Abstract: Methods, systems, and products monitor a person's regimen for medicinal and dietary restrictions. When the person's regimen requires a liquid medication or supplement, an oral instrument is commanded to dispense a dosage of fluid. The oral instrument stores a reservoir of the fluid. If the oral instrument is a spoon, for example, the spoon may automatically dispense cough syrup or other medicine. A toothbrush, likewise, may automatically dispense mouthwash. A sensor may confirm presence of the oral instrument in the person's mouth, thus ensuring the dosage of fluid is ingested.

Abstract: An orthodontic connector assembly 10 including a plurality of substantially identical connecting members, such as members 12, 14 which include a movable but biased portion 20 which is adapted to selectively and removably receive a pocket portion 44 which is deployed on at least one bracket, such as bracket 40. In an alternative embodiment, the members, such as member 12, 14 each include a ridge, such as ridge 212, which is selectively, removably, and frictionally placed within slot 236.

Abstract: The invention provides a plastic impression tray for a local area having an outer wall provided in an outer side of a curve of a bottom portion, and an inner wall provided in an inner side of the curve of the bottom portion. A rim having a particular height is provided in the bottom portion side along each of upper ends of the outer wall and the inner wall, elongated through holes each reaching the bottom portion from a portion just below the rim are formed approximately at uniform distances in the outer wall and the inner wall, circular through holes each having a particular diameter are formed at particular positions in the bottom portion, and elongated end portion side through holes each having a particular width and a particular length are provided vertically to an axial direction of the bottom portion, in both ends of the bottom portion.

Abstract: Aligning a drill bit for preparing a bore to receive a dental implant. Using a frame to position cartridges, the frame fitting patient anatomy and having a chamber to receive cartridges. Creating an initial cartridge with an opening to receive a guide sleeve. Optionally, mounting at least one measuring device assembly onto the initial assembly so that measuring device assembly takes measurements with a known relationship to the initial linear trajectory. Using the measurements to enhance a model of the surgical site and to select a surgical linear trajectory for a surgical bore to stay within bone found at the surgical site. Placing a surgical cartridge into the chamber; and placing a guide sleeve in the surgical cartridge with the guide sleeve oriented along the surgical linear trajectory to constrain a drilling trajectory of a drill bit along the surgical trajectory. Many variations disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a tissue management impression material and a method of application into the sulcus of a patient, whereby the tissue management impression material is a part of the final dental impression made when manufacturing a dental device, such as a crown.

Abstract: A dental implant comprises an implant screw (1) with an external thread (5), an implant abutment (3) and a tightening screw (4) which can be screwed into the implant screw (1) and by which the implant abutment (3) is connectable or connected with the implant screw (1), wherein the implant screw (1) rests against a contact surface (14, 15) of the implant abutment (3) with a contact surface (10, 11). To improve such dental implant, the implant screw (1) and the implant abutment (3) are made of a ceramic material at least in the region of their contact surfaces (10, 11; 14, 15). The contact surface (14, 15) of the implant screw (1) and the contact surface (14, 15) of the implant abutment (3) are ground in against each other.

Abstract: A modified dental implant fixture designed to preserve lingual bone by having the coronal aspect of the implant being compatible with bony anatomy that is higher on the lingual side of the implant surgical site. The implant may be of either the single stage or the two stage design. By modifying the shape of the top of the implant fixture to mimic healing/healed bony anatomy, bone is preserved and bone growth is possibly encourage.

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 fluid evacuating dental dam is disclosed, the fluid evacuating dental dam including a manifold having at least one aperture formed therein, a dental dam selectively attached to the manifold, a suction device in fluid communication with the manifold, and selectively removable cover members disposed over the aperture of the manifold.

Abstract: A hand tool for dentistry and/or dental prosthetics, having a grip part which defines a main axis and, in the direction of the main axis, has a front end area and a read end area. The grip part has, in the front end area, an open receiving recess in which the collet element is arranged with an adjustable receiving diameter for receiving an object. The receiving diameter of the collet element can be modified by way of an actuating device. The collet element can be secured against rotation in the grip part.

