Patents Examined by Heidi M Eide
  • Device for sheilding teeth to be treated
    Patent number: 10271922
    Abstract: A device for shielding teeth to be treated in order to prevent an inflow of liquid, such as saliva or bloody the device comprising a partial dental dam (1) comprising a tensioning cloth (2) made of an elastic material designed to be introduced into at least one intermediate tooth space (11) when in an elongated state, and two actuation elements (3) arranged on opposing ends of the tensioning cloth (2) for use in pulling the tensioning cloth (2) into an elongated state, and use of the device for shielding teeth to be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Mühlbauer Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Heymann, Harald Pauls, Sven Meyer
  • Removable and adjustable abutment devices and methods of operation thereof
    Patent number: 10258435
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for adjustably retaining an oral appliance to an abutment assembly are disclosed. In one variation, a securement apparatus can comprise a sleeve having a sleeve frame and a number of locking flaps. The sleeve can define a lumen therethrough for positioning upon an abutment assembly. The locking flaps can have varying length dimensions and can project radially inward or outward relative to the sleeve frame. The outward flaps can lock against surface features defined along an inner surface of a coping coupled to the oral appliance and the inward flaps can lock against surface features defined along a portion of the abutment assembly. The sleeve can release the oral appliance from the abutment assembly when the locking flaps of the sleeve are actuated by an actuation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Rodo Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Young Seo, Jong Gil Park
  • Method of preparing dentition for the taking of a dental impression
    Patent number: 10231805
    Abstract: A method of taking a dental impression of dentition including conditioning a surface comprising one or more of dentition and a dental appliance by the application thereto of a wetting agent to form a controlled hydrophilic wet film. The wetting agent includes water, a surfactant, a compatibilizing agent and a film stabilizing agent. The controlled hydrophilic wet film is hydrophilic and is formed by brushing the wetting agent onto the dentition. The brushing controls the thickness and hydrophilicity of the controlled hydrophilic film to a thickness and hydrophilicity that is capable of inducing flow of an impression material that comes into contact with the controlled hydrophilic film. The flow is sufficient to flow into sub-gingival places. The film is contacted with a dental impression material selected from the group consisting of hydrophilic and hydrophobic dental impression materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Inventor: Alan Ara Boghosian
  • Dental scanner device
    Patent number: 10226164
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dental scanning device characterized in that it is essentially formed by two bodies, the first body or scanner body (1) housing a moving scan head (3) consisting of a longitudinal mobile element ending in the scanning head (4), and the second body or bite body (2) consisting of a casing for receiving the scanning head (4); in addition to the element that allows the patient to hold and position the device by means of the force or pressure exerted by the patient's bite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Apollo Oral Scanner LLC
    Inventors: Alfonso Fernandez Pulido, David De Pablos Garcia
  • Dental mirror
    Patent number: 10206563
    Abstract: A dental mirror includes a handle having a lumen, a mirror housing attached to the handle, a mirror cartridge for insertion through a cartridge opening of the mirror housing, a drive shaft rotatably held within the handle, and a film-roller rotatably attached to a film-roller bearing. The mirror cartridge includes a base, a film-roller bearing connected to the base, a film support structure connected to the base, and a film surrounding the film support structure. A distal end of the drive shaft and a proximal end of the film-roller are rotatably linked such that a rotation of the drive shaft rotates the film-roller causing the film to move relative to the film support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: AVID, Inc.
