, and a virtual implanting guide sleeve, which is virtually and concentrically disposed to be spaced upward from an upper end portion of the virtual implant by an offset distance, and a scanning image overlap and are integrally stored; and generating design information of a surgical guide, wherein a virtual coupling hole corresponding to an outer circumference of the virtual implanting guide sleeve is formed in the design information.

Abstract: A partial connection full arch artificial connects and fixes in an appropriate occlusal relationship in advance and appropriately defines a region that should be separated and a region that may be standardized, appropriately defines a combination of regions of adjacent surfaces constituting a contact region, an angle of the denture with respect to the virtual occlusal plane, and an area thereof in a region where artificial teeth are brought into contact with each other.

Abstract: Model teeth 20 for a dental model includes a model teeth base 10 provided with a plurality of insertion holes 13 having an inner surface provided with an insertion hole-side step portion 13b such that a deep side of the holes 13 is narrower than an opening side, and a plurality of the teeth 20 having a tooth crown portion 21 exposed from the holes 13 and a tooth root portion 22 inserted inside the holes 13, when the model teeth are detachably inserted into the holes 13, respectively. The teeth 20 include a model teeth-side step portion 26 provided on an outer surface of the portion 22 and cause the teeth 20 to move in a direction such that a distance between adjacent teeth 20 is shortened, as the teeth 20 abut the portion 13b when inserted into the holes 13 and the teeth 20 are inserted deep into the holes 13.

Abstract: A pump body of an oral irrigator includes a mount, a motor disposed at a rear end away from the mount, a pinion disposed on a shaft of the motor, an annular gear disposed on a shaft member to mesh with the pinion, a cam disposed in the annular gear and adjacent to one side, a linkage secured to the cam, front and rear plungers disposed on a front end of the linkage, and a cylindrical tube disposed on the plungers in the mount. The rotation of the cam only allows the linkage to repetitively move in a back-and-forth linear motion. Wear between the plungers and the cylindrical tube is decreased to a minimum and leakage is prevented.

Abstract: A temporary alignment system and method for holding a dental coping to an implant abutment using the same threads in the abutment that are used for definitive attachment are disclosed. The disclosed temporary fasteners initially orient and hold a coping against an abutment with a force along the same axis as the semi-definitive screw. The aligned coping can be picked-up in a closed-tray impression process without unscrewing the temporary fastener. Embodiments include threaded posts that release copings from the abutment through axial forces. Some embodiments include a threaded post with separable cap that is picked-up with the coping. Methods for converting an existing prosthesis for screw attachment to implants in a single visit and digital capture of the converted prosthesis are described.

Abstract: Self-activated orthodontic expander including a left frame and a right frame, where the left frame and right frame include, respectively, a left body and a right body, each having anchoring means for anchoring them to the teeth of a dental arch. The bodies have through holes oriented in a predetermined expansion direction, where the frames are slidably mounted along the expansion direction by guides inserted into the holes of the bodies. Elastic elements are arranged and acting between the frames. The guides are further constrained with each other by a bridge oriented orthogonally to the same guides and adapted to prevent the reciprocal movement of the guides.