Abstract: Methods and systems for predicting a future dental or orthodontic condition(s) are provided. In one aspect, a computer-implemented method for calculating a future position of an intraoral object of a patient's intraoral cavity is provided. The method can include receiving first and second digital data representative of an actual state of the intraoral cavity at first and second time points. The method can include processing data including the first and second digital data so as to determine a velocity of an intraoral object of the intraoral cavity over the first and second time points. A future position of the intraoral object at a future time point can be determined based on the velocity.

Abstract: A root canal treatment information apparatus includes circuitry which stores three-dimensional information including information on a root canal of teeth in a storage, the three-dimensional information being acquired by an X-ray CT image capturing device, specify a tooth as a target of interest, generate a tooth image of the tooth, instruct display of the tooth image on a display, generate, based on the three-dimensional information, a root canal extension direction image showing a root canal extension direction along the root canal of the tooth, and instruct display of the root canal extension direction image on the display as overlapping, and in correspondence with, the tooth image.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes devices, systems, and methods for monitoring use of an oral appliance in an oral cavity using extra-oral sensor(s). One method includes sensing one or more physical properties of an oral appliance using an extra-oral sensor, providing a compliance signal from the extra-oral sensor, the compliance signal including an electronic representation of the one or more physical properties of the oral appliance, identifying one or more patient compliance factors based on the compliance signal, the one or more patient compliance factors providing a basis to identify an extent of compliance of usage of the oral appliance with an orthodontic treatment plan, and providing one or more compliances indicators based on the one or more patient compliance factors, the one or more compliance indicators providing a basis to indicate the extent of compliance.

Abstract: An oral appliance that attaches to molars or bicuspids and that has the capability for side-to-side expansion and contraction in one unit as a self-stopping mechanism. Further, one embodiment can be activated to compress or expand and be deactivated in two planes of side-to-side or front-to-back, along three different arms/bridges respectively. This is to say that one arm can compress front-to-back while the other arm expands, the jaw/teeth front-to-back, simultaneously. With proper arrangements and anchorage preparation the device shown and described can move front teeth forward or backward or back teeth forward or backward independently on either side of the mouth.

Abstract: A powder-blasting device for cleaning the surfaces of teeth via application with a powder-gas mixture, including a stationary unit having a connection region for a mixing chamber for producing the powder-gas mixture, a hand part having a nozzle device for blasting the powder-gas mixture onto a surface of a tooth, and a joining unit for joining the hand part to the stationary unit wherein the joining unit has at least one joining guide between the stationary unit and the hand part, and wherein a tube section that can be blocked via elastic deformation is arranged in a powder-gas line between the mixing chamber and the nozzle device, wherein the joining unit is detachably joined to the stationary unit and the lockable tube section is arranged in the detachable joining unit.

Abstract: An orthodontic correction device is provided, including a shell having a number of teeth receiving cavities configured to receive teeth of a dental arch of a patient. A first elastic member holding feature is formed on one side of the shell and corresponds to an undercut region of a tooth of the dental arch. A first orthodontic elastic member is coupled to the first elastic member holding feature and extends to the interior of the shell to engage with the undercut region of the tooth, thereby enhancing the retention of the orthodontic correction device on the dental arch.

Abstract: A bone foundation guide system and method, the system could includes a bone foundation guide including 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 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: Rotating dental systems and related guards and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments a guard is configured to prevent material from building up on at least a portion of the dental system. In some embodiments the guard is configured to prevent materials from being discharged from the dental system. In some embodiments, the guard is configured to direct the flow of material along a portion of the dental system. Some guards within the scope of this disclosure include bristles.

Abstract: Dental matrix bands with novel surface structures and use thereof in dental procedures are described herein. The band features a three-dimensional surface structure that is contoured to an outer portion of a torus to allow the band to securely fit around a tooth. The band comprises: an outer surface of the band; an upper and lower edge of the band; a proximal and distal end of the band; and a flattened region disposed along the band. The outer surface of the band forms a first convex curve between the upper edge and the lower edge of the band and a second convex curve between the proximal and the distal end of the band. The flattened region can extend between the upper edge and the lower edge of the band and between the proximal and distal ends of the band.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blank for an endodontic instrument, obtainable by machining at least one rod by means of wire erosion, preferably selected from the group consisting of electrical discharge machining, wire electrical discharge machining, electrical discharge grinding and electro-chemical machining, wherein an erosion pattern is applied to the at least one rod, wherein the blank has a homogenous hardness.

