Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to embodiments of the present invention relate to a temporary dental prosthesis and methods of utilizing the same. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to a dental prosthesis that may be quickly and easily set in a patient's mouth without the need for surgery or similar complex dental procedure. In one embodiment of the present invention, a temporary dental prosthesis comprises a primary body having a pair of axially positioned braces extending therefrom, the braces being connected to one another via an expansion means capable of extending and contracting the braces away from and towards the primary body, and an expansion control means for enabling the expansion means and controlling the expansion and contraction of the braces.

Abstract: A set or assembly for producing at least one temporary crown or bridge material has a carrier for accommodating a crown and bridge material and a crown and bridge material in an amount that is at least sufficient for the production of a tooth crown. The crown and bridge material is a light-curing and, in particular, flowable single-component material, and the carrier that can be adapted to the tooth situation is transparent or translucent. In another aspect, a method for producing a temporary tooth crown or bridge and a temporary tooth crown or bridge produced by the method are also provided.

Abstract: Endodontic instruments for use in performing root canal therapy on a tooth are disclosed. In one form, the instruments include an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. The shank comprises a titanium alloy, and the shank is prepared by heat-treating the shank at a temperature above 25° C. in an atmosphere consisting essentially of a gas unreactive with the shank. In another form, the endodontic instruments have an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. The shank consists essentially of a titanium alloy selected from alpha-titanium alloys, beta-titanium alloys, and alpha-beta-titanium alloys. The instruments solve the problems encountered when cleaning and enlarging a curved root canal.

Abstract: A dental implant for supporting a dental prosthesis comprises a body portion and a top surface. The implant further comprises an internal cavity with an opening located at the top surface. The internal cavity comprises an interlock chamber having a depth measured from the top surface equal to a first distance. The interlock chamber comprising a cylindrical portion and plurality of semi-circular channels arranged around a periphery of the cylindrical portion. A threaded chamber that includes threads is located below the post-receiving chamber. The cylindrical portion has a first radius and the channels have a second radius, a ratio of the first radius to the second radius being between approximately 4:1. and 2:1.

Abstract: A method of cleaning teeth by providing a device for generating a chemical agent in situ on an as-needed basis via the application of an electrical potential across a pair of conductors in communication with an electrolyte. The chemical agents may include ozone, hydrogen peroxide, peroxide, chlorine and/or hypochlorite. The device may include a voltage source and a first set of electrodes for applying an electrical potential to the electrolyte. The device may also include a second set of electrodes disposed about an anode of the first set of electrodes. The first and second sets of anodes cooperate to produce ions, peroxides, ozone and/or other chemical agents via the application of electrical potential to the electrolyte.

Abstract: An appliance and corresponding method for delivering antimicrobial agents to the vicinity of dental biofilm and for killing bacteria therein includes a system (18, 20, 24) for delivering polymeric capsules containing gas bubbles and an antimicrobial agent. A source of ultrasonic energy (18) is provided for moving the capsules toward the biofilm, the ultrasonic energy having sufficient intensity for thereafter bursting the capsules, in the vicinity of the biofilm, releasing the gas bubbles and the agent. The gas bubbles vibrate within the ultrasound field, disrupting the biofilm, so that the released agent can act effectively against the bacteria in the disrupted biofilm.

Abstract: A method of placing a dental implant analog in a physical model for use in creating a dental prosthesis is provided. The physical model, which is usually based on an impression of the patient's mouth or a scan of the patient's mouth, is prepared. The model is scanned. A three-dimensional computer model of the physical model is created and is used to develop the location of the dental implant. A robot then modifies the physical model to create an opening for the implant analog. The robot then places the implant analog within the opening at the location dictated by the three-dimensional computer model.

Abstract: A new and useful dental cleansing solution, and a method of application of the solution, is provided. The dental cleansing solution is designed to be applied by a tooth brush to the teeth of a child under the age of 2. The dental solution is fluoride free, includes a plaque inhibitor, has a viscosity that promotes wicking when applied to the bristles of a tooth brush, is palatable to children, especially children under 2 years old, and further characterized in that it does not foam when brushed onto teeth. The solution includes a carrier, a plaque inhibitor, a humectant, a preservative and a colloidal thickener. The solution may further include one or more additives that provide pH control. The solution can be applied onto the bristles of a tooth brush and is designed to wick into the bristles of the tooth brush. Moreover, the solution can be applied to other objects that may be inserted into the oral cavity of a human, particularly a child under the age of 2.

Abstract: A surgical guide used in implant treatment. A wire is mounted to a mockup at the orientation at which an implant fixture should be embedded. A guide member of a surgical guide is fitted to a tooth portion of the mockup. The optical axis of an irradiated light beam guided by a light irradiation portion from a light emitting portion through an optical fiber is aligned with the central axis of the wire by moving and adjusting the portion supported by a wire member. Drilling is performed after the adjusted guide member is removed from the mockup and fitted to a patient's tooth portion and the central axis of a drill is aligned with the optical axis of the beam.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a waved implant integrating a soft tissue area and an osseous tissue area. The implant is connected at an upper end thereof to a process tooth. The implant includes a screw portion, a flange and a soft tissue area. The screw portion is inserted into an alveolar bone. The flange is connected to the upper end of the screw portion and inserted into the alveolar bone. The flange has on the upper end thereof a waved shape that is concave in front and rear portions thereof and is convex in left and right portions thereof. The flange comprises on the circumferential surface thereof a fine threaded portion having a thread pitch and/or a thread height smaller and denser than those of the screw portion. A plurality of waved microthreads is formed on the fine threaded portion. The soft tissue area is combined with the upper end of the flange in a body.

