Abstract: Appliances for intraoral delivery of agents are provided. In some embodiments, an appliance includes a shell having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining a plurality of tooth-receiving cavities configured to apply a repositioning force to a patient's teeth, and the outer surface oriented away from the patient's teeth. The appliance can also include a reservoir integrally formed in the outer surface of the shell, the reservoir being configured to store at least one agent. The appliance can further include a membrane covering at least a portion of the reservoir to control release of the agent into an intraoral cavity of the patient. The membrane can include a plurality of pores that are configured to open based at least in part on a temperature of the patient's intraoral cavity to allow the at least one agent to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A mouth mirror apparatus includes a carrier seat that has first and second receiving spaces and multiple outlet passages embedded in a surrounding wall and intercommunicating the first and second receiving spaces. The mouth mirror apparatus further includes a handle grip cooperating with the carrier seat to define an air inlet passage that communicates with the second receiving space, a mirror body rotatably disposed in the first receiving space, and an impeller connected to the mirror body and driven by air which flows from the air inlet passage. Through combination of the mirror body, the impeller, and the arrangement of the air outlet passages, the mouth mirror apparatus can direct air current to render different functions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dental object (100), having an adhering region (103) for attaching the dental object (100) to a tooth, teeth (105) or the gums, including an array (101) of suction cups (107-1, . . . , 107-n).

Abstract: A comparative orthodontic treatment planning tool that can provide multiple treatment plan options based on a single initial tooth data set. A user can use the treatment planning tool to select a treatment plan based on factors, including cost, treatment duration, treatment complexity, and material or feature selection. Tooth arrangements at different treatment stages can be compared. In some cases, a tooth arrangement at one treatment stage can be superimposed over a tooth arrangement at a different treatment stage or over a tooth arrangement from a different treatment plan.

Abstract: An adjustable denture retention system may include an elongated baseplate configured for adjustable longitudinal positioning within a mouth of a patient. The baseplate may be adapted to magnetically engage a denture in order to retain the denture in place in the mouth without the use of an adhesive. The denture may include one or more magnets and the baseplate may include a ferromagnetic material. The system may include spacers for engaging permanent dental implants within the patient's mouth and for spacing the baseplate from the gingiva to promote dental hygiene. A number of spacers of different heights allows for an adjustable height of the baseplate above the gingiva regardless of the thickness of the gingiva.

Abstract: Methods for designing orthodontic appliances for repositioning a patient's teeth are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes determining a movement path to move one or more teeth from an initial arrangement to a target arrangement, determining a force system to produce movement of the one or more teeth along the movement path, and determining an appliance geometry for an orthodontic appliance configured to produce the force system. The orthodontic appliance can include an outer shell comprising a plurality of teeth-receiving cavities and an inner structure positioned on an inner surface of the outer shell. The inner structure can have an elastic modulus different than an elastic modulus of the outer shell. The method can also include generating instructions for directly fabricating the orthodontic appliance using a layer-by-layer additive manufacturing technique.

Abstract: Systems for modeling a patient's teeth are provided. In some embodiments, a system includes a scanner operable to capture a scanned image of at least a portion of a surface of a first crown component of a first patient tooth, and to generate scanned image data representing a partial portion of the surface of the first crown component. The system can also include a processor configured to create a digital data set representing the scanned image data, select a digital tooth template that includes a second digital crown portion corresponding to the scanned image, create a morphed digital tooth crown model based on the selected digital tooth template, and merge the morphed digital tooth crown model with the digital data set representing the scanned image data of the first patient tooth to generate a complete digital patient tooth crown model.

Abstract: Ultrasonic devices, systems, and methods for orthodontic treatment performed with aligners are described. Such devices, systems, and methods are to provide multiplicative treatment duration shortening for patients under orthodontic treatment with aligners, such as clear aligners. Communication of desired ultrasound treatment can be communicated from an aligner to an ultrasound device by a communication module using an identification number on the aligner and entering the identification number into the system, an identification number on an external document and entering the identification number into the system, a scannable code and code reader, and an assessment by a dentist and entering the assessment into the system, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) transponder and RFID reader, a change in material properties of the aligner and reading the material properties, or a change in optical properties and reading the optical properties.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating a treatment plan for arch expansion where a polymeric shell appliance is utilized to generate one or more activation forces that facilitate tooth movement. The polymeric shell appliances may comprise one or more tooth receiving cavities, in which each of the plurality of tooth receiving cavities is shaped and arranged to provide a counter moment of each of the plurality of teeth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dental prosthesis forming block (10) for producing a dental prosthesis (50). The forming block having a pin (20) with a self-tapping outer thread, which is arranged on a first surface (11) of the dental prosthesis forming block (10). The invention further relates to a method for producing a dental prosthesis (50). In this method the dental prosthesis block (10) is provided and the dental prosthesis (50) is produced by removing material from the dental prosthesis forming block (10) by a CAD/CAM method, such that the pin (20) forms part of the finished dental prosthesis (50).

