Patents Examined by Eric Rosen
  • Implant, implant body, and abutment body
    Patent number: 8740615
    Abstract: An implant that includes an implant body in which a fitting hole portion having a taper shape is formed, and an abutment having a fitting shaft portion having a taper shape. A pressure-withstanding mechanism configured by the fitting hole portion and the fitting shaft portion and a rotation-preventing mechanism preventing rotation of the abutment with respect to the implant body are integrally formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Nanto. Precision Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Teruo Ishiwata
  • Self-ligating bracket
    Patent number: 8714972
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bracket including a base plate on which two retaining wings are formed running parallel to one another and defining an intermediate space in which a wire arch may be held. The intermediate space has a trapezoidal structure such that the wire arch is always pushed upward under the elasticity of the bracket by the inclined retaining wings toward the retaining surfaces, such that the wire arch is held in the intermediate space in an aligned fashion without play. The cross sectional shape of the wire arch is selected such that no surface contact occurs in the intermediate space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: Tena Eichenberg
  • Orthodontic attachment module for intra-oral bite correctors
    Patent number: 8714974
    Abstract: A module for attaching an orthodontic bite corrector to an orthodontic buccal tube appliance includes two segments, and each segment includes a rotation stop for limiting undesired rotational movement of bite corrector during movement of the patient's jaws. The segments are movable relative to each other during installation of the attachment module for facilitating placement of the rotation stops in regions next to the buccal tube appliance that might otherwise be difficult to access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: James D. Cleary
  • Vibrating dental plate and accessories
    Patent number: 8708701
    Abstract: Vibrating dental devices and accessories are provided, including a unique snap fit dental plate and vibrator connection; risers for adjusting the thickness of a dental plate; a pointer or wand that can be clamped onto a dental plate to reach even severely misaligned teeth; a cushioned dental plate having a non-Newtonian fluid therein that allows conformation of the cushion to the dentition, but hardens on use to allow the transmission of vibration to the teeth. Accessories such as carrying cases and docking stations are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: OrthoAccel Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Levens, W. Brent Tarver
  • Self ligating orthodontic bracket having a rotatable member
    Patent number: 8678818
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed, at least in part, to a self ligating orthodontic bracket having a rotatable member for securing an archwire within a slot of the bracket. Embodiments of the orthodontic bracket disclosed herein include a bracket body containing the archwire slot as well as tie wings for attaching various orthodontic devices (e.g., elastomeric bands) to the bracket. The rotatable member is rotatable in a first direction (e.g., counter clockwise) relative to a body of the bracket for securing or locking the archwire within the slot, and for rotating in an opposite direction (e.g., a clockwise direction) relative to the bracket body for unsecuring or unlocking the archwire so that it is substantially unrestrained from exiting the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: RMO, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Dupray, Nam Trinh, Jeffrey Allen Smith
  • Dental tool
    Patent number: 8672679
    Abstract: A dental tool includes a working head 3 rotatable about a rotational axis 1 and attached to a shaft 2, which working head is provided with cutting edges 4, 5. Cutting edges 4 of a first toothing are formed about a complete periphery of the working head 3, cutting edges 5 of a second toothing are formed additionally at sector-type partial regions of the working head 3, and sector-type regions are provided at a front face 6 of the working head 3, in which the cutting edges 4, 5 of the first and second toothing end alternatingly in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Gebr. Brasseler GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Friedrich Wilhelm Meier, Markus Niemeier
  • Dental tool with adjustable head
    Patent number: 8651862
    Abstract: A dental tool may include a head that may include a working portion and a neck. The neck may include a first end and a second end, and the working portion may extend from the first end. A handle may include a clamp and a socket. The socket may be configured to receive the second end of the neck. The second end may pivot within the socket to move the working portion and the neck relative to the handle. The clamp may be adapted to selectively fix the second end relative to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Solomon
  • Dental separator apparatus and method
    Patent number: 8647120
