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: 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.

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 universal attachment device configured to be secured to a tooth for engagement with a removable dental positioning appliance including a base including a lateral surface including a plurality of faces for effecting a plurality of repositioning forces on a tooth, wherein when the device is engaged with the appliance and when the base is secured to the tooth, one of the repositioning forces is effected upon the tooth and at least one of the other repositioning forces are not effected upon the tooth. A method of using the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for the cleaning of a circumferentially closed canal by means of a light guide conducting a laser beam, wherein the entry of the laser beam into the light guide is interrupted when the free end of the light guide is outside of the canal and/or the movement of the light guide within the canal is monitored and if there is no movement or the movement is below a first threshold value then a signal is triggered and/or the laser radiation is turned off or its output is reduced, and wherein the turning off of the laser radiation or its reducing is controlled in dependency of at least one signal change and/or a second threshold and/or a signal change relative to the second threshold determined during at least one course of time starting before and including the entry of the light guide into the canal.

Abstract: A partial dental arch is provided with dentin material and with cutting material and a boundary area therebetween. It includes a primary-position tooth region and additional tooth regions which are arranged more distally. A wavy structure of the boundary area is provided whose amplitude—when viewed in the distal direction—decreases in at least one section of the mesial-distal and/or occlusal-gingival extension, in particular with regard to the occlusal-gingival direction.

Abstract: A dental implant assembly containing an integrally-formed universal abutment which has a top section, a bottom section integrally joined to the top section, and a passageway extending through these sections. The passageway is formed by different size bores, initially a larger size than decrease in size. The top section of the abutment has a cross-sectional shape substantially like a polygon; the shape is formed by alternating linear and arcuate walls joining to a bottom section having a cross-sectional shape substantially like a polygon.

Abstract: A tooth moving device 1 according to the present invention comprises: a track part 6 extending from a mesial end 4 to a distal end 5 along a palate-side teeth alignment; a sliding part 7, slidably attached to the track part 6, and engaging with a holding member 51 attached to a maxillary posterior tooth; a lock part 8 fixed to the track part 6 close to the mesial end 4 relative to the sliding part 7; an elastic part 9 intervening between the lock part 8 and the sliding part 7 to bias the sliding part 7 toward the distal end; and anchoring part 2 and 3, anchored to an implanted member 53 implanted into a palate, and connected to the distal end 5.

Abstract: Provided is a method of forming a customized alveolar bone tissue. The method includes obtaining first data having image information corresponding to an original alveolar bone of an alveolar bone defect, obtaining second data having image information on a defective portion of the alveolar bone defect, calculating third data having image information on a barrier membrane covering the alveolar bone defect by using the first data and the second data, and forming a barrier membrane artificial tissue corresponding to the barrier membrane by using the third data.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for producing appliances for expansion of the arch of a patient are provided. An arch expanding appliance comprises a force generating portion to apply an arch expansion force and a retention portion to hold the force generating portion on the teeth. The retention portion comprises a flexible portion and a stiff portion. The force generating portion applies a force to move teeth associated with the flexible portion, while the stiff portion resists movement of its associated teeth. The orthodontic appliances can be designed according to the specifications provided herein and manufactured using direct fabrication methods.

Abstract: Polymeric shell appliances are provided in which the polymeric shell appliances are configured to provide one or more activation forces to facilitate tooth movement. In many embodiments, the activation forces are arranged to provide force in a direction opposite to an intended direction of 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: A lip advancer is presented for preventing proclining or tipping forward of the lower incisors that causes relapse and gingival recession in retention with forward intermaxillary elastic traction that extends diagonally from posterior bracket hooks in the lower arch anchored to hooks on upper anchorage appliances. In one embodiment, the lip advancer is comprised of an invisible clear liner type plastic retainer for use with a dental arch, and a bumper extending labially from the retainer for pressing against the patient's lip causing the lip muscles to react pushing back with an opposite force thus preventing the anterior teeth from flaring labially. In another embodiment, for use with a plurality of brackets and an archwire, the lip advancer comprises an auxiliary archwire extending from and in contact with the brackets, and a bumper formed on the auxiliary archwire for applying pressure labially to a corresponding lip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dental suction device (10) for suctioning liquids and particles from an oral cavity of a patient, with a tubular hollow base body (12) having an inner surface (14), an outer surface (16), a longitudinal axis (X-X), a connection opening (18) for a hose, and a suction opening (20). In the course of the extent of the base body (12), an objective (50) is provided, which can be connected to a monitor (40), and by means of which the image taken by the objective (50) can be displayed.

