Abstract: A method for positioning orthodontic braces includes scanning a patient's teeth by a computer in which installation locations of orthodontic braces for the teeth to be cured are arranged; carving out by a carving machine a denture mold and positioning members at the installation locations of the orthodontic braces on the denture mold to attach monomer substrata bound with the orthodontic braces or the orthodontic braces connected serially by connection members onto the denture mold one by one; connecting the monomer substrata together by light curing resin; attaching the serially connected monomer substrata and orthodontic braces directly onto the patient's teeth, and removing flexible members binding the monomer substrata and monomer substrata or the connection members connecting the orthodontic braces serially to secure the orthodontic braces on the surfaces of teeth, which installs the orthodontic braces more conveniently and efficiently.

Abstract: A disposable saliva ejector for connection with a slow-speed suction device has a suction end and a discharge end. The tapered ejector has an ovate shape. A retention orifice helps secure the ejector within the patient's mount, while a larger extraction orifice removes fluid and debris. Placement of the saliva ejector within the mouth lies along the interior of the patient's cheek, keeping the oral cavity clear of viewing obstructions. The discharge end connects to a discharge tube, wrapping around the oral commissure then hooking onto the patient's outer cheek. Once properly placed within the patient's mouth the dental assistant is relieved from providing suction during various procedures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device, system and method for producing a dental implant drill guide and in particular to such a device system and method for positioning a sleeve within a drill guide to determine the drill path for positioning a dental implant at an implantation site over the entire edentulous site where the sleeve may be fixed in its position and orientation anywhere about the edentulous area having full range of motion thereabout, while the sleeve orientation may be fixed by introduction of a curing agent.

Abstract: A dental positioning stent for drilling an implant hole and a manufacturing method, a using method and components for the same are provided. The manufacturing method includes: slicing a tooth mold and a false tooth model along a preset slice plane; fixing two markers in the preset slice plane on two sides of the false tooth model respectively; covering the markers and the false tooth model with a shaping agent to form a positioning stent; putting the positioning stent on the teeth in a mouth to perform tomography imaging to acquire a slice image of the preset slice plane; mounting a positioning aid having a positioning hole in the positioning stent according to the slice image pasted up on the tooth mold to guide an initial drill. A dental positioning stent for tomography imaging, and a manufacturing method, a using method, and components thereof are provided.

Abstract: A method, and handpiece for performing the method, for controlling a drive device for moving a root canal instrument having a drive shaft and at least one cutting edge for preparing a root canal, and at least one drive motor being operated by a control unit. The root canal instrument is moved in at least one reciprocal movement in a first direction of rotation over a predetermined first angle of rotation and subsequently in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation over a predetermined second angle of rotation. After the at least one reciprocal movement, the root canal instrument is rotated over at least one third angle of rotation.

Abstract: Occlusal contact between upper and lower virtual three-dimensional teeth of a patient when the upper and lower arches are in an occlused condition are determined and displayed to the user on a user interface of a general purpose computing device. Various techniques for determining occlusal contacts are described. The areas where occlusal contact occurs is displayed on the user interface in a readily perceptible manner, such as by showing the occlusal contacts in green. If the proposed set-up would result in a interpenetration of teeth in opposing arches, such locations of interpenetration are illustrated in a contrasting color or shading (e.g., red). The ability to calculate distances and display occlusal contacts in a proposed set-up assists the user in planning treatment for the patient. The process can be extended to interproximal contact detection as well. The concepts also apply to dental prosthetics, such as crowns, fillings and dentures.

Abstract: Provided are a dental implant fixture and an implant system including the same. The implant system includes at least two fixtures. The at least two fixtures includes a first fixture including a first body and a first thread part, the first thread part having a spiral shape and disposed on at least a part of an outer surface of the first body; and a second fixture including a second body and a second thread part, the second body having the same shape and standard as those of the first body, the second thread part having a spiral shape and disposed on at least a part of an outer surface of the second body. A diameter of the second thread part is different from a diameter of the first thread part.

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: A method for infiltration and/or sealing of hard tooth tissue and for detection of caries in the infiltrated region or under the seal by means of fluorescence, is described. The method includes applying a composition comprising a filler system consisting of or comprising inorganic filler particles surface-modified by means of organic structural elements, wherein the organic structural elements can be reacted with an organic binder system to form covalent bonds, wherein the filler particles of the composition have an average particle size in the range between 1 nm and 150 nm, and an organic binder system comprising one or more polymerizable monomers, wherein the filler system is dispersed in the organic binder system (b). The infiltrated or sealed surface of the hard tooth tissue is then irradiated with excitation radiation which causes emission of fluorescence radiation. The fluorescence radiation data is recorded and used to detect curies.

