Abstract: A medical apparatus having a bar, the bar having a slot extending laterally along the bar; and a plurality of hooks, wherein the bar is an arch bar that is configured to be attached to a mandible or a maxilla. Such medical apparatuses may also have a plurality of arch bar fasteners, wherein each arch bar fastener is a bone screw having a threaded shaft and a compound head, the compound head having a threaded bore configured to receive a set screw. The medical apparatus may be used in methods to fixate a maxillary or mandibulary arch, or to aid in reducing a fracture of the mandible or maxilla.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dental drill (10) formed of titanium or a titanium alloy having a hardness greater than pure titanium, said drill extending along a central axis (A) from a proximal end (14) to a distal end (16). The drill comprises a shank (12) arranged in a proximal end region of the drill (10) and extending along the central axis (A), a flute portion (20) arranged distally to and running coaxially with the shank (12), said flute portion (20) comprising two or more flutes (22a, 22b, 22c) extending along the flute portion (20) and being interposed by lands (24a, 24b, 24c), the flute portion further comprising a central solid web and a drill tip (26) directly adjoining the distal end (28) of the flute portion (20) and comprising two or more flanks (25a, 25b, 25c) which taper radially inwardly from the distal end of each land in the distal direction toward the central axis (A), each flank (25a, 25b, 25c) comprising a cutting edge (30a, 30b, 30c).

Abstract: A system including a sensored ablation probe tip and a virtual stent, said sensored ablation probe tip for use in a tooth bud ablation procedure that results in tooth agenesis, said sensored ablation probe tip for use with an ablation probe unit. A system including a sensored ablation probe tip and a stent, said sensored ablation probe tip for use in a tooth bud ablation procedure that results in tooth agenesis, said sensored ablation probe tip for use with an ablation probe unit.

Abstract: A method and a system for determining a configuration of an open edge for a set of orthodontic appliances are provided. The method comprises: receiving a 3D digital model representative of a surface of a subject's arch form including teeth and a gingiva; obtaining, in the 3D digital model, along a surface of the gingiva, a respective position for a given control point of a plurality of control points, the plurality of control points defining the open edge for a given one of the set of orthodontic appliances; determining, based on the positions of the plurality of control points, a respective vector of positioning values for each of the plurality of control points; storing the respective vector of positioning values for each of the plurality of control points for further use in determining a respective configuration of the open edge for each other one of the set of orthodontic appliances.

Abstract: A retainer for stabilizing a position of teeth of a human dentition, the retainer comprising: an arc that has a parabolic curvature overall so that the retainer is applicable to teeth of an upper jaw or lower jaw of a patient to be treated, wherein the retainer includes a plurality of local shapes that are arranged along a center line of the retainer and that are oriented perpendicular to the center line, wherein the local shapes are respectively adapted to cooperate with interdental spaces between adjacent teeth, wherein the retainer is integrally provided in one piece from a thermoplastic synthetic material which is configured to be processed by a SD pressure method.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for adjustably retaining an oral appliance to an abutment assembly are disclosed. In one variation, a securement apparatus can comprise a sleeve having a sleeve frame and a number of locking flaps. The sleeve can define a lumen therethrough for positioning upon an abutment assembly. The locking flaps can have varying length dimensions and can project radially inward or outward relative to the sleeve frame. The outward flaps can lock against surface features defined along an inner surface of a coping coupled to the oral appliance and the inward flaps can lock against surface features defined along a portion of the abutment assembly. The sleeve can release the oral appliance from the abutment assembly when the locking flaps of the sleeve are actuated by an actuation unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for sterile delivery of prostheses that protect refined and/or conditioned surface properties and thereby reduce aging of surface properties in prostheses. An example of the system includes a partially custom-shaped holder that also serves as an insertion tool that holds a customized dental prosthesis in a pre-defined position inside a titanium container that is hermetically sealed. Container materials serve as a getter or catalyst with respect to the osseoconductive surface. An example of the method includes laser welding to hermetically seal a metal container as packaging for a prosthesis with a metal foil, and the sterilization of the packaged and sealed prosthesis with dry heat.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems including orthodontic tooth positioning appliances. An exemplary appliance can include teeth receiving cavities shaped such that, when worn by a patient, repositioning the patient's teeth from a first arrangement toward a subsequent or target arrangement. Appliances can include a cavity having one or more shaped features or protrusions shaped and/or positioned so as to apply a desired force to a patient's tooth received in the cavity and move the tooth along a desired path or direction.

Abstract: A preform intended for the production of a dental prosthesis. The preform includes a group of agglomerated ceramic, glass-ceramic or glass particles, such that, as volume percents: more than 40% and less than 90% of the particles of said group have a size greater than 0.5 ?m and less than 3.5 ?m, said particles hereinafter being denoted “enamel particles”, and more than 10% and less than 60% of the particles of said group have a size greater than 3.5 ?m and less than 5.5 ?m, said particles hereinafter being denoted “dentine particles.” The microstructure of the preform is such that there is an axis X, termed “axis of variation”, along which the Ve/(Ve+Vd) ratio changes continuously, Ve and Vd denoting the volume percents of enamel particles and of dentine particles, respectively. The enamel and dentine particles representing, together, more than 90% of the volume of the agglomerated particles.

