Patents Examined by Nicholas Lucchesi
  • Patent number: 9918808
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dental post for supporting dental prostheses by a screw attachment and method for the manufacture thereof which provides a customizable optimum solution for each case, both from the mechanical viewpoint and from the aesthetic viewpoint, essentially comprising an upper hole into which the retaining screw is screwed for retaining the prosthesis on the post such that the upper hole can be located at any point of the surface of the post once said post has been customized in terms of the shape thereof and type of retention to the prosthesis depending on the mechanical and aesthetic needs of the type of rehabilitation suitable for each particular case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: PHIBO DENTAL SOLUTIONS, S.L.
    Inventors: Francisco Javier Garcia Saban, Francesc Alsina Font, Daniel Aguilar Garcia
  • Patent number: 9913992
    Abstract: An oral treatment device that emits light onto surfaces of a user's teeth. In one aspect, the oral treatment device includes an intraoral mouthpiece comprising: a lamp support surface; and a lamp. When the lamp is mounted to the lamp support surface, a first contact surface of the lamp contacts a first contact surface of a first electrical contact element of the lamp support surface; and (2) a second contact surface of the lamp contacts a second contact surface of a second electrical contact element of the lamp support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Scott Demarest, Francis Tatu, Mark Bartlett, Scott Mosby, Mark Lowenthal
  • Patent number: 9913701
    Abstract: A method for digital archiving and manufacturing of dental prosthetics and a prosthesis, and teaching and training for the method are provided. The method mainly includes the following steps: preoperative scanning: creating a first digital model file; optical positioning and turning treatment: creating a second digital model file from a turning process; physical model calculation: creating reversely an autologous crown model file of a patient; and fixed denture manufacturing: manufacturing, according to the second digital model file and the autologous crown model file, a fixed denture that meets needs of the patient, so that an inner layer structure of a crown of the fixed denture can be tightly bound to an abutment, and it may be decided to retain an original crown contour according to needs. A tooth model based on a teaching digital model file can be used for teaching and training of a trainee with the foregoing method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignees: EPED INC.
    Inventors: Ta-Ko Huang, Jerry T. Huang
  • Patent number: 9901418
    Abstract: A rotatable endodontic file for cleaning/shaping a tooth root canal, comprising: an elongated shaft having a proximal end portion, a distal end and a tapered working portion having a rotational axis, the working portion extending from said proximal portion to said distal end; the external surface of said shaft working portion having a plurality of at least two spirals, a parallelogram-shaped cross section that has an axis of rotation that is asymmetric such that the center of mass (centroid) is not along the file axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: DENTSPLY SIRONA, INC.
    Inventors: Vincent Shotton, Dan Ammon
  • Patent number: 9901256
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting early stage dental caries and decays are provided. In particular, in an embodiment, laser-induced autofluorescence (AF) from multiple excitation wavelengths is obtained and analyzed. Endogenous fluorophores residing in the enamel naturally fluoresce when illuminated by wavelengths ranging from ultraviolet into the visible spectrum. The relative intensities of the AF emission changes between different excitation wavelengths when the enamel changes from healthy to demineralized. By taking a ratio of AF emission spectra integrals between different excitation wavelengths, a standard is created wherein changes in AF ratios within a tooth are quantified and serve as indicators of early stage enamel demineralization. The techniques described herein may be used in conjunction with a scanning fiber endoscope (SFE) to provide a reliable, safe and low-cost means for identifying dental caries or decays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON THROUGH ITS CENTER FOR COMMERCIALIZATION
    Inventors: Eric J. Seibel, Liang Zhang, Richard S. Johnston, Charles D. Melville, Leonard Nelson, Cameron M. Lee, Joel Berg
  • Patent number: 9901744
    Abstract: An oral treatment device that emits light onto surfaces of a user's teeth. In one aspect, the oral treatment device includes an intraoral mouthpiece. The mouthpiece may comprise a lamp support structure comprising a lamp support surface; first and second lamps, each of the first and second lamps comprising a plurality of light emitters that generate light which is emitted from a rear surface of the lamp; each of the first and second lamps mounted to the lamp support surface, thereby forming a lamp assembly, each of the first and second lamps operably coupled to a control circuit having a power source; and a lamp retaining component coupled to the lamp support structure, a lower portion of the first lamp and an upper portion of the second lamp retained between the lamp retaining component and the lamp support surface of the lamp support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Scott Demarest, Francis Tatu, Mark Bartlett, Evaristo Delgado, Kathryn Neal, Patrik Johansson, Mark Lowenthal