    Inventor: Chris J. Carron
  • Systems, devices, and methods of making and using PFTE dental plugs
    Patent number: 10182974
    Abstract: A method of using a dental filler is disclosed. The method may include securing a prosthetic to a dental implant, the prosthetic having an access channel therethrough. The method may also include filling a portion of the access channel by inserting a polytetrafluoroethylene dental plug into the access channel and compressing the polytetrafluoroethylene dental plug within the access channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventors: Alexander Shor, Jimmy Janakievski
  • Orthodontic expander
    Patent number: 10172691
    Abstract: Orthodontic expander including a left frame (T1) and a right frame (T2). The left frame (T1) and right frame (T2) respectively include a left body (1) and a right body (2) provided with structure for their anchorage to the teeth of a dental arch. The bodies (1.2) have through holes (10) oriented in an expansion direction (d). The frames (T1, T2) are slidingly mounted along the expansion direction (d) by guides (4) inserted in the holes (10) of the bodies (1.2). The distance (h) between the bodies (1, 2) is adjusted by a screw (5) screwed into the body (2) of one of the frames. The screw (5) has an operating head (51) positioned between the bodies (1.2) Elastic plates are positioned and acting between the frames (T1, T2) and can be activated or reactivated by acting on the screw (5) which compresses them to activate or reactivate them when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: LEONE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Maurizio Dolfi, Gabriele Scommegna
  • Orthodontic bracket
    Patent number: 10159544
    Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is described and which includes a base member defining an archwire slot having an opening, and at least one projection extending outwardly from the base member; a ligating slide moveable between a first position which is clear of the archwire slot, and second position where the ligating slide projects over the opening of the archwire slot; and a biasing member borne by the ligating slide, and resiliently cooperating with the projection, and wherein the biasing member has a first portion which receives the projection when the ligating slide is in the first position, and a second portion which receives the projection when the ligating slide is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Ormco Corporation
    Inventor: Dwight H. Damon
  • Orthodontic systems
    Patent number: 10159541
    Abstract: An orthodontic system includes an orthodontic bracket that has a base configured to be attached to a surface of a tooth. The bracket includes a rotatable module having a first member and a second member, the rotatable module being rotatably coupled to the base, the first and second members being spaced apart to define an archwire slot configured to receive an archwire. The base includes a miniature gear system to drive the rotatable module relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventor: Naif Bindayel
  • Dental testing device for heat sensitivity
    Patent number: 10136977
    Abstract: A device for testing a heat sensitivity in teeth, a heated cushion for a dental device for testing a heat sensitivity, and a method for testing a tooth for a heat sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas L. Jones
  • Interface element for dental prostheses
    Patent number: 10130447
    Abstract: An interface element for dental prostheses, having a hollow cylindrical body with two different sections, one lower section (a) of greater outer diameter and another upper section (b) of smaller outer diameter, each provided externally with retention circular grooves (2). The element had an internal seat (4) for a screw head (5) which fixes the implant, and a lower base (6). A side mortise (7) is provided that covers the upper section (b) and provides a side opening for the inclined entrance of the screw (5) and screwdriver (8). The element further includes two flat surfaces (9) at diametrically opposite sides of the lower section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Inventor: Esteban Xam-Mar Mangrane
  • Interproximal dental tool
    Patent number: 10117725
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hand held interproximal dental tool for detaching unwanted materials from a patient's teeth and to methods of manufacturing such tools. The interproximal dental tool includes a compact, ergonomically designed housing which is gripped by a dental practitioner during use and a blade extending from and structurally supported by the housing which includes serrations for cutting or abrasive materials for sanding unwanted material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Inventor: Louie Khouri
  • Dental kit-of-parts and method of assembling the same
    Patent number: 10111734
    Abstract: The present invention describes a dental kit-of-parts including an implant abutment, a dental restoration and a screw. The head of the screw is provided in a recess formed in the kit-of-parts, with the screw shaft extending through a hole in the implant abutment. A channel in the dental restoration allows access to the screw head by a tool, wherein the diameter of the channel is smaller than the diameter of the screw head. The dental kit-of parts can be manufactured using rapid prototyping such that the captive screw is formed within the combination of the implant abutment and the dental restoration or through conventional means, with the dental abutment and the dental restoration being ex-situ connected to enclose the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: NOBEL BIOCARE SERVICES AG
    Inventor: Nicolai Bernhard
  • Dental handpiece
    Patent number: 10085818
    Abstract: Described herein is a dental handpiece for the endodontic treatment of a root canal, including a chuck for attaching and holding an endodontic file, an electric motor having a shaft for driving the endodontic file, and a control unit for controlling the motor, which receives a stream of input data. While monitoring the stream of input data, the control unit determines the current absorbed by the electric motor, and controls the motor so that the file alternates the direction of rotation at a frequency of from 1 to 20 Hz between a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, and whereby the control unit controls the electric motor so that the file continuously rotates in the second direction when the monitored data fulfils a predetermined torque threshold condition during rotation in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.
