Abstract: A prescription management system is used by an orthodontic or dental lab and a plurality of prescribing users who send prescriptions for customized orthodontic or dental appliances to the lab. The prescriptions are stored in a database selectively accessible by the lab and plurality of prescribing users. A digital workspace is provided in the system in which the lab or prescribing users may create designs for the customized appliances. The designs of the appliances are stored in the database. A tracking record of fabrication of the appliances is stored in the database. A plurality of billings are simultaneously generated in response to the submissions and storage of the prescriptions, the designs of the customized appliances and the fabrication of the designed customized appliances.

Abstract: A head mounted magnifying camera is communicated with a computer system with a head-mounted display having a center of a field of view. A magnified view of a live dental area of interest is provided, image capture of the live dental area of interest is performed and downloaded into the computer system, or an image of a stored dental area of interest is uploaded from the computer system and matched to the live dental area of interest. The image of the live dental area of interest is automatically tracked in the computer system, and the image of the live dental area of interest is kept in the center of the field of view of the head-mounted display.

Abstract: A prescription management system is used by an orthodontic or dental lab and a plurality of prescribing users who send prescriptions for customized orthodontic or dental appliances to the lab. The prescriptions are stored in a database selectively accessible by the lab and plurality of prescribing users. A digital workspace is provided in the system in which the lab or prescribing users may create designs for the customized appliances. The designs of the appliances are stored in the database. A tracking record of fabrication of the appliances is stored in the database. A plurality of billings are simultaneously generated in response to the submissions and storage of the prescriptions, the designs of the customized appliances and the fabrication of the designed customized appliances.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the touch screen of any personal electronic device, including but not limited to smart phones and personal computing tablets. The apparatus comprises a wet portion and a dry portion in a substantially horizontal figure “8” configuration. The apparatus may also comprise a reservoir for storing a volume of conventional cleaning fluid. When not in use, the apparatus is slid into a case which is configured to house the wet and dry portions of the apparatus in separate housing compartments. A method is also provided for storing the apparatus when not in use so as to prolong its effective lifespan and improve its overall performance.

Abstract: A prescription management system is used by an orthodontic or dental lab and a plurality of prescribing users who send prescriptions for customized orthodontic or dental appliances to the lab. The prescriptions are stored in a database selectively accessible by the lab and plurality of prescribing users. A digital workspace is provided in the system in which the lab or prescribing users may create designs for the customized appliances. The designs of the appliances are stored in the database. A tracking record of fabrication of the appliances is stored in the database. A plurality of billings are simultaneously generated in response to the submissions and storage of the prescriptions, the designs of the customized appliances and the fabrication of the designed customized appliances.

Abstract: A prescription management system is used by an orthodontic or dental lab and a plurality of prescribing users who send prescriptions for customized orthodontic or dental appliances to the lab. The prescriptions are stored in a database selectively accessible by the lab and plurality of prescribing users. A digital workspace is provided in the system in which the lab or prescribing users may create designs for the customized appliances. The designs of the appliances are stored in the database. A tracking record of fabrication of the appliances is stored in the database. A plurality of billings are simultaneously generated in response to the submissions and storage of the prescriptions, the designs of the customized appliances and the fabrication of the designed customized appliances.

Abstract: A head mounted magnifying camera is communicated with a computer system with a head-mounted display having a center of a field of view. A magnified view of a live dental area of interest is provided, image capture of the live dental area of interest is performed and downloaded into the computer system, or an image of a stored dental area of interest is uploaded from the computer system and matched to the live dental area of interest. The image of the live dental area of interest is automatically tracked in the computer system, and the image of the live dental area of interest is kept in the center of the field of view of the head-mounted display.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the touch screen of any personal electronic device, including but not limited to smart phones and personal computing tablets. The apparatus comprises a wet portion and a dry portion in a substantially horizontal figure “8” configuration. The apparatus may also comprise a reservoir for storing a volume of conventional cleaning fluid. When not in use, the apparatus is slid into a case which is configured to house the wet and dry portions of the apparatus in separate housing compartments. A method is also provided for storing the apparatus when not in use so as to prolong its effective lifespan and improve its overall performance.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the touch screen of any personal electronic device, including but not limited to smart phones and personal computing tablets. The apparatus comprises a wet portion and a dry portion in a substantially horizontal figure “8” configuration. The apparatus may also comprise a reservoir for storing a volume of conventional cleaning fluid. When not in use, the apparatus is slid into a case which is configured to house the wet and dry portions of the apparatus in separate housing compartments. A method is also provided for storing the apparatus when not in use so as to prolong its effective lifespan and improve its overall performance.

Abstract: A comforting mouth guard is disclosed for use after indirect bonding of orthodontic brackets onto teeth of a patient and installation of orthodontic wires between the brackets. The mouth guard includes an indirect bonding tray having a wall of soft material and molded-in channels defined in the soft material of the wall so that the tray is reinsertable over the orthodontic wires and brackets after bonding to the teeth of the patient to provide a conformal fit to the teeth, brackets and wires and to lock in place over the brackets and wires.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the touch or display touch or display surface of an electronic device such as a cell phone or computer tablet comprising a wiper coupled to cleaner bar. The cleaner bar moves longitudinally and/or laterally across the electronic device with the wiper in contact with the touch or display surface. The wiper comprises both a moist pad and a dry pad. The moist pad is fluidly communicated to a reservoir defined within the cleaner bar. On its “cleaning stroke”, cleaning fluid is released into the moist pad and then deposited onto the touch or display surface. The cleaner bar moves longitudinally across the touch or display surface by manual or motorized means. The cleaner bar may also be in communication with the electronic device to detect when a task has been completed on the electronic device. After detection, the cleaner bar automatically traverses the touch or display surface, thereby cleaning it after every use.

