Abstract: In one aspect, a method for producing digital models of dental positioning appliances includes providing a digital model of a patient's dentition including teeth; providing a digital model of a veneer covering the patient's teeth; positioning the digital model of the veneer on the digital model of the patient's dentition to produce a combined digital model; and fabricating the dental positioning appliance based on the combined digital model. In another aspect, a dental template includes one or more veneer portions adapted to be secured to teeth; and a removable appliance having one or more veneer portion receiving spaces therein, said removable appliance and the veneer portions adapted to be placed on the teeth.

Abstract: The active portion of an osseous compression tool for use particularly in dentistry for the preparation of an osseous seat has a cross-section whose perimeter, e.g. of polygonal shape, is defined such that a rotational actuation of the tool around its axis, at least in one direction, preceded or accompanied by its actuation in an axial direction inside the seat, has the effect that the osseous matter is compressed and that the seat is imparted a perimeter of a predetermined shape. In a variant embodiment, a rotation of the tool in the opposite direction allows a scraping or cutting of osseous matter. A tool holder includes a percussion system and allows the translational and rotational actuation of the tool manually or automatically.

Abstract: Orthodontic correction device includes a locking device for an arch in the form of a bracket in which is provided for a groove aimed at co-operating with the arch. The groove includes a blocking device for the arch in the form of at least one pin extending at least partly above the groove at the level of the opening of the said groove. The opening is shaped so as to allow, during the insertion of the arch into the groove, passing around the pin.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance includes a latch that comprises at least one clip for retaining an archwire in an archwire slot of the appliance. The clip includes a first section, a second section opposed to the first section and a third section that interconnects the first section and the second section. The third section is adjacent the base and includes an outer edge having a convex shape in contact with a wall portion of the base. The convex shape facilitates opening the clip during insertion of an archwire into the archwire slot of the appliance.

Abstract: Micro-regional force application improves the control of the orthodontic movement of teeth in all six degrees of freedom. Micro regional force application utilizes an elastic repositioning appliance, a tooth positioner, a polymeric shell, or preprogrammed series of polymeric shells. The key components of the invention are the envelope of freedom, the force applicators, force couplers, counterpart coupling, vector modifiers, seating guides, decouplers, and forced balance points. Further, computerized finite element analysis determines the center of resistance and the center of rotation for each tooth to be moved. The present invention gently rotates and translates one or more teeth to a desired straight position within a treatment plan.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, arthroplasty of a knee joint comprising obtaining a desired spacing of the femur from the tibia by inserting a spacer into the knee joint between the femur and the tibia. The spacer is used as a reference for securing a guide jig in position about the knee joint for guiding resection of one or both of the femur and tibia for fitting of tibial and/or femoral prostheses. A method of resecting the femur while moving the tibia through an arc of motion to remove bone to the desired depth, a method of determining the position of the guide jig, the guide jog, an alignment device and the spacer are also described.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance such as a bracket or buccal tube has a latch for retaining an archwire in an archwire slot. The appliance also includes built-torque in order to reduce the need for the practitioner to manually bend the archwire by twisting the archwire about its longitudinal axis during the course of treatment. The latch comprises at least one clip having certain features that significantly reduce strain during opening movements of the clip. As a result, the fatigue life of the clip is enhanced.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for performing virtual treatment using one or more dental appliances by receiving a digital model of a dental appliance; selecting a standard position and orientation; and mapping the digital model of the dental appliance to the standard position and orientation.

Abstract: A dental appliance fabrication system includes a reconfigurable dental model including a frame having one or more tooth members disposed on the frame; and one or more micro-positioners each coupled to one tooth member to move the tooth in six degrees of freedom relative to the frame.

Abstract: A bone plate includes an upper surface, a bone contacting surface, and at least one hole extending through the upper and bone contacting surfaces for receiving a bone screw. The at least one hole includes a first portion and a second portion that overlap one another. The first portion defines a substantially circular outer periphery and the second portion defines an elongated outer periphery that is elongated in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plate. The first portion may have threads configured to engage threads on the head of a bone screw, and the second portion may be configured to cooperate with the head of a different bone screw to provide compression to the fracture.

Abstract: An intraoral data input tool for use during dental examination of a patient comprises a discoid head attached to a handle. The discoid head includes a data input device which is responsive to force applied by a stylus, and may also include a mirror. The input device may be a set of push buttons or a touch sensitive display. The intraoral input device is configured to allow a dental examiner to input data while the input device is positioned in the patient's mouth. The data input device is linked to a computer system either by an electrical connector and cable or a wireless communication device. A display may be included in the discoid head; the display may be used for confirmation of input examination data.

