Abstract: A dental attachment assembly is provided, including an abutment member and a male member. The abutment member may include an outer locating surface portion having at least two axially spaced retention portions having two generally rounded, annular projections. The male member for engagement over the outer locating surface of the abutment member may include an upper end and a continuous, unbroken skirt having a rounded, convex outer surface. The male member may be constructed from a rigid material and have at least two axially spaced, snap engaging formations on the inner surface of the skirt for snap engagement with the respective retention portions of the abutment member.

Abstract: A cover device formed of a plastic or similar composition is structured for removable attachment over a bracket of an orthodontic appliance to conceal the bracket from view. The cover device includes a main plate with an outer front face, and top and bottom claws integrally formed with the main plate, curling behind the main plate, and each terminating at distal ends in spaced, opposing relation to each other behind the main plate. The front face includes an ornamental design or other indicia that is applied by polymer fusion technology to significantly reduce the risk of exposing the user to inks and pigment compositions, particularly if the cover device is accidentally swallowed. The application of the indicia by polymer fusion technology also increases the structural integrity of the cover device; mechanically strengthening the cover device at its point of greatest flexure.

Abstract: Methods for generating and providing a full arch prosthesis from a pre-existing prosthesis are presented, starting from the pre-existing prosthesis. This prosthesis is removed from the mouth, scanned, and replaced within the mouth. An intermediate prosthesis is generated from the scan, and modified to match a final physiological target configuration of the patient's mouth. The intermediate prosthesis is used to generate a final virtual representation of the target configuration, from which final virtual representation the final working prosthesis is fabricated. The intermediate prosthesis is mounted in the patient's mouth in sections, for desirable repositioning, sections then being bonded together. Copings can be digitally subtracted to enable press fit new copings to be installed. Alternatively, the intermediate prosthesis can include integrated false copings. The intermediate prosthesis is scanned to generate a final digital model or virtual representation of the desired final prosthesis.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to tools, systems and methods for recontouring/reshaping gum tissue by engaging a consumable tip on a dental hand tool to abrade/ablate excess or mal-contoured gum tissue to allow better visualization of the tooth/implant structure and reduce the periodontal pockets to provide improved access for cleaning. In some embodiments, the dental hand tool may use vibrational movement, longitudinal reciprocating movement, rotational movement, reciprocating rotational movement, or a combination of any of the above movement schemes. In some embodiments, a consumable tip may be directed for cleaning tooth/implant surfaces and for recontouring/reshaping gum tissue.

Abstract: The specification discloses a dental curing light including 1) a light engine, 2) a coaxially aligned, camera-based viewing system, and 3) a control system providing a variety of safety features and simplified, operator-friendly operation. The camera's field of view (FOV) is coaxial with the centerline of the curing beam of the light engine. The curing light includes a multi-planar dichroic mirror (MDM) providing viewing and light beam direction aligned with the target. The MDM provide multiple images to the camera from different angles. The camera provides real-time measurement of light intensity reflected back from the targeted surface. Using the multiple image portions reflected by the multi-planar dichroic mirror, the control system computes the distance between the curing light and the target. The reflected intensity and the calculated distance enable the control system to compute a light engine irradiance to achieve a desired irradiance at the targeted surface.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of tooth models each including computer code controlling its movement. The system also includes a tooth movement control system (TMCS) with a processor executing a dental manager module and with memory scoring a different tooth movement plan for each of the tooth models. In practice, the tooth movement plans are stored in the memory of each of the tooth models (e.g., a different tooth movement plan for each tooth model). Then, during tooth movement operation, each of the local control modules independently controls the tooth model to execute the tooth movement plan stored in the memory of the tooth model.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a self-ligation type orthodontic bracket which has a simple structure and in which a shutter can be reliably opened and closed, and fixed. The orthodontic bracket is provided with: a bracket body having a slot to which a wire is attached and an introduction port connected to the slot; a shutter provided between the slot and the introduction port to be able to move forward and backward; and a stopper wire which is attached to the bracket body and prevents the shutter from detaching. The stopper wire is elastic. Both end parts of the stopper wire are supported by the bracket body. When the shutter is closed, the central part of the stopper wire is located at a position which blocks the path along which the shutter moves forward and backward.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for dental implant and restorative services. By locating the key functions at one physical location, dental implant services are efficiently provided to patients. These functions include a treatment coordinator, a direct marketer, a restorative doctor/prosthodontist, a surgeon, an imaging area, and a dental laboratory, Further, services for dentate patients are improved by utilizing advanced dental implant methods and systems. These methods and systems include both model-based services and CT (computed tomography) guided surgery services. Using these services, improved surgical guides for dental implants are constructed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a guided bite splint for a supporting jaw comprising at least one guide for an opposing jaw. A 3D model of an upper jaw and/or a 3D model of a lower jaw are available, wherein the 3D models of the upper jaw and the lower jaw are arranged relative to one another in an occlusal position and integrated into a virtual articulator model which simulates an articulation movement of the lower jaw relative to the upper jaw, wherein a 3D model of the bite splint is constructed using the 3D model of the upper jaw and/or the 3D model of the lower jaw, wherein the at least one guide for the opposing jaw is constructed automatically on the 3D model of the bite splint with the aid of a computer.

