Abstract: Example fiducial markers include features that make them particularly useful in dental scanning methods for analyzing jaws of a patient, wherein the dental scanning methods involve taking multiple scans of the jaws, and/or models thereof, and then shifting the image of one scan to match that of another. Prior to scanning, the fiducial markers are attached to the patient's jaws to accurately identify and track the relative position of the jaws.

Abstract: A temporary alignment system, methods, and accessories for holding a dental coping to an implant abutment using a separable fastener using the same threads in the implant abutment used for definitive attachment are disclosed. The disclosed temporary fasteners initially orient and hold a coping against an implant abutment with a force along the same axis as the semi-definitive screw. The aligned coping can be picked-up in a closed-tray impression process without unscrewing the temporary fastener. Embodiments include threaded posts that release copings from the implant abutment through axial forces. Some embodiments include a threaded post with separable cap that is picked-up with the coping. Methods and accessories for using the separable fastener assembly or portions of it during conversion of an existing prosthesis for screw attachment or fabrication and fitting of a new prosthesis are described.

Abstract: A bone foundation guide system and method, the system could comprise a bone foundation guide comprising a body forming an open surgical space, the body further having a bottom contoured to reversibly affix to exposed bone of a dental surgical site and a top contoured to match a bottom side of a dental implant surgical guide; at least one anchoring strut that removably attaches to the body with an apex of the anchoring strut further denoting an one or more indentations for matching up with and receiving one or more portions of one alveolar ridge that opposes another alveolar ridge supporting the dental surgical site; alternatively to the anchoring struts and a tissue spacing gasket, the dental implant surgical guide that removably connects to the body; and alternatively to the anchoring struts or the dental implant surgical guide, the tissue spacing gasket that removably connects to the body.

Abstract: An orthodontic self-ligating bracket system with an open auxiliary groove, and a self-ligating bracket. The system includes brackets, wherein each bracket includes a main groove and auxiliary groove, and an elastic baffle plate is between the main and auxiliary grooves; the brackets include first, second and third brackets. The first bracket is arranged on an incisor, the second bracket is arranged on a canine, the third bracket is arranged on a premolar, and the elastic baffle plates of the first bracket, the second bracket and the third bracket are ingeniously arranged, such that an arch wire of the bracket system generates different orthodontic forces at the positions corresponding to different brackets.

Abstract: Methods for detecting and avoiding collisions of teeth during orthodontic treatment may include determining a schedule of movement for dental objects during treatment stages, calculating a respective route from an initial position toward a final position for each of the dental objects during the treatment stage, and modifying the schedule of movement with a first modification to avoid a collision or obstruction between two of the dental objects on their respective routes. The modification may include moving a first of the dental objects away from the respective route of a second of the dental objects, and moving the first dental object toward its respective final position after the second dental object has sufficiently traversed its respective route to avoid the collision.

Abstract: A dental isolation system includes a dental tool that has a handle portion at a proximal end, a tip portion at an opposite, distal end, and a body portion extending between the handle portion and the tip portion. The handle portion has handles and finger apertures so that a dentist can manipulate the distal end. The tip portion is inserted into an O-ring of a dental dam and, when actuated by a dentist, the tip portion forms a quadrant, allowing the stretched O-ring to easily fit over a tooth.

Abstract: An implant for insertion within a maxillofacial bone of a patient including a tapered body and one or more threads formed along the body. The one or more threads on one or more lead threads include multiple thread forms including both three-dimensional stabilization thread and standard thread (e.g. v-thread, buttress thread, etc.) forms. The one or more threads including the multiple thread forms provides for maximizing the restriction of lateral movement of the implant within a full or partial osteotomy.

Abstract: Endodontic instruments are used to clean and enlarge the endodontic cavity space (ECS), also known as the root canal system, of a human tooth. This document describes novel endodontic instruments that are radially compressible, and methods for their use. Some embodiments include a shank and a body with a working surface. At least a portion of the working surface may define a center of mass path that spirals. The center of mass of a transverse cross-section of the working surface at the shank end can be offset from the axis of rotation of the instrument.

Abstract: Rotating dental systems and related guards and methods are disclosed. In some instances a guard may be configured to prevent material from building up on at least a portion of the dental system. The guard may be configured to prevent materials from being discharged from the dental system. In some embodiments, the guard may also be configured to direct the flow of material along a portion of the dental system. Some guards within the scope of this disclosure comprise bristles.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, computing device readable medium, devices, and systems having a dental attachment formation structures. One dental appliance includes a body having a first surface shaped to abut an exterior surface of a tooth and a well portion of the first surface shaped to form an attachment that is to be attached to the exterior surface of the tooth, a release layer formed over a surface of the well to allow the attachment to be removed from the well, and an attachment material that is used to form the attachment positioned within the well.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a dental implant configured to be inserted in a hole in jaw bone and to be at least partially situated in the bone tissue when implanted and includes: a coronal region, an apical region, a longitudinal axis extending from the coronal region of the dental implant to the apical region of the dental implant; an implant surface configured to form an interface between an implant material and the oral environment/surrounding tissue and a surface layer formed on at least part of the implant surface, the surface layer including crystalline titanium oxide in the anatase phase and wherein the surface area roughness Sa and the pore size of the implant surface on which said surface layer is formed increase from the coronal region toward the apical region of the dental implant along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dental tool having a shank region, which is formed for coupling to a dental handpiece, and also having a work region, which is connected to the shank region. In this case, the shank region of the dental tool is formed so that there is the possibility of latchable insertion and removal without actuation. In particular, at least the shank region can consist of plastics material. As a result, inter alia facilitated handling of the tool and inexpensive production of the tool are rendered possible.

