Abstract: A dental apparatus is provided. The dental apparatus include a handle. A controller operably couples to the housing. A subsystem is in operable communication with the controller and configured to generate an excitation signal causing an emitted fluorescence light to be reflected back to the subsystem and to the controller for analyzing one or more properties of the emitted fluorescence light. The one or more properties corresponding to a decay time of the emitted fluorescence light, wherein plaque emitted florescence light decays faster than tooth emitted florescence light. The controller is programmed to analyze detected emitted fluorescence light to determine if the emitted fluorescence light is indicative of a plaque emitted fluorescence decay time or tooth emitted florescence light decay time to detect the presence of one of dental plaque and tooth demineralization.

Abstract: A dental bite block assembly includes a U-shaped mounting base having an upper bite portion, a lower bite portion, a central portion, an accessory mount, and a first magnetically energetic material embedded in the central portion of the U-shaped mounting base proximate the accessory mount. A dental accessory has a dental bite block mount that is detachably coupled with the accessory mount of the U-shaped mounting base and a second magnetically energetic material disposed in the dental accessory proximate the dental bite block mount. When the dental bite block mount is coupled with the accessory mount, the first magnetically energetic material embedded in the central portion of the U-shaped mounting base and the second magnetically energetic material disposed in the dental accessory are in operable magnetic engagement with each other.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a denture using, among other devices, a semi-custom thermoplastic tray. The thermoplastic tray is customized over a mold of an edentulous ridge. The thermoplastic tray has a handle that it trimmed off after its use as a tray thereby converting the thermoplastic tray into a base plate for continued fabrication of the denture. This allows the denture to be completed in only a few days with the patient making a trip to the dentist for the initial fabrication steps and then a second time to pick the finalized denture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a torsional vibration resonance frequency measuring method and a novel amplitude transformer for assessing the stability of dental implants. In one example, a torsional vibration resonance frequency measuring method includes installing an amplitude transformer on a dental implant, energizing a torsional vibration mode, gathering resonance signals, and analyzing a resonance frequency. In another example, an amplitude transformer for measuring torsional vibration resonance frequency in a dental implant, includes an anti-rotary horizontal double-winged component and a central bolt. The central bolt is configured to closely connect with the inner threads of the dental implant, such that the amplitude transformer can integrate with the dental implant sufficient to vibrate as an integral structure under energizing.

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: 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 comprising: a lamp support surface; and a lamp. When the lamp is mounted to the lamp support surface, a first contact surface of the lamp contacts a first contact surface of a first electrical contact element of the lamp support surface; and (2) a second contact surface of the lamp contacts a second contact surface of a second electrical contact element of the lamp support surface.

Abstract: Cheek retraction devices including an upper frame element configured to bear against and retract soft oral tissue from one or more teeth of an upper dental arch, a lower frame element configured to bear against and retract soft oral tissue from one or more teeth of a lower dental arch. The upper and lower frame elements may each include left and right frame portions wherein the upper and lower left frame portions are joined to one another to form a v-shaped hinge on one side of the frame, while upper and lower right frame portions are joined to one another to form a v-shaped hinge on another side of the frame. The v-shaped hinges on opposed sides permit the upper and lower frame elements to be at least partially folded toward each other. A posterior frame element may be provided extending between the v-shaped hinges.

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 may comprise a lamp support structure comprising a lamp support surface; first and second lamps, each of the first and second lamps comprising a plurality of light emitters that generate light which is emitted from a rear surface of the lamp; each of the first and second lamps mounted to the lamp support surface, thereby forming a lamp assembly, each of the first and second lamps operably coupled to a control circuit having a power source; and a lamp retaining component coupled to the lamp support structure, a lower portion of the first lamp and an upper portion of the second lamp retained between the lamp retaining component and the lamp support surface of the lamp support structure.

Abstract: An oral treatment device that emits light onto a user's teeth. The oral treatment device includes an intraoral mouthpiece comprising: a lamp comprising: a flexible sheet body having a front surface and a rear surface; and a plurality of light emitting diodes embedded within the flexible sheet body that generate light which is emitted from the rear surface of the flexible sheet body. The flexible sheet body comprises: a flexible lens plate formed of a biocompatible material. The plurality of light emitting diodes are printed to the front surface of the flexible lens plate, the rear surface of the flexible lens plate forming the rear surface of the flexible sheet body. The rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the lamp having a concave curvature and being exposed so as to form a light emitting surface of the mouthpiece.

Abstract: The invention relates to kit of parts comprising a solution, a porous zirconia article, optionally application equipment, the solution comprising cation(s) of non-coloring agent(s) selected from ions of Y, Gd, La, Yb, Tm, Mg, Ca and mixtures thereof, solvent(s) for the ion(s), optionally complexing agent(s), optionally thickening agent(s), optionally organic marker substance(s), optionally additive(s), the porous zirconia article showing a N2 adsorption and/or desorption of isotherm type IV according to IUPAC classification. The invention also relates to a method for enhancing the translucency of a zirconia article comprising the steps of providing a porous zirconia article and a solution, applying the solution to at least a part of the outer surface of the porous zirconia article, optionally drying the porous zirconia article of the preceding step, sintering the porous zirconia article to obtain a zirconia ceramic article.

