Abstract: The dental handpiece consists of a housing with a handle and a turbine that can be operated with compressed gas or compressed air. The rotational movement of the turbine driven by compressed gas is transmitted to the dental tool via a rotor shaft and a chuck. The rotor shaft is rotatably supported by at least one axial groove ball bearing. The radial rigidity required for operating a dental handpiece is achieved by axially preloading the ball bearings. Projections on the housing and the shaft disc of the at least one axial groove ball bearing allow the axial groove ball bearing to be used as radial groove ball bearings. The proposed design of the dental handpiece exhibits little power loss or frictional loss in comparison to dental handpieces with radial groove ball bearings, and slip and drilling friction components can be virtually completely prevented in particular.

Abstract: A dental implant includes a threaded portion extending along a central longitudinal axis from an apical end to a coronal end. The threaded portion includes a core from which threading extends radially outwards, the threading including an apical flank, a coronal flank and a lateral surface connecting the apical and coronal flanks, the lateral surface defining the radially outermost surface of the threading. The threading extends along the length of the threaded portion in a helical manner and the thread width narrowing in the radially outwards direction such that the threading is widest where it contacts the core and narrows towards the lateral surface. The core diameter of the threaded portion is defined by the outer diameter of the core and the outer diameter of the threaded portion is defined by the lateral surface of the threading.

Abstract: An oral appliance for delivering a medicament to an inflamed tissue inside an oral cavity is provided. The oral appliance has an interior surface configured to contour at least a portion of teeth and/or soft tissue areas inside the oral cavity, the interior surface of the oral appliance having a medicament disposed at a discrete region of the interior surface of the oral appliance, the medicament configured to contact a top portion of the inflamed tissue inside the oral cavity when the oral appliance is worn to cause delivery of the medicament to at least the top portion of the inflamed tissue. A method of making the oral appliance and a method of treating an inflamed tissue inside an oral cavity using the oral appliance is also provided.

Abstract: An implant for implantation into bone tissue includes an elongated body having an outer surface. The outer surface has at least one thread. The thread makes a number of turns around the body of the implant and includes a root, a flank and a crest. The root and a segment of the flank have a roughened portion compared to the crest. A method of forming an implant having a threaded outer surface including a root, a flank, and a crest includes treating the threaded outer surface at only the root and a portion of the flank while the crest remains untreated.

Abstract: A dental restoration device includes a sleeve having an exterior surface and an interior pocket that is at least partially filled with a dental cement, and a crown having an exterior surface and an interior surface that is mated to the exterior surface of the crown and bonded thereto by an adhesive disposed between the exterior surface of the sleeve and the interior surface of the crown.

Abstract: Methods of forming dental appliances with reinforcement ribs. Methods may include forming virtual ribs on a virtual dental appliance. The virtual ribs may be formed laterally across at least a portion of a lingual surface and a labial surface of the virtual dental appliance. A thickness from rib to rib of the virtual ribs may vary such that thicker one or more ribs are arranged to apply greater force in the one or more desired directions. Methods may include calculating a displacement of the one or more teeth of a virtual teeth model based on forces applied by the virtual dental appliance. The displacement may account for changes in the forces applied on the one or more teeth of the virtual teeth model that the virtual ribs provide. Methods may include forming a dental appliance from a polymeric material based upon the virtual dental appliance.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance may include an archwire and multiple orthodontic brackets. The archwire may fit within a human mouth and contain multiple male connectors. Each orthodontic bracket may have a configuration that facilitates attaching the orthodontic bracket to a single tooth. Each orthodontic bracket may allow one of the male connectors to be locked into the orthodontic bracket with a snapping action. The male connector may be unable to slide with respect to the orthodontic bracket after being locked in the orthodontic bracket. A manual unlocking action may allow the male connector to disengage from the orthodontic bracket.

Abstract: The bracket for orthodontic treatment includes a body; a slot which extends in the vertical plane from the ceiling of the body towards the base thereof and which receives a wire; a lid which moves forwards/backwards so as to open/close the mouth of the slot; a spring and lock group having at least one spring which is provided between the body and the lid, which stretches in the vertical plane and which moves together with the lid with one end being fixed to the lid and the other being free; and a movement mechanism which has at least one rail extending on the ceiling of the body perpendicularly to the slot and at least one slide fitted into said rail and extending downwards from the lower surface of the lid and which enables the lid to move by sliding on the ceiling of the body.

Abstract: The dental wedge has an elongated body extending from an outer end to an opposite inner end. The body includes a longitudinal intermediate wall, a longitudinal first side wall connected to the intermediate wall, and a longitudinal second side wall connected to the intermediate wall. The first side wall and the second side wall each flare away from the intermediate wall such that a first distal end of the first side wall and a second distal end of the second side wall are spaced apart creating an inverted generally V-shaped transverse section for the body. The body has a top surface and a bottom surface formed by the intermediate wall, the first side wall and the second side wall. The intermediate wall includes a region of increased flexibility compared to each of the first side wall and the second side wall.

Abstract: A handheld vise for dental crowns includes a vise block, an elongated handle extending from the vise block, a linear screw embedded in the vise block, and first and second jaws. The second jaw may be arcuate on a gripping surface thereof to conform to the shape of a dental crown. The handheld vise is sized for quickly and readily securing a dental crown such as a stainless-steel dental crown for use in pediatric dentistry. An elastomeric material may be used on the gripping surfaces of the vise. A radius of curvature of the gripping surface of the second jaw may be between about 25-35 mm. A height of the jaws may be between about 2-5 mm, and a distance between the first jaw and a vertex of the second jaw may range from about 3-10 mm. A method and kit for forming crowns including the handheld vise are disclosed.

