Abstract: A method and apparatus for whitening teeth which allow the user to undergo dental bleaching with the mouth closed and without protruding instruments, trays or electrical wires and the like. The apparatus includes a support structure and a dental whitening composition in contact with the support structure. A light source is included in the apparatus, disposed on or in the support structure so that light emitted from the source contacts on the dental whitening composition. The apparatus has a volume ranging between 0.5-450 cm3 permitting the apparatus to fit entirely within the mouth of a user during treatment.

Abstract: Force magnitudes and/or directions may be determined objectively using orthodontic brackets having an elastomeric member which allows one portion of the bracket to be resiliently moveable relative to at least on other portion of the bracket. In a preferred embodiment, the brackets include a lower base member, an upper bracket member, and an elastomeric layer interposed between the lower base and upper bracket members. The orthodontic bracket is advantageously employed as part of a system whereby the orthodontic bracket includes a force indicator which distorts in response to relative movement between the at least one and other portions of the bracket to provide an indication of force applied to the bracket. An optical detector may be provided to optically detect the indicator and issue an output signal indicative of the relative resilient movement between the lower base and upper bracket members.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for moving teeth by moving a first tooth; and moving a second tooth while isolating the first tooth at a rest position.

Abstract: An orthodontic implant comprised of one or two bony attachments, and, if there are two, one is smaller and affixed to the opposite end of the emerging portion, while the other utilizes a screw placed through an aperture. The smaller affixed portion is a tapered tac with the opposite emerging portion receiving an “O” ring removable cap onto which an adjustable rod can be contoured as needed after the implant has been affixed to bone.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to dental compositions that can be used as adhesives for bonding a dental material to a dental structure surface and/or as a dental restorative material. The dental composition is preferably applied to a dental structure surface under conditions effective to etch the dental structure surface.

Abstract: A universal-control mechanism for automated selection and control of operation of components within an operatory includes at least one implement, wherein the implement has been assigned a signal address. The mechanism also includes a control device adapted to be activated by a user of the mechanism and to control the operation of the implement. The mechanism also includes a selector switch used to designate the implement selected and a signal generator adapted to receive a signal from the control device when the control device is activated and to generate a command signal directed to the signal address for the implement selected by the selector switch. The mechanism also includes at least one receiver unit operatively connected to the selected implement such that activation of the control device acts to control the implement via the signal generator and the receiver unit to control the operation of the implement.

Abstract: Treatment devices in the shape of a dental tray, strip or patch include a barrier layer and a protective adhesive composition. Treatment kits include one or more treatment devices and one or more treatment compositions that are initially separate from the treatment devices. The treatment compositions may be contained within a syringe (e.g., a unit dose syringe) for ease of delivery. The treatment composition is dispensed from the syringe onto the barrier layer and then placed over a person's teeth and/or gums. The protective adhesive composition, in combination with the barrier layer, at least partially confines the treatment composition to a desired location within the person's mouth during use. The barrier layer protects the treatment and protective adhesive compositions from saliva or moisture found in the person's mouth.

Abstract: A dental implant fixture is disclosed. The implant fixture includes an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis. The body has a first end and a second end. The first end includes a top face having a first portion having a first angle extending obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis and a second portion having a second angle extending obliquely to the longitudinal axis and at an angle relative to the first portion.

Abstract: A method for whitening a dental surface comprises nonsimultaneously applying a whitening composition to the surface, the whitening composition comprising at least one orally acceptable peroxy compound, and directing a volume of up to about 2.5 ml of an atomized activating composition on to the surface, wherein the activating composition comprises, in the volume so directed, a peroxy compound activating effective amount of at least one orally acceptable basifying agent, and wherein applying the whitening composition and directing the activating composition are separated by an interval not greater than a peroxy compound activating effective interval. The atomized composition can be directed on to the dental surface before or after application of the whitening composition.

Abstract: A device is disclosed to unilaterally or bilaterally illuminate the oral cavity that is useful for commercial cheek retractors. The present invention also discloses a bite block designed to implement the device for lateral illumination of the oral cavity.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket enables orthodontic treatment to be performed without resetting of a bracket body and an arch wire relative to the tooth, even in an advanced stage of the treatment. The orthodontic bracket comprises a bonding plate having a bonding surface matching the curvature of the tooth, a base having a bottom surface united with the bonding plate and an upper surface serving as a sliding surface parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tooth and taking an approximately rectangular shape in plan with a convex curve formed in accordance with the long axis of the tooth. A bracket body is mounted on the sliding surface of the base so as to be slidable along the tooth axis. The base has, at opposing sides of the sliding surface, grooved parallel rails for slidably holding the bracket body therebetween. Each rail has, at its opposite ends, stoppers to prevent detachment of the bracket body. The sliding surface has a central longitudinally-extending visible median line.