  • Patent number: 9901422
    Abstract: Disclosed are a dental wire supporter, which supports an orthodontic wire and limits the movement of the orthodontic wire in a predetermined direction, and an orthodontic device (orthodontic system) having the same. The dental wire supporter includes a limiter having a wire hole into which an orthodontic wire is inserted, and a support base provided at the limiter in order to fix the limiter to a tooth. One side of the wire hole is blocked and an opposite side of the wire hole is open so that the limiter supports the end of the orthodontic wire in a longitudinal direction of the orthodontic wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Inventors: Soon Yong Kwon, Ji Min Kwon, Yong Min Kwon
  • Patent number: 9901332
    Abstract: Cheek retraction devices including an upper frame element configured to bear against and retract soft oral tissue from one or more teeth of an upper dental arch, a lower frame element configured to bear against and retract soft oral tissue from one or more teeth of a lower dental arch. The upper and lower frame elements may each include left and right frame portions wherein the upper and lower left frame portions are joined to one another to form a v-shaped hinge on one side of the frame, while upper and lower right frame portions are joined to one another to form a v-shaped hinge on another side of the frame. The v-shaped hinges on opposed sides permit the upper and lower frame elements to be at least partially folded toward each other. A posterior frame element may be provided extending between the v-shaped hinges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ultradent Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil T. Jessop, Bruce S. McLean, Craig Hines
  • Patent number: 9895208
    Abstract: A prosthetic retention system for edentulous patients comprising a prefabricated bar and two implants; where the said bar consists of a tubular central piece that has a round or ovoid cross section and two hollow capsules at its ends; and where the implants are formed by one single piece, with an upper zone that connects to the bar and a lower zone that is introduced into the patient's bone tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: UNIVERSIDAD DE CONCEPCION
    Inventor: Jorge Antonio Jofre Araya
  • Patent number: 9895206
    Abstract: An adjustable orthodontic bracket includes a metal base adapted to be rigidly secured directly to a tooth by a relatively thin layer of an orthodontic adhesive. This relatively thin layer of heat softening material fastens an orthodontic bracket directly to a tooth and subsequently heats the orthodontic material with a digital laser that allows the polymer material to reproduce a liquidous surface for adjusting the position of the bracket so that the bracket can be adjusted in all directions around the base member without overlapping the periphery of the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Inventor: Mohammad Izadi
  • Patent number: 9888987
    Abstract: A dental blank is provided for yielding a metal frame having a desired shape according to a dental CAD/CAM system and a machining process. The dental blank is formed from a metal powder sintered body and contains Co as a main component, Cr in a proportion of 26% by mass or more and 35% by mass or less, Mo in a proportion of 5% by mass or more and 12% by mass or less, and Si in a proportion of 0.5% by mass or more and 1.0% by mass or less. Further, part of the Si is silicon oxide, and the ratio of the silicon oxide to the total amount of Si is preferably 10% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hidefumi Nakamura, Yukihiko Shiohara
  • Patent number: 9889315
    Abstract: An oral treatment device that emits light onto a user's teeth. The oral treatment device includes an intraoral mouthpiece comprising: a lamp comprising: a flexible sheet body having a front surface and a rear surface; and a plurality of light emitting diodes embedded within the flexible sheet body that generate light which is emitted from the rear surface of the flexible sheet body. The flexible sheet body comprises: a flexible lens plate formed of a biocompatible material. The plurality of light emitting diodes are printed to the front surface of the flexible lens plate, the rear surface of the flexible lens plate forming the rear surface of the flexible sheet body. The rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the lamp having a concave curvature and being exposed so as to form a light emitting surface of the mouthpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Scott Demarest, Francis Tatu, Mark Bartlett, Scott Mosby, Mark Lowenthal
  • Patent number: 9877799
    Abstract: The present invention is a hand-held device for dispensing multiple controlled dosage of powered material having a main body, a cavity in the main body constructed and arranged to be operatively associated with an actuator for dispensing a medicament, an actuator constructed and arranged for dispensing said medicament from said cavity through a delivery device, and a tip attached to said second end of said main body, wherein said tip is constructed and arranged at a fixed angle relative to said main body to facilitate periodontal delivery of a medicament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: PharmaPhD, Inc.
