Abstract: A pen-like dispenser for dispensing a dental material has a handle and a cover which are attached for rotation relative to each other about a longitudinal axis of the dispenser, and a cartridge for holding the dental material and a screw plunger for extruding the dental material from the cartridge by screwing action. The cartridge and the cover in combination form a rotary slide valve which is operable by rotation about the longitudinal axis between a storage position, in which the cover closes a dispensing outlet of the cartridge, and a dispensing position, in which an opening in the cover opens the dispensing outlet of the cartridge. A relative rotation between the screw plunger and the handle about the longitudinal axis is restricted, and a relative rotation between the cartridge and the cover about the longitudinal axis is enabled within a predetermined rotation angle and restricted otherwise.

Abstract: An apparatus and a handheld electrical tool system comprising an insert receivable in an ultrasonic handpiece comprising a primary coil disposed about a well and electrically connected to a primary current supply, the insert comprising a secondary coil disposed about at least a portion of the insert dimensioned and arranged to be disposable within the well such that the secondary coil is inductively coupled to the primary coil, the secondary coil in electrical communication with at least one electrical device powered by the secondary coil. A method of operating a handpiece and of retrofitting a handpiece is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bioactive-type of hydrophilic dental implant which is made of titanium or titanium alloy having a rough surface, wherein a coating layer of a mixed solution comprising i) an organic pH buffering agent and/or inorganic pH buffering agent and ii) an organic amphiphilic having sulfonic group is formed on the rough surface which was pre-treated to remove a contaminant. The present invention has effects preventing that the dental implant is exposed to air before it is inserted into the alveolar bone and the implant surface is re-contaminated; improving the biocompatibility of the implant, fluid- and blood-affinity, and the initial osseointegration performance; and shortening the osseointegration period, and the surface of the dental implant can be maintained as being hydrophilic for at least 3 years by using a mixed solution of pH buffering agent and organic amphiphilic substance having sulfonic group as a surface coating solution.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus's for improving orthodontic treatments. In an embodiment, an orthodontic tracking template is provided for assisting in determining whether a patient's teeth are in an appropriate tooth arrangement for transitioning between a wire and bracket orthodontic treatment to a patient-removable orthodontic appliance treatment. The tracking template may include a shell portion defining a plurality of tooth-receiving cavities arranged to fit over at least a portion of the patient's teeth in an intermediate tooth arrangement without applying a tooth-moving force to the teeth or to any brackets attached to the teeth.

Abstract: The present invention providing a real-time positioning ultrasonic system that locates the dental implant drill bit relative to placed reference points or fiducial markers, and guides the drill entry point and angular trajectory, so that drilling is effected in the most optimum location in the jaw bone, as planned based on pre-surgery cone-beam computed tomography scans.

Abstract: An orthodontic system includes an orthodontic arch wire having a shape that corresponds to a dental arch, the arch wire having a first end portion that has a first series of grooves. In some examples, the first end portion has a second series of grooves, and the first and second series of grooves are positioned on opposite sides of the first end portion. In some examples, a bracket can be provided in which the bracket has a first gear and a second gear, the first gear is configured to engage the first series of grooves and the second gear is configured to engage the second series of grooves, enabling one or both of the first and second gears to drive the first end portion and provide a force along a longitudinal direction of the arch wire.

Abstract: A method of performing a sinus lift procedure comprising the use of a sidecutting drill as one step in the procedure. The sidecutting drill creates a circumferential lateral cut near the sinus floor, thereby allowing upfracturing of the sinus floor over a greater area than would otherwise be possible absent the circumferential lateral cut. The sidecutting drill includes a tip extending in a planar nonuniform manner from the centerline of said drill with one or more cutting edges located on the extended portion for cutting through tissue.

Abstract: A chuck assembly for a dental handpiece includes a hollow cylindrical tube portion having a first internal bore, and a chuck portion having a second bore. The chuck portion is supported within the first bore co-rotational with the tube portion about a common axis. The chuck portion has an annular body portion defining the second bore for supporting a cylindrical tool therein. A drive element comprising a drive pin inserted in a first end of the tube portion traverses the first internal bore at a first end of the tube portion. The drive pin cooperates with a distal end of a rotary tool insertable into the second bore to transfer torque to the tool. The tool has an elongated body portion having a driven portion and a working portion. The driven portion includes a shank portion with channels for receiving the drive pin.

Abstract: The shank (12) of a disposable rotary cutting tool (10) comprises a pipe section (16) cut from a drawn metal pipe. The tool head (14) is formed from a cut-out (18a, 18b) of a drawn metal sheet or a section of a metal tube by non-cutting machining. The pipe section (16) and the tool head (14) are advantageously attached by force fitting.

