Abstract: The present invention relates to the affixation of dental dams and Class III matrixes utilized in conservative dentistry and oral surgery. In particular, the present invention relates to a device and method for retaining and stabilizing a dental dam or Class III matrix, or other device, in the mouth of the patient, which can be clamped between 2 adjacent teeth.

Abstract: An intraosteal dental implant having a bone tissue apposition surface extending form a tip of the dental implant up to an interface at a neck portion of the dental implant, and a soft tissue apposition surface extending from the interface to a shoulder of the dental implant, wherein the shoulder is inclined with respect to the axis of the dental implant, and wherein preferably the shoulder is substantially contained in a plane.

Abstract: A glenoid component (100) for use with a prosthetic humeral component (102) for use in performing shoulder arthroplasty is provided. The glenoid component (100) may be fitted at least partially into a cavity (104) formed in the glenoid vault (106). The glenoid component (112) includes a body (112) having a stem portion (114) for inserting at least partially into the cavity (104) formed in the glenoid vault (106). The stem portion (114) cooperates with the interior wall (116) of the cavity (104) formed in the glenoid vault (106). The body (112) has a bearing portion (120) for articulating cooperation with the prosthetic humeral component (102).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for bleaching teeth in which a solution of a nitrogen-doped titanium oxide powder is contacted on a surface of the teeth and the surface of the teeth is irradiated to bleach the surface of the teeth-by activating a photocatalytic reaction.

Abstract: To photograph teeth and dental shade guides including marks indicating color tones of a color samples together in large size and particularly, without making the photographing distance far from the teeth, irrespective of the color samples to plate-shaped handle parts, in the dental shade guide, has a color sample modeling a form of an artificial tooth of an anterior tooth and a tag having a mark indication part are attached at one end of a plate-shaped handle part rotatably around an axis, the tag is attached at a lingual surface side of the color sample, and the mark indication part protrudes 1 to 15 mm at the maximum only from a tooth root directional end or side of the color sample.

Abstract: A retractor and a surgical tool are positioned within a cannula, and a dissection cradle of the retractor is positioned at the distal end of the cannula. The retractor includes a first portion with an axis approximately parallel to the axis of the cannula and a second portion with an axis that can be skewed relative to the axis of the cannula. The dissection cradle is located at the distal end of the second portion of the retractor, and may include two substantially parallel, spaced legs with the retractor shaped in a loop between and in a plane skewed relative to the axes of the legs, and with the loop directed away from the surgical tool. Thus, in operation, a surgeon locates a vessel and side branch of interest and extends the retractor to cradle the vessel in the dissection cradle. Once cradled, the retractor may be deflected to urge the vessel away from the axis of the cannula to isolate the side branch for exposure to the surgical tool.

Abstract: A spine stabilization system includes a flexible member attachable to a portion of the spinal column. The member includes components that are oriented and function similar to the natural fiber orientation of the anterior longitudinal ligament and annulus tissue. The use of components resist loading applied by extension and rotation of the spine, while the flexibility of the member does not subject it to the compressive loading of the spinal column segment to which it is attached.

Abstract: A periodontal structure regeneration composition for treatment of periodontal disease is a mixture of particles of a bone growth material and free collagen. The periodontal regeneration composition is injected into the periodontal pocket through a needle. The composition may contain a thickener that increases the viscosity of the composition after the material has been injected into the periodontal pocket. The composition is available in pre-filled syringes offered in a kit that may also contain strips of surgical sponge or gauze that are sized to fit within a periodontal pocket, a tube of adhesive, a dental bur, a probe, a gauze placement tool, gauze counter and a brush for cleaning the dental bur.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for removing enamel from a person's tooth includes a blade portion and a handle portion. The blade portion includes an abrasive surface adapted to remove enamel from the tooth in response to reciprocating movement of the abrasive surface against the enamel of the tooth. The handle portion is coupled to the blade portion, has a substantially solid cross-section, and is adapted to be inserted into a corresponding opening in a driver mechanism that is adapted to drive reciprocating movement of the blade portion to provide the reciprocating movement of the abrasive surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dental matrix retainer (1) used as an aid when filling two-surface cavities in the molars. It comprises a matrix holder (3) and a device for tensioning a matrix band (2) placed in the form of a loop (22) around the tooth which is to be treated, the matrix holder (3) being composed of a housing (5) with a circular opening (8), and of a spindle like inner body (9) which can turn in this opening (8) and which is provided with a gap (12). The gap (12) can be aligned with a slit (10) in the wall of the housing (5) such that the superposed ends of the matrix band (2) can be inserted into this slit (10) and into the gap (12) aligned therewith and can be tensioned on the tooth by turning the spindle (9).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making and aligning digital images from oral tissues, dental implants, healing components, and dental restorations to design and manufacture dental implant retained restorations. Image data about the space available for the planned restoration, orientation of dental implants or abutments and aesthetic contour and occlusion of the prosthesis are all integrated into a virtual three-dimensional model of the prosthesis that can be sent to the clinician or laboratory to validate design intent and to manufacture the prosthesis. The virtual model is used by either a conventional rapid prototyping machine to produce a castable pattern or a number controlled mill to machine the restoration.