    Abstract: A tooth separator apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes a tong having two arms constructed of a resilient material and having a wedge disposed at each end. An expander member is coupled to the two arms, and a drive shaft is coupled to the expander member. When a user moves or rotates the drive shaft, the expander member is moved into a position which causes the two arms and wedges to separate by a distance sufficient to permit the wedges to be inserted in a patient's mouth and positioned adjacent to two teeth that are to be separated. When the user rotates the drive shaft in the reverse direction, the expander member returns to its original position thereby releasing the separating force on the resilient arms and permitting them and the wedges to move in a closing direction with sufficient force to separate the adjacent teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Bowater, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Marty Marteney, John Hamilton
  • System and method for detecting deviations during the course of an orthodontic treatment to gradually reposition teeth
    Patent number: 8636510
    Abstract: Method and system for detecting and correcting deviation during an orthodontic treatment plan is provided. The method includes the steps of receiving an un-segmented current teeth image representing a patient's teeth after an orthodontic treatment plan has begun and before the plan ends for the patient; matching a previously segmented teeth model with the current teeth image; and generating at least one corrective stage to define an intermediate tooth arrangement, wherein the at least one corrective stage repositions a digital teeth image so that a prescribed tooth arrangement of the previously segmented teeth model can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Kitching, Ka Man Cheang
  • Self-ligating brackets for orthodontics
    Patent number: 8636508
    Abstract: Self-ligating bracket for orthodontics has a base, an occlusal wall extending from the base and occlusal ligature wing, a gingival wall extending from the base and gingival ligature wing, a slot, which separates the occlusal wall and the gingival wall from one another and extends continuously in the direction from mesial to distal, and a slide, which is held in a guide provided in the occlusal wall and/or in the gingival wall. The guide can be shifted in the gingival-occlusal direction, between a closed position, in which the slide bridges the slot, and a open position, in which the slot is open in labial direction. A structure holds the slide in its closed position as well as in its open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Inventor: Rolf Förster
  • Dental impression tray for use in obtaining an impression of a dental structure
    Patent number: 8602773
    Abstract: A dental impression tray, a kit, and method of using the same are provided for taking an impression of at least a portion of a dental structure of a patient. The tray can include a tray portion, fiduciary markers, and can also have a holding section with two opposing sides and fasteners disposed thereon. The kit can include the tray and a handle portion. The handle can be removably secured to the holding section of the tray. In some embodiments, the handle can include a pair of handle portions. In other embodiments, a part of the handle can be aligned with a facial feature of a patient from whom a dental impression is to be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Nobel Biocare Services AG
    Inventors: Per-Olof Karlsson, Jenny Fäldt
  • Two-part dental implant
    Patent number: 8597024
    Abstract: A two-part dental implant includes distal and proximal stem portions which in an interconnected condition at least indirectly adjoin each other at a connecting location and have mutually facing surfaces in the region of the connecting location. A sealing body is provided between the mutually facing surfaces of the distal and proximal stem portions. The sealing body has sealing surfaces which face towards the mutually facing surfaces and which in the interconnected condition of the two stem portions bear sealingly against the mutually facing surfaces thereof. In addition, mutually facing abutment surfaces are provided between the distal and proximal stem portions. These mutually facing abutment surfaces bear against each other in the final assembled dental implant and limit the degree of approach of the two mutually facing surfaces of the stem portions between which the sealing body is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Mehrof Implant Technologies GmbH
    Inventor: Jürgen Mehrhof
  • Mouthpiece that adjusts to user arch sizes and seals from oxygen exposure
    Patent number: 8591227
    Abstract: A mouthpiece that adjusts manually to accommodate a broad range of different size sets of upper and lower teeth in the mouth and yet seals the treatment area from oxygen exposure. The mouthpiece includes light emitting diodes and heat generating resistors all arranged in an array. A series of parallel texture bands are provides to guide and direct the light from the LEDs to diffuse generally evenly onto teeth to be treated. The seal arises from an inner surface of the mouthpiece titling inwardly so that a seal bead seals in the vicinity of the gum above the teeth to be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventor: Jonathan B. Levine
  • Tooth movement measurement by automatic impression matching
