Abstract: A direct resin veneer (2) for creating a veneer on a tooth surface comprising a thin planar expanse of an uncured restorative material, or direct resin veneer (4). The veneer (4) has a generally tooth configuration that is generously sized to permit adequate coverage for any tooth. Adhered to at least one side of the restorative material is a flexible pliant non-sticky planar sheath (6). The sheath (6) material has a curved gingival arch contour (10) for gum line alignment and various tab-like protrusions that permit placement upon a tooth. An inferior peeling tab (12) allows for sheath to be separated from the resin veneer (4) subsequent to tooth surface placement. And the lateral grasping tabs (16) permit delivery to a tooth's surface.

Abstract: There is disclosed a medical handpiece, in particular a dental handpiece, having a lighting device which includes at least one optical semiconductor element, whereby the at least one optical semiconductor element is arranged at least partially in the interior of the handpiece and is detachably connected to the handpiece. On account of this design, it is possible for the user to easily connect the handpiece to an optical semiconductor element that is needed for a certain treatment and has, for example, a certain desired power level and/or emits a desired wavelength. The handpiece may thus be used for different applications without requiring any additional components such as switches, etc., that take up space. The outside dimensions of the handpiece remain substantially unchanged in comparison with known handpieces.

Abstract: To provide a fixture mount fixing tool for preventing damage of a fixture in the storage container, when a fixture mount and the fixture are engaged, the fixture mount fixing tool includes a top part (2) having a bolt insertion through-hole (1) and a droop part (3) drooped therefrom, the bolt insertion through-hole (1) includes an engagement hole (4) engaged with a regular polygonal-shaped part (Zb) formed on an end part outer face of the fixture mount (Z), and/or the droop part (3) includes engagement faces contacted with plane parts on an outer face of the fixture mount (Z), and the droop part (3) includes a locking part (3b) locked with a container holding hole of a base table for holding the storage container (Y) or a locking part (3b) locked with engagement part formed on the side face of the container (Y).

Abstract: A dental implant, components, and kit are provided. The implant can include a body, attachment means for attaching the implant to bone, and a recess. The recess can be disposed within the body and open towards a proximal end thereof. The recess can include a proximally-disposed receiving chamber and a distally-disposed threaded chamber. The receiving chamber can include an interlock chamber, which can be disposed at a distal end of the receiving chamber and have a polygonal cross-section. The implant can be multi-functional such that components for various dental prostheses and procedures can be provided having portions that can, for example, engage the interlock chamber of the implant, mate with the receiving chamber of the implant, and/or mate with the proximal end the implant for supporting the prosthesis and/or facilitating the procedure.

Abstract: A carry and drive device and method for a dental implant or a dental implant component with a driving recess. The device includes a drive end with a configuration substantially matching the drive recess and with an interference surface frictionally engageable with a portion of the driving recess.

Abstract: A dental handpiece having a grip with a head in which a treatment tool may be detachably attached. A front casing portion of the grip is continuous to a rear casing portion at an obtuse angle. A first rotary shaft is rotatably supported in the rear casing portion. A cylindrical jacket extends from the head and is arranged in the front casing portion toward the first rotary shaft. A second rotary shaft is rotatably supported in the jacket, and is operatively connected to the treatment tool at one end and to the first rotary shaft at the other end via a gear. The rotary shafts transmit driving force to the head section to drive the treatment tool. The jacket is provided with an engagement groove on its circumferential surface. An engaging device disposed in the rear casing portion detachably engages the groove, thereby fixing the jacket in the front casing portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to manufacturing a surgical guide to be placed in a patient's mouth. The patient's mouth is scanned to obtain surgical-region scan data at a region where an implant is to be located. The patient's mouth is also scanned in the opened position to acquire dental conditions opposite from the surgical region so as to obtain opposing-condition scan data. A virtual model is developed using the surgical-region scan data and the opposing-condition scan data. Using the virtual model, a surgical plan is developed that includes the location of the implant to be installed in the patient. A virtual surgical guide is also developed based on the surgical plan. The dimensions of instrumentation to be used with the surgical guide are checked to ensure they will fit within the mouth by use of the opposing-condition scan data. After checking, final surgical-guide manufacturing information is obtained for manufacturing the surgical guide.

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 two adjacent teeth.

Abstract: An endodontic probe is used to perform disinfection procedures on target tissues within root canal passages and tubules. The endodontic probe can include an electromagnetic radiation emitting fiber optic tip having a distal end and a radiation emitting region disposed proximally of the distal end. According to one aspect, the endodontic probe can include a porous structure that encompasses a region of the fiber optic tip excluding the radiation emitting region and that is loaded with biologically-active particles, cleaning particles, biologically-active agents, or cleaning agents for delivery from the porous structure onto the target tissues.

