Patents Examined by Yogesh Patel
  • Soft tissue preservation temporary (shell) immediate-implant abutment with biological active surface
    Patent number: 9452032
    Abstract: An immediate dental implant shell has outer, multiple zones for engaging a soft tissue socket left immediately after tooth extraction from a bone socket. The zones have combinations of different biologic agents, macro- or micro-geometric, or micro- or macro-morphology irregularities to better engage gingival sulcus, junctional epithelium and dento-gingival fiber zones of the soft tissue socket. The shell may also have various guide markings and projections to aide drilling of the implant hole in the bone socket. A dental implant is placed in the drilled implant hole before or after the shell has been placed in the soft tissue socket, and has an axis that is independent of the shell axis so the shell and implant both sit in optimum positions in their respective soft and bone sockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: BIOMET 3I, LLC
    Inventors: Mark N. Hochman, Stephen J. Chu, Jocelyn Huiping Tan-Chu, Adam J. Mieleszko
  • Dental ultrasonic drug delivery system and dental ultrasonic drug delivery method
    Patent number: 9452036
    Abstract: A dental ultrasonic drug delivery system capable of accurately cleaning the inside of root canals and killing bacteria in dentin tubules is provided. The dental ultrasonic drug delivery system delivers a drug to a target using an ultrasonic delivery device 800 . The drug is delivered in a mixed state with nanobubbles. A dental therapeutic probe for applying ultrasound is attached to the ultrasonic delivery device 800 . The dental therapeutic probe is selected from: (1) a root canal insertion probe 100 which is configured to be inserted into a root canal and causes ultrasound to propagate in the root canal; (2) a dental caries therapeutic probe which causes ultrasound to propagate in a dental caries portion; (3) a periodontal disease therapeutic probe which applies ultrasound to a periodontal disease portion; and (4) a hyperesthesia therapeutic probe which applies ultrasound to hyperesthesia portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignees: National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Fukuoka University
    Inventors: Misako Nakashima, Katsuro Tachibana
  • Fixed hybrid dental attachment device and methods of using same
    Patent number: 9452029
    Abstract: A hybrid, detachable dental attachment device comprising a cap for securing a dental appliance, a ring, and an abutment to attachment to a tooth root or implant. Also described herein are methods of securing a dental appliance in a subject's mouth by means of the dental attachment device. Further described herein is a dental attachment device for immediate load on a provisional denture and then incorporated into the final restoration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: ZEST IP HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Scott Mullaly, Christopher Michael Gervais, James Irwin Johnson, Richard Robert Allen, Theodore Matthew Powell
  • Automatic placement of precision cuts
    Patent number: 9433477
    Abstract: An orthodontic positioning device and methods for making an orthodontic positioning device including a first patient removable orthodontic tooth positioning appliance having teeth receiving cavities shaped to receive and apply a resilient positioning force to a patient's teeth provided in one of an upper jaw and a lower jaw. The first appliance includes a hook configured to receive an orthodontic elastic band. The orthodontic positioning device also includes a second patient removable orthodontic tooth positioning appliance having teeth receiving cavities shaped to receive and apply a resilient positioning force to a patient's teeth provided in the other of the upper jaw and the lower jaw. The second appliance includes a cutout operable to expose an orthodontic elastic band receiving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Artem Borovinskih, Anton Terekhov, Rene Sterental, Mikhail Minchenkov, Ivan Pavlov
  • Impression tray set for edentulous jaw
    Patent number: 9433483
    Abstract: An impression tray set for edentulous jaw is formed by a maxillary impression tray and a mandibular impression tray respectively including a tray main body having a U-shaped groove on which an impression material is to be applied on a front surface thereof, an engaging part formed on a back surface of the U-shaped groove in a position corresponding to an alveolar ridge of front teeth, and a handle part detachably connected to the engaging part. Each of the maxillary and mandibular impression trays includes projecting parts provided on the back surface at portions corresponding to an alveolar ridge from a first molar part to a premolar part. The projecting parts determine bite position and height in a state in which at least a part of flat top surfaces of the projecting parts contact each other when taking an impression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: GC Corporation
    Inventors: Takeo Suga, Masataka Itoda, Hiroshi Kamohara
  • Systems and methods for fabricating a dental template
    Patent number: 9433479
    Abstract: A dental template to position an object on a patient's tooth includes digitizing the patient's tooth; adding virtual objects to predetermined locations on the digitized tooth; and fabricating the dental template to locate the object on the patient's tooth. The template can be used for etching or for positioning brackets on teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Loc X. Phan, Peter G. Knopp, Eric E. Kuo, Amir Abolfathi, Huafeng Wen