Abstract: The present invention provides designs for a self-ligating orthodontic bracket. According to one embodiment, the self-ligating orthodontic bracket includes a mounting base for attachment to a tooth surface, an archwire slot formed upon the base and sized for receiving an orthodontic archwire, a rotary ligating cover selectively rotatable between an open position permitting access to the archwire slot and a closed position covering the archwire slot, and one or more locking features for holding the rotary ligating cover in a closed position. In one embodiment, the bracket includes one or more locking tabs on the rotary ligating cover aligned in coplanar relation to the rotary ligating cover and cooperatively mating with cutout portions in the base. In one embodiment, the bracket includes at least one resilient retention mechanism adjacent to the one or more locking tabs and aligned in coplanar relation to the rotary ligating cover.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the treatment of dental caries includes a source of oxidizing gas, an aqueous medium and a handpiece for delivering the gas and aqueous medium to a tooth. A cup attached to the handpiece is provided for receiving the gas and exposing a selected area of the tooth to the gas and aqueous medium. The cup includes a resilient edge for sealably the edge for engaging the tooth around the selected area to prevent escape of gas and aqueous medium therepast.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance, and more particularly an orthodontic bracket to be used in conjunction with other brackets on centrals, laterals, cuspids and bicuspids for moving teeth in the orthodontic treatment of patients, and which includes a closed archwire slot that preferably functions to allow crown tipping, limiting root uprighting, and controlling torque, and a horizontally open rectangular archwire slot for controlling tip, torque and rotation in the final stage of patient treatment. The bracket is made by configuring a front section having a horizontally open rectangular archwire slot of metal, ceramic or plastic, and molding a rear or back section of a suitable plastic resin onto the front section such that the rear section preferably includes a closed mesiodistally extending archwire slot.

Abstract: An orthodontic device treats malocclusions using a telescopic rod fixed to a molar on the upper arch and a molar on a lower arch. The telescopic rod lengthens and shortens during opening and closing of the jaw. The telescopic rod encourages the patient to properly position their jaw causing adaptation thereby treating the malocclusions.

Abstract: The invention concerns a handpiece for a surgical or dental tool (3), which can be inserted in the head of the handpiece (1) through an insertion hole (14) into a tool holder (2) and is rotationally supported by means of two axially separated bearings (12, 13), with positive torque transmission (8) to the tool (3) by the drive (9) installed in the handpiece, such that the tool possibly has a longitudinal bore (6) for supplying cooling liquid to the work site, and the handpiece (1) possibly has a short, fixed feed tube (7), which extends into the longitudinal bore and is sealed from the tool (3). To increase the torque that can be transmitted, the invention is characterized by the fact that the torque transmission (8) occurs in the region of the bearing (13) that is adjacent to the insertion hole (14). The invention also concerns the development of suitable tools.

Abstract: An arrangement, for use in whitening a patient's teeth includes an arched surface and an array of light-generating devices, for example, light emitting diodes positioned on the arched surface. The light-generating devices are arranged to form a relatively uniform field of light in a particular range of wavelengths, and further arranged to focus the generated light in an overlapping manner onto a patient's teeth when the mouthpiece is properly positioned relative to the patient's face. The proper positioning is aided by a number of light sources, in the visible range, that shine on the patient's face in a predetermined manner when the mouthpiece is properly positioned. To remove whatever heat is generated at the surface of the patient's teeth in the course of the procedure, the mouthpiece includes air passages between the light emitting devices, and a fan that draws air away from the patient's face.

Abstract: Novelty synthetic dental arrangements having one or more anomalous appearing synthetic novelty teeth. In an embodiment, the anomalous appearing synthetic novelty teeth include an interior cavity for filling with an acrylic based plastic impression material and directly coupling to a natural tooth. In another embodiment, a synthetic denture assembly which incorporates a plurality of individual synthetic novelty teeth bound to a synthetic gum element. Both novelty synthetic dental arrangements are held in position by a generally rigid curing impression material which forms a custom fir with the user's teeth when cured. The impression material utilizes dental grade reagents including an isobutyl methacrylate based monomer, a dibutyl phthalate based plasticizer and an amyl acetate based solvent. Additional chemical components are present in the impression material precursors.

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: An orthodontic bone anchor includes a bone plate, a narrow extension extending from one end of the bone plate, a cap enveloping the extension, and a pair of arms extending outwardly from the cap.