Abstract: A method for applying orthodontic forces to one or more teeth using a single model of the tooth or teeth which are to be moved. The model chosen is the final corrected configuration for the patient as determined by their oral health care provider and comprises the final position and orientation of the tooth or teeth to be achieved after a successful treatment regimen. A series of aligners are made which each comprise the corrected configuration. Each successive aligner in the series is comprised of a selectively stiffer material than the previous aligner in order to move the tooth or teeth into the final desired position. As the patient's treatment progresses, the patient receives the next successive aligner which is incrementally more rigid or stiff than the previous aligner, thus effectuating the movement of the tooth or teeth to their desired final position and orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the touch screen of any personal electronic device, including but not limited to smart phones and personal computing tablets. The apparatus comprises a wet portion and a dry portion in a substantially horizontal figure “8” configuration. The apparatus may also comprise a reservoir for storing a volume of conventional cleaning fluid. When not in use, the apparatus is slid into a case which is configured to house the wet and dry portions of the apparatus in separate housing compartments. A method is also provided for storing the apparatus when not in use so as to prolong its effective lifespan and improve its overall performance.

Abstract: The following invention is an apparatus and method for quickly determining the type of bracket implanted on patient's tooth. A radio frequency identification (RFID) microchip is coupled to or in an orthodontic bracket. The bracket or series of brackets are then implanted on the patient's teeth as required. With the RFID in or on the bracket, the orthodontist or staff uses a scanner to read the brackets. The information read by the scanner allows the staff to select the correct corresponding bracket needed for replacement from an inventory. Confirmation of the correct selection is obtained by another scan from another scanner located in the bracket holding device. Not only does this process ensure that the correct replacement bracket is received by the patient, but also provides the orthodontist and staff with a real-time tracking of inventory supply.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the touch or display touch or display surface of an electronic device such as a cell phone or computer tablet comprising a wiper coupled to cleaner bar. The cleaner bar moves longitudinally and/or laterally across the electronic device with the wiper in contact with the touch or display surface. The wiper comprises both a moist pad and a dry pad. The moist pad is fluidly communicated to a reservoir defined within the cleaner bar. On its “cleaning stroke”, cleaning fluid is released into the moist pad and then deposited onto the touch or display surface. The cleaner bar moves longitudinally across the touch or display surface by manual or motorized means. The cleaner bar may also be in communication with the electronic device to detect when a task has been completed on the electronic device. After detection, the cleaner bar automatically traverses the touch or display surface, thereby cleaning it after every use.

Abstract: The invention provides means and a method for temporarily or permanently coupling three dimensional blocks together commonly used in toys or puzzles. After the blocks have been assembled, a low current is sent through the blocks in order to notify a user that the blocks have been properly configured. The current through the blocks is then increased which activates a means for coupling the blocks together including a plurality of electrodes, a series of magnetic apertures, a plurality of resin pouches, or a combination thereof. After the blocks are coupled together, the current flow is stopped, leaving the blocks temporarily or permanently in the last position in which they were placed before the increased current was applied. In some embodiments, the blocks may be disassembled, placed into a new configuration, and then recoupled as many times as desired.

Abstract: Orthodontic forces dependent on bone density measurements are determined by measuring bone density data in a scan of at least a portion of the teeth and jaw to produce a visual map of bone density is a selected area of the jaw. A two or three dimensional image of at least a portion of the jaw and teeth in the selected area of the jaw is generated. The bone density image is mapped into the two or three dimensional image. The attachment points on selected teeth, selected positions in the jaw, and/or selected orthodontic appliances to be connected to the teeth or jaw is determined. A force to be applied to the determined attachment points to move at least one tooth a predetermined distance and direction in the jaw taking into account the bone density through which the at least one tooth must move is calculated.

Abstract: The following invention is an apparatus and method for quickly determining the type of bracket implanted on patient's tooth. A radio frequency identification (RFID) microchip is coupled to or in an orthodontic bracket. The bracket or series of brackets are then implanted on the patient's teeth as required. With the RFID in or on the bracket, the orthodontist or staff uses a scanner to read the brackets. The information read by the scanner allows the staff to select the correct corresponding bracket needed for replacement from an inventory. Confirmation of the correct selection is obtained by another scan from another scanner located in the bracket holding device. Not only does this process ensure that the correct replacement bracket is received by the patient, but also provides the orthodontist and staff with a real-time tracking of inventory supply.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manipulating three dimensional image data. The apparatus takes each multiplanar view (MPR) obtained by a medical imaging device, such as an x-ray machine, of an area of the patient being examined and automatically “slices” the view in each direction sequentially. Each “slice” is then displayed to the user in order to make a running video. The user is allowed to stop the process when he or she sees the clearest view of the examined area of the patient and may save that image in a static computer record. Alternatively, the user may select to display a corresponding two dimensional x-ray image at that selected view. The user may then allow the video to continue to run and repeat the process for other selected views. The software automatically makes every relevant “slice” from every relevant view, allowing the user to stop, slow down, or back up when nearing a view which is desired to be studied or saved.

Abstract: A removable and transferable electronic system monitors the brushing patterns and brushing intensity of a user by analyzing the sound(s) that is produced by a conventional tooth brush as it passes over the teeth and/or gums. The system couples to the toothbrush and the brushing sounds are captured by a microphone coupled to the toothbrush which is then communicated to a microprocessor coupled to a digital display. After the microprocessor has analyzed the brushing sounds, a message is displayed on the digital display that directs the user to continue brushing or change brushing habits, depending on the outcome of the analysis. After brushing, the system may be decoupled from the toothbrush and stored or coupled to another user's toothbrush and the process repeated.