Abstract: A method and a device for treating dental caries using microwave energy applied directly to teeth at frequencies that are lethal to the bacteria in caries, without being destructive to tooth tissues. The method and a device will have a significant economic and health impact, leading to a reduction in traditional surgical interventions, as well by improving access to care for those with health disparities.

Abstract: Various embodiments of orthodontic appliances are disclosed to dispose a patient's lower dentition (2) and upper dentition (2) in Class I occlusion. A representative appliance (180) includes an occlusal ridge (182) that extends over the mesio-lingual cusp and the mesio-buccal cusp of a lower first molar (14a) on one side of the patient's dentition (2), and includes another occlusal ridge (182) that extends over the mesio-lingual cusp and the mesio-buccal cusp of a lower first molar (14b) on the other side of the patient's dentition (2). Such an appliance (180) addresses a Class II malocclusion by encouraging or facilitating movement of the mandible in a mesial or anterior direction such that each such occlusal ridge (182) ends up being disposed between a corresponding upper first molar (32a, 32b) and a corresponding second bicuspid (30a, 30b).

Abstract: An oral treatment device that emits light onto surfaces of a user's teeth. In one aspect, the oral treatment device includes an intraoral mouthpiece. The mouthpiece comprises: a first light emitting surface configured to emit light onto a user's maxillary teeth, the first light emitting surface having a concave curvature; a second light emitting surface configured to emit light onto a user's mandibular teeth, the second light emitting surface having a concave curvature; the first and second light emitting surface located on opposite sides of a horizontal reference plane; the first light emitting surface inclined so that a first acute angle is formed between with the first light emitting surface and the horizontal reference plane; and the second light emitting surface inclined so that a second acute angle is formed between with the second light emitting surface and the horizontal reference plane.

Abstract: There is provided an oral hygiene swab (10) for a patient. The swab has a stem (12) formed of a first relatively rigid material and a head portion (14) formed of a second relatively softer material overmoulded onto the stem. The second material of the head portion is shaped to provide outwardly protruding cleaning formations (32, 36) for contact with the patient's mouth. The swab may be a suction swab and the stem may have a hollow interior.

Abstract: A universal cervical matrix for dental use comprising a lamina having at least an outer layer and an inner layer, the inner layer comprising a non-stick surface to prevent adhering to a chemically-cured dental restoration material, and the outer layer comprising an energy-absorbing material. The energy-absorbing material absorbs energy output from a dental curing light and provides heat to the dental restoration material, thereby increasing curing rate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device useful for taking dimensions of the stomatognathic system, in particular the soft tissues which circumscribe the masticatory system, in particular the anterior part of the face in relation to the denture. This device has graduated parts that allow taking precise measurements and can be transferred or projected to an articulator, which is used in rehabilitation processes and restorative dentistry.

Abstract: A dental implant for securing an abutment to a jawbone, the implant including a tapered body having a longitudinal axis, the body including a coronal end and an apical end, the coronal end including an inclined coronal surface. A first bore receives a base portion of the abutment, the first bore extending downwardly from the coronal surface and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. A second bore with a footprint larger than the first bore includes a flange adapted to be abutted by a top portion of the abutment, the diameter of the second bore being off-axis and larger than that of the first bore.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cleaning system (30) for a dental implant part (2) that has been introduced into the jaw bone of a patient. For this purpose, in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a securing element, which is adapted on the end side to connect to a corresponding connection element in the dental implant part, particularly preferably which can be screwed into a thread of the dental implant part by the end side, and to which a distribution element for a cleaning fluid as well as an electrical contact element can be attached, which distribution element can be connected to an external media reservoir via a media channel, and via which electrical contact element, a power source that is connectable to an external power source can be electrically connected to the dental implant part.

Abstract: A frictionally-retained detachable dental attachment assembly or anchor device is designed to attach a dental appliance with a tooth root or implant. The assembly includes a denture attachment housing for securing in the dental appliance, an abutment attached with a tooth root or implant, and a compressible retention member with a first end in fixed attachment with the cap and a second end in snap engagement with the abutment via a frictionally-retained ball secured within a cavity of the abutment. The retention member is formed using a compressible material to allow the ball to compress and the retention member to flex while inserting the ball into the cavity. Additional friction-retained and fixed attachment configurations of the dental anchor device are provided, along with methods of securing a dental appliance in a subject's mouth by means of the friction-retained and fixed attachment dental anchor devices.

Abstract: A sulcular guard can be placed into the gingival sulculus surrounding a tooth to collect excess cement resulting from a replacement crown cementation procedure. The semi-rigid sulcular guard can have a generally “U” shaped cross-section with a central recess configured for collecting and containing the cement. Prior to cementing a crown on a prepared tooth, the guard may be inserted into the gingival sulculus surrounding the tooth. When the crown is pressed onto the tooth, excess cement, which is forced out from the bottom of the crown, can be collected and contained within the recess. Upon completion of the cementation, the guard, and all cement contained therein, may be removed leaving the gingival sulculus free of cement.

