Abstract: A dental wedge device, comprising of a hollow body with perforations on all three sides of a general triangular cross section, is coupled to a flexible tubing which can be connected to a dental vacuum device, readily available in a dental operatory. The dental wedge device incorporates a novel element that addresses a major issue of moisture control. Moisture contamination of a dental restoration during placement will compromise the longevity of the restorative material. The perforated sides of the wedge allow any moisture including gingival fluids, saliva and blood to be aspirated from the cavity preparation into a suction chamber. The fluids are then drawn into the flexible tubing line for complete ejection into a dental vacuum device. Another embodiment is described and shown.

Abstract: Disclosed are dental dispensing tips used to deliver dental solutions to a tooth surface. One dental dispensing tip includes a body having a first end, a second end, and a fluid passageway extending from the first end toward the second end, the fluid passageway being configured to receive a dental solution therein, a brush cup provided at the second end and having a brush barrel defined therein, a brush applicator configured to be secured within the brush barrel and including a plurality of bristles, wherein a portion of the plurality of bristles extends out of the brush barrel, and a delivery cannula arranged to provide fluid communication between the fluid passageway and the brush applicator and being configured to deliver the dental solution to the plurality of bristles.

Abstract: Provided is a method for creating a physical teeth model. Further, the method includes providing a virtual three dimensional (3D) representation of a patient's dentition that includes at least a region of the teeth that includes a tooth stump on which a crown is to be fitted or a region on to which a bridge is to be fitted; and preparing a physical model of the jaws of a subject from a blank, based on information from said virtual 3D image.

Abstract: A variety of improvements to the vibrating devices for dental remodeling are provided, including improved bite plate designs that accommodate common patient bite structure, a connector for a bite plate, a sizing tray for same, as well as better motors providing improved performance characteristics for an extraoral vibrator, and a completely intraoral vibrating dental plate with very thin cross section.

Abstract: A variety of improvements to the vibrating devices for dental remodeling are provided, including improved bite plate designs that accommodate common patient bite structure, a connector for a bite plate, a sizing tray for same, as well as better motors providing improved performance characteristics for an extraoral vibrator, and a completely intraoral vibrating dental plate with very thin cross section.

Abstract: The canine tooth traction device is a 0.019?×0.025? stainless steel sectional wire. It is distally inserted in the molar band of a transpalatal arch anchorage and mesially ligated to a bondable attachment (bracket or button) on the canine tooth. The canine tooth traction device is an elongated member that has a cinching end and an attachment end. The cinching end is 15 mm in length, with 4-5 mm length activation bend of 45° mesial to the molar band. The length of the traction arm from the activation bend to the bondable attachment ligating loop is 40-50 mm. The loop of the attachment end is ligated to the bracket or button. The cinching end is cinched toward and behind the anchor headgear molar tube.

Abstract: A lingual bracket has a bracket body (1) and a movable wing (2). The bracket body (1) includes a bracket seat (11) with non-skid pattern on its lower surface and a stationary wing (12) integrally and protrudingly provided onto an end of the bracket seat. A through hole (13) is arranged along the central axis of the stationary wing (12). A movable wing (2) has an arch wire hook (21) at an end and a fixed portion (22) at the other end. The fixed portion end of the movable wing passes through the through hole in the stationary wing, and a spring (3) is sleeved on the section of the movable wing passing through the through hole. One end of the spring (3) is engaged against the stationary wing (12), and the other end is retained on the fixed portion of the movable wing. The arch wire hook (21) of the movable wing (2) can hook an arch wire (4) by constant orthodontic force provided by the spring (3).

Abstract: An In-situ Tooth Filling System and Method Utilizing External Curing Step. The method and system utilizes the heat-/light-/vacuum-curing process normally available only in a dental laboratory. Like the conventional dental prosthetic production process, the filling is attached to the tooth void utilizing curable cement. Unlike the conventional (indirect) method, however, the instant method is completed totally within a single appointment in the dentist's office. The system utilizes fill stems that are made from curable filling material. These stems will become a part of the filling when the filling is cured. The filling is partially cured and then removed from the tooth for final curing in a vacuum oven that heat- and/or light-cures the filling.

Abstract: The subject invention provides single use periodontal probes. In preferred embodiments as described herein the probes of the subject invention can be used with a recording apparatus for simultaneously measuring and recording the depth of the periodontal pocket (gingival sulcus) and more particularly, to a unit employing a periodontal depth probe operably connected to a recording device, capable of producing a permanent visual record of the measured pocket depth. In further embodiments, the probes of the subject invention can be used to deliver and/or collect materials for prevention, treatment and/or diagnosis of periodontal conditions.

