Abstract: Embodiments are provided for tracking teeth movement correction. One method embodiment includes using a set of positioning appliances shaped to move teeth through a number of successive stages of arrangements of an expected teeth arrangement model where each stage corresponds to a particular positioning appliance, mapping a current teeth position based upon positions of a number of physical markers attached to a number of physical teeth, comparing the positions of the number of physical markers with a corresponding number of virtual markers positioned on a number of virtual teeth of a stage in the expected teeth arrangement model, determining whether midcourse correction is needed.

Abstract: A dental wedge for use in the inter-proximal space between adjacent teeth is described. The wedge comprises a taper section ending at a tip, and a body section extending to the tapering section at one end. The body section has an inverted V-shaped cross-section, flexing of the sides of the V-shape allows the wedge to adapt to various contours of the inter-proximal space. The mid-portion of the body section is narrower than at least a portion of the wedge either end of the mid-portion.

Abstract: A dental implant arrangement and method has a hollow shell with outer bio-compatible surface for engaging a soft-tissue socket that is left in gingival tissue after a tooth has been extracted, to promote healing. The shell tapers outwardly from a first to a second perimeter, the second perimeter being asymmetrically scalloped with opposite distal and mesial peaks and opposite lingual and facial valleys between the peaks. A dental implant in the bone socket left after tooth extraction is rigidly connected to a temporary post, the temporary post extending in the shell. A luting compound fills the volume between shell and post and solidifies, thereby connecting shell to post and indirectly to the dental implant with no other connection between the shell and the implant so that the outer surface of the shell engages against the soft-tissue socket without gaps and without requiring alignment between the shell and implant axes.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for providing crowns and bridges is disclosed. The apparatuses include provisional preforms which can have cavities, windows and slits that enable material and linear members to extend through for engagement with adjacent teeth or other preforms. The methods also include ways in which to create crowns and bridges using the preforms.

Abstract: The device for infiltration of approximal tooth surfaces, with a flexible planar element and with a holder into which the planar element is clamped, is characterized in that the planar element is a liquid-impermeable plastic film which has a surface area for taking up a liquid to be used for treatment, and in that the holder is a bow-shaped element with a web and two lateral arms which extend from the latter and are arranged in an arc-shape or U-shape, to which the plastic film is connected in a liquid-impermeable manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a positioning and immobilization device for positioning and immobilizing a mandibular or maxillary surgical guide on a patient, which guide is adapted to preparing for and to fitting at least one dental implant and is provided with a link slab member designed to extend outside the oral cavity when the surgical guide is placed in register with the patient's mandible or maxilla, said positioning and immobilization device being characterized in that it comprises a body that has bearing face for bearing against the outside of the head of the patient, and a fastener designed to co-operate with the link slab member of the surgical guide.

Abstract: The present application discloses a method and apparatus for disguising a dental probe from a patient for use, for example, in the field of pediatric dentistry, or special needs dentistry, the apparatus and method of using the apparatus having a first section and a second section. In a preferred embodiment, the first section is a hard probe that is configured for probing a patient's teeth for carious lesions.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides electrochemical dispensing apparatus. According to the principles of the invention, a microelectronic electrochemical dispenser is used to cause the release of one or more selected chemical substance from a stored chemical compound. The release is controlled using a timer or sensor apparatus in a controlling device, preferably an ASIC.

Abstract: A multi-cortical implant anchor for use with a dental implant having a generally elongate shank and a grippable region formed at a predetermined portion thereof, the implant anchor comprises a first elongate member and a second elongate member connected therebetween via a bridge member to generally form a member having a longitudinal axis, the first elongate member and the second elongate member being adapted to lockably engage the grippable region of the dental implant against pivoting in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue refraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.

Abstract: The combination rotating dental cleaning brush and paste device. The device includes a housing having a rotating shaft therethrough. A compressible tube has two opposed ends, a first end which is rotated by the shaft and a second end having an opening therethrough. A brush is integral with, connected to, and rotated by the second end of the tube. Compression of the compressible tube forces dental paste inside of the tube out of an opening in the second end of the tube and onto the brush.