Abstract: A single intra-canal substance composition for tissue dissolution, disinfection, tissue degradation, tissue removal and disinfection is provided. The composition includes calcium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium thioglycolate or calcium thioglycolate, to form an effective single intra-canal substance capable of degrading a cell by disrupting its disulfide bonds. Further, the composition may incorporate mineral oil, urea, cetearyl alcohol, D&C yellow No. 8, chromium hydroxide, theobroma cocoa seed butter, iron oxides, fragrances, water fragrance, lanolin, and ceteareth-20 to enhance its functioning. Furthermore, the composition that is bactericidal against Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans, used in multiple applications in dentistry and medicine. Furthermore, the composition is a single intra-canal irrigant that eradicates microorganisms as it facilitates the chemo-mechanical debridement of the root canal system.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for utilizing metallic portions in dental positioning appliances. One embodiment includes a removable dental positioning appliance having a shell having one or more cavities shaped to receive and reposition one or more teeth from a first orientation to a successive orientation and where at least a portion of the shell is formed from a metallic mesh material.

Abstract: The oral health appliance (10) includes a source of light (16) having a wavelength which is suitable for determination of oral health conditions, as well as treatment thereof. An assembly (16) in the appliance directs the light to selected dental regions of the mouth. A light receiver and sensor (16) receives reflected light from the dental regions, produces signal information therefrom and delivers the signal information to a processor (20), which determines the presence of oral health conditions, as well as determining the overall coverage of the mouth during a use of the appliance. The information from the processor is then sent to a display (24), identifying the presence of any oral health conditions and the location thereof, as well as information concerning those areas of the mouth which have been investigated during the use of the appliance and those which have not.

Abstract: A removable denture system comprising a support beam fixedly attached to the individual's alveolar ridge above the mucous membrane by a plurality of dental implants, and a denture generally conforming with the dental parameters of the individual and integrated with a supper-structure. The supper-structure comprises at least a portion shaped in confirmation with the support beam, and a denture locking arrangement for removably though fixedly articulating the denture to the support beam preventing unintentional disengagement of the denture.

Abstract: An oral care implement has a head portion with tooth cleaning elements on one surface thereof and a reservoir containing at least one active agent. A capillary channel extends through at least a portion of the oral care implement to deliver active agent(s) to one or more outlets. In one aspect, a vibration-producing device is provided to vibrate at least a portion of the implement to enhance the function of tooth cleaning elements and the delivery of the active agent through capillary action. A variety of active agents can be administered for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefits, such as fresh breath, tooth whitening, or producing sensations of heat, cool, or tingling.

Abstract: An abutment for supporting a prosthesis relative to an implant includes an implant engaging portion configured to engage with a dental implant and a component supporting portion having a key feature on an external surface portion thereof. The key feature is configured to provide keyed mating engagement with a complimentary key feature on a component to be engaged with the abutment.

Abstract: A dental appliance comprising at least two plies of thermoformable material, wherein a first ply of a first material, having a first set of characteristics properties, provides a first primary surface of the dental appliance and wherein a second ply of a material different from the first ply, having a second set of characteristic properties, provides an opposing second primary surface of the dental appliance.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems including orthodontic tooth positioning appliances. An exemplary appliance can include teeth receiving cavities shaped such that, when worn by a patient, repositioning the patient's teeth from a first arrangement toward a subsequent or target arrangement. Appliances can include a cavity having one or more shaped features or protrusions shaped and/or positioned so as to apply a desired force to a patient's tooth received in the cavity and move the tooth along a desired path or direction.

Abstract: A bone powder filling tool includes a handle connectable to a rotary dental instrument, and a bone powder propelling bit located one end of the handle. The bone powder propelling bit has opposing top end portion and bottom end portion, bone powder transferring grooves spirally extending around the periphery thereof from the top end portion to the bottom end portion, and bone powder propelling threads extending around the periphery thereof at different elevations for rapidly and uniformly propelling bone powder into the space between the sinus floor and the cortical bone to increase the thickness of the cortical bone in favor of the process of the subsequent tooth implanting, helping the doctor in charge of the operation save operating time and physical strength.

Abstract: A device for use in retracting a gingiva from a human tooth by widening a gingival sulcus with a dental composition. The device comprises a cannula with a free end having an opening for dispensing the dental composition. The free end is shaped to be inserted with its front in the entry of the gingival sulcus, and to laterally displace the gingiva from the tooth as the cannula is moved in the gingival sulcus. The invention may help to achieve a reliable and cost effective gingival retraction treatment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and apparatus for determining the location of an orthodontic fastener. In the method, a first location on a tooth and a second location on alveolar bone are set on a patient's medical image. Thereafter, a first rectilinear line including two points, that is, the set first and second locations, is generated. Thereafter, bone density values at the locations of the alveolar bone on the generated first rectilinear line are computed using the medical image. Finally, the location of the alveolar bone at which a first fastener is inserted is determined based on the computed bone density values.