Abstract: Secondary part for securing an impression cap (72) releasably on a tooth implant (10). The secondary part (40) is secured on the latter by means of a screw connection. The secondary part (40) has elastically deformable spring fingers (44) that cooperate with a wall (76) of the impression cap (72). The wall (76) is dimensionally stable. With a good fit of the impression cap, the device can thus have a slender configuration, such that it is also suitable in particular for use in the front area of the lower jaw.

Abstract: The present application describes a method for designing and manufacturing a denture device for a patient. A method is described for designing a virtual denture and manufacturing a functional fitting replica denture from the virtual denture. An apparatus comprising a functional fitting replica denture is prepared having denture teeth having a fit substantially similar to the final denture. The methods and apparatus described herein reduce the number of visits required to manufacture the final denture.

Abstract: System and methods for positioning 3D virtual brackets on teeth for the precise positioning of conventional brackets and wire. Various reference features may be calculated for the teeth and used to calculate a position for the virtual bracket. Reference features that are calculated include curve of Spee, Andrew's plane, and a facial axis of the clinical crown for the teeth.

Abstract: The joint assembly for dental implant abutment includes an abutment section adapted for attachment to a dental implant and a ball section selectively mounted to the abutment section at a user-selectable angle. The abutment section includes a base member having a recessed socket. A plurality of threaded bores radiate into the base member from the socket. The ball section includes a spherical head having a threaded post extending therefrom for mounting the ball joint into a user-selectable threaded bore in the socket to properly orient an integral locator mounting cap retained on the spherical head for attachment of a denture to the joint assembly. The angular orientation of the threaded bores allows a restorative dentist to adjust the joint assembly for effective mounting of the denture or other dental appliance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method define a fit of a set of upper and lower teeth of a patient by generating a computer representation of the teeth; and determining an occlusion from the computer representation of the teeth using one or more keys.

Abstract: An articulator can more simply configure a coupling mechanism between a lower jaw support portion and an upper jaw support portion at a joint portion. An articulator includes a first support portion; a second support portion; and a joint portion that couples the first support portion and the second support portion. The joint portion includes: a pair of projecting portions; and an engaging support portion. The projecting portion and the engaging support portion are attractable to each other by way of magnetic force.

Abstract: Accordingly, embodiments of the presently described system and method include an equine dentistry burr with a head having a first end and a second end. Some embodiments also include a shank fixably connected to the first end of the head, and wherein the shank is configured to connect the equine dentistry burr to a handpiece assembly. Further embodiments also include a floating guard coupled to at least one of the cylindrical head and the shank, and configured to rotate independently of the cylindrical head and the shank.

Abstract: Endodontic instruments for use in performing root canal therapy on a tooth are disclosed. In one form, the instruments include an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. The shank comprises a titanium alloy, and the shank is prepared by heat-treating the shank at a temperature above 25° C. in an atmosphere consisting essentially of a gas unreactive with the shank. In another form, the endodontic instruments have an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. The shank consists essentially of a titanium alloy selected from alpha-titanium alloys, beta-titanium alloys, and alpha-beta-titanium alloys. The instruments solve the problems encountered when cleaning and enlarging a curved root canal.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth, and dental matrices, dental wedges, interdental matrix stabilizers, dental separator rings, dental curing light devices, and kits that can be used in the methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth.

Abstract: Orthodontic appliance systems including self-ligating orthodontic brackets and/or orthodontic brackets that include a prescription-altering insert that is configured to be removably coupled to the bracket. The prescriptive insert may be optional in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the prescriptive insert may define and/or alter the prescription of the bracket, such as a prescription defined by the bracket when the insert is not utilized. A plurality of prescriptive inserts may be provided, with each insert defining a unique orthodontic prescription when coupled to the bracket. In some embodiments, the bracket is a self-ligating bracket that includes a base and a repositionable closure for selectively obstructing an opening in an archwire passage of the bracket. In some embodiments, the closure defines more than one side, or wall, of the archwire passage and/or is pivotally coupled to the base by a floating hinge or other displaceable positioning mechanism.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus fit a set of upper and lower teeth in a masticatory system by generating a computer representation of the masticatory system and computing an occlusion based on interactions in the computer representation of the masticatory system.