Abstract: A series of multi-tapered parabolic implements is disclosed for endodontic use. The instruments comprise different sections: a pilot tip, a first portion adjacent the pilot tip and a second portion adjacent the shank. The two portions have different tapers. The tapers of the two different portions blend into each other along a parabola-shaped surface. The pilot tip is radiussed for ease of entry into a root canal with increased safety.

Abstract: A device for removing a dental covering having: (a) an engagement portion, having a first plate portion which is substantially flat, that is configured to contact a portion of the dental covering along only one of a facial side or a lingual side of the dental covering; (b) a load applying portion, connected to the engagement portion and having a second plate portion which is substantially flat, which is adapted to rest upon an adjacent surface relative to the dental covering; and (c) an intermediate portion which is integral with and adjacent to both the engagement portion and the load applying portion; and wherein the first plate portion is parallel to the second plate portion. The device may be a dental covering removal tool which may find particular use in removing dental coverings, such as temporary and permanent crowns.

Abstract: A method can include producing a real model, including a reproduction of at least sections of at least two tooth crowns of teeth in a jaw and contains bracket reproductions or brackets associated with the reproductions of the tooth crowns; and producing at least two trays by producing at least one impression of the real model, wherein the trays each comprise an impression of at least one tooth crown part of the at least two tooth crowns and at least one bracket part of the at least two bracket reproductions or brackets, wherein the at least one bracket part, viewed from the occlusal surface of the associated tooth crown, extends vertically to at most the end of the wire guide and/or the end of the first undercut of the bracket and/or bracket reproduction, which is arranged after the upper wing in the view from the occlusal surface.

Abstract: An overdenture bar includes a U-shaped support beam configured to being coupled to a plurality of dental implants and extending generally above the mucus membrane of the gums. The U-shaped support beam has an anterior region and a pair of posterior extensions. At least one portion of the U-shaped support beam includes a plurality of retention elements extending generally normal to an outer surface of the U-shaped support beam in a plurality of directions. A method for producing a dental bar model on a CAD/CAM program to be fitted on a patient's upper or lower gingival surface includes the steps of selecting a longitudinal portion of the bar, adding protrusions to an upper portion of the bar and/or positioning a buccal finish line and a lingual finish between two boundary lines. The boundary lines illustrate the highest and lowest position of the finish lines.

Abstract: A dental implant that facilitates insertion includes a body having a coronal end and an apical end opposite the coronal end. An implant-prosthetic interface region is provided adjacent the coronal end. A tapered region is adjacent the apical end. A variable profile helical thread extends along the tapered region. The thread becomes broader in the apical-coronal direction and higher in the coronal-apical direction. The threads include an apical side, a coronal side and a lateral edge connecting them. The variable profile thread includes an expanding length of the lateral edge while the distance of the lateral edge from the base is reduced in the direction of the coronal end. The implant also has a gradual compressing tapered core, a self drilling apical end with a spiral tap, and a coronal end with and inverse tapering.

Abstract: An endodontic file system is provided for simultaneously cleaning and shaping multiple root canals, the system includes a drill head having a distal portion and a proximal portion; at least two adjustable couplers on the distal portion of the drill head, each adjustable coupler configured to secure an endodontic file for cleaning a root canal; and a rotary system configured to rotate each adjustable coupler, where at least one endodontic file has an adjustable working distance from the drill head to a root canal of a tooth. In an example, each adjustable coupler can be configured to have a torque control configured to allow for controlling the rotation of the adjustable coupler based on an amount of torque.

Abstract: A dental implant for insertion in the jaw bone of a patient is provided. The dental implant has an elongated body having a longitudinal axis and a coronal end, an interior bore extending longitudinally from the coronal end, and a plurality of longitudinally extending anti-rotation structures formed at the inner circumference of the interior bore. The anti-rotation structures have a first set of anti-rotation structures constituting a first anti-rotation feature and a second set of anti-rotation structures constituting a second anti-rotation feature which is independent from the first anti-rotation feature. The anti-rotation structures of the first set and the anti-rotation structures of the second set extend in part over a common length along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A dental crown consisting essentially of stabilized zirconia. The dental crown is particularly suited for pedodontic and veterinary applications and most preferably for pedodontic applications. The zirconia crown may be formed by one of several manufacturing processes. The formed crown exterior can be polished and fine polished and can be covered, preferably only partially, with a porcelain glaze to produce an aesthetic outer surface mimicking a natural tooth. Also disclosed is a method for providing and placing a dental crown upon a natural tooth.

Abstract: A kit for an orthodontic bracket, which includes at least a base plate and a flap that can be pivoted over the base plate, to which a flap directly or indirectly guided wire bow can be fastened. The kit includes a selection of base plates and flaps differing in size and shape. Base plates and flaps are produced from sheet metal by bending and stamping. The two parts can be connected to each other without a shaft by being pivoted in relation to each other.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device having a circuit. The circuit includes at least one boost converter receiving power from an energy source, a square wave driver in series with the boost converter, an inductor in series with the square wave driver for converting a square wave to a sinusoidal wave, and a piezoelectric transducer in series with the inductor, the piezoelectric transducer connectable to a load. The device further includes a phase-locked loop coupled to the circuit to determine a resonance frequency of the piezoelectric transducer when the piezoelectric transducer is connected to the load.

