Abstract: A method may include obtaining a digital preoperative dental model of a patient, designing a guide appliance set on the digital preoperative dental model according to a surgical plan for the patient, and storing the design of the guide appliance set in a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) compatible file format. Designing the guide appliance set may include designing a base frame configured to engage an oral structure of the patient without obstructing a planned surgical site region of an alveolar ridge, designing an uppermost surface of the base frame to, at least in an area adjacent to the planned surgical site region, terminate below the alveolar ridge when the base frame is engaged with the oral structure, designing at least one attachment that is releasably attachable to the base frame, and designing the at least one attachment to be fully received in a mouth when attached to the base frame.

Abstract: Orthodontic systems for monitoring treatment. The systems can include at least one orthodontic appliance that includes one or more sensors. A processor in communication with the sensor(s) is configured to receive sensor data from the sensor(s), where the sensor data corresponds to a force acting on one or more teeth. The processor is further configured to predict tooth movement based on the sensor data. The predicted tooth movement is determined by predicting how much teeth will move based on a direction and a magnitude of the force. The processor is further configured to compare the predicted tooth movement to an expected tooth movement, where the expected tooth movement is based on a treatment stage of a treatment plan. The processor is further configured to modify the treatment plan if the predicted tooth movement does not match the expected tooth movement based on the treatment stage of the treatment plan.

Abstract: Described herein are intraoral appliances with adaptive cellular materials and structures to provide enhanced mechanical properties and orthodontic functionality, and related methods. The described appliances may have higher Young's modulus and elongation rate than appliances made from conventional materials. Further, the described appliances may have desirable non-linear force/strain profiles. Additionally, the control provided by using cellular structures allow for increased customization for individual patients. Thus, the described appliances may be more effective, have longer appliance lifetimes and/or provide less discomfort to patients.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system of devices and a method for preparing a tooth to receive a restoration. The system includes a dental instrument for removal of portions of a tooth in the mouth of a patent and an overlay for guiding the dental instrument during the step of tooth removal. The overlay is designed for temporary installation into the mouth of the patient to guide the dental instrument to remove tooth material. The overlay has one or more sets of guide walls, with a predetermined configuration capable of contacting one or more guide projections of the dental instrument, and a receptacle capable of receiving and attaching to the dental instrument.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an orthodontic gripping device having a body made of a superelastic metal alloy, cold worked titanium beta III, or solution heat treated and aged titanium beta III. The body has first and second, spaced apart arm portions connected to each other. Each arm portion includes a jaw portion having an inner, arch wire-gripping, surface. The inner gripping surfaces are disposed opposite one another in spaced relation with a station defined therebetween for receiving the arch wire. At least a portion of the station is sized smaller than the arch wire. The arm portions are resiliently deflectable outwardly away from each other to admit the arch wire into the station. Once seated in the station, the arch wire is tightly held by inner gripping surfaces so as to resist displacement of the gripping device relative to the arch wire.

Abstract: Methods of treating exposed tooth pulp are provided herein, including, e.g., methods of pulp capping comprising administering a combination of growth factor substance and pulp capping material to exposed pulp thereby inducing dentin formation and/or pulp revitalization.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing pre-formed, customized, ceramic, labial/lingual orthodontic clear aligner attachments (CCAA) by additive manufacturing (AM) may comprise measuring dentition data of a profile of teeth of a patient, based on the dentition data, creating a three dimensional computer-assisted design (3D CAD) model of the patient's teeth using reverse engineering, and saving the 3D CAD model, designing a 3D CAD structure model for one or more CCAA on various parts of each tooth, importing data related to the 3D CAD CCAA structure model into an AM machine, directly producing the CCAA in the ceramic slurry-based AM machine by layer manufacturing, enabling the provider to deliver patient-specific CCAA's by an indirect bonding method to the patient's teeth to improve the efficacy and retention of the clear aligners.

Abstract: Dental restoration holding devices, dental restoration holding assemblies including the same, and associated methods. A dental restoration holding device includes a base portion and a cap portion, and is configured such that the base portion and/or the cap portion engages a flexible support sheet to define a support surface that supports a dental restoration relative to a suction tip. A dental restoration holding assembly for supporting a dental restoration includes the dental restoration holding device in combination with the flexible support sheet and the suction tip. A method of treating a dental restoration includes operatively engaging a flexible support sheet with a dental restoration holding device to define a support surface, placing a dental restoration upon the support surface, engaging a suction tip with the dental restoration holding device, and flowing a treatment fluid through the dental restoration holding device.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a plate denture, comprises: creating a denture plate having a concave socket formed thereon and a vertical groove formed on a bottom surface of the socket; applying an adhesive material to the socket and the vertical groove; embedding a reinforcing structure in the vertical groove to which the adhesive material is applied; and arranging an artificial tooth in the socket to which the adhesive material is applied.

Abstract: A fixing structure of a dental handpiece has a transmission assembly for connecting a handpiece head, a positioning sleeve sleeved onto the transmission assembly and having a positioning member thereon, and a casing composed of a front casing and a rear casing. The front casing is sleeved onto the positioning sleeve. The rear casing is detachably connected to one end of the front casing. The front casing is provided with a push member. The push member is inserted inwardly to lean against the positioning member for the positioning member to be tightly pressed against an outer circumferential surface of the transmission assembly so that the front casing, the positioning sleeve and the transmission assembly are fixed and connected together.

