Abstract: The surgical guide tool for single dental implant positioning includes an adjustable U-shaped frame having an inner member and an outer member. The inner member of the frame includes a first arm and a second arm that extends normal to the first arm. The outer member of the frame includes a first arm and a second arm that extends normal to the first arm. The first arm of the outer member includes an inner cavity for slidably receiving the first arm of the inner member. The first arm of the inner member can be moved within the cavity to adjust the size of the frame. A ring, attached to the second arm of the inner member, includes a circular wall with a central aperture extending therethrough. The central aperture is configured for receiving a drill bit therethrough for properly positioning the drill bit on the jawbone.

Abstract: A method comprising: comparing each value of measured signals with a plurality of model tooth position measurement data groups, and storing the measured signal values and an indication value at the time when a fluctuation of the indication value which indicates a distance from a root apex position to a distal end of an electrode for position detection shows an apex in a convex shape, the indication value being indicated by a model tooth position measurement data group in a predetermined relationship; and comparing second-time measured signal values and an indication value with the stored first-time measured signal values and the stored indication value, respectively, if at least two of them correspond or fall within a predetermined error range, stopping the electrode and measuring a position of the distal end of the electrode.

Abstract: A removable dental appliance configured to reposition one or more teeth of a patient includes an appliance body forming an active band configured to surround two or more teeth of the patient. The appliance body includes a facial portion configured to register with facial sides of the surrounded teeth, a lingual portion configured to register with lingual sides of the surrounded teeth. The facial portion of the appliance body and the lingual portion of the appliance body form receptacles. Each receptacle is configured to accept at least one of the surrounded teeth. The receptacles separate the facial portion from the lingual portion at least along an anterior portion of the appliance body. The active band is configured such that occlusal surfaces of the surrounded teeth of the patient are exposed when the removable dental appliance is worn by the patient with the surrounded teeth positioned within the active band.

Abstract: A dental implant, including a generally cylindrical body having a proximal open end and a distal closed end and an externally threaded surface, a socket extending distally from the proximal end and terminating at a proximally facing shoulder and an internally threaded hole extending distally from the proximally facing shoulder and a curved portion formed between the proximally facing shoulder and the internally threaded wall.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include a screw device configured for implantation into human bone for dental and bone restoration purposes, or animal long bone. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention include a surgical screw having a surgical pinpoint tip, a head, a set of threads having a dynamic surgical region including quantified progressing minor diameters and a stabilizing surgical region including a substantially equal and parallel minor diameter between threads, and in some embodiments, an annular region and/or a tapered region. The set of threads are surgically sharp at the crest. The combination of these features enables the screw to be implanted without use of a drill or osteotome and without breaking.

Abstract: A multi-functional coping including a base with a channel for securing a rubber dam, and an engagement section for engaging an impression or for use as a scan body, or for use as a temporary cylinder in a provisional dental prosthesis. The channel may include a first seating surface that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the multi-functional coping. The multi-functional coping may include engagement grooves and wings in the engagement section, and a cutting groove between two parts of the engagement section.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for producing orthodontic appliances are provided. In one aspect, an orthodontic appliance comprises an outer shell comprising a plurality of cavities shaped to receive the patient's teeth and generate one or more of a force or a torque in response to the appliance being worn on the patient's teeth. The orthodontic appliance can comprise an inner structure having a stiffness different than a stiffness of the outer shell. The inner structure can be positioned on an inner surface of the outer shell in order to distribute the one or more of a force or a torque to at least one tooth received within the plurality of cavities.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance has a ramp extending laterally from the posterior teeth on one of the patient's mandibular/maxillary dental arches. The ramp is curved with a J-shaped occlusal ramp surface extending diagonally upward toward its anterior aspect. The ramp also includes a stop at the gingival end of the ramp surface. A post extends laterally from the posterior teeth on the other dental arch. The post contacts and slides along the ramp surface toward the stop to guide the mandible forward as the mandible closes. The post seats against the stop to define a limit for closure of the mandible.

Abstract: A method of direct pulp capping of a tooth including administering a dental composition comprising betamethasone and gentamicin onto an exposed pulp of a tooth, and covering the dental composition present on the tooth with a glass ionomer cement. The dental composition is administered in an amount effective to form a calcification over the exposed pulp. A dental composition having betamethasone, gentamicin, and optionally including a Portland cement. The dental composition is administered to an exposed pulp of a tooth to form a calcification over the exposed pulp.