Abstract: A water flosser is provided that may include a body, a reservoir, a cap coupled to the body and a tip extending through an opening in the cap. The water flosser may include a latch assembly that selectively retains the tip to the body. In one embodiment, the cap, the tip and the latch assembly are all rotatable as a unit about a defined axis relative to the body. An ejector button may be provided to actuate the latch assembly. In one embodiment, the ejector button extends through an upper surface of the cap. Actuation of the latch assembly may include displacement of the ejector button in a direction that is parallel with a rotational axis of the tip. In some embodiments, the reservoir of a water flosser includes a tapering volumetric section that concentrates a volume of fluid about an inlet of a tube coupled with a pump.

Abstract: A dental implant that facilitate insertion and can be used in all bone types. The implant includes a body having a coronal end, and an apical end opposite the coronal end. A tapered region may be adjacent the apical end. On the apical part one or more taps are provided so the tap is cutting when rotating clockwise and counter-clockwise. The implant can have at least one variable profile helical thread that extends along the tapered region. The implant can have also micro-threads below the main threads, a gradual compressing tapered core, a self drilling apical end and a narrow coronal region.

Abstract: A dental prosthesis having a guide hole formed therein. The guide hole is configured to guide a drilling for a screw, and configured to receive the screw, holding the prosthesis in place when screwed into the bone of a patient.

Abstract: Dental implants, dental abutments, and dental systems are disclosed. A dental implant can include an implant body having a longitudinal axis, a coronal end, and an apical end. An internal bore can be provided within the implant body, and can have a coronal end, adjacent to the coronal end of the implant body, and an apical end. The internal bore can include a first internally facing surface, extending from the coronal end of the internal bore towards the apical end of the internal bore, at least a portion of which tapers inwardly towards the apical end of the internal bore. The internal bore can further include an internally threaded portion positioned between an apical end of the first internally facing surface and the apical end of the internal bore. A dental abutment can be configured to engage with the dental implant.

Abstract: An abutment screw having a first hardness for use in affixing a dental prosthetic, having a second hardness less than the first hardness, to an abutment that itself is attachable to an implant in the mouth of a patient includes a head and a body. The body includes a smooth shank immediately proximate the head, and a threaded portion with a helical ridge that runs around its body, the helical ridge beginning at a point along the body distal the head portion. The head includes an upper surface, having a drive at a central portion thereof, and an underside surface having a convex radiused curvature extending until it meets the shaft, the convex radiused curvature being configured to conform to a corresponding concave curvature of a receiving portion of the prosthesis.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance is disclosed and which cooperates with both the upper and lower dental arches of a patient and which includes an archwire coupler which is attached to individual archwires that are releasably attached to individual orthodontic brackets on the anterior facing surface of a patient's teeth requiring orthodontic treatment; and a multiple section elongated telescoping assembly which is rotatably and releasably coupled to the archwires attached to the upper and lower dental arches of a patient undergoing treatment, and wherein the multiple section elongated telescoping assembly effects movement of the upper dental arch in a rearward direction, and the lower dental arch in a forward direction when the multiple section elongated telescoping assembly is in a given position along a predetermined course of travel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dental implant set having a fixture for insertion into a bore hole arranged in bone tissue having first indexing means, a dental component having second indexing means and being adaptable to the fixture in an engaged position where the first and second indexing means mate and in an intermediate position where the dental component and the fixture are in contact with each other but the first and the second indexing means do not mate, and a fixation screw being adapted for fixating the dental component to the fixture. The present invention also relates to a method for attaching a dental component to a dental fixture.

Abstract: An apparatus for verifying an osteotomy trajectory includes a straight rod portion extending along a first axis in a first direction, a sliding arm slidably coupled to the straight rod portion and configured to slide along a sliding direction on the straight rod portion along the first axis. The sliding arm may include a sliding portion slidably coupled to the straight rod portion to slide along the sliding direction, a pointing portion including a tip protruded along a second axis in a second direction, the second axis being at least substantially parallel to the first axis, and an extending portion having a first side attached to the sliding portion and a second side attached to the pointing portion. The apparatus further includes a fixed arm coupled to the straight rod portion and configured to mount a drill thereon to point the drill along the second axis toward the tip.