    Inventor: Max Arocha
  • Patent number: 9877801
    Abstract: A dental apparatus is disclosed. The dental apparatus can comprise a pressure wave generator to be disposed at a treatment region of a tooth. The pressure wave generator can include an opening to deliver a flowable filling material to the treatment region. The apparatus can include a reservoir for supplying the filling material to the pressure wave generator. The pressure wave generator can be configured to generate pressure waves through the treatment region to cause the filling material to substantially fill the treatment region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: SONENDO, INC.
    Inventors: Mehrzad Khakpour, Bjarne Bergheim
  • Patent number: 9877809
    Abstract: The invention relates to an abutment system (200) for use in the area of the front teeth and premolars, with an abutment base (102) which comprises a first interface (107) for placement on an implant and a second interface (123) for fixing a crown or suprastructure. The abutment base (102) has a scalloped top side (104) and the implant defines an implant axis (AI). The abutment base (102) has a three-dimensional shape which is designed asymmetrically relative to the implant axis (AI). Moreover, it has a lateral surface region (111) which has a concave shape when viewed in a vertical section. Additionally, the abutment system (200) comprises a separate prosthetic post (210) which can be fixed in the area of the scalloped top side (104) of the abutment base (102), wherein the prosthetic post (210) extends coaxially to the implant axis (AI) when fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: OLISTA AG
    Inventors: Oliver Hanisch, Stefan Paul
  • Patent number: 9872744
    Abstract: The orthodontic bracket includes a base and a bracket body extending from the base. The bracket body includes a lower labial surface on which a first indicia is displayed and a plurality of tie-wings extending from corner portions of the base on which a second indicia is displayed. The labial surfaces face the patients lips, once positioned on the patient's tooth. The first indicia can be a number corresponding to a specific tooth in a patient's mouth to which the bracket is designed to attach. The second indicia can be a dot positioned on a tie-wing associated with a specific quadrant of the patient's mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: KING SAUD UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mohammed Taher Mulla Akram Bukhary, Ferdous Mohammed Taher Mulla Akram Bukhary, Sahar Faisal Sharaf Albarakati
  • Patent number: 9872743
    Abstract: Provided are a clear aligner set and an orthodontic treatment method considering resilience of a human body. The clear aligner set may include at least one first clear aligner, having a first restoring force to apply a first pressing force to teeth during a first period, and primarily wearable by an orthodontic patient, at least one second clear aligner, having a second restoring force greater than the first restoring force to apply a second pressing force greater than the first pressing force to the teeth during a second period, and secondarily wearable by the orthodontic patient, and at least one third clear aligner, having a third restoring force greater than the second restoring force to apply a third pressing force greater than the second pressing force to the teeth during a third period, and tertiarily wearable by the orthodontic patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: eClear International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Taeweon Kim
  • Patent number: 9872745
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for modeling a digital design of a denture for a patient, said denture comprising a gingival part and a teeth part comprising a set of denture teeth, where the method comprises: obtaining a digital 3D representation of the patient's gum; obtaining virtual teeth models corresponding to the denture teeth; virtually arranging the virtual teeth models in relation to the digital 3D representation of the patient's gum; and generating a virtual outer gingival surface of the gingival part of the denture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: 3Shape A/S
    Inventors: Rune Fisker, Morten Ryde Hansen
  • Patent number: 9872746
    Abstract: The invention relates to kit of parts comprising a solution, a porous zirconia article, optionally application equipment, the solution comprising cation(s) of non-coloring agent(s) selected from ions of Y, Gd, La, Yb, Tm, Mg, Ca and mixtures thereof, solvent(s) for the ion(s), optionally complexing agent(s), optionally thickening agent(s), optionally organic marker substance(s), optionally additive(s), the porous zirconia article showing a N2 adsorption and/or desorption of isotherm type IV according to IUPAC classification. The invention also relates to a method for enhancing the translucency of a zirconia article comprising the steps of providing a porous zirconia article and a solution, applying the solution to at least a part of the outer surface of the porous zirconia article, optionally drying the porous zirconia article of the preceding step, sintering the porous zirconia article to obtain a zirconia ceramic article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Holger Hauptmann, Andreas Herrmann, Brant U. Kolb
  • Patent number: 9867677
    Abstract: A dental membrane placement forceps which includes a thin spatula on the tip of one arm of the forceps. The spatula has a concave inward face juxtaposed the tip on the opposing forceps arm and is oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the opposing forceps tips move inward toward one another to grip the object (i.e., the gripping plane). The concave inward face of the spatula is concave in one direction. The forceps is useful for placing flat, flexible materials such as a membrane used for regenerative osseous surgery in dentistry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Inventor: Brad Fulkerson