Abstract: A flossing apparatus includes a handle assembly and a filament. The handle assembly includes first and second composite cores and first and second arms. The first composite core has at least one paper layer and at least one biodegradable plastic layer, and the second composite core has at least one paper layer and at least one biodegradable plastic layer. The filament is mounted to the first and second arms and captured between the first composite core and the second composite core.

Abstract: A dental prosthetic device design method according to an aspect of the present invention is a method for designing a dental prosthetic device by a computer, the method including: acquiring scan data of maxillary and mandibular dentitions; determining a restoration site of a tooth, based on the scan data; reading out plural pieces of attrition shape data of a tooth related to the restoration site, from maxillary and mandibular tooth shape data sets having plural pieces of attrition shape data with different degrees of attrition for each tooth of the maxillary and mandibular dentitions; selecting attrition shape data from among the plural pieces of attrition shape data, in accordance with the degrees of attrition of the maxillary and mandibular dentitions; placing the selected attrition shape data at the restoration site; and creating shape data of a dental prosthetic device from the attrition shape data placed at the restoration site.

Abstract: Methods of treating exposed tooth pulp are provided herein, including, e.g., methods of pulp capping comprising administering a combination of growth factor substance and pulp capping material to exposed pulp thereby inducing dentin formation and/or pulp revitalization.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a center of resistance of a tooth may include receiving a 3D digital representation of an initial arrangement and a final arrangement of a patient's teeth and determining a 3D treatment plan. The 3D treatment plan may include a plurality of 3D stages for rearranging the teeth from the initial arrangement toward the final arrangement. The method may also include determining, in accordance with the 3D treatment plan, an intended movement of the teeth for each of the stages and deriving, using a 3D resistance model, an applied force system for achieving the intended movement of the teeth for each of the stages. The method may also include deriving 3D geometries of oral appliances for the stages in response to the applied force system. Various other systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device and method for seating orthodontic aligners over the dentition of a user includes a light-based device having a bite plate or mouthpiece, with light-emitting elements, for contacting the aligners. Instructions are provided for using of the light-based aligner seating device by placing the mouthpiece over the aligners, applying light radiation during a predetermined number of sessions throughout a predetermined treatment period, wherein the seating and the fit between the aligners and teeth are better than without use of the light-based device.

Abstract: The invention is a device for moving a patient's tooth or related group of teeth. It is comprised of a housing which is fastened onto a base arch within the patient's oral cavity and which includes an adjuster which is connected to a palatal lock on the tooth to be moved using the adjuster. The base arch originates at a fixed jaw implant and is inserted into a channel in the housing which is freely accessible from outside and securely clamped using a lock connected to the housing, preferably a turn-type lock with a threaded shaft by tightening the threaded shaft.

Abstract: A drill for dental implant procedure is provided. The drill for dental implant procedure may include a body portion extending in a longitudinal direction and including cylindrical first and second rotating portions rotatable in both directions about a central axis, wherein the first rotating portion comprising: a cutting head portion, a first spiral groove portion, and a first cutting side, wherein the second rotating portion formed integrally with the first rotating portion comprising: a second spiral groove portion, and a second cutting side surface portion.

Abstract: A surgical guide foundation system, device, and methods of making and using same. The surgical guide foundation system may include one or more foundation devices. The one or more foundation devices may include a main body portion, one or more fixation ports formed in the main body portion and forming a passage therethrough, and one or more carrier connectors (e.g., plug connector style latches) formed on the main body portion. The surgical guide foundation system may further include a guide component. The guide component may be configured to be engageable with one or more of the one or more carrier connectors. The main body portion may include protrusions formed on an inner facing surface of the main body portion and extending in a generally perpendicular direction therefrom.

Abstract: Device (1) for exposing an implant base body (2), in particular wherein the dental implant (2) is fixed in a person's jaw and is covered by gum. During exposure, the gum covering the implant base body is cut open to expose the implant base body, in particular it is removed in the shape of a hole circle. The device (1) comprises a sensor (22) for determining the position of the implant base body (91) covered by the gum (82), characterized in that the device (1) comprises a blade (32) for cutting the gum (82).

