Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of finalizing a 3D printed dental prosthesis by subjecting the dental prosthesis to a pressurized water stream comprising glass beads. Also disclosed is a 3D printed dental prosthesis or component thereof prepared by the inventive method; and a method of providing a patient in need thereof with the 3D printed dental prosthesis or component thereof by inserting same into the oral cavity of the patient.

Abstract: A method of placing a dental implant at an implant site in the jaw bone of a patient, said method comprising: (a) without reflecting soft tissue covering the implant site causing a tip of a piezoelectric device to pierce the soft tissue so that the tip comes into direct contact with underlying jaw bone at the implant site; (b) making a starter bore, but not a full-depth osteotomy, at the implant site with the piezoelectric device; and (c) placing the dental implant into the implant site through the starter bore. Alternatively, a tissue punch may be used to create a hole in the soft tissue through which hole access can be gained to the underlying jaw bone for subsequent starter boring with the piezoelectric device.

Abstract: A method of preparing a dental prosthesis comprises: (a) 3D printing a dental prosthesis or a component of a dental prosthesis using a polymerizable resin ink with layer-by-layer curing with light; and thereafter (b) subjecting the dental prosthesis or component thereof obtained in (a) to ionizing radiation radiation. Also disclosed is a 3D printed dental prosthesis or component thereof prepared by the inventive method; and a method of providing a patient in need thereof with the 3D printed dental prosthesis or component thereof by inserting same into the oral cavity of the patient.

Abstract: The invention comprises an improved 3D object printer for building three dimensional products for multiple industries, including dental fields like orthodontic tooth aligners, drill guides, castable parts, partial dentures, and prosthetic models. The invention further comprises an improved 3D object printer that builds products using an improved, dynamic substrate base. The invention even further comprises a substrate assembly that is customizeable to build from a database of printed object profiles.

Abstract: A method of placing a dental implant at an implant site in the jaw bone of a patient, said method comprising: (a) without reflecting soft tissue covering the implant site causing a tip of a piezoelectric device to pierce the soft tissue so that the tip comes into direct contact with underlying jaw bone at the implant site; (b) making a starter bore, but not a full-depth osteotomy, at the implant site with the piezoelectric device; and (c) placing the dental implant into the implant site through the starter bore. Alternatively, a tissue punch may be used to create a hole in the soft tissue through which hole access can be gained to the underlying jaw bone for subsequent starter boring with the piezoelectric device.

Abstract: The specification describes one-piece dental implants comprising a threaded shaft, optionally a non-circular abutment and a head having a shape which is capable of accepting a keeper cap or an O-ring, or which is capable of accepting and retaining a dental wire. The implants have dimensions that permit their use in a non-surgical method of insertion into bone, and are useful in both prosthodontic and orthodontic applications. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A one-piece dental implant for placement into bone, the one-piece dental implant extending between a coronal end and an apical end, and the one-piece dental implant having a threaded shaft tapering to a point at the apical end, wherein the threaded shaft has a series of self-tapping cutting threads, a collar having at least one ring with a path that includes a diversion, and an anti-rotational cog traversing a plurality of said the threads. Also, disclosed is a non-surgical method of placing a dental implant by providing the dental implant, providing a starting bore through a patient's gum into said patient's jaw bone, and threading the dental implant through the starting bore into the patient's jaw bone.

Abstract: The specification describes one-piece dental implants comprising a threaded shaft, optionally a non-circular abutment and a head having a shape which is capable of accepting a keeper cap or an O-ring, or which is capable of accepting and retaining a dental wire. The implants have dimensions that permit their use in a non-surgical method of insertion into bone, and are useful in both prosthodontic and orthodontic applications. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: The specification describes one-piece dental implants comprising a threaded shaft, optionally a non-circular abutment and a head having a shape which is capable of accepting a keeper cap or an O-ring, or which is capable of accepting and retaining a dental wire. The implants have dimensions that permit their use in a non-surgical method of insertion into bone, and are useful in both prosthodontic and orthodontic applications.