Abstract: Provided is a non-incisional dental implant surgical method, and more particularly, a non-incisional dental implant surgical method using a guide pin, whereby a dental implant surgery may be conducted accurately by easily determining an outer shape of an alveolar bone of a patient, into which an implant fixture is to be placed, when forming an implant hole in the alveolar bone and placing the implant fixture in the implant hole to place an implant in the alveolar bone of the patient.

Abstract: A dental appliance includes a first polymeric shell portion having one or more cavities shaped therein to removably conform to one or more teeth. The dental positioning appliance further includes at least one spacer. At least one spacer is coupled to the first polymeric shell portion. The dental appliance can also have a first arch member coupled to the at least one spacer and configured to provide at least some of a force needed to reposition one or more teeth from a first orientation to a second orientation different from the first orientation.

Abstract: Methods for generating orthodontic models having bite adjustment structures may include generating orthodontic treatment plan comprising a plurality of stages by positioning a plurality of digital bite adjustment structures on a corresponding plurality of anterior digital teeth of a digital model of a jaw at a first stage of a treatment plan, adjusting the position of the plurality of digital bite adjustment structures on the corresponding plurality of anterior digital teeth of the digital model of the jaw at a second stage of the treatment plan according to changes to the digital model of the jaw between the first stage of the treatment plan and the second stage of the treatment plan, and providing the digital model of the jaw for fabrication of physical models corresponding to the jaw at the first and the second stages of the treatment plan for formation of appliances thereover.

Abstract: This invention relates to a negative pressure irrigation system including one or more negative pressure irrigation needles sized for insertion into a canal of a tooth, each needle having a closed distal end and two suction inlet ports located opposite one another immediately proximal to the closed distal end. The needles are placed in communication with a dental vacuum system by way of a suction manifold. An irrigant inlet tube supplies irrigant from an irrigant container into a pulp chamber or a tooth. The irrigant inlet tube may include a tapered end designed to tightly fit into a lateral irrigant supply port previously drilled into the pulp chamber. A light-cure polymer seals the inlet tube and needles when in use.

Abstract: A dental retainer including one or more of a retaining body having a plurality of dental impressions to receive teeth, a pair of passthrough openings adapted to allow passage of one or more molars, premolars, and canines, and an aperture disposed adjacent the lingual surface of the incisors.

Abstract: A method for adjusting/monitoring an orthodontic appliance worn by a patient. Creating a numerical three-dimensional reference model of at least a part of a patient's arch. Creating a numerical three-dimensional reference model of the teeth of the at least a part of the patient's arch. Acquiring at least one updated image, under actual acquisition conditions, and searching, by deformation of the initial reference model, for an updated reference model corresponding to the positioning of the teeth during the acquisition of the updated image. Determining, depending a comparison model corresponding to an anticipated positioning of the teeth, a comparison model. Comparing the updated reference model with the comparison model. If comparison leads to an unsatisfactory result, creation of a replacement orthodontic appliance, by modification of the orthodontic appliance worn or by creation of a new orthodontic appliance, the replacement orthodontic appliance being configured accordingly.

Abstract: A dental instrument for use with a dental handpiece cleans and disinfects tooth root canals. The instrument includes a shaft and connector for releasable attachment to the handpiece, the shaft including at least a tip end, a distal portion approximate to the connector, and at least two radial protrusions extending along length of the shaft with a longitudinal groove extending between the at least two radial protrusions.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating orthodontic appliances are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes determining an appliance geometry for an orthodontic appliance. The appliance geometry can include a plurality of power arms including a first power arm having a first connection point for connecting to a shell, and a second power arm having a second connection point for connecting to the shell or a tooth. The appliance geometry can also include an elongate connecting structure coupled to the first and second power arms, and an elongate counter-force connector coupled to the first power arm and extending toward the second power arm. The elongate connecting structure and the elongate counter-force connector can be coupled to the first power arm at respective locations separate from the first connection point. The elongate connecting structure can be coupled to the second power arm at a location separate from the second connection point.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance may include an outer shell having a plurality of cavities shaped to receive the patient's teeth and generate one or more of a force or a torque in response to the appliance being worn on the patient's teeth. The orthodontic appliance may also include an inner structure having a stiffness different than a stiffness of the outer shell. The inner structure can be positioned on an inner surface of the outer shell in order to distribute the one or more of a force or a torque to at least one tooth received within the plurality of cavities.

Abstract: A system includes a dental appliance having a polymeric shell with a plurality of cavities for receiving one or more teeth; and a biocompatible cosmetic aqueous liquid in the cavities of the polymeric shell of the dental appliance. The aqueous liquid includes a viscosity modifier chosen from a water compatible polymer, a polysaccharide, a silica compound, and mixtures and combinations thereof, a tooth re-mineralizing agent, and water. The aqueous liquid is substantially free of tooth whitening agents and fluoride, and has a refractive index of greater than 1.3 at room temperature.