Abstract: A dental preparation instrument having a pneumatic turbine (1) with a rotor (5) for driving a tool (1.1), wherein the rotor (5), which is mounted in a turbine chamber (18) for rotation about an axis of rotation (4), is impinged by compressed air from a compressed-air nozzle (22). A first radial partition (23) has an opening (17) via which an annular space (8) is in flow connection with an outlet duct (19).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dental prophy cup comprising a body, wherein the body comprising a rear portion adapted to be mounted on a rotary hand piece for rotation about a longitudinal axis; and a front portion for engaging the teeth, wherein the front portion is a microfiber surface provides for fluid communication between inner cavity and outer surface for exchange of prophy paste to clean the tooth surface.

Abstract: A frictionally-retained detachable dental anchor device is provided for adjustably attaching a dental appliance with a tooth root or implant. The dental anchor device includes a cap secured 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: An orthodontic direct bonding stent facilitates ideal positioning of physical attachments on a patient's teeth. Novel designs of direct bonding stents include uniquely configured windows for guiding placement of the attachments. Windows of reduced depth leave a majority of each attachment exposed beyond the stent for easy grip and manipulation, and use of a reduced height wall opposite the window-equipped wall eases removal of the stent without disruption of the adhered attachments. Use of elastomeric material at the window boundaries provides an improved seal with the tool for less adhesive splay, and inter-arch stents enable maxillary and mandibular placement with a single appliance. Lingual windows enable lingual placement of attachments for reduced visibility, and reduced wall thickness between adjacent windows provides improved mesial access to attachments.

Abstract: An oral apparatus for mandibular jaw manipulation which in some embodiments may include: an upper tray configured to receive a plurality of maxillary teeth and which may have a first upper anchor member coupled to a first side of the upper tray and a second upper anchor member coupled to a second side of the upper tray; a lower tray configured to receive a plurality of mandibular teeth and which may have a first lower anchor member coupled to a first side of the lower tray and a second lower anchor member coupled to a second side of the lower tray. The first upper anchor member may be configured to contact the first lower anchor member and the second upper anchor member may be configured to contact the second lower anchor member to adjust the positional relationship between the mandible and the maxilla of a mouth.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a dental material has a cartridge with a dispensing end. The dispensing end has a dispensing opening for the dental material. The dispensing end further has in essence an axially symmetric shape with a truncation. The truncation provides the dispensing end with a generally flat dispensing surface through which the dispensing opening extends. The device has further a cap received on the dispensing end. The cap and the dispensing end are rotatable relative to each other between an open position, in which an orifice in the cap uncovers the dispensing surface, and a closed position, in which a closed space is formed between the cap and the dispensing surface. The device allows for a relatively convenient dispensation of dental material, in particular for a dispensation of a dental composite filling material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a finger mountable flexible dental hand-piece device. In one embodiment the hand piece device comprises of: a head portion and a body portion, wherein the head portion and the body portion are engaged by a flexible joint to provide flexible movement for the head portion. The head portion defines a head enclosed in a head shell, where the head shell is accompanied by a first finger band which is stipulated on the top of the head shell. The body portion has a first end and a second end; the first end of the body portion is to engage with the head portion, wherein there is a second finger band which is stipulated on the top of the body portion.

Abstract: Implants for anchoring within bone are provided herein. An implant may include at least one thread extending around a core in a plurality of turns from the coronal region to the apical region. The thread(s) has a thread outer diameter that may define a cylindrical portion, wherein the thread outer diameter remains constant for more than one turn around the core, and define a conical portion, wherein the thread outer diameter decreases at a thread diameter decrease rate in the apical direction. The thread(s) may have a plurality of notches spaced radially and longitudinally from one another. The notches may be partially notched to reflect a portion of a semi-spherical surface and partially notched to reflect a portion of a semi-cylindrical surface.

Abstract: An oral apparatus for mandibular jaw manipulation is provided. The apparatus having an upper tray configured to receive a plurality of maxillary teeth and a lower tray configured to receive a plurality of mandibular teeth. The upper tray may optionally have one or more upper anchor members configured as adjustable upper anchor members coupled to the upper tray. The lower tray may optionally have one or more lower anchor members configured as adjustable lower anchor members coupled to the lower tray. Each upper anchor member, which may be adjustable, may be configured to contact a lower anchor member, which may be adjustable, to adjust the positional relationship between the mandible and the maxilla of a mouth when a user wearing the oral apparatus closes their mouth to bring the upper and lower anchor members into contact with each other.

Abstract: An endodontic file with improved fatigue resistance comprising a conical body made of a metal alloy and an amorphous titanium-zirconium-boron film deposited on a surface of the conical body.