Abstract: A partial denture having an artificial tooth, a denture base holding the artificial tooth, and a clasp fixed to the denture base, wherein the clasp includes a back-side arm and a front-side arm and does not include a rest, the back-side arm extending in a rearward bulging convex on a back side of a dentition-extended range of the denture base, the front-side arm extending in a forward bulging convex toward a front side of the dentition-extended range of the denture base, wherein the back-side arm and the front-side arm extend within a height range ranging from an extended plane of a top surface of a crown of the artificial tooth toward the denture base side.

Abstract: A hardenable dental material, exhibiting a reflectivity in the hardened state of preferably more than about 70%, measured according to EN ISO 2813 (1999) with an angle of incidence of 60°. The material provides for improved visual readability in the hardened state.

Abstract: A standard orthodontic retainer is modified on its surface opposite the palate and facing the patient's tongue with a light, a small battery to provide power for the light means, and a frame beneath the light that allows a template to be removably slid into the frame. The template consists of a design such as a heart, a letter of the alphabet, a symbol, or other design that, when the light is activated, shines the pattern onto the top of the tongue of the user. The template can be made so that the design displayed on the user's tongue is of any desired color or color combination. Alternatively, the color of the displayed design may be created by the color of the light or by an additional template consisting of an optical filter providing the desired color.

Abstract: A method treating a root canal in a tooth by introducing into the pulp chamber of a tooth and pulsing a laser light into the fluid reservoir so as to disintegrate pulp within the root canal without generation of any significant heat in said liquid fluid so as to avoid elevating the temperature of any of the dentin, tooth, or other adjacent tissue more than about 5° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light curing device (10) having a light source (14), which is mounted such that it is thermally conductively connected to a heat sink (12), with electrical components which are fitted to a printed circuit board. The components are at least partially arranged in the cooling air stream of the heat sink (12) and the cooling air stream is at least partially guided by the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A laser tip, and method for the use thereof, is described for utilization in medical and dental applications. Specifically, a tip with an increased photoacoustic wave emission capability is formed by beveling the tip and further enhanced by stripping the adjacent sheath. Preferably, this conic and/or stripped tip section is surface modified, for example, by texturing, derivatization or metalization. In the field of endodontics the tip is inserted into a solution that has been introduced into a root canal and the pulsed laser is fired. The resulting generation of an enhanced photoacoustic wave propagates through the solution. These photoacoustic waves turbulently clean the interior of the root and lateral canal systems and/or causes cell lysis and dissolution of inorganics in biotic systems.

Abstract: An improved orthodontic appliance is disclosed having information encoded or formed in the base of the appliance, wherein the encoded information increases the total base surface area by an amount that is effective for increasing the adhesion of the appliance to a patient's tooth. In one embodiment, the total base surface area may increase to 140% of what such surface would be without the encoded information. The encoded information may identify: a manufacturer or supplier of the appliance, a part/model number, a location and/or date of manufacturer, a composition of material, a patent number, a logo, etc.

Abstract: An implant, system and method for use in replacement of a tooth. The implant can include a first threaded portion, a connecting member opposite the first threaded portion for attaching to a replacement tooth, a driver head positioned between the threaded portion and the connecting member, and a transmucosal collar disposed between the driver head and the first threaded portion.

Abstract: Endodontic fibers including a biocompatible polymer vehicle permeable to medicaments, or combinations of medicaments, and method of using such endodontic fibers are described. Such fibers can be used, for example, in a method for the local delivery and sustained release of medicaments to intracanal treatment sites.

Abstract: A method and a device for effecting the cordless retraction of the gingival sulcus tissue that includes a dam shaped to be fitted onto a tooth. In one embodiment, the well of the dam is pre-filled with a predetermined amount of a flowable retraction material having a heavy viscosity or putty consistency. The preloaded tooth dam is fitted to a prepared tooth so that when pressure is applied onto the tooth dam, the retraction material is displaced under pressure and forced into the sulcus, causing the gingival tissue to retract away from the tooth to enlarge the gingival sulcus. In another embodiment the cap is filled with a dilatant material. In another embodiment, the cap is filled with an impregnated compressible porous material. In yet another embodiment, the cap is pre-dosed with an astringent or hemostatic agent.

Abstract: An impacted tooth appliance including a micropin bone anchor with a quadrilateral aperture formed therein, a rigid apertured ribbon secured to the impacted tooth by means of a rotatable bracket secured to the tooth, the ribbon pivoted on the bracket, and the ribbon and the micropin interconnected by means of spring-biased quadrilateral wire.