Abstract: Devices and methods for ultrasonic dental treatment are described, wherein the devices and methods can comprise a flexible array of cooperative ultrasound transducers. The array can contain individual ultrasonic transducers that can perform both functions of emitting and sensing. The transducers can have the ability to interchange their functions from emitting to sensing. The transducers can cooperate in providing an ultrasound treatment and each transducer can be independently controlled by an external source controller. An ultrasound system is provided comprising: an ultrasound transducer sensor array operable to emit or sense ultrasound, wherein the timing and intensity of emission may be controlled by an electronic controller based on a feedback signal from the sensors. In addition the ultrasound system can also have the ability to sense coupling to a treatment tissue. This ability to sense proper coupling can improve the efficacy of the treatment.

Abstract: A dental implant device has an implant portion for being placed in a bore in bone. The implant portion has a coronal end portion and a porous metal portion. A metal coupling has a coronal end configured for connection to a denture support piece. The coupling also has an apical end integrally formed with the coronal end and engaging the porous metal portion. In one form, the coupling is attached to the porous metal portion in a threaded connection so that the coupling is removable from the porous portion without significantly damaging the porous metal portion sufficiently to re-engage another metal coupling.

Abstract: The device includes a shim component constructed for use in the non-surgical treatment of interproximal carious dental lesions. A plunger may be provided for driving substances through a tube-like channel or bore in the shim component, or an electromagnetic energy-transmissive material may fill the channel, in either case for delivering to the site of the lesion a medium that is effective for directly or indirectly killing, or biologically damaging, the carious bacteria.

Abstract: In some aspects, methods can include providing a top loading dental surgical guide including a dental drill guide positioning ring housed within the template material, the positioning ring including a body defining an inner surface and a retention element extending inwardly from the inner surface; coupling the surgical guide to the region to be drilled; temporarily engaging a drill guide within the positioning ring by axially coupling using the retention element, independently of a rotational motion of the drill guide relative to the positioning ring by engaging the retention element within a complementary recessed feature of the drill guide; performing a drilling procedure with a drill guided by the drill guide; and disengaging and removing the drill guide from the positioning ring.

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: Provided is a capsule for storing and dispensing dental material. The capsule comprises a cartridge for the dental material, and a nozzle. The nozzle being pivotable with respect to the cartridge between a first position in which the capsule is closed for storage and a second position in which the capsule is opened for dispensing the dental material. One of the nozzle and the cartridge comprises a bearing member and the other one of the nozzle and the cartridge comprises a bearing shell, wherein the bearing member and bearing shell form a pivot. Upon pivoting the nozzle from the first to the second position, the seal between the bearing member and the bearing shell is improved.

Abstract: A dental template to position an object on a patient's tooth includes digitizing the patient's tooth; adding virtual objects to predetermined locations on the digitized tooth; and fabricating the dental template to locate the object on the patient's tooth. The template can be used for etching or for positioning brackets on teeth.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved methods and apparatus for recording and simulating the condylar movement of an individual. This invention also provides a dental articulator which is designed to simulate the jaw or condylar movements of a patient. This instrument enables a dentist to obtain the necessary diagnostic information for treatment of the occlusal irregularities, such as malocclusion, and the fabrication of dental cast or “dentures”.

Abstract: A dental treating apparatus has a head unit having a holder for drivably holding a cutting tool, a hand piece body connected to the head unit for transmitting power to drive the cutting tool, and a controller for controlling the driving of the cutting tool. The dental treating apparatus further has a conductive body disposed in an inside of the hand piece body for transmitting an electric signal, contact members electrically connecting the cutting tool or the holder with the conductive body, a connection failure detector for applying a predetermined input signal to the conductive body and detecting a connection failure of the contact members based on a response to the input signal obtained via the cutting tool, and a notifier for notifying a user based on the detection result of the connection failure detector.

Abstract: A cutting blade having a pair of razor-sharp cutting edges and adapted to be oscillated back and forth in order to cut through the periodontal ligaments which surround a tooth root of a patient during dental surgery so that the root or a portion of a tooth root can be removed from the patient's jawbone. The cutting blade has a connecting shaft at one end by which the blade can be coupled to the driver head of an oscillating dental handpiece. Located opposite the connecting shaft is a cutting end having a tissue debris transfer canal at the bottom or inside thereof and a smooth tissue gliding surface at the top or outside. A positioning collar surrounds the connecting shaft to provide to the oral surgeon a visual indication of the alignment of the pair of cutting edges of the cutting blade relative to the tissue to be cut.