Abstract: A wall portion of a dental handpiece accommodates a cam pin 111 with a cam hole 21 or a cam groove 211 designed so that the size of the cam hole 21 or the cam groove 211 is larger than the size of the cam pin 111 in each of the axial direction and the circumferential direction of a vibration cylinder 20. Therefore, a rotating member 110 is rotationally driven, and a vibrating force acts on the vibration cylinder 20 in the axial direction through the cam pin 111. In this manner, the vibration cylinder 20 vibrates or reciprocates in the axial direction with respect to a second cylindrical member 12, and vibrates or reciprocates in the circumferential direction. In addition, a needle portion 42 protruding from a through-hole 202 of the vibration cylinder 20 vibrates while being bent.

Abstract: Polymeric shell appliances are provided in which the polymeric shell appliances are configured to provide one or more activation forces to facilitate tooth movement. In many embodiments, the appliances comprise interproximal engagement structures to provide activation forces to interproximal tooth surfaces. In many embodiments, the activation forces are arranged to provide a plurality of forces, including a force in a direction opposite to an intended direction of tooth movement. The polymeric shell appliances may comprise one or more tooth receiving cavities, in which each of the plurality of tooth receiving cavities is shaped and arranged to provide a counter moment of each of the plurality of teeth.

Abstract: A handheld vise for dental crowns includes a vise block, an elongated handle extending from the vise block, a linear screw embedded in the vise block, and first and second jaws. The second jaw may be arcuate on a gripping surface thereof to conform to the shape of a dental crown. The handheld vise is sized for quickly and readily securing a dental crown such as a stainless-steel dental crown for use in pediatric dentistry. An elastomeric material may be used on the gripping surfaces of the vise. A radius of curvature of the gripping surface of the second jaw may be between about 25-35 mm. A height of the jaws may be between about 2-5 mm, and a distance between the first jaw and a vertex of the second jaw may range from about 3-10 mm. A method and kit for forming crowns including the handheld vise are disclosed.

Abstract: A dental bar is disclosed for accurately determining the separation and relative orientation of two coping cylinders projecting from dental implants in a patients mouth to receive a prosthesis. The dental bar comprises two sockets, for fitting over and securing to the two coping cylinders, connected to one another by a limb formed of telescopically collapsible sections. The telescoped ections of the limb are of differing cross-sectional shape so as to define between them a volume into which a bonding material may be injected through a port, in order to lock all the limb sections permanently relative to one another.

Abstract: Methods of forming wire attachment appliances. Methods may include forming a shell having multiple cavities and an attachment material reservoir within a first cavity of the multiple cavities. The attachment material reservoir may be positioned such that, when the wire attachment appliance is positioned on a dental arch, an attachment material provided within the attachment material reservoir is arranged to contact a surface of a particular tooth for attaching a wire to the particular tooth. Forming the wire attachment appliance may further include forming at least two wire attachment members on an interior surface of at least two second cavities of the multiple cavities. The at least two wire attachment members may be shaped to hold the wire in position with respect to the particular tooth.

Abstract: The present invention is a dental material carrier and a dispenser gun thereof configured to mark the amount of a dental material used or remained in the dental material carrier. The dental material carrier comprises a body with opaque scratchable colored markings and to be pre-loaded with a predetermined amount of a dental filling material. The dispenser gun having a housing configured to receive the dental material carrier and a piston with an extended metal bar attached to the piston. The metal bar having a pin to scratch the markings on the dental material carrier. In one embodiment the dispenser gun further has a locking mechanism to provide a one way advancement of the piston and lock the piston at the point of usage of the dental material used inside the carrier. In another embodiment the marking element is an O-ring.

Abstract: A combination ergonomic tool having a suction mechanism and includes an operational unit, a neck region and a handle region. The suction mechanism may be added for eliminating fluids. In particular, the handle region and neck region together form a single, continuous, hollow fluid passageway to facilitate the delivery of suction at the distal tip of the combination dental tool. The operational unit can further include a tongue retractor, a flap retractor or a combination thereof. The neck region may further contain a lateral bend, a rotation of the working end or both. The proximal end of the handle region, opposite the operational unit, may further include any useful apparatus, such as a periosteal elevator or periosteal retractor.

Abstract: Appliances for orthodontic treatment are provided. In some embodiments, an orthodontic appliance includes a shell having a plurality of teeth-receiving cavities shaped to reposition a patient's teeth from a first arrangement toward a second arrangement. The shell can have a first elasticity. The appliance can include an attachment-receiving well formed in the shell. The attachment-receiving well can be configured to engage an attachment coupled to a tooth of the patient. The appliance can further include at least one tactile object coupled to the attachment-receiving well. The at least one tactile object can include an elongate body that extends toward the attachment when the shell is worn on the patient's teeth. The at least one tactile object can have a second elasticity greater than the first elasticity.

Abstract: A vibration-side housing is attached to a tip of a handle-side housing, and a motor in which a plate cam is attached to a rotating shaft is housed. A vibration tube mounting opening opens at distal end part of the vibration-side housing, and a vibration tube is mounted thereon. The vibration tube is provided to vibrate in a forward-backward direction while urged in the plate cam direction via a spring with respect to the vibration-side housing. The vibration tube contacts with the plate cam via a roller at a rear end part. A reamer mounting opening opens at a tip of the vibration tube, and receives and tightly holds an insertion part of the reamer. The reamer including the bendable needle part is attachable/detachable to the vibration-side housing.

Abstract: A compact case comprises a product palette configured with one or more product wells. The palette is connected to, and rests, on top of a shock absorbing insert, and both are located in the base of the compact. The shock absorbing insert is a flexible member comprised of one or more hubs from which one or more projections extend. The shock absorbing insert is able to absorb and dissipate energy during impact so that product in the product in the product wells is protected.