Abstract: Intervertebral disc treatment devices and methods are provided. An intervertebral disc treatment device includes a fibrous body sized for introduction into a disc cavity of a damaged disc wherein the body incorporates an effective amount of a tissue growth factor. Intervertebral disc treatment apparatuses are also described that include such a disc treatment device in combination with a delivery apparatus for retaining and selectively releasing the device into the disc cavity. Methods for treatment include providing a disc treatment device as described above and inserting the device into an opening in an annulus fibrous and into the disc cavity. The methods further include stimulating tissue growth within the disc cavity of the intervertebral disc.

Abstract: Methods and instrumentation for spinal interbody fusion are disclosed. The instruments and methods are particularly adapted for interbody fusion in an unreamed disc space. One instrument is a distractor assembly including a first distractor and a second distractor configured to be inserted in side-by-side relation in the disc space. Fusion cages adapted for insertion into an unreamed disc space are provided to enhance load distribution between adjacent vertebral bodies and lateral stability of the spinal column. The fusion cages may be inserted after distracting the disc space with the distractor assembly. Instruments for preparing the disc space through the inserted fusion cages or for use with the distractor assembly are also provided.

Abstract: A post-shaped element for determining the alignment of an implant (10), or the opening cross-section of an artificial indentation located in a tooth or in the stroma of a human or animal body, relative to the surrounding tissue structures, can be introduced with a receiving section (28, 26A) into an adapted receiving recess (10) in the implant (1) or the artificial indentation, and be affixed therein and removed again. In a connecting position the post-shaped element protrudes with a cantilever section (26K) beyond the opening cross-section of the receiving recess (10) or the artificial indentation.

Abstract: A drill guide assembly (10) for a drilling tool (50) having a chuck engaging a bit portion (54) comprising a tip (62) and a length extending from the chuck, the drill guide assembly comprising a first member (14), a second member (12) and a trackable member (16). The first member (14) is adapted to abut a workpiece surface and defines a central aperture (19) therethrough adapted to receive the bit portion. The second member (12) is adapted to be axially displaced with respect to the first member and is axially biased therefrom, and defines a central aperture (11) therethrough adapted to receive the bit portion. The trackable member (16), fastened to the second member, comprises a detectable element (35) adapted to be located and tracked in three dimensional space, thereby defining the position and movement of the second member and therefore that of the drilling tool bit portion.

Abstract: Intramedullary guidance systems and methods introduce some and/or all surgical tools and ankle prostheses components through the tibia, using minimal invasive exposure in the tibia tubercle, or retrograde through the talus, using minimal invasive exposure in planar surface of the calcaneus. The systems and methods align the talus and tibia for the installation of one or more ankle prostheses components, and also maintain that alignment during the installation using intramedullary guidance, e.g., by use of a guide pin to form an intramedullar passage along which surgical tools and prosthetic components are guided.

Abstract: A vertebral replacement body device for supporting adjacent vertebrae includes a connecting member having an upper member and a lower member engaged thereto at opposite ends thereof. The members can be restrained relative to one another to resist axial, rotation and/or lateral displacement. The vertebral replacement body device can have a chamber extending therethrough for fusion of the supported vertebrae.

Abstract: A retractor retaining device retains an otherwise hand-held retractor in a retracting position within a surgical wound. The retractor retaining device includes a clamp that is attachable to a retractor support that is positioned about the wound. A retaining plate is attached to the clamp and engages a flexible loop. The flexible loop is detachably attached to the retaining plate for engaging a handle of the hand held retractor such that the hand held retractor is retained in the retracting position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to prevent interference between two physical tooth models in a physical dental arch model by acquiring the coordinates of a plurality of points on the surfaces of each of the two physical tooth models and digitally representing the surfaces of each of the two physical tooth models by a mesh of points in three dimensions using the acquired coordinates. The meshes representing the surfaces of the two physical tooth models intersect at least at one point to form an overlapping portion. The method also includes calculating the depth of the overlapping portion between the two meshes to quantify the interference of the two physical tooth models.

Abstract: In a shade determination apparatus for porcelain crowns a set of plastic over-tabs in different shades, sizes and specific areas of the tooth, are provided. Based on the specific base shade selected, the set of over-tabs can be tried on to any standard shade guide to achieve a more life-like appearance of the porcelain crown to match the natural teeth surrounding the crowned tooth. Different areas of the tooth such as the cervical and the incisal can be custom stained to match the natural teeth. Along with the different areas of the tooth a practitioner can determine the size of the particular area, i.e. the cervical one-third or the incisal one-half. The over-tabs can be tried on simultaneously, i.e. a cervical one-half shade can be tried on with a incisal one-half shade at the same time, thus determining a better shade match. There are also six “white striation” tabs that can fit over the other tabs at the end to determine a better match of the natural tooth.