Abstract: An implant for dental prostheses includes an endosseous portion and a stump. The endosseous portion includes a crown margin configured to be opposed to a corresponding crown margin of the stump. At least one of the crown margins is conical or however has a different taper with respect to the opposed crown margin so that, once the stump has been coupled to the endosseous portion, the contact and interference surface between the crown margins is a reduced annular surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of attaching a dental component having an angulated screw channel to a dental implant. The present invention also relates to a dental component having an angulated screw channel and a metal adapter.

Abstract: A plunger assembly for a cartridge for dispensing dental material. The plunger assembly has a receptacle, an activator, and a passageway extending through the receptacle along a longitudinal axis. The passageway forms a chamber for storing at least a component of the dental material and has an outlet for the chamber. The activator has a piston for extruding the component from the chamber and a plug for the outlet. The activator is movable to unplug the outlet and to subsequently extrude the component in a single stroke. The plunger assembly helps for reliably emptying the chamber and helps facilitating dispensation of dental materials.

Abstract: A self-ligating bracket include a bracket body with an arch wire slot. A mesial recess is located at a mesial side of the bracket body and extends into the bracket body from the arch wire slot. A distal recess is located at a distal side of the bracket body and extends into the bracket body from the arch wire slot. A central ridge defines a ridge surface separated from the lateral ledges respectively by mesial and distal walls. A clip includes a first arm and a second arm connected by a U-shaped portion. The first arm terminates in a mesial arm, a distal arm, and a middle arm. The clip is moveable between an open position in which the arch wire slot is accessible and a closed position in which the arch wire slot is occluded.

Abstract: A system for scanning a dental arch of a patient includes a reference element having a reference pattern thereon; a holding mechanism configured to hold the reference element in a fixed position inside the patient's oral cavity adjacent to and spaced from the dental arch, wherein the holding mechanism is configured to be installed on the patient without contacting an occlusal surface of the dental arch; and an intra-oral scanner configured to scan the dental arch and an adjacent portion of the reference element to obtain a scanned image comprising the scanned portion of the dental arch and the scanned adjacent portion of the reference pattern.

Abstract: A placement jig for locating a dental implant analog in a physical model of a patient's mouth includes a base, a guide-strut receiving feature, a throughbore, and an angled receiving feature. The guide-strut receiving feature is positioned within the base and is configured to receive a guide-strut of the physical model thereby positioning a lower surface of the placement jig at a desired distance from an opening of a bore in the physical model. The throughbore receives a screw therethrough that engages the dental implant analog such that the dental implant analog is removably coupled to the base. The angled receiving feature is positioned about the throughbore on the lower surface of the base. The angled receiving feature includes a mating surface that is configured to abut a custom abutment positioned between the mating surface and the dental implant analog.

Abstract: A dental appliance for positioning a patient's teeth includes a removable orthodontic tooth positioning appliance having teeth receiving cavities shaped to directly receive at least some of the patient's teeth and apply a resilient positioning force to the patient's teeth. The appliance includes a hard polymer layer having a hard polymer layer elastic modulus disposed between a first soft polymer layer having a first soft polymer layer elastic modulus and a second soft polymer layer having a second soft polymer layer elastic modulus. The hard polymer layer elastic modulus is greater than each of the first soft polymer layer elastic modulus and the second soft polymer layer elastic modulus. At least one of the first soft polymer layer and the second soft polymer layer has a flexural modulus of greater than about 35,000 psi.

Abstract: A multi-unit dental implant system including a dental implant, a straight abutment, an angled abutment, and a plurality of copings or other components configured to universally fit on the cone-section of the straight abutment and the cone-section of the angled abutment.

Abstract: A method for planning a root canal treatment of a tooth which includes a cavity of a patient. The method includes measuring a surface of the cavity with an optical three-dimensional method to generate three-dimensional measurement data of the cavity. A 3D-model of a guide template is planned based on the generated three-dimensional measurement data. The 3-D model is designed in its dimensions as a counterpart to the cavity. Three-dimensional volume data of the tooth is displayed. A position and an orientation of a root canal of the tooth is determined based on the three-dimensional volume data of the tooth. A guide opening for a tool is planned to expose the root canal. The guide opening is arranged within the guide template so that the guide opening points at an entry point of the root canal and in an entry direction of the root canal.

Abstract: Guidance element for a tooth for interacting with an orthodontic treatment splint, the guidance element having a tooth connection surface as well as at least one engagement surface for engagement in the treatment splint in order to exert orthodontic torques and/or forces onto the tooth during the engagement, and having at least one slot for reception of an orthodontic treatment arch.