Abstract: This invention concerns an ultrasonic dental imaging probe (1), typically comprising several transducers (4) arranged to operate as a transmitter and a receiver, and in particular arranged to transmit ultrasonic waves at a frequency of at least 10 MHz, and optionally several transducers (4) arranged to operate as a transmitter and a receiver and arranged to transmit ultrasonic waves at a frequency of less than 4 MHz. The transducers are mounted on a flexible support (3), secured to a rigid frame (2) typically in a “U” shape. The invention also concerns a device comprising one such probe.

Abstract: Bilateral illumination attachment for dental camera is a light source that is reversibly attachable to any dental camera. Bilateral illumination attachment for dental camera has two light sources that directly face each other. When properly attached to a dental camera, bilateral illumination attachment for dental camera effectuates sub-enamel illumination or bilateral illumination of a tooth, so that the dental camera may capture a photo or image of the illuminated tooth. Bilateral illumination attachment for dental camera has a specially shaped rigid body that makes a slip-fit, press-fit, or snap-fit with the exterior surface of any dental camera. The distal end of specially shaped rigid body is sterilizeable. Bilateral illumination attachment for dental camera has a plurality of replaceable tooth cups where each tooth cup contains the two light sources. Replaceable tooth cups are placed on the tooth to effectuate sub-enamel illumination or bilateral illumination. Replaceable tooth cups are sterilizeable.

Abstract: A method of attaching a dental article to the surface of a tooth includes providing the dental article and applying a coating including upconversion phosphors to a surface of the dental article. The method also includes applying a dental cement composition to the surface of the tooth and placing the dental article on the surface of the tooth such that the coating is adjacent the dental cement composition. The dental cement composition includes a polymerizable resin and a photoinitiator and is substantially free of upconversion phosphors. The method further includes irradiating the coating with a radiation source that emits radiation at a pre-determined fixed wavelength that causes the upconversion phosphors to emit radiation at an activation wavelength of the dental cement composition photoinitiator such that the dental cement composition cures in a region adjacent the coating and removing remaining uncured dental cement composition outside the dental article from the tooth.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is disclosed having three archwire retention channels in the mesial-distal directions, a central channel and two side channels. The two side channels each include a pair of spaced apart inverted archwire retaining regions having a recess that opens generally towards the bracket base. Each such recess is for grasping or holding an archwire therein. Other aspects are directed to a self ligating orthodontic bracket system that includes a rotatable member for securing an archwire within a slot of a bracket; embodiments that include an orthodontic appliance and method of producing and using the same, and preferably employed in a lingual orthodontic system, that includes friction reducing features between an interior of an archwire slot portion of the appliance and an archwire placed within the archwire slot.

Abstract: A device for determining a contour of a dental treatment area during treatment thereof includes a laser beam guidance system and an imaging system. The laser beam guidance system can guide a laser beam and, optionally, a scanning light to a dental treatment area, and the imaging system, which can include an adjustable focus image sensor, can obtain an image of the dental treatment area based on light rays reflected therefrom. The device also includes a computation system to compute a contour, e.g., a 2D contour, of a surface of the dental treatment area based on the image obtained by the imaging system and, optionally, geometries of one or more components of the laser beam guidance system and/or optical components associated with the imaging system.

Abstract: A method and system useful for planning a dental restorative procedure of a patient and for producing at least one dental restoration or product related thereto to be used in the dental restorative procedure are disclosed. Input data from different sources, e.g. 3D data from a CT scan of a patient with a dental impression tray including a previously prepared dental impression of the patient in the patient's mouth, is matched with data from a high resolution 3D scan of the same dental impression. The resulting data is for instance matched by fiducial markers arranged at the dental impression tray.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance, includes a crimpable tubular shaped portion having at least three walls selected from the group consisting of a lingual wall, a buccal or labial wall, an occlusal wall and a gingival wall, the at least three walls defining and opening configured to receive an archwire therethrough in a mesial-distal direction. The appliance includes at least one wing joined to the tubular shaped portion, the at least one wing extending longitudinally in the mesial-distal direction. A slot is provided in the at least one wing open to an end of the wing in the mesial or distal direction and having a depth in the mesial distal direction and a height in a gingival-occlusal direction configured to receive a ligature wire or elastic.

Abstract: A system of components or implements for easily and precisely installing a dental implant, and a method of installing the dental implant, within a patient's jaw, is disclosed. The system comprises a rotary cutter guide and a rotary cutter. Orthogonal slots are defined within the rotary cutter guide so as to precisely position the rotary cutter within the rotary cutter guide as well as to permit the rotary cutter to form slots within a patient's jaw so as to accommodate winged members of a winged dental implant. A method of installation is also disclosed, and the system and method may be utilized in conjunction with the installation of both a single winged implant or a dual winged implant wherein the two winged implants are connected together by means of a connecting bar or plate.