Abstract: A device for testing a heat sensitivity in teeth, a heated cushion for a dental device for testing a heat sensitivity, and a method for testing a tooth for a heat sensitivity.

Abstract: A bone foundation guide system and method, the system could includes a bone foundation guide including 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 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: A dental restoration cementing device for cementing a dental restoration is disclosed having a closable axial passage to a base having a hollow interior which is open into an occlusal direction. The device includes a preferably elastic body portion dimensioned to tightly fit into the hollow interior of the base via the passage of the dental restoration. The device further includes a hollow cementing portion extending from the body portion. The cementing portion has a lateral opening which is located outside the base when the body portion is fitted into the hollow interior of the base such that a pathway is formed from the interior of the cementing portion through the lateral opening into a gap between the dental restoration and the base. The dental restoration cementing device allows for precisely, quickly and cost efficiently cementing the dental restoration to the base.

Abstract: A sliding molar distalizer is provided. The distalizer features a canine attachment bracket, a molar tube, and a rod connected to the bracket and having an engagement end for engaging the molar tube. A hook formed on a portion of the rod receives an elastic for imparting distalization force directly on the distalizer towards the molar tube. An orthodontic tube formed on the attachment bracket holds an archwire that passes through premolar brackets. A buccal push flange lever is formed at a distal portion of the rod for imparting force on the molar tube.

Abstract: An interproximal articulation holder (10) has an arm (12) having a handle (11) at one end and an oppositely disposed holding head (16). The holding head is part of a marking portion (13) which also includes a piece of articulation film (18) having a generally rectangular shaped exposed area (18?) extending beyond the holding head (16). The arm or holding head may include a score or score line (19) which enables the arm or head to be manually bent at an angle. This arm may also include forming notches (20) to aid in the bending process. The handle, arm and holding head may be formed of two or more outer layers of stock paper (21) laminated together with an inner layer of the wax coated articulation film positioned or sandwiched between the stock paper layers.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance for installation on an archwire is described. The orthodontic appliance has two archwire sliding parts, for sliding along an archwire, a telescoping assembly linking the two archwire sliding parts to one another, an external force conveyer and a spring secured to one of the archwire sliding parts. The telescoping assembly is offset from the archwire on which it is to be installed. A method for exerting pressure on a target orthodontic bracket that is connected to adjacent orthodontic brackets by an archwire is also described. The method uses the described orthodontic appliance.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to devices and a method for orthodontic torquing. For the various embodiments, a pliers for crimping coils of an orthodontic torquing spring to an arch wire includes: a pair of plier halves, each of the plier halves including a handle, a jaw, and a pivot section, each of the jaws including a crimping face defined by a distal edge having a length in a range of 200 percent to 400 percent of a diameter of the orthodontic spring, a first lateral edge, and a second lateral edge, the edges defined by a radius of curvature in a range of 0.1 millimeters to 0.5 millimeters, a textured surface on at least one of the crimping faces to frictionally engage the coil of the orthodontic spring, and a pivot joint connecting the pivot sections of the pair of plier halves such that the handles can be manipulated to cause the crimping faces of the jaws to move together to crimp a coil of the orthodontic torquing spring to the arch wire.

Abstract: A medical implant and a method of implanting a medical implant are disclosed. In some embodiments, the medical implant can include an apical bone anchoring portion for bone apposition and an unthreaded coronal portion. The coronal portion can have a length (L2) exceeding or equaling a length (L1) of the apical portion. Further, in some embodiments, the apical portion has a maximum outer diameter (D1) that is equal to or larger than a maximum outer diameter (D2) of the coronal portion. In some embodiments of the method, an apical part of an implant is affixed in the zygomatic bone and a coronal part is positioned outside the maxilla in the mucous membrane.

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 apparatus for guiding a zygomatic implant dental drill installed in a dental handpiece includes a collar configured to seat on a neck portion of the dental handpiece, with an offset post extending from the collar. A first extension extends from the offset post parallel to the neck portion, and a second extension extends from the first extension. The second extension is oriented parallel to the zygomatic implant dental drill, extending from the first extension to be co-terminal and off-set from the zygomatic implant dental drill. By observing the travel of the second extension along a patient's face, a dental surgeon can guide the zygomatic implant dental drill inside the patient toward the patient's zygomatic bone.