Abstract: Packaging systems for dental implants and methods for implanting a packaged implant are provided herein. The packaging system includes a housing and a cap forming an enclosure for a dental implant and corresponding healing screw. The housing includes a first and second base portion that interact with a platform that receives a portion of the dental implant to present the dental implant to a user during use.

Abstract: An implant and abutment tooth assembly includes an implant, a rotatable connector, a screw bolt, and a photocurable resin capsule. The implant includes a threaded section and a rotatable adjustment seat, wherein the rotatable adjustment seat has an upper connection portion. The upper connection portion has a groove, two spherical portions, and a receiving trench. The rotatable connector includes a spherical rotation face, two end faces, an abutment, an internal screwing section, and a stepped notch. The screw bolt includes an external screwing section, a rotary head, and a force segment. The external screwing section is screwed with the internal screwing section of the rotatable connector, and the rotary head is movably received in the stepped notch of the rotatable connector. The photocurable resin capsule includes 0.1 g to 0.8 g of light-cured resin and is accommodated in the receiving trench of the implant.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for installing a multi-tooth dental prosthesis in one session are shown and described. A first tool attaches to the jawbone, and serves as a foundation for subsequently used guides. Existing teeth and dental fixtures are removed, and the bone tissue is removed to accommodate the prosthesis. Subsequently, a drill guide is used to drill implant holes. An abutment guide is then used to place abutments. Copings are then installed. Next, the prosthesis may be installed and cemented to the copings. A resinous filler material may be applied to fill gaps and holes in and between the copings and the prosthesis, and is sanded smooth.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for extracting a broken fragment of a dental abutment screw from a dental implant. One such system includes an extractor tool having a tubular outer body and a conductor positioned within the tubular outer body, and an applicator that receives and end of the extractor tool and also includes a heating element that converts electrical energy into heat that is conducted to the extractor tool to melt a thermoplastic adhesive in a cavity at the distal end of the extractor tool, such that the melted thermoplastic adhesive can conform to and engage with a broken fragment of a dental abutment screw within a dental implant when the adhesive cools. The extractor tool can then be rotated to unscrew the broken fragment from the dental implant.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is provided, including a main body, a cover, and an elastic spring element. The main body has an archwire slot configured to receive an archwire. The cover is hingedly connected to the main body, and the cover can be moved between an open position and a closed position. The open position exposes the archwire slot and the closed position covers the archwire slot. The elastic spring element is disposed in the main body, coupled to the cover and the main body, and configured to generate a force that moves the cover into the open position.

Abstract: Method and system for establishing an initial position of a tooth, determining a target position of the tooth in a treatment plan, calculating a movement vector associated with the tooth movement from the initial position to the target position, determining a plurality of components corresponding to the movement vector, and determining a corresponding one or more positions of a respective one or more attachment devices relative to a surface plane of the tooth such that the one or more attachment devices engages with a dental appliance are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus may include an elongated hollow body with a plurality of skirts on one end of the elongated hollow body. An exterior of the elongated hollow body may have a plurality of fins. At least some of the plurality of fins may have a different diameter and/or placement along a length of the elongated hollow body. The elongated hollow body may be configured to receive a screw. The screw may be configured to expand the plurality of skirts upon insertion into an interior of the elongated hollow body. The plurality of fins may be configured to secure the apparatus when the apparatus is placed within a bore. The plurality of fins may secure the apparatus at least by engaging the bore.

Abstract: Releasable and removable palatal expander apparatuses for expanding a patient's palate (“palatal expanders”) and methods of using and making them. These releasable palatal expanders are adapted for ease in removal by the patient or caregiver, and may include a breach region configured to predictably bend or break when a pulling force is applied. The palatal expander apparatuses described herein may include one or more locks for locking the palatal expander onto the patient's teeth. The lock(s) may be unlocked to release the palatal expander from the teeth. A lock may include a control for manually unlocking the lock. Unlocking the locks may allow the palatal expander to automatically disengage from the patient's teeth.

Abstract: The invention relates to a superstructure support (20) as part of a prosthetic tooth replacement (1) between an implant body (10) and a superstructure, comprising a hollow implant post (23, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190), a hollow implant pin (50), and an implant flange (31) lying therebetween. The cavity zones (67, 62) of the implant post (23, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190) and of the implant pin (50) transition into each other. The center lines (69, 63) include an angle of 60 to 86 angular degrees. An attachment element (5) can be arranged on the implant post (23, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190) in a rotationally fixed manner by means of an assembly joint (140), which forms an interface (141, 145). The attachment element (5) is a cap-type element. At least some areas of the implant flange (31) have a supporting enveloping surface (37).

Abstract: The present disclosure includes method, system, apparatus, and indicator embodiments. One apparatus includes an appliance for placement over one or more teeth and a release agent receptacle including an outer portion provided on appliance surface, an inner portion provided within the outer portion, and one or more apertures formed in the outer portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides high strength, self-ligating appliances with orthodontically desirable dimensions. The appliances of the present disclosure incorporate a door slidably engaged to a channel in the body; one that can be opened or closed depending on the equilibrium position of an integral protrusion on the door. Cooperating grooves and rails on the body and the door can guide the door between the open and closed positions, and mitigate against unintentional detachment.