Abstract: A multi-directional handpiece that includes a motor drive extending along and configured for rotation about a body axis, the motor drive having: a motor gearing at a proximal end of the motor drive; and a file gearing in engagement with the motor gearing for transferring the rotational and axial movement to a workpiece; and a housing for the workpiece; and wherein through rotation of the motor drive, the workpiece moves in an axial oscillating motion while being rotated.

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.

Abstract: A multi-directional handpiece that includes a motor drive extending along and configured for rotation about a body axis, the motor drive having: a motor gearing at a proximal end of the motor drive; and a file gearing in engagement with the motor gearing for transferring the rotational and axial movement to a workpiece; and a housing for the workpiece; and wherein through rotation of the motor drive, the workpiece moves in an axial oscillating motion while being rotated.

Abstract: A method of attaching a dental article to the surface of a tooth includes providing the dental article and applying a coating including upconversion phosphors to a surface of the dental article. The method also includes applying a dental cement composition to the surface of the tooth and placing the dental article on the surface of the tooth such that the coating is adjacent the dental cement composition. The dental cement composition includes a polymerizable resin and a photoinitiator and is substantially free of upconversion phosphors. The method further includes irradiating the coating with a radiation source that emits radiation at a pre-determined fixed wavelength that causes the upconversion phosphors to emit radiation at an activation wavelength of the dental cement composition photoinitiator such that the dental cement composition cures in a region adjacent the coating and removing remaining uncured dental cement composition outside the dental article from the tooth.

Abstract: A luminescent coating is disclosed that is used to dimensionally control the curing of a photocurable agent placed in close contact with the coating. The coating is applied at the interface of structures, such as brackets and prosthetics, or may be applied directly on a curable material for use in 3D printing, at the location where bonding material is needed to be cured. The luminescent coating irradiates from its structure the curing radiations necessary to photopolymerize the resin in response to a first radiation irradiated on its structure of a different wavelength.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing optical inhomogeneity of a volume scattering object is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a substance coated with phosphorous materials, adapting the substrate to a surface of a volume scattering object to be diagnosed, and trans-illuminating the volume scattering object with radiation. A dental tool including a substrate is also provided. The substrate includes a transparent flexible film or metallic foil with an applied coating of upconversion phosphors, afterglow particles or both.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system including a feed source of uncured filled resin material, a print head configured to apply discrete layers of a composition including upconversion phosphors, and a radiation source configured to irradiate layers of uncured filled resin material and deposited layers of the composition is provided. A method of three dimensionally printing a dental article is also provided.

Abstract: A luminescent coating is disclosed that is used to dimensionally control the curing of a photocurable agent placed in close contact with the coating. The coating is applied at the interface of structures, such as brackets and prosthetics, or may be applied directly on a curable material for use in 3D printing, at the location where bonding material is needed to be cured. The luminescent coating irradiates from its structure the curing radiations necessary to photopolymerize the resin in response to a first radiation irradiated on its structure of a different wavelength.

Abstract: A multi-directional handpiece that includes a motor drive extending along and configured for rotation about a body axis, the motor drive having: a motor gearing at a proximal end of the motor drive; and a file gearing in engagement with the motor gearing for transferring the rotational and axial movement to a workpiece; and a housing for the workpiece; and wherein through rotation of the motor drive, the workpiece moves in an axial oscillating motion while being rotated.

Abstract: There is provided a method for detecting interproximal tooth defects such as caries by injecting light at one or more wavelengths into a tooth and detecting reflected/diffracted light or emitted fluorescence. The detected light intensity is characteristic of a healthy or diseased tooth in the interproximal area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tooth coating applicator (10), typically in the form of a strip (11), and a method for applying a dental sealant to a surface of a tooth (T), and specifically to the interproximal surface (S) thereof. The applicator (10) is elongated and is adapted to be typically inserted into an interproximal space (I) defined between a pair of adjacent teeth (T, T?) and to be gradually slid against a dental surface of one of the teeth.

Abstract: A dental tartar detection and removal device (10) comprises a powered tartar removal instrument (12) adapted to be displaced along a tooth (T), illumination means (14) for illuminating with an incident light a region on the examined or periodontal site, detection means (16) for collecting the light reflected there at, and an analysing system for providing a signal to an operator (OP) of the tartar removal instrument (12) or to the tartar removal instrument when measurements on the reflected light in one or more predetermined ranges of wavelengths fall within any first predetermined range of values that are characteristic of tartar, or when said measurements do not fall within any second predetermined range of values that are characteristic of artefacts other than tartar.