Abstract: A device and method for seating orthodontic aligners over the dentition of a user includes a light-based device having a bite plate or mouthpiece, with light-emitting elements, for contacting the aligners. Instructions are provided for using of the light-based aligner seating device by placing the mouthpiece over the aligners, applying light radiation during a predetermined number of sessions throughout a predetermined treatment period, wherein the seating and the fit between the aligners and teeth are better than without use of the light-based device.

Abstract: A drill bit and method for normalizing bone is provided. The drill bit has a non-round drill bit core that is adapted to cut hard bone and to not cut soft bone. The drill bit has a cutting edge which may be positioned within a compression zone of the non-round drill bit core. The rotational speed of the drill bit and the profile of the drill bit core are tuned so that hard bone recovers into a cutting zone defined by the cutting edge while soft bone remains outside of the cutting zone. The insertion torque of the drill bit can be measured to determine when the normalization is adequate.

Abstract: The invention provides a dentition movement track indicator and a tracing method. The device includes an intra-oral fixation assembly and an extra-oral movement indicating assembly, wherein the intra-oral fixation assembly includes a lower denture base, a left side retention steel wire, a right side retention steel wire and a positioning steel wire. The lower denture base is arranged on the lingual side of the lower dentition and respectively extends from a lower incisor to the far center of the last tooth on the left side and the right side and clings to the lingual mucous membrane. The left side retention steel wire and the right side retention steel wire are distributed in a left-right symmetry mode. The extra-oral movement indicating assembly includes a connecting rod, an arc rod, an indicating plate and a plurality of rectangular parallelepiped thin rods. According to the dentition movement track indicator, an intra-oral fixation assembly.

Abstract: A device and a system for forming a releasable connection between a dental implant abutment and prosthetic restoration, and in particular to such a device and system that is configured for use in situations where the inter-occlusal space is very limited, the device having a female connection device having a hollow tubular body featuring an open lumen.

Abstract: The invention is a device for moving a patient's tooth or related group of teeth. It is comprised of a housing which is fastened onto a base arch within the patient's oral cavity and which includes an adjuster which is connected to a palatal lock on the tooth to be moved using the adjuster. The base arch originates at a fixed jaw implant and is inserted into a channel in the housing which is freely accessible from outside and securely clamped using a lock connected to the housing, preferably a turn-type lock with a threaded shaft by tightening the threaded shaft.

Abstract: A dental mouthpiece is provided that may be attached to a high-suction dental adapter for the purpose of assisting the dental staff during dental procedures through chair-side, hands-free suction, and isolation. Such a mouthpiece may comprise a main body portion, a cheek retractor portion, and a suction connector portion. In an embodiment, the main body portion, cheek retractor portion, and suction connector portion may be molded in one piece, preferably by injection molding. The main body portion has an anterior wall inside the curve and a posterior wall outside the curve, and an at least one connector connecting the anterior wall and the posterior wall. The main body portion has an anterior intervening wall and the posterior intervening wall in between the anterior and posterior walls. The anterior intervening wall and the posterior intervening walls have alternating crests and troughs.

Abstract: A dental implant surgical guide and manufacturing method thereof are provided. The dental implant surgical guide comprises a retainer, a guide portion, and an indicator. Said guide portion is located on either the tongue side or the palatal side of a patient, and comprises a guiding groove corresponding to an implant hole and an opening being connected to the guiding groove; said indicator comprises an extension portion and a terminal, wherein the extension portion is extended from the retainer to an implant platform of a missing tooth portion, while the terminal indicates a location of the implant platform. Therefore, locations of the implant platform and the implant hole of the missing tooth portion will be positioned by the dental implant surgical guide when placing the dental implant surgical guide on the missing tooth portion.

Abstract: A surgical guide foundation system, device, and methods of making and using same. The surgical guide foundation system may include one or more foundation devices. The one or more foundation devices may include a main body portion, one or more fixation ports formed in the main body portion and forming a passage therethrough, and one or more carrier connectors (e.g., plug connector style latches) formed on the main body portion. The surgical guide foundation system may further include a guide component. The guide component may be configured to be engageable with one or more of the one or more carrier connectors. The main body portion may include protrusions formed on an inner facing surface of the main body portion and extending in a generally perpendicular direction therefrom.

Abstract: A drill for dental implant procedure is provided. The drill for dental implant procedure may include a body portion extending in a longitudinal direction and including cylindrical first and second rotating portions rotatable in both directions about a central axis, wherein the first rotating portion comprising: a cutting head portion, a first spiral groove portion, and a first cutting side, wherein the second rotating portion formed integrally with the first rotating portion comprising: a second spiral groove portion, and a second cutting side surface portion.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a denture includes: preparing an artificial tooth and a denture base with a concave socket; applying an adhesive to the concave socket; and embedding the artificial tooth in the concave socket to which the adhesive is applied. A socket groove is defined on an inner surface defining the concave socket. The socket groove extends from a concave bottom surface of the concave socket facing a basal surface of the artificial tooth to a lingual concave side surface of the concave socket. Embedding the artificial tooth in the concave socket includes: forming a discharge hole to discharge the adhesive, the discharge hole being defined at an end of the socket groove on a lingual outer surface of the denture base; and discharging the adhesive from the discharge hole.