    Inventors: Markus Borgschulte, Lapo Vitali
  • Disposable dental dam
    Patent number: 10085820
    Abstract: A dental dam apparatus is provided for use with an associated dental molding system including an impression tray and a pour dam. The dental dam includes a substantially planar body member, and an attachment portion on the front edge of the body member. The body member defines a generally “U” shaped front edge and a generally straight rear edge extending between ends of the “U” shaped front edge. The attachment portion is configured to selectively engage a generally “U” shaped inner surface of the impression tray and to attach the body member with the tray. In that way, dental molding material poured into the dental molding system with the pour dam surrounding the impression tray and with the body member attached with the impression tray is blocked by the body member from entering into a portion of an area defined by the “U” shaped inner surface of the impression tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Inventor: Carl E Cook
  • Guide element and device for creating a hole in a bone
    Patent number: 10080625
    Abstract: A guide element is constructed for arrangement on a device for the penetrating extension of a blind hole created in hard tissue, in particular in the jawbone, wherein the device includes a hollow body that forms a pressure chamber and that has a distal working opening and an inlet opening opposite the working opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Jeder GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Eder
  • Carrier for a fastening element to be fabricated and a method for the production therefor, particularly as an orthodontic bracket
    Patent number: 10070943
    Abstract: A carrier for at least one fastening element (4) to be fabricated having an attachment area whereby the carrier is provided with a holding piece (3) for attachment in a receiving part of a finishing machine and whereby the carrier includes a carrier piece (2) for the fastening element (4) and the carrier piece (2) is embedded at least partially in the carrier piece (2) in a manner so that the attachment area (4b) of the fastening element (4) can be fabricated. A method for producing a fastening element (4) to be finished and to be attached to an individual surface whereby the contour of the attachment area is defined with the aid of data of the surface onto which the fastening element (4) is to be attached and whereby a pre-shaped, not yet individualized fastening element (4) is formed by removal of material to produce the specific contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: DENTSPLY SIRONA INC.
    Inventor: Peter Fornoff
  • Surgical guide kit apparatus and method
    Patent number: 10064700
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a dental surgical guide. The method includes the steps of producing a dental cast dental cast from an edentulous patient jaw; drilling the dental cast model for inserting a radiopaque rod therein; molding a base plate thereon to produce a radiopaque marker appliance; scanning the resulting appliance in a patient's mouth using computed tomography; calculating angles from the computed tomography for adjusting protractors of a dental model laser aligner; and molding a base-plate that incorporates a telescopic drilling tube that results into the dental surgical guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Inventor: Zvi Fudim
  • Medical or dental device for dispensing a powdered medium
    Patent number: 10065004
    Abstract: A medical or dental device for dispensing a powdered medium with a container having a container interior space. The container can be connected to a compressed gas source to convey the powdered medium together with the compressed gas out of the interior space, and to a dispensing unit, so that the powdered medium is conveyed with the compressed gas to the dispensing unit. The container comprises: a wall, and a bottom that is connected to the wall and has at least one bore through which compressed gas from the compressed gas source can be conducted into the interior space. A swirl plate made of a porous material is provided at the bottom. Compressed gas can be conducted through the porous swirl plate into the interior space to aerate at least a portion of the powdered medium without conveying the powdered medium out of the interior space to the dispensing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: W&H Dentalwerk Bürmoos GmbH
    Inventors: Karlheinz Eder, Wolfgang Perwein, Josef Spitzauer, Udo Hoermann
  • Edentulous surgical guide
    Patent number: 10034722
    Abstract: A dental surgical drill guide assembly and method includes a surgical guide housing and a base frame that fits to both gum tissue and one or multiple small areas of jawbone. The apparatus may be configured to accurately place dental implants according to planned positions. Such apparatus may increase the stability of the surgical guide by clasping and/or contacting the jawbone, while improving the overall fit and minimizing the need of invasive surgery and flapping by also clasping and/or contacting selected areas of the gum tissue at the same time. Self-locking alignment members aid in easy removal, and re-installation, of the surgical guide housing to the base frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: IBUR, LLC
    Inventors: Randall C. Groscurth, Shoko U. Groscurth