Abstract: Systems and methods of developing and tracking delivery and patient progression through an orthodontic treatment plan. One method includes identifying deviations from an orthodontic treatment plan, including receiving a digital representation of an actual arrangement of a patient's teeth after an orthodontic treatment plan has begun for the patient and prior to completion of the orthodontic treatment plan. The method further includes comparing the actual arrangement to a pre-determined planned arrangement to determine if the actual arrangement substantially deviates from the planned arrangement, the comparing including matching teeth from a previously segmented model to a surface of an unsegmented representation of the actual arrangement; and calculating one or more positional differences between the actual and planned arrangements of at least some of the corresponding teeth.

Abstract: The present invention provides an orthodontic appliance having a load applying mechanism. To correct malocclusion, the load applying mechanism may include a projection fixed to the specified tooth in the teeth so as to project from the specified tooth in the teeth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustable dental implant bar system. There is provided a dental implant bar which can be adjusted and which may have articulated and telescopic arms and which can be further secured to implant heads already installed in the patient's mouth or alternatively on a manufactured model made with computerized surgical simulation software or using a conventional dental printing system with transfers.

Abstract: A supply pipe for connecting an instrument for dental or surgical use to a control and supply unit contains fluid conduits and electric lines and includes at a front end a universal coupling for connecting different types of the instrument in a removable manner to part or all of the conduits and lines. The universal coupling includes fluid connectors coupled to conduits and electric connectors coupled to lines, wherein each of the connectors occupies a place on a front face of the universal coupling. The supply pipe contains at least one additional electric line including an additional conductor which is not coupled to one of the electric connectors, but to one of the fluid connectors of the universal coupling, wherein the dual function connector is arranged to provide a choice between a fluid connection, an electric connection or both.

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: An orthodontic bracket is disclosed having three archwire retention channels in the mesial-distal directions, a central channel and two side channels. The two side channels each include a pair of spaced apart inverted archwire retaining regions having a recess that opens generally towards the bracket base. Each such recess is for grasping or holding an archwire therein. Each of the side channels has an archwire retaining ridge extending gingivally-occlusally along the adjacent side of the bracket base between the two retaining regions of the channel. For each channel, its retaining ridge exerts a force on a portion of an archwire facing away from the archwire portion residing in the recesses of the retaining regions of the channel. The force on the archwire is directed toward the interiors of the recesses of the retaining regions for assisting in seating the archwire in the recesses.

Abstract: An upper denture release apparatus and method of use. A denture puller has a chin rest, arm attached to the chin rest, and a hook attached to an end of the arm opposite the chin rest. An upper denture has a notch sized and located to admit the hook when a wearer's chin rests on the chin rest. The method includes the steps of resting a wearer's chin on the chin rest, inserting the hook into the upper denture notch, and opening the wearer's mouth, thus pulling the upper denture off the wearer's upper gum. Arm length adjustment is shown, whereby the denture puller may be adjusted to fit differently-sized upper denture wearers. Preferred hook declination, hook toe, arm and notch floor angles are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is an extractor for roots of broken teeth. This extractor has a square head spiral. That square head spiral has a spiral anchor and a square head with optional depressions in the sides of that square head. In that square head opposite the spiral anchor is a threaded hole. Included is a generally cubical square head socket with a lower square opening. There is a centrally located passage through the top of that generally cubical square head socket. The invention also has a thumb screw device with a rotator knob part and a threaded section. In operation the square head spiral anchor is screwed into the patient's broken tooth and the cubical square head socket is placed over the square head. The rotator knob part is threaded into the square head threaded hole. The extractor for roots of broken teeth is ready to remove the root of the broken tooth. The square head socket may have an extension. The invention includes a process for removing roots of broken teeth using the above device.

Abstract: A new and useful orthodontic clasp that is more resistant to breakage, and when in use is unlikely to separate from its associated orthodontic appliance should breakage occur, comprising two metal wires crossed at an angle and held together with a weld/solder joint, said weld/solder joint having four wire segments extending from said two metal wires crossed at the weld/solder joint, two of said wire segments adjacent and longer in length and two of said wire segments adjacent and shorter in length, said four wire segments each having a clasp wire bend.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a drill template, comprising: a base body made by casting or rapid prototyping; at least one reinforced portion made by casting or rapid prototyping; and at least one guiding hole within the at least one reinforced portion made by drilling or milling. furthermore, the present invention concerns a method of manufacturing a drill template, comprising the steps of: forming a base body by casting or rapid prototyping; forming at least one reinforced portion by casting or rapid prototyping; and forming at least one guiding hole within the at least one reinforced portion by drilling or milling.