Abstract: The invention relates to an additive method for producing a dental working model for an articulator, comprising the steps: additively producing a base plate for attachment to the articulator, and additively producing a dental model, wherein the base plate and the dental model are configured to be fixed to one another in a positionally secure manner. Another object of the invention is an additively produced dental working model for an articulator, comprising an additively produced base plate configured for attachment to the articulator, and an additively produced dental model, wherein the base plate and the dental model are configured to be fixed to one another in a positionally secure manner.

Abstract: A device configured to engage and hold a structure (e.g., pin) to be inserted in a hole or opening of a target structure (e.g., a surgical guide) during a surgical procedure (e.g. a dental implant procedure). The device can include a first arm having a first arm end portion with a first groove. The device includes a second arm coupled to the first arm, the second arm including a second arm end portion with a second groove. The device can be transitioned between an open position and a closed position, In the closed position, the first groove of the first end portion and the second groove of the second end portion form an enclosure to securely engage at least a portion of a pin.

Abstract: A receptacle for a dental implant includes a cover with a first end section which is open to the outside and a second end section which is closed to the outside. The cover surrounds an interior space which is open to the first end section and in which a holder is arranged. The holder has a channel that is open to the outside and is formed to hold an implant extension during transport. The receptacle has a tubular bottom receptacle including an outer third end section and an opposing fourth end section. Three spring arms are arranged in the cover at an outer first end. The spring arms are so designed that the nubs thereof are pushed away during insertion of the implant extension and, in the final position, push into the groove with a tensioning force.

Abstract: An anterior guidance package (AGP) including: a mandibular guidance component attachable to a mandibular retentive piece configured to be placed about a mandibular arch of a user; and a maxillary guidance component attachable to a maxillary retentive piece configured to be placed about a maxillary arch of a user, the maxillary guidance component configured to mate with the mandibular guidance component for guiding a movement of the mandibular guidance component relative to the maxillary guidance component, wherein the mandibular guidance component is maintained in a correct orientation relative to the maxillary guidance component.

Abstract: A hair applicator for the application of medical liquids, hair dye, hair-care products and/or skin care products for the scalp includes a container defining a volume for storing the liquids, in particular a bottle. The container has a neck, a cap configured to close the container at the neck and having at least one application tip with at least one application nozzle for the application of the liquids. The cap is hollow and comprises a valve configured to close the at least one application nozzle. The valve comprises an inner member that is encompassed by the cap and is rotatably attached to the neck of the container and has a valve member configured to close the application nozzle. The cap is axially movable between a first closed position and a second open position by rotation of the cap.

Abstract: An orthodontic device, including: an inner housing that covers teeth, an outer housing that covers the inner housing, a bracket that is capable of pressing against the teeth and that penetrates the inner housing, and a pressing force adjuster that engages with the outer housing and the bracket and that is capable of adjusting a pressing force of the bracket on the teeth.

Abstract: An orthodontic apparatus includes a printed assembly conforming to the tooth with a separation line or zone defined therein having a configuration adapted to facilitate removal of the printed assembly. The separation zone or line takes the form of a slit, slot, serration, thinned indentation, a horizontal or vertical separation line or zone or a combination thereof, and an open slot defined in a cross configuration into the printed assembly with a vertical slot and intersecting horizontal slot, the vertical slot extending to the lower edge of the assembly. The assembly includes at least two separate portions, a buccal portion and a lingual portion conformed to the tooth, the separation line or zone being defined on at least one of the two separate portions. A three dimensional structural fixture may also be defined in the printed assembly for engagement with a tool.

Abstract: A dental bite block is provided. The dental bite block includes a body having a first end and a second end, an outer sidewall, and an inner sidewall. The body comprises an upper biting surface positioned within an upper channel and a lower biting surface within a lower channel. The outer sidewall and the inner sidewall extend past the upper and lower biting surfaces and define the upper channel and the lower channel, respectively. The upper channel and the lower channel are each able to receive a row of teeth therein. The dental bite block prevents the biting down and provides safe access to the interior of the mouth. A handle extends from the bite block and is releasably tethered to a toothbrush such that the teeth of the subject may be brushed when the teeth are received within the mouth of the subject.