Abstract: A length of tubular material of unitary construction is formed into the approximate shape of a human dental arch for use as an orthodontic arch wire. The tubular material is composed of a super-elastic nickel titanium alloy which may also have shape memory. The cross-sectional shape of the arch wire tube can be round, oval, square, or rectangular. The preferred thickness of the tube is preferably 20 percent of its outside diameter and the tube may be perforated to alter its performance.

Abstract: Techniques are described for moving an orthodontic object (e.g., an orthodontic appliance and/or its associated tooth) in response to input indicative of a desired movement of the object along a virtual archwire. The movement of objects along the archwire may be used to generate a three-dimensional (3D) representation of a patient's dental arch. The manner in which the object is to be moved along the virtual archwire may be determined automatically during creation of a treatment plan for a patient, or may be determined and input by an orthodontic practitioner as part of the creation of the treatment plan.

Abstract: A targeting device and method enables one or more orthodontic elements to be aligned with and bonded onto at least one tooth in a predetermined manner. The device is in the form of a shell that has, for each tooth with respect to which it is desired to align an orthodontic element, a cavity shaped to receive the tooth. Targeting indicators are also provided, and are configured for enabling the corresponding orthodontic elements to be guided into alignment in the required predetermined manner with respect to a tooth that is received in a corresponding cavity.

Abstract: An endosseous dental implant system has an externally threaded root-formed base 2 with self-tapping flutes 5 formed into apical threads of the root-formed base for easy insertion and immediate locking in an osteotomy. The coronal portion of the base has either a male or a female self-locking tapered friction held post that includes an apical anti-rotational polygon 7, 23 to lock a prosthetic attachment to the base once attached.

Abstract: An anterior thoracic/lumbar system comprising a thin plate and fasteners for securing the plate to vertebrae or other osseous material. The plate may be hinged along the central axis, with a pair of collinear holes on each portion of the plate. Each of the holes accommodates a bolt which is screwed into the vertebrae and secured to the plate using a nut.

Abstract: A dental prostheses modeling system includes a molding tray for molding the base of a quadrant or full-arch dental model cast which has a longitudinally disposed partition panel disposed generally between upper and lower surfaces of the tray that forms therewithin an upper well for receiving liquid die stone to mold the base of a dental impression model, and a lower well shaped symmetrically to the upper well for providing clearance for optional manipulating pins installable in the bases of selected die segments modeling individual dental prostheses severed from the hardened die stone base of the model. The partition panel includes peripheral flanges for supporting the base of the dental model, and an openable central portion for enabling a hardened dental model to be ejected from the tray, and for providing access for manipulating pins depending downwardly from die segments.

Abstract: In the inventive method, a tooth whitener having a concentration of hydrogen peroxide significantly lower than the concentration typically used in in-office applications is applied to the teeth in gel form. Next, thin transparent film is placed over the teeth to seal the tooth whitener onto the teeth. The film creates a closed system that precludes oxygen from migrating away from the teeth into the atmosphere. A white light in the range of 380-660 nm wavelength is then activated to assist in exciting oxygen in the path of the light and the oxygen molecules bombard the tooth surfaces. The oxygen molecules may not easily escape from the tooth surfaces into the atmosphere due to the wrap and, thus, their whitening “power” is enhanced and lengthened. Then, the patient may stabilize the whitening results over a 7 to 10 day regime using a lower concentration tooth whitener.

Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket assembly with selectively removable self-ligation features is configured to provide a low profile to minimize labial-lingual prominence. A clip is configured to snap into the base of the bracket and close over the archwire slot to retain the archwire in the slot. The clip is easily moved to an open position when the archwire is changed out during routine treatment. The clip includes spaced apart arms that, along with the bracket tie-wings, straddle the most outwardly prominent site on the crown of the tooth thereby minimizing labial-lingual profile. The self-ligation capability is achieved without any increase in occlusal-gingival height or measial-distal width of the orthodontic bracket.

Abstract: A method produces a physical dental arch model having at least two physical tooth models. The method includes detecting the interference between two physical tooth models. If interference is detected between the first physical tooth model and the second physical tooth model, the positions and orientations of at least one physical tooth model is modified to prevent interference between the first physical tooth model and the second physical tooth model.