Abstract: Medical or dental instruments having a lighting device, manufacturing methods for such instruments and various lighting devices having an optical semiconductor element are described. The lighting devices have, for example, a body, at least one radiation-emitting surface on a radiation-emitting end of the body and at least one fluid channel which is provided in the body and connects at least one opening which is provided on the radiation-emitting end to one or more fluid sources for dispensing fluid. The lighting devices have, for example, a hollow metallic sleeve, a transparent window for emission of electromagnetic radiation and a socket on which at least one optical semiconductor element is arranged. The socket is made of a ceramic, glass ceramic or glass material, and is connected to the hollow metallic sleeve by a material comprising metal and glass.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket includes a bracket body and a ligating slide. The bracket body includes an aperture and an archwire slot. The ligating slide is slidable relative to the archwire slot between an opened position and a first closed position and is pivotable to an angular position in a second closed position. The orthodontic bracket further includes a resilient member that is coupled to the ligating slide and is slidable in the aperture. The ligating slide defines a first height from the base surface having a first value, and in the second closed position, the ligating slide defines a second height from the base surface that is greater than the first value. The bracket body includes a slide support portion having at least one wing extending laterally therefrom. The wing is tapered in thickness. The slide support portion defines a pivot point about which the ligating slide is pivotable.

Abstract: A dental instrument and method for imaging the three-dimensional topography of one or more teeth in the oral cavity of an individual is provided. The instrument includes a probe insertable into the oral cavity to receive the image of these surfaces which can then be processed. Combined with the probe is an auxiliary which projects an air stream toward the surface to be imaged by the probe and acts to evaporate and remove from these surfaces a liquid film coating formed by saliva and other fluids present in the oral cavity, to render these surfaces dry and to enhance their reflectivity and in doing so, provide clearer images.

Abstract: A method and a dental implant system for accessing selected intra-cavity locations there-through that includes: (a) a dental implant having a plurality of openings configured for being implanted in an intra-cavity area of a patient, wherein each one of the plurality of openings allows access from an external area of the dental implant to a space in the intra-cavity area between the implant and a jawbone of the patient, when the dental implant is installed in the intra cavity; and (b) one or more directing element that is removably securable to the dental implant, wherein the directing element includes openings and is configured to allow access to one or more specific locations at this space through a selected at least one of the plurality of openings of the dental implant, when secured thereto.

Abstract: An implant device has an exterior portion forming an exterior surface of the implant. The exterior portion is made of a porous material defining passages through the exterior portion. An inner portion has an outer surface with a treated area that is accessible from the exterior surface through the passages. The treated area has a treatment for direct attachment to bone or soft tissue.

Abstract: A medicament delivery tray and method of manufacture thereof for treating periodontal disease include an apparatus having a body formed to be fitted about all of the upper or lower teeth of a patient and having a top portion and an outer wall and an inner wall with each composed of resilient elastomeric material for substantially conforming to the enclosed teeth and gum tissue proximate to the teeth, the body having recesses, a treatment chamber and a raised seal formed about an inner surface of one of the skirts along a gum line and forming a substantially air tight seal thereto, and a port positioned on one of the skirts to receive a positive pressure from an external pressure source increasing a biasing force of the raised seal against the gum line when positive pressure is received through the port for sealing the chamber.

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.

Abstract: An interdental laterally expansive wedge includes a prismatic wedge member having a furled bottom side expansible from a first position to an expanded position when fluid is forcibly directed into the wedge member through a proximal interconnect. Lateral expansion of the wedge member is thereby effected when each of a pair of basal ridges is forced apart to impress consistent and even pressure in contact with interproximal structure, such as approximal teeth and a matrix band inserted to gird a cavosurface for approximal filling preparation and finishing. Importantly, the present interdental laterally expansive wedge is laterally expansive without effecting deformation or ballooning between and around the teeth, and prevents invasion into the cavity proper.

Abstract: An electric dental handpiece including a head engaging a handle and configured to rotatably support a tool. The handle includes a lower handle portion and an upper handle portion with the lower handle portion engaging the head and the upper handle portion having an attachment area configured for attachment to a power supply. An electric motor is positioned with a majority thereof within the lower handle portion and is configured to rotate the tool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an orthodontic gripping device having a body made of a superelastic metal alloy, cold worked titanium beta III, or solution heat treated and aged titanium beta III. The body has first and second, spaced apart arm portions connected to each other. Each arm portion includes a jaw portion having an inner, arch wire-gripping, surface. The inner gripping surfaces are disposed opposite one another in spaced relation with a station defined therebetween for receiving the arch wire. At least a portion of the station is sized smaller than the arch wire. The arm portions are resiliently deflectable outwardly away from each other to admit the arch wire into the station. Once seated in the station, the arch wire is tightly held by inner gripping surfaces so as to resist displacement of the gripping device relative to the arch wire.

Abstract: A stabilization device intended to be used in addition and in combination with an endo-osseous dental implant, the endo-osseous implant having at least one endo-osseous anchoring foot adapted to an installation in a jaw bone of a patient so as to cooperate with an external pillar intended to be fixed into the anchoring foot and further fixing a dental prosthetic element, and the relative movements of the pillar relatively to the anchoring foot may be anti-rotationally inhibited, once the pillar is placed in the anchoring foot.