Abstract: A dental restoration apparatus that eliminates time-consuming, labor-intensive steps conventionally needed to fabricate molds, and thereby facilitates dental restorations in a shorter time, while reducing the discomfort and embarrassment sometimes associated with provisional restorations, which includes an additive manufacturing apparatus (e.g., a 3-D printer) having a tool head (e.g., a print head) and a fixture for controlling the position of the tool head relative to the teeth of a patient, allowing fabrication of a planned dental structure directly on an existing dental structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to dental micro-applicators having a body with a distal and a proximal end, whereby, on the proximal end, an application aid is provided, at least in part, with at least one additive selected from metals, metal-containing compounds, and organometallic compounds for affecting the polymerisation of dental materials, as well as a method for the production thereof and a kit comprising the applicator and a dental adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to endosseous implants and in particular, to screw form dental implants for implanting within bone. The bone implant is configured to be a self-drilling bone implant that is adept at condensing, collecting and distributing bone along all of the implant's surface and within the implantation site, to significantly increase the bone implant contact surface. The implant is configured to have a coronal portion and a body portion that are continuous with one another. The coronal portion is configured to have a smaller overall diameter than the overall diameter of said body portion. The body portion is fit with threading that facilitates the self-drilling and bone collection properties when the implant is rotates in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions.

Abstract: Described is a bioelectric stimulating device for reducing orthodontic treatment time (braces) with post-treatment stability enhancement. The device and associated methods provide a native sustainable optimal release of an increase in the quantity of the right cells and proteins over time and in the right sequence to optimize tooth movement with the braces by accelerating bone resorption at the leading edge of the tooth during movement. This acceleration phenomenon is responsible for being able to shorten orthodontic treatment time. Following the final alignment of the teeth, the same device can utilize the native response and accelerate the tooth/bone interface stability by targeting specific cells and proteins that are responsible for bone deposition (hardening) in order to shorten the retention phase, while greatly decreasing the chance of relapse (instability).

Abstract: In some embodiments, an oral care device includes a flexible base substrate, a power source disposed on the base substrate, and first and second electrodes electrically connected to the power source. Also disclosed are methods of using the same, for example, for whitening the teeth or for treating other conditions in the oral cavity.

Abstract: An oral care implement having electrodes thereon. In one aspect, the oral care implement may include a handle and a head, the head having an exposed outer surface. A first depression is formed in the exposed outer surface of the head. A first sacrificial electrode is disposed within the first depression and has an exposed surface that is recessed relative to the exposed outer surface of the head. A second electrode is located on the head. Each of the first and second electrodes is operably coupled to a power source to have opposite electrical charges.

Abstract: A dental prophy angle reduces the ejection of blood, dental polish, and saliva from a patient's mouth during a dental procedure. The dental prophy angle includes a drive head with an airflow generator is positioned within the drive head. The airflow generator produces an airflow pattern that exits from the drive head. A prophy cup is attached to the drive head. The airflow pattern travels over the outer surface of the prophy cup. The air flow pattern reduces the amount of material that builds up on the outer surface of the prophy cup, thereby reducing the ejection of material from the patient's mouth. In certain embodiments, the prophy cup is transparent to enable a dental practitioner to visualize the prophy paste within the prophy cup.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for treating teeth to correct for malocclusions. This may be accomplished by applying a series of labels to a digital dental model and applying a rolling ball process to identify tooth boundaries separating one tooth from a neighboring tooth and to also determine the crown/gum margin. The user may further assign regions to the dental model to indicate hard regions and soft regions. With the dental model labeled and defined, the user may then generate a treatment plan for moving the labeled and defined tooth or teeth relative to one another to correct for any malocclusions. Upon approval of the treatment plan, a series of 3D printed dental appliances or aligners to be worn in series by the patient may be fabricated to ultimately move the tooth or teeth to a desired position.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a passive self-ligating bracket, comprising a bracket body, wherein the middle part of the bracket body is sunken downwards to form an archwire slot; a locking piece in slide fit with the bracket body is arranged above the archwire slot; at least one locking position is provided on one of the bracket body and the locking piece; a fixing mechanism for fixing the locking piece at the locking position is arranged on one of the bracket body and the locking piece; the fixing mechanism comprises an elastic element located on one of the bracket body and the locking piece; the elastic element is provided with a bulge capable of being received at the locking position; when the locking piece is in a locked state, the bulge on the elastic element is received at the locking position; and when the locking piece is in an unlocked state, the end part of the bulge on the elastic element is in close abutment with one of the bracket body and the locking piece, and forces the elastic element to s

Abstract: A cover for an orthodontic bracket having an arch wire laterally extending therethrough includes a body having a forward-facing planar surface and a rearward-facing recess configured for at least partially receiving the orthodontic bracket therein. The body includes first and second slots located on opposed lateral sides of the body and each configured so that the arch wire passes laterally through the first and second slots and the recess of the body when the cover is positioned over the orthodontic bracket. The forward-facing planar surface is provided with decorative indicia thereon. The cover is configured so that the cover does not bind movement of the arch wire relative to the orthodontic bracket, does not secure the arch wire to the orthodontic brackets, and does not alter the functioning of the dental braces.

Abstract: In the case of a dental hand instrument having a grip sleeve and also a head housing arranged at the front end of the grip sleeve for receiving or holding a treatment instrument, the head housing has a substantially cylindrical hollow space which is connected by way of at least one connecting bore to a connection region pointing to the grip sleeve, wherein the connecting bore is coupled, at its end facing the grip sleeve, to a media line extending through the grip sleeve, and wherein the inner wall region of the head housing enclosing the hollow space has a recess into which the connecting bore opens.