Abstract: An orthodontic device comprising a biasing member and first and second anchors for attaching the biasing member within a patient's mouth, wherein the biasing member exerts a bias under compression or extension, wherein the biasing member comprises a limiter for preventing movement of the biasing member past a predetermined limit, and wherein at least one of the first and second anchors is inelastic.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket axis indicator for use with an orthodontic bracket including a long slot intersecting with an archwire slot having a base surface and first and second opposed slot surfaces extending from the base surface includes an insert having first and second elongate cross members having first and second top surfaces, respectively, and arranged generally perpendicular to each other such that, when viewed from above, the insert has a generally cruciform shape. First and second grooves extend along the first and second top surfaces of the first and second cross members, respectively, and are each configured to receive an orthodontic tool. The first cross member is configured to be received by the archwire slot and the second cross member is configured to be received by the long slot in order to provide an interference fit between the insert and the orthodontic bracket.

Abstract: A dental light irradiation device has sensing means for sensing a change of a position of the device, and an indicator for physically indicating the position change. The invention helps controlling the positioning of the device during use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical dental tool for assisting with the implantation of a dental implant. The tool is designed to create an opening in a patient's jaw into which the dental implant will be inserted. In one embodiment, the tool includes a handle, a blade carrier, a pick and a blade stabilizing channel formed in at least a portion of the blade carrier and extends through at least a portion of the pick. The blade stabilizing channel receives and stabilizes a cutting blade. The blade carrier may include an adjustable clamping plate for removably securing the cutting blade in the blade stabilizing channel. The pick may include a sheath that receives and protects the tip of the cutting blade from breakage when the blade is in the blade stabilizing channel and is being used to cut a dental implant opening.

Abstract: Provided is an implant unit, and more particularly, a dental implant unit. The implant unit includes a fixture assembled to an alveolar bone; and an abutment assembled to the upper portion of the fixture, wherein the fixture includes a space defined by a groove-like structure formed in depth direction from the lower portion of the fixture facing the alveolar bone.

Abstract: A palatal expansion appliance includes one pair of bone screw joints arranged to face each other, each of the one pair of bone screw joints extending in one direction and having a plurality of bone screw holes formed thereon, and a driving portion arranged between the one pair of bone screw joints, in which, as at least a part of the driving portion is moved in one direction, the one pair of bone screw joints are moved in another direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a navigation system for dental and cranio-maxillofacial surgery, comprising a surgical handpiece (2), an imaging unit (4) which is movably attached to the surgical handpiece (2), and a marker member (6; 44, 46) which is attachable to a cranial bone, a facial bone (26), a tooth or teeth of a patient. The marker member (6; 44, 46) comprises a plurality of marker elements (8, 10; 46) which are detectable by the imaging unit (4). Further, the invention relates to a positioning tool (40) for use with the navigation system, wherein the positioning tool (40) is configured for positioning the marker member (44, 46) on a patient's cranial bone, facial bone (26), tooth or teeth and comprises a die element (42) and the marker member (44, 46).

Abstract: A dental tray impression system, including at least one of a top denture and a bottom denture, and methods of use thereof. A top denture may include (a) a top dental impression tray including an upper trough on a palatal side and configured such that the upper trough fits adjacent to a top alveolar ridge of a patient's mouth and (b) a top tooth portion configured to removably attach to a cavity side of an anterior end of the top dental impression tray. A bottom denture may include (a) a bottom dental impression tray comprising a lower trough on a mandibular side and configured such that the lower trough fits adjacent to a bottom alveolar ridge of the patient's mouth and (b) a bottom tooth portion configured to removably attach to the cavity side of the anterior end of the bottom dental impression tray.

Abstract: A powder delivery nozzle (12) for a personal care appliance (10) comprises a body (28), guidance tip (38), powder chamber (50), and flexible membrane (56). The body (28) includes an air-liquid channel (30) for delivery of air and/or liquid from a proximal end to a distal end thereof. The guidance tip (38), located at the distal end of the body (28), includes an orifice (40) coupled to the air-liquid channel (30) and is configured to expel a pulse of air and/or liquid. The powder chamber (50) is configured for storing a powder (52) and having an air intake port (42) and a powder outlet port (44). The flexible membrane (56) is disposed between the powder chamber (50) and the air-liquid channel (30). Responsive to delivery of a pulse of air and/or liquid via the air-liquid channel (30), a pulse of pressure is applied to the flexible membrane (56) for actuating a release of powder expelled from the powder chamber (50) via the powder outlet port (44). A method and personal care appliance are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dispensing system (10) configured to dispense a dental composition, the dispensing system including: (i) a dental tray (14) comprising a tray reservoir (18) configured to receive a dental composition (26), and further comprising a guide rail (22); (ii) a dental composition reservoir (12) for containing at least one dental composition; and (iii) a dispensing mechanism (16) in communication with the guide rail and configured to expel the dental composition from the dental composition reservoir in response to the dispensing mechanism moving along the guide rail, the dispensing mechanism comprising a nozzle (24) configured to direct the dispensed dental composition into the tray reservoir.