Abstract: A device for forming a bone bed for dental implants having a head composed of crystal of partially stabilized zirconium dioxide with a nanostructure having a crystallographic axis that coincides with the axis of the bone bed forming device. The head has cutting elements formed as a rotatable plate. The plate has two broad facets formed by circular arcs that are convex relative to the axis of bone bed forming device. Transition from one of the convex circular arc to another convex circular arc is smoothed by circular arcs that are concave relative to the axis of bone bed forming device. Grooves form first and second cutting members with narrow facets of the plate. The head has an end part shaped as a truncated sphere possessing a recess formed by two planes arranged at an angle of 90° relative to each other and passing through the truncated sphere center and two points belonging to two diagonally arranged plate ribs.

Abstract: A template for drilling channels in a dental alveolar ridge to receive dental implants wherein interchangeable drilling guides are precisely located in a manner that each channel is formed with successive drills that are guided in the same predetermined location, axial inclination and penetration depth in the alveolar ridge.

Abstract: An abutment clip for use in a dental implant system for orienting an abutment relative to features on a patient's teeth and jawbone so that a prosthesis, which is attachable to the abutment, will be correctly oriented. The abutment clip comprises a housing that includes a chamber sized to receive the abutment therein. The housing has at least one position indicator provided at one end thereof. The dentist engages the abutment clip over the abutment when it is still attached to a manufacturer's plaster model. He notes the position of the indicator on the housing in reference to features on the model and then detaches the abutment clip, abutment and abutment screw as a unit from the model. The combined abutment clip, abutment and screw are then positioned on an implant post in the patient's jaw bone and the position indicator is used to verify the orientation of the abutment before it is secured to the implant post.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth, and dental matrices, dental wedges, interdental matrix stabilizers, dental separator rings, dental curing light devices, and kits that can be used in the methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth.

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: Low profile self-ligating orthodontic brackets and methods of using such orthodontic brackets. The bracket includes a bracket body, a latching member, and a hinge pin pivotally coupling a hinged end of the latching member with the bracket body. The hinge pin, which is made of a resilient material, is configured to flex so that a portion of the latching member can be engaged with a recess defined in the bracket body to couple the non-hinged end of the latching member with the bracket body.

Abstract: Methods of selecting or designing an implant to be used in a patient are provided. A CT scan of a patient's mouth is performed. A 3D CAD model of the patient's mouth is created utilizing data generated by the CT scan. Properties of the patient's mouth are determined based upon CT scan data and assigned to the 3D CAD model. A desired location for an implant is selected. A FEA simulation is performed on the 3D CAD model to choose an implant or to design an implant that optimizes a selected variable.

Abstract: A system comprises a computer appliance designed to receive, and to present on screen, first information transmitted from identification equipment and based on detection of a jaw bone structure. Modification information which can be introduced into the computer appliance shows a visual dental bridge structure applied on the jaw bone structure with associated teeth and dentine. Orientations for implants are also shown. The computer appliance produces a CAD file which is based on the first information and the modification information. The file is received in a stereolithography machine which issues second information which can be processed in the equipment for production of the physical template which includes through-bores for sleeves which define implant orientation. A working model is produced with the aid of the physical template. The invention also relates to an arrangement of a template produced by stereolithography and by means of information from the computer appliance.

Abstract: A healing abutment includes a main body portion and a coupling portion. The main body portion has an inclined section that is inclined such that at least a part of a gum contact portion that contacts a gum when coupled to a fixture that is implanted into an alveolar bone has an outer diameter that decreases from a lower end toward an upper end. The coupling portion is coupled to the main body portion to detachably couple the main body portion to the fixture.

Abstract: 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 device may be a toothbrush that generates chemical agents in a user's mouth by applying an electrical potential to an electrolyte such as saliva and/or a dentifrice located therein. The chemical agents may include ozone, hydrogen peroxide, peroxide, chlorine and/or hypochlorite. The toothbrush may include a voltage source and a first set of electrodes for applying an electrical potential to the electrolyte. The toothbrush 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.