Abstract: A one-piece dental implant characterized by a threaded shaft having self-tapping cutting threads of variable thread pitch and optionally one or more flutes running longitudinally along at least a portion of the length of the dental implant and across a plurality of turns of the self-tapping cutting threads. The dental implant is useful to support both temporary and permanent prostheses as well as orthodontic appliances.

Abstract: A method of virtually producing a dental stent for placing one or more dental implants based on data derived from scanning a patient's mouth and a prosthesis to be installed or an impression of the patient's existing teeth. The virtual dental stent is converted to a usable dental stent, which is, thereafter, used to guide the placement of the one or more dental implants into the patient's jawbone. After the dental implants have been placed, a prosthesis can be mounted onto the dental implants.

Abstract: The specification describes one-piece dental implants comprising a threaded shaft, optionally a non-circular abutment and a head having a shape which is capable of accepting a keeper cap or an O-ring, or which is capable of accepting and retaining a dental wire. The implants have dimensions that permit their use in a non-surgical method of insertion into bone, and are useful in both prosthodontic and orthodontic applications. It is emphasized that this abstracts is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: The specification describes one-piece dental implants comprising a threaded shaft, optionally a non-circular abutment and a head having a shape which is capable of accepting a keeper cap or an O-ring, or which is capable of accepting and retaining a dental wire. The implants have dimensions that permit their use in a non-surgical method of insertion into bone, and are useful in both prosthodontic and orthodontic applications. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR § 1.72(b).

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of dental implant systems. More specifically, the invention relates to implant anchors with an internal screw portion and an exterior body with threaded and non-threaded portions. Even more specifically, the invention relates to an implant anchor with novel features to prevent leakage between components and vent liquids, compressed air, and biological materials, the implant anchor having a compatibility with a line of implant components.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of dental implant systems. More specifically, the invention relates to implant anchors with an internal screw portion and an exterior body with threaded and non-threaded portions. Even more specifically, the invention relates to an implant anchor with novel features to prevent leakage between components and vent liquids, compressed air, and biological materials, the implant anchor having a compatibility with a line of implant components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a one-piece dental implant having a threaded shaft which is tapered on one end and has a non-circular abutment on the other end, and a ball-shaped head mounted on said non-circular abutment. The inventive dental implants are advantageous in that they are of one-piece design, and, therefore, do not have multiple parts which can loosen over time. The present invention further relates to a keeper cap for use with the inventive dental implants, which is adapted to retain either O-ring-shaped inserts or plastic inserts. The inserts can be switched easily at any time without the need to remove the keeper cap from the denture or to form a new denture around new caps. The inventive dental implant and keeper cap make up a kit along with the O-ring-shaped inserts and the plastic inserts, which kit is useful in connection with the formation of fixed or removable prostheses.

Abstract: A filter assembly for elective use in conjunction with a surgical evacuation system is provided which includes a filter housing having a head portion and a body portion with a through passageway extending therebetween defining a filter receiving chamber. The head portion is connectable to an aspirator tip and the body portion is connectable to a flexible suction conduit. A filter element is disposed within the filter receiving chamber of the filter housing. The filter element includes a head member having a fluid flow passageway extending therethrough, a fluid impermeable base member spatially disposed from the head member and a fluid permeable body member disposed between the head member and the base member.

Abstract: Apparatus for sterilizing contact lenses wherein the lenses are moved in a circular orbit within a microwave oven through variations of energy levels in the microwave field in the oven, with the orbit of movement being spaced from the floor of the oven.

Abstract: Apparatus for sterilizing contact lenses wherein the lenses are moved in a circular orbit within a microwave oven through variations of energy levels in the microwave field in the oven, with the orbit of movement being spaced from the floor of the oven.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sterilizing contact lenses wherein the lenses are moved in a circular orbit within a microwave oven through variations of energy levels in the microwave field in the oven, with the orbit of movement being spaced from the floor of the oven.