Abstract: Embodiments include a scanbody that includes a base that fits in an anti-rotation geometry of a dental implant, and a body that is set to be scanner. The body includes a lateral surface with geometrical elements that allow the identification of information regarding a position, direction and rotation of the scanbody. The body lateral surface does not include any flat portion and includes a first opposing trunconical element, base-to-base, a secondary trunconic element and concave surfaces disposed at the side, including a hole (5) that receives a fixing screw.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a customized orthodontic appliance includes a setup model forming step of preparing a setup model corresponding to teeth after ideal orthodontic treatment for a patient, an arch wire forming step of preparing an arch wire corresponding to a dental arch of the setup model while being disposed to closely approach tooth surfaces of teeth of the setup model, and an orthodontic bracket forming step of forming a bracket body corresponding to each of the teeth with reference to the arch wire. Through this, the customized orthodontic appliance capable of minimizing the distance between the tooth surface and the arch wire to accurately perform the ideal orthodontic treatment is fabricated. Also, convenience and accuracy of procedure is improved, and irritating sensation in the oral cavity is minimized.

Abstract: A modular dental implant that includes multiple segments that are connected to each other in a sequential manner to form the modular dental implant; wherein the multiple segments comprise an abutment, at least one implant body segment and at least one other segment; wherein the at least one other segment is an implant apex, an implant neck or at least one implant body segment.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a positioning jig for preparing a two or more of adjacent teeth for a dental prosthesis comprising a member with (i) three or more parallel bores in the member and (ii) one or more means to attach the member to a dental articulator. The invention is also directed to methods of use of the position jig such as to prepare a series of aligned holes in teeth or aligned holes mockup of a dental bridge for a prosthesis.

Abstract: An endodontic instrument includes a plurality of flutes and a plurality of lands extending helically around a working portion. Each flute includes a curved concave flute surface, a pair of flute shoulders at the peripheral edges of the flute surface, a flute width defined by a distance between the flute shoulders, and a flute depth defined by a point of maximum depth between the flute shoulders. Each land is positioned between a pair of axially adjacent flutes and includes a curved concave land surface, a pair of land shoulders at the peripheral edges of the land surface, a land width defined by a distance between the land shoulders, and a land depth defined by a point of maximum depth between the land shoulders. The land width is less than the flute width and the land depth is less than the flute depth in the upper region of the working portion.

Abstract: Devices, kits, and methods useful in the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) are described. Example devices include a jig, a first needle, a second needle, and a third needle. An example jig comprises a drill guide and a tongue depressor. A first needle comprises an elongate shaft that defines a bend and a curve. A second needle comprises an elongate shaft that defines a curve. A third needle comprises an elongate shaft that defines a curve.

Abstract: A self-ligating bracket includes a bracket body with a mesial and a distal channel. A spring clip includes a distal arm with a distal arm body and a distal finger and a mesial arm with a mesial arm body and a mesial finger. The spring clip is slidably secured within the bracket body by a sliding engagement of the distal arm with the distal channel and the mesial arm with the mesial channel. The spring clip is movable between an open position and a closed position wherein in the open position, the arch wire slot is unobstructed and in the closed position the mesial finger and distal finger extend into and across the arch wire slot to occlude the arch wire slot.

Abstract: An adhesive object for placement in a patients mouth includes a body with an upper surface and a lower surface, the body having a shape. A lower surface of the body includes an adhesive. An upper surface of the body includes a feature that may be detectable by an intraoral scanner, wherein at least one of the shape of the body or the feature on the upper surface provides a geometrical reference point for image registration of images generated by the intraoral scanner.

Abstract: Night time use of removable orthodontic appliances coupled with night time use of accelerated orthodontic treatment modalities is provided. Accelerated orthodontic treatment modalities include micropulse vibrations, ultrasound vibrations, photobiomodulation, IR light, low-level laser therapy, pulsed EM fields, static magnetic fields, resonance vibrations, indirect electric current, direct electric current, pharmacological accelerators, surgical accelerators, decortication, osteoperforation, alveocentesis, and piezocision.

Abstract: The present invention provides an invisible orthodontic appliance with a molar distalization device, comprising an orthodontic invisible aligner, and further comprising a molar distalization device arranged on the orthodontic invisible aligner, wherein the molar distalization device comprises a lip bumper arranged just in front of the orthodontic invisible aligner close to the lip side, and a connector connected with the lip bumper, and the end of the connector is connected to the molar position of the orthodontic invisible aligner. The end of the connector forms a U-shaped structure and the tail end of the U-shaped structure is connected to the molar position of the orthodontic invisible aligner. The novel orthodontic appliance provided by the present invention has the advantages of ensuring the attractiveness and greatly improving the orthodontic effect, improving the orthodontic speed and shortening the service cycle of the aligner.

Abstract: A dental restorative device is shown as comprising a first cured or hardened layer in the form of an occlusal surface of the tooth being restored and a second uncured dental composite layer joined to the first layer enabling a dental professional to perform direct dental restoration procedures with results replicating indirect direct dental restoration procedures. A system comprising the multi-layered dental restorative device and packaging provides for sufficient support and protection of the uncured second layer and facilitates positioning and finishing of the dental restorative device by cooling the uncured portions to a rigid state while in the packaging, positioning the dental restorative device, and modifying the second layer to fit, curing the second layer and permanently placing the fully cured and hardened dental crown on the tooth being restored.

Abstract: The present invention provides orthodontic appliances and systems, and related methods, for applying a force to a target tooth as an appliances is worn by the patient. One positioning appliance includes a tooth positioning appliance having teeth receiving cavities shaped to apply a positioning force to the patient's teeth. The appliance includes a spring-loaded tooth movement device disposed in the appliance so as to engage an attachment mounted on a surface of a patient's tooth and apply a force to the tooth.