Abstract: A deburr tool and processes to smooth spires on dentures after an adjustment by the dentist for a proper fit are presented. The deburr tool may have a deburr element comprised of soapstone or chalk, and the deburr element may have a variety of geometric shapes. For example, it may be spherically shaped, parabolic shaped, triangular shaped, cylindrical shaped with and an outer face between a one side and an other side, or rectangular shaped. Appling the one or more outer faces, surfaces, or edges of soapstone to the spires and using a rotary or reciprocating motion, the spires may be smoothed to provide a comfortable fit. The deburr element may have a holding element with a distal end and an other end connected to the deburr element and configured to use in an individuals hand or may be configured to insert in a rotary or reciprocating machine.

Abstract: A series of appliances including a first shell and a second shell can be designed to incrementally implement a treatment plan. The first and second shells can have cavities designed to receive teeth of a jaw. A first number of bite adjustment structures can be formed of a same material as the first shell, extending therefrom and designed to interface with teeth of a second jaw. The first number of bite adjustment structures can have a first shape and location specific to a first stage of the treatment plan. A second number of bite adjustment structures can be formed of a same material as the second shell, extending therefrom and designed to interface with teeth of the second jaw. The second number of bite adjustment structures can have a second shape and location, different than the first shape and location, specific to a second stage of the treatment plan.

Abstract: A method of converting an air/water dental syringe of the type having a syringe body and an autoclavable dental tip and lacking illumination into a converted air/water dental syringe adapted to be used with a disposable dental tip different from the autoclavable dental tip and with illumination capabilities includes using a conversion kit having a retainer body and a self-contained module. The syringe body is attached to a proximal end of the retainer body through a proximal opening for providing air and water. A proximal end is inserted into a distal opening of the retainer body. The self-contained module includes a light-emitting diode (LED), a battery powering the LED, and a switch to turn the LED ON and OFF. Light emitted from the LED provides illumination through a light opening on an outer surface of the retainer body generally towards a distal end of the disposable dental tip.

Abstract: A dental appliance having an integrally formed reservoir and/or an ornamental design integrated thereon. The ornamental design can be selected or customized by a patient. The design can be created by directing energy to the dental appliance to alter a material property of at least a portion of the appliance to create the design. Alternatively, a groove or recess can be formed on a surface of the appliance to either mechanically retain an ornamental design or the groove or recess can be filled with ink to form the design. The appliance, including the integrally formed reservoir, can be formed using direct fabrication techniques.

Abstract: Systems and methods of remote orthodontic treatment include receiving a plurality of images from a customer where the plurality of images represent teeth of the customer, receiving a first approval from a staff computing device where the first approval is indicative of a staff user approving the plurality of images for assessment by a dental professional, receiving a second approval from a provider computing device where the second approval is indicative of the provider approving a fitness of the customer for treatment, generating, in response to receiving the second approval, a treatment plan including a series of steps to reposition at least one tooth of the teeth of the customer, and manufacturing one or more aligners based at least in part on the treatment plan where the aligners are specific to the customer and are configured to reposition the at least one tooth of the teeth of the customer.

Abstract: Disclosed are to a plasma enhancement member, and a plasma supplying apparatus and a medical instrument including the same. The plasma enhancement member includes a coupling part coupled to an apparatus for generating plasma, an enhancement material accommodating part configured to accommodate an enhancement material for enhancing an operation of the plasma, and a plasma discharge part configured to discharge the plasma including the enhancement material.

Abstract: An aligner utilizes a magnetic interaction to reposition teeth. The aligner includes an inner layer sized and shaped to correspond to an exterior of a dental mold for an arrangement of teeth. The aligner includes an aligner magnet coupled to an exterior of the inner layer. The aligner includes an outer layer sized and shaped to correspond to an exterior of the inner layer and the aligner magnet. The inner layer is received within the outer layer and the aligner magnet is between the inner layer and the outer layer. The aligner magnet is positioned to magnetically interact with a magnetizable component attached to a select one of the teeth.