Abstract: A dental tartar detection system (10), especially for detection of subgingival tartar (S), comprises a probe (12) adapted to be displaced along a tooth (T) an illumination system (14) for illuminating with an incident light a region on the tooth (T), a detection system (16) for collecting the light reflected thereat, and an analysis system (34) for providing a signal to an operator of the probe (12) when measurements on the reflected light in one or more predetermined range of wavelengths fall within any predetermined range of values that are characteristic of tartar (S). Typically, the detection of tartar (S) is achieved on the basis of the possible colors that tartar (S) can have such that the aforementioned one or more predetermined range of values cover wavelengths associated with colors of tartar (S).

Abstract: The present application relates to an apparatus and method in the field of dentistry and in particular to optical tools for diagnosis and imaging. It is a problem of the prior art that the use of fibre optic components yield a bulky dental camera with poor resolution. It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging device (55) for dental instruments comprising a chamber adapted to be secured to the head of a dental instrument and for receiving and removing an imaging device (1), the chamber also adapted for isolating said imaging device from said dental instrument without compromising sterility of the dental instrument, comprising an optical window (53). The imaging device is easily removable from the dental instrument and electronic image detection occurs at the instrument head.

Abstract: A dental tartar detection and removal device (10) comprises a powered tartar removal instrument (12) adapted to be displaced along a tooth (T), illumination means (14) for illuminating with an incident light a region on the examined or periodontal site, detection means (16) for collecting the light reflected there at, and an analysing system for providing a signal to an operator (OP) of the tartar removal instrument (12) or to the tartar removal instrument when measurements on the reflected light in one or more predetermined ranges of wavelengths fall within any first predetermined range of values that are characteristic of tartar, or when said measurements do not fall within any second predetermined range of values that are characteristic of artefacts other than tartar.

Abstract: There is disclosed a tartar removal tip having a ceramic distal portion and a metal proximal portion. An optical dental pathology detection system has a housing that mates with a handle of a tartar removal instrument. A replacement tip for a tartar removal device has integrated optical components and a coupler for coupling to a dental pathology detection system without interacting or changing a handle of an instrument to which the replacement tip connects.

Abstract: A dental tartar detection system (10), especially for detection of subgingival tartar (S), comprises a probe (12) adapted to be displaced along a tooth (T) an illumination system (14) for illuminating with an incident light a region on the tooth (T), a detection system (16) for collecting the light reflected thereat, and an analysis system (34) for providing a signal to an operator of the probe (12) when measurements on the reflected light in one or more predetermined range of wavelengths fall within any predetermined range of values that are characteristic of tartar (S). Typically, the detection of tartar (S) is achieved on the basis of the possible colours that tartar (S) can have such that the aforementioned one or more predetermined range of values cover wavelengths associated with colours of tartar (S).

Abstract: A dental tartar detection system (10), especially for detection of subgingival tartar (S), comprises a probe (12) adapted to be displaced along a tooth (T), an illumination system (14) for illuminating with an incident light a region on the tooth (T), a detection system (16) for collecting the light reflected thereat, and an analysis system (34) for providing a signal to an operator of the probe (12) when measurements on the reflected light in one or more predetermined range of wavelengths fall within any predetermined range of values that are characteristic of tartar (S). Typically, the detection of tartar (S) is achieved on the basis of the possible colors that tartar (S) can have such that the aforementioned one or more predetermined range of values cover wavelengths associated with colors of tartar (S).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tooth coating applicator (10), typically in the form of a strip (11), and a method for applying a dental sealant to a surface of a tooth (T), and specifically to the interproximal surface (S) thereof. The applicator (10) is elongated and is adapted to be typically inserted into an interproximal space (I) defined between a pair of adjacent teeth (T, T?) and to be gradually slid against a dental surface of one of the teeth.

Abstract: A diagnostic tool for detection of dental pathology is provided that functions as a self-contained, handheld unit. The tool includes a light probe and a housing within which are located an optical source, an optical detector, an analysis processor and a power source. The components within the housing are integrated on a support which is removable from the housing. The housing is in multiple pieces which may be connected together during operation, and disconnected to allow removal of the support. This allows for sterilization of the housing and light probe without the electrical components of the device.