Abstract: The surgical guide tool for single dental implant positioning includes an adjustable U-shaped frame having an inner member and an outer member. The inner member of the frame includes a first arm and a second arm that extends normal to the first arm. The outer member of the frame includes a first arm and a second arm that extends normal to the first arm. The first arm of the outer member includes an inner cavity for slidably receiving the first arm of the inner member. The first arm of the inner member can be moved within the cavity to adjust the size of the frame. A ring, attached to the second arm of the inner member, includes a circular wall with a central aperture extending therethrough. The central aperture is configured for receiving a drill bit therethrough for properly positioning the drill bit on the jawbone.

Abstract: An external drive apparatus for bendable collar implants includes a male fastener and a female driver. The male fastener is constructed as a rigid and integral unity including an implant screw, a collar, and a male screw-top drive. The female driver supports a female screw-top drive. The female driver is configured for application of an implantation torque to the implant screw via the male screw-top drive which is disposed distally away from the collar.

Abstract: A method of producing a dental prosthesis produced from a gum part, and prosthetic teeth arranged on the gum part and connected to the gum part. The surface of the dental prosthesis is surface-treated, the surface treatment of the dental prosthesis involving a solvent, and the solvent containing at least one chlorohydrocarbon and at least one methane nitroderivative.

Abstract: Methods and dental prosthetics for providing soft tissue adhesion to a temporary healing abutment, or other dental prosthetic (e.g., temporary or permanent). Existing prosthetics generally do not provide any significant adhesion of the soft tissue surrounding the prosthetic, to the outer surface of the prosthetic itself. Because of the presence of gaps between such structures, or simple non-adhesion even where the structures may touch (but be free and unattached relative to one another), there is a tendency for pathogenic microbes to enter into such space between the structures, and for the soft gingival tissue to recede, particularly in patients with “thin” type periodontal tissue. The present disclosure provides materials and/or surface treatment (e.g., texturing) that ensures good bonding between the prosthetic and the soft tissue, reducing risk of infection, and reducing undesirable gingival recession surrounding the prosthetic anchored on a dental implant.

Abstract: A modular support for dental prosthesis is configured for securement to abutments and respective dental implants. The modular support includes connectors releasably engaging respective abutments, collars surrounding respective connectors, vertically spaced planar wings extending from at least one collar substantially parallel to the occlusal plane, and a planar tab extending substantially parallel to the occlusal plane. One end of the planar tab extends between the pair of planar wings to provide an internal reinforcing framework for the dental prosthesis. A method of using the modular support for dental prosthesis 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. 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 that if there is no movement or the movement is below a threshold value then a signal is triggered and/or the laser radiation is turned off or its output is reduced.

Abstract: In some aspects, dental drill guides can include a body defining an outer surface and an interior hole for receiving and positioning a dental drill; a first end of the body defining a tapered lead-in portion of the outer surface; a second end of the body opposite the first end defining at least one lip feature configured to be gripped by a handling tool; an outer circumferentially formed recess around the outer surface; and a seating feature extending from the outer surface.

Abstract: A combined assembly for dental prosthesis is provided, wherein the combined assembly includes a first joint member and a second joint member. The first joint member has a first body and a plurality of elastic hooks, and the elastic hooks are annularly arranged to connect one end of the first body, wherein a slot is disposed between the adjacent elastic hooks, and each of the hook has a top portion protruding outward. The second joint member has a second body, and the second body is provided with a joint hole, a side wall surface of which is provided with a ring groove, wherein the elastic hooks extend into the joint holes, and the top portions of the elastic hooks engage into the ring groove.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adapter (1, 1?) for attaching a dental superstructure (50) to a dental implant (30). The adapter (1, 1?) comprises a coronal attachment portion (2, 2?) for attaching the adapter (1, 1?) to the dental superstructure (50), an apical attachment portion (4) for attaching the adapter (1, 1?) to the dental implant (30) and an intermediate portion (6) arranged between the coronal attachment portion (2, 2?) and the apical attachment portion (4). The apical attachment portion (4) is a protrusion defining an apical end portion of the adapter (1, 1?) and configured to be received in a corresponding recess (32) of the dental implant (30). The protrusion is rotationally symmetric, so that the adapter (1, 1?) is rotatable relative to the dental implant (30) in the state of attachment of the adapter (1, 1?) to the dental implant (30). Further, the invention relates to a dental assembly comprising the dental superstructure (50) and at least one such adapter (1, 1?).

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing anatomical healing caps, including forming an anatomical healing cuff body for a given tooth position, the anatomical healing cuff body having a cross-section and an exterior surface so that the anatomical healing cuff body provides substantially custom filling of at least an emergence portion of a void where a natural tooth once emerged from the void or where a tooth would have emerged from a void of the given tooth position, and forming both lateral buccal and lingual handle extensions extending from the anatomical healing cuff body so that the manufactured anatomical healing cap includes a laterally extending buccal handle extension and an oppositely disposed laterally extending lingual handle extension, the buccal and lingual handle extensions being integrally formed with the healing cuff body. The healing caps can be formed using a casting jig, by machining, by 3D printing, or other suitable methods.

Abstract: Described herein is a dental material applicator system comprising a segmented capsule and handpiece. The capsule separately holds a powder and a liquid such that upon activation in the handpiece by an operator, the powder and liquid are mixed into a paste. The operator then triggers the handpiece so that the mixed paste is extruded.