Abstract: A dental implant abutment arrangement for use with a dental implant has an abutment with a proximal retaining member and an axial bore. The retaining member is rotationally asymmetrical and has a transverse area that is large enough to resist rotation and axial motion of the abutment in a dental impression material. The axial bore has a tapered distal bore portion with an inner taper for matching an outer taper of an abutment receiving portion of an implant, a cylindrical proximal bore portion and an intermediate threaded portion having a small diameter than the distal and proximal bore portions and a larger diameter than an internal thread of the implant. The axial bore has distal and proximal steps between the distal bore portion and a distal end of the threaded portion and between the proximal bore portion and a proximal end of the threaded portion.

Abstract: A dental suction apparatus 2 includes a tubular vacuum member 10, such as a tubular vacuum tip or aspirator, and a protective foam pad 20. The pad is mounted on a distal end 12 of the tubular vacuum member through a first opening 32 and partially through a second opening 34. In a folded operative position, the foam member 20 not only protects the patient's mouth, but creates a larger surface through which fluids and debris particles can be drawn though the influence of a vacuum.

Abstract: A teeth whitening apparatus and a method of teeth whitening is provided. The apparatus includes one or more thermoelectric device(s) which may be in the form of peltier devices adapted to be placed in the mouth. The or each thermoelectric device has one side that heats up and another side that is cooled when an electrical current is passed through the or each device. The or each thermoelectric device is preferably molded into a mouth guard into which a teeth whitening composition is placed such that the heat generated by the or each thermoelectric device activates the teeth whitening composition. The one or more thermoelectric device(s) are preferably powered by one or more batteries. Preferably, the one or more thermoelectric device(s) are coupled to one or more heat sinks such that the heat produced by the one or more thermoelectric device(s) is spread out over the teeth to be whitened.

Abstract: A dental implement including a housing, a light source, and an air supply, the implement being suitable for examining tissue such as dentition of a patient and detecting loss of mineralization therein. The implement is capable of operating in a wireless mode. The implement is further able to communicate with a computing device to allow recording of images captured by the implement.

Abstract: A dental apparatus for use with a connecting member coupled to a jaw in a patient's mouth. The apparatus includes an orthodontic device and a connecting device carried by the orthodontic device. The connecting device includes a receptacle adapted to partially receive the connecting member and a blocking member. The blocking member is moveable relative to the receptacle between an opened position in which the connecting member may be disengaged from the receptacle and a closed position in which the connecting member is captured within the receptacle for pivotally engaging the orthodontic device with the connecting member. The orthodontic device may further include a biasing member selectively activated to provide a spring-biased force to the jaw. A method of using the dental apparatus includes moving the blocking member to capture/release the connecting member in the receptacle and activating/deactivating the biasing member to operate the apparatus in a different mode.

Abstract: A dental model articulator of the type that has separable complementary articulation members is connected to a registration object having compatible complementary articulation members. The dental arches of each dental model articulator half is scanned with the reference object to give the axis of the articulator model. This facilitates generating a virtual dental model.

Abstract: The present invention is a dental implant utilizing a polymeric dental post. The actual prosthetic portion of the implant may also be manufactured from a polymer. Various post designs are disclosed for setting and securing the post in a patient's jaw. Numerous polymers are disclosed and may be blended to achieve desired characteristics for both the post and prosthetic.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a dental occlusion includes: a position sensor (30) for detecting a position and posture of a lower jaw (12) relative to an upper jaw (11) and; an arithmetic circuit (31) for computing a posture relative to a translation distance in a state of occlusal contact. The computation is derived from the position and posture of the lower jaw (12) relative to the upper jaw (11) detected by the position sensor (30). The apparatus also includes a display monitor (32) for displaying the posture relative to the translation distance computed by the arithmetic circuit (31).

Abstract: A shell-shaped dental aligner for producing predetermined movement in a patient's tooth includes a shell portion comprising a fluid-permeable material, an outer surface of the shell portion, and an inner surface of the shell portion, the inner surface to be in contact with the patient's tooth. The fluid-permeable material can allow fluid to communicate between the patient's tooth and the vicinity of the outer surface.