  • Independent low friction bracket
    Patent number: 9421075
    Abstract: An independent low friction bracket includes a bracket basal body located on a mesh base. The bracket basal body has two side walls, the two side walls and the bracket basal body form a main arch wire slot; upper ends of the two side walls are provided with a ligating wing respectively, and outer surfaces of the two side walls are provided with a slope respectively, so that the side walls each have a gradually reduced wall thickness along the bracket basal body towards the ligating wing, and a recess is disposed at a place where the ligating wing is connected to the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Inventor: Tianmin Xu
  • Dental matrix devices specific to anterior teeth, and injection molded filling techniques and devices
    Patent number: 9414895
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of an anterior tooth or re-restoration of a previously filled anterior tooth, and to dental matrices and composite resin dispensers that may be used in the methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of an anterior tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Inventor: David J. Clark
  • Cradle for positioning a final dental prosthesis and a system incorporating the cradle
    Patent number: 9408678
    Abstract: A cradle, assembly, system and method for installing a prosthesis at a surgical site. The cradle temporarily engages the prosthesis and holds it in the correct orientation and position adjacent the surgical site. An aperture is defined in the cradle and a portion of the prosthesis is received therein. In one embodiment, the cradle, assembly and system are used to install a final dental prosthesis in a patient's mouth in a single visit to the dentist's office. A securement member pins the surgical template and subsequently the cradle to the jaw. A metal sub-structure on the final dental prosthesis is received in the aperture in the cradle. Cylinders attached to implants anchored in the jaw extend through holes in the sub-structure and are bonded to the prosthesis. The cradle is detached from the jaw and from the prosthesis prior to screws being re-inserted through the cylinders and into the implants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Inventor: James Harrison
  • Systems and methods for improved engagement between aligners and teeth
    Patent number: 9408675
    Abstract: A system and method for repositioning teeth in a patient jaw includes an attachment bonded to a tooth. The attachment has at least one force receiving component for receiving a force. A polymeric shell repositioning appliance is positioned over at least some of the teeth in the patient jaw. The polymeric shell has at least one force transmitting component for engaging the force receiving component to form a locus of engagement. The locus of engagement transmits the force and moves but is maintained as the tooth is repositioned. In specific embodiments the locus of engagement is maintained over a substantial range of motion. The force transmitted at the locus of engagement increases in response to the tooth lagging an intended position. A space between the positioned appliance and the tooth permits the tooth to move into an intended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Peter G. Knopp, Aaron J. Miller, Rob Van Den Berg
  • Dental prosthesis abutment system and method for using same
    Patent number: 9408677
    Abstract: A dental abutment system permitting to limit the steps and time required for a dental implant procedure. The dental abutment system (10) comprises a cap (12) coupled to a retentive member (14) that is coupled to a sheath (16). The cap (12) has a shaft (18) for coupling with a bore (24) of a dental implant (20) and the sheath (16) is coupled to the bore (24) of a dental prosthesis (26) such that the dental prosthesis (26) is frictionally retained to and removable from the cap (12). The retentive member (14) may include an area-of-weakness permitting it to break-away from the cap (12) to avoid the transmission of excessive forces to the implant (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Inventors: Laszlo Joseph Kalman, Lina Kalman
  • Oral care implement having reservior for dispensing active agent
    Patent number: 9398804
    Abstract: An oral care implement includes a reservoir containing at least one active agent. The implement has an activator for activating a delivery device which delivers a predetermined amount of an active agent to one or more outlets. A wide variety of types of active agents can be administered at appropriate and accurate doses for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
    Inventors: Heng Cai, Thomas J. Boyd
  • Stents and method for dental restoration using same
    Patent number: 9375290
    Abstract: A method for dental restoration that includes disposing a flowable and curable tooth restoration composition into an open cavity of a stent that defines contours of a final design model of a patient's teeth and includes an interproximal contact that has been thinned along an interproximal contact zone but not separated, seating the stent on the patient's teeth such that the flowable and curable tooth restoration composition fills a space between at least one tooth to be restored and the stent, initiating curing of the flowable and curable tooth restoration composition in the stent such that the composition bonds to the at least one tooth to be restored and forms at least one restored tooth and removing the stent from the patient's teeth to expose the at least one restored tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Turn Key Dental Academy, Inc.