Abstract: An apparatus and method define a fit of a set of upper and lower teeth of a patient by generating a computer representation of the teeth; and determining an occlusion from the computer representation of the teeth using one or more keys.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dental crown formed of a thermoplastic polymer material, the crown comprising: a tooth shaped top surface; and flexible side surfaces, at least one of which includes an inwardly directed bottom portion.

Abstract: An ultrasonic dental insert having at least one light source. A first transducer generates ultrasonic vibrations. A connecting body has a proximal end and a distal end having a tip attached thereto. The proximal end is attached to the first transducer so as to receive the ultrasonic vibrations therefrom and to transmit the ultrasonic vibrations toward the tip attached to the distal end. A second transducer is disposed substantially proximate to the connecting body for generating a voltage signal in response to movement of a portion of the connecting body according to the ultrasonic vibrations. A magnetic material including a source of a magnetic field is present in close proximity to the insert. At least one light source substantially proximate to the tip is connected to and receives the voltage signal from the second transducer to generate light. The ultrasonic dental insert may be inserted into a handpiece for providing electromagnetic energy to the first transducer to generate the ultrasonic vibrations.

Abstract: Dental prosthesis, systems, and methods of forming and using a dental prosthesis, are provided. An example of a dental prosthesis includes a first manufactured portion shaped to substantially conform to the three-dimensional surface of a root of a tooth to be replaced and a second manufactured portion shaped to substantially conform to the three-dimensional surface of a crown of the tooth. Furthermore, customized manufactured splints to position and fixate a tooth-shaped prosthesis, are provided. Furthermore, a CAD/CAM based methods of and a systems for manufacturing a customized dental prosthesis are provided. The tooth can be scanned to determine its three-dimensional shape and substantially copied using an imaging system in-vitro like a 3D scanner or in-vivo like a cone beam CT system and CNC machinery. Biocompatible material that is suitable to be integrated into the extraction socket and adopted by existing tissue forming the socket can be manufactured or engineered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain interdental cleaning devices and methods for their manufacture and use to remove interdental debris, to alleviate and/or prevent gingival inflammation, and or to deliver desired pharmacological and therapeutic or other active agents to the gingival or tooth surfaces. The pharmacologic and therapeutic agents of the present invention include, but are not limited to, antibiotics, antiseptics, anesthetics, astringents, and whitening agents. The present invention also includes various methods for the manufacture and use of interdental cleaning devices comprising a porous structural component that may be used to topically or locally deliver the pharmacologic and therapeutic agents according to the present invention to a desired target tissue within a mammalian body such as the interdental space to reduce or treat gingival infection, inflammation, or pain.

Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket for captivating an archwire with a tooth. The bracket includes a bracket body mountable to a tooth and a self-ligating mechanism having an archwire slot and a ligating slide. The ligating slide is movable between an open position in which an archwire is insertable into the archwire slot and a closed position in which the archwire is retained in the archwire slot. The bracket body may be formed from a non-metallic material, such as a polymer, a filled polymer composite, or a ceramic, and the self-ligating mechanism may be formed from a metal. The bracket may include a resilient engagement member with a detent positioned to engage an aperture or throughhole extending through the ligating slide when the ligating slide is in the closed position.

Abstract: Endodontic instruments for use in performing root canal therapy on a tooth are disclosed. In one form, the instruments include an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. The shank comprises a titanium alloy, and the shank is prepared by heat-treating the shank at a temperature above 25° C. in an atmosphere consisting essentially of a gas unreactive with the shank. In another form, the endodontic instruments have an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. The shank consists essentially of a titanium alloy selected from alpha-titanium alloys, beta-titanium alloys, and alpha-beta-titanium alloys. The instruments solve the problems encountered when cleaning and enlarging a curved root canal.

Abstract: A dental handpiece uses a single airflow input to drive both a rotor and provide a hydrostatic bearing. The fluid flow in the form of compressed air is applied first to the hydrostatic bearings and then subsequently to the turbine blades of the rotor without the use of any moving mechanical parts by the design of the air passageway being more direct for the hydrostatic bearing. This passageway is the form of a manifold insert which may be mounted within the handpiece. The handpiece includes a pair of frusto-conical cages separated by a C-shaped spacer which enables precise fabrication. The frusto-conical ends of the rotor and the mating frusto-conical inner surfaces of the cages are provided with a diamond like carbon coating.

Abstract: An active dental attachment. Specifically, an attachment device for interacting with a polymeric shell dental appliance is described. The attachment device includes an anchoring attachment body. A bonding surface is coupled to the anchoring attachment body, wherein the bonding surface is configured for anchoring the anchoring attachment body to a dental feature of a patient's dentition. A force-applying active mechanism is coupled to the anchoring attachment body. A polymeric shell dental appliance contact region is coupled to the force-applying active mechanism. The polymeric shell dental appliance contact region is configured to contact the force-applying active mechanism and apply a force generated by the force-applying active mechanism between the dental feature and the polymeric shell dental appliance when the polymeric shell dental appliance engages the force-applying active mechanism.

Abstract: A digital orthodontic treatment planning system provides a practitioner with digital representations of at least a part of a tooth of a patient and at least part of a coupling matrix within a three-dimensional environment. By interacting with the system, orthodontic practitioners are able to visualize a coupling matrix that results from a specific orthodontic appliance position relative to a tooth of the patient's dental arch. The digital representation of the coupling matrix represents a substance, such as a cured adhesive, that connects an orthodontic appliance to a tooth of a patient. The system determines a thickness of at least a portion of the coupling matrix. In one embodiment, the system indicates the total thickness via a thickness map, such as a color-coded thickness map. In another embodiment, the system indicates a deviation from a baseline thickness via a thickness map.