    Patent number: 8591225
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for detecting deviations from an orthodontic treatment plan. One method includes receiving a tracking model, performing a matching step between individual teeth in a plan model and the tracking model, comparing the tracking model with the plan model, and detecting one or more positional differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fuming Wu, Vadim Matov, Jihua Cheng
  • Dental implant with axial and/or coronal movement and method for affixing it
    Patent number: 8585405
    Abstract: Dental implant that in the event of external pressure is able to absorb a multidirectional pressure, being provided for this purpose with a main body that includes a hollow screw inside which there is a lower end joint, a lower elastic joint, an intermediate nut with internal threading and a hexagonal exterior, an internal movement-limiting screw, an upper elastic joint, a “T”-shaped upper closing part, with a hexagonal head and a threaded interior, where the arrangement and nature of the parts enables not only the dismantling of all of the parts for revision, but also an increase in its strength in response to external forces through its capacity for axial and/or coronal movement, which helps to increase the lifespan of the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventor: Alberto Artal Arruga
  • Aesthetic orthodontic bracket and method of making same
    Patent number: 8585398
    Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body that has an archwire slot adapted to receive the archwire. A movable member is engaged with the bracket body and is movable between an opened position and a closed position. The bracket body and movable member are made from a transparent or translucent ceramic for improved aesthetics. The bracket body may include one or more stop surfaces that limit movement of the moveable member in the gingival direction. The bracket body may include a support surface that is positioned lingually of a labial edge of the archwire slot. The moveable member may include a bracket-engaging portion having a first surface confronting the bracket body and a slot-covering portion having a second surface confronting the archwire slot, the first and second surfaces being offset from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Ormco Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Yeh, Rodolfo Rodriguez, Farrokh Farzin-Nia
  • Reduced-friction buccal tube and method of use
    Patent number: 8585399
    Abstract: An orthodontic appliance includes features for reducing friction between an interior of an archwire slot portion of the appliance and an archwire to be placed within the archwire slot. Other embodiments include a rounded exterior occlusal surface. Embodiments further include one or more receptacles for receiving an installation tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: RMO, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Smith, Leon Laub
  • Method for constructing an oral appliance for delivering a medicament
    Patent number: 8585406
    Abstract: An oral appliance is constructed and provided for delivering a medicament to at least a portion of teeth and/or soft tissue areas inside a mouth, the oral appliance including an interior surface having a porous material disposed on at least a portion of the interior surface of the oral appliance, the porous material containing a medicament and the interior surface being formed to fit contours of at least the portion of the teeth and/or soft tissue areas inside the mouth and being capable of supporting and holding the porous material in contact with at least the portion of the teeth and/or soft tissue areas inside the mouth to deliver the medicament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventor: Peter John Zegarelli
  • Orthodontic tooth retention system
    Patent number: 8523564
    Abstract: An orthodontic retainer system including retainer modules that are applied to adjacent teeth in a patient's mouth. The retainer modules may be provided in the form of mutually attracted members, such as magnets, that are temporary coupled on opposites sides of a delivery member for positioning and bonding to an adjacent pair of teeth. In one exemplary embodiment, the retainer modules have rounded and/or chamfered edges and sloped and curved lingual surfaces, and may include a magnet that is received and sealed within an enclosure or cover that has the same shape or profile as the magnet and is made of a wear-resistant biocompatible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventors: Eugene L. Dellinger, Aron E. Dellinger
  • Vibrating orthodontic remodelling device
    Patent number: 8500446
    Abstract: A bite plate allowing for contact with occlusal and facial and/or lingual maxillary and mandibular teeth is coupled to an extraoral housing containing a rechargeable battery coupled to a vibrator coupled to a processor coupled to data and charging port or ports. The housing is at least water resistant, and a hatch allows access to the data and charging port or ports only. The device is fitted with a very smooth and quiet vibrator, with minimal variance on operating specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Orthoaccel Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Michael K. Lowe