    Inventors: Arpad Ferenc Csapo, Karl Edison Hegyi
  • Device for dispensing a dental material
    Patent number: 9375291
    Abstract: A dispensing device comprises a compartment for receiving a dental material, a piston for extruding the material from the compartment and a spindle drive for moving the piston and the compartment relative to one another. The spindle drive comprises a spindle and a link which are adapted for disengageable engagement with one another, wherein the spindle and the link are operable relative to each other between an engaged position in which the link and the spindle are engaged with one another, and a disengaged position in which the spindle and the link are disengaged from one another. The device may be relatively robust and inexpensive to manufacture, and may facilitate preparation of dental materials for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Inventor: Jens Gramann
  • Method for fabricating an abutment
    Patent number: 9375296
    Abstract: A procedure for fabricating an individual abutment for a dental prosthesis for an implant anchored in an area of the jaw with an implant attachment running on the abutment side, using a working model molded by the jaw area equipped with the implant. The sulcus area of the gum uncovered above the implant and shaped by a sulcus-former extending from the implant attachment is reproduced in the working model. The abutment has a sulcus section running within the sulcus area and an adjoining head section to admit a part of a dental prosthesis. The sulcus area of the working model having an auxiliary implant attachment corresponding to the implant attachment is measured, and a sulcus section model determined with a circumferential surface and a de-facto sulcus line limiting it on the implant side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: DEGUDENT GMBH
    Inventors: Gerlinde Lange, Horst Bachmann, Frank Fuchs, Alexander Hilbert
  • Dental models and related methods
    Patent number: 9375298
    Abstract: A dental model and related systems and methods, including a first component representing a portion of a patient's jaw and a second component that is demountably attachable to the first component, and a second component representing a dental structure of interest, such as the remaining portion of a tooth or a dental implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Allen R. Boronkay, Avi Kopelman, Srinivas Kaza
  • Portable electronic device
    Patent number: 9364683
    Abstract: The portable electronic device includes radiation elements (104A, 104B) for directing optical radiation energy non-invasively at intracranial nerve tissue of a user through an external auditory canal of the user of the portable electronic device to stimulate the user's intracranial nerve tissue. Stimulation may have a metabolic and/or nervous response, which appears as a change in alertness, diurnal rhythm and in concentrations of several hormones and brain transmitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Valkee OY
    Inventors: Juuso Nissilä, Antti Aunio
  • Calcium aluminate based paste for stabilizing dental implants and restoring tissue attachment after surgery and methods therefor
    Patent number: 9351812
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a calcium aluminate based paste forming a chemically bonded biomaterial on hydration thereof for in vivo anchoring of new implants, or stabilizing of existing implants in situ to an adjacent bone tissue, which paste provides a controlled pH value and temperature as well as initial hardening time. By virtue of the pH value and temperature the paste exhibits antibacterial and/or bacteriostatic properties. The present invention also relates to a method of preparing implants to be implanted wherein the implant is coated with the paste, a method of implanting a coated implant, as well as methods of preventing and treating implant related conditions, such as periimplantitis, and kit for preparing the paste. The invention is especially intended for re-stabilization of dental implants, and implantation into low quality bone tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: DOXA AB
    Inventors: Leif Hermansson, Jesper Lööf, Per-Olof Glantz, Emil Abrahamsson
  • Medical membrane, in particular dental membrane and tooth implant with such a membrane
    Patent number: 9339358
    Abstract: A medical membrane, in particular a dental membrane for regeneration and/or inducing of tissue, in particular of periodontal tissue and for use in direct contact with bone tissue or connective tissue along with a tooth implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventor: Stefan Neumeyer
  • Double ended tweezers
    Patent number: 9333049
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tweezer for dental and other applications. The tweezer including a main body portion (12, 14) extending in a generally longitudinal direction. The main body portion having a first end (20) and a second end (18). A hinge connector (16) is located between the first end and the second end. A first pair of pincers is located at the first end (20). A second pair of pincers is located at the second end (18). A bias mechanism (22) urges the first pair of pincers (20) into a closed position and urging the second pair of pincers (18) in an open position, whereby the user may apply a force to the tweezers to overcome the bias mechanism (22) and urge the first pair of pincers (20) away from the closed position and the second pair of pincers (18) away from the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: DENTSPLY International Inc.
    Inventors: Simon P. McDonald, Matthew Backler