Abstract: Methods for making a layered dental appliance. Some methods can include providing a solid structure (e.g., a die or a dental core, such as a fully sintered ceramic dental core) having a desired outer shape, and applying a first slurry to the solid structure to form a first free form layer on the solid structure. The method can further include solidifying the first free form layer on the solid structure, and machining the solidified first free form layer to a desired shape to form a first article comprising the solid structure and a first shaped layer. The method can further include applying, solidifying, and machining a second layer in a similar way to form a second article comprising the solid structure, the first shaped layer, and a second shaped layer. In some methods, the free form layers are not exposed to a high temperature prior to being machined.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tooth coating applicator (10), typically in the form of a strip (11), and a method for applying a dental sealant to a surface of a tooth (T), and specifically to the interproximal surface (S) thereof. The applicator (10) is elongated and is adapted to be typically inserted into an interproximal space (I) defined between a pair of adjacent teeth (T, T?) and to be gradually slid against a dental surface of one of the teeth.

Abstract: A dental elevator apparatus used to easily and efficiently elevate a tooth or dental implant for removal thereof. Specifically, the dental elevator has a tip portion having a curved, helically-shaped contoured surface for engaging a tooth or dental implant, allowing the same to be utilized by a user, providing leverage against the tooth or dental implant for elevation of the same. Methods of using the same are further provided.

Abstract: The method for periodontal disease measurement of the present invention includes: using a plurality of cross-sectional images provided by x-ray CT images of teeth and periodontal tissues to detect a contour of each tooth in each cross-sectional image, detect a dentition, and provide a dental formula; detecting the positions of the root apex, the alveolar crest, and the crown of each tooth from the detected tooth contour data; calculating at least one of a distance indicator, a volume indicator, a surface area indicator, a first moment indicator, a center-of-gravity indicator, and an alveolar bone indicator from the detected tooth contour data, and the position data of the root apex, the alveolar crest, and the crown of the tooth; and measuring the progression of periodontal disease based on at least one calculated indicator.

Abstract: An assisted guidance and navigation method in intraoral surgeries is a method using computerized tomography (CT) photography and an optical positioning system to track medical appliances, the method including: first providing an optical positioning treatment instrument and an optical positioning device; then obtaining image data of the intraoral tissue receiving treatment through CT photography, precisely displaying actions of the treatment instrument in the image data, and real-time checking an image and guidance and navigation. Therefore, during the surgery, the existing use habits of the physicians are not affected and accurate and convenient auxiliary information is provided, and attention is paid to using the treatment instrument in physical environments such as a patient's tooth or dental model.

Abstract: A dental implantation system is provided, comprising an implantation device adapted to prepare a site within a mouth of a patient for receiving a dental implant. A guidance device is operably engaged with the implantation device and is adapted to operably engage the mouth of the patient. The engagement between the guidance device and the mouth of the patient provides a fiducial marker for guiding the implantation device to prepare the site for receiving the dental implant. An associated method of implanting a dental implant, and associated devices, are also provided.

Abstract: Orientation of a patient's tooth is determined from shape data of the patient's crown and volumetric imagery of the patient's tooth. A computational device is used to register the shape data of the patient's crown with model data, based on the determined orientation of the patient's tooth.

Abstract: A method and accompanying apparatus that allows high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide for tooth whitening by use of an aerosol spray. The aerosol spray may be delivered through a mouthpiece that will direct the spray onto the teeth while inhibiting any escape of the spray to the lips and outside the moth. Also, in combination with antiplaque formulations, enhanced tooth whitening is effected.

Abstract: A mouth guard system for displaying a message using interchangeable tiles resembling teeth features an upper mouth guard. A plurality of tile channels, tile openings, and tile insertion apertures is located in the upper mouth guard. The system features a lower mouth guard. A plurality of tile channels, tile openings, and tile insertion apertures is located in the upper mouth guard. Each tile opening features a shape resembling a tooth. The system features a plurality of tiles designed to snuggly slide into the tile channel via the tile insertion aperture. The tile is visible via the tile opening. A tile cutout of a symbol, a character, or a picture is located throughout a cross-section of the tile from a tile front surface to a tile rear surface. A back wall of the tile channel is visible through the tile cutout. Each tile features rounded edges and rounded corners.

Abstract: A dental fluoride foam composition comprising an aqueous solution of a water soluble fluoride ion releasable salt, a surfactant selected from the group consisting of nonionic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, betaine surfactants and mixtures thereof; and an orally compatible acidifying agent in an amount sufficient to adjust the pH of the composition to about 3 to about 5. The composition is stable at low temperatures and is a clear solution substantially free of precipitates when held at 4.4° C. for 12 hours. When dispensed from a container into the trough of a dental tray, the composition forms a low density, rapidly collapsible foam which substantially liquefies in about 1 minute after being dispensed from the foam generating container and placed in contact with a patient's teeth.

Abstract: This invention pertains to dental care compositions with antimicrobial benefits. In particular, the invention provides for compositions of oral tissue-adherent salts that release biocidal ions on a controlled release basis and thereby provide and maintain an essentially uniform concentration of biocidal ions above the MBC or MIC of the target bacteria at the site of application in the mouth for an extended period of time. The compositions are useful for treating or preventing oral diseases resulting from bacteria, fungal or yeast infections, such as caries, gingivitis, periodontal disease and candidiasis.

Abstract: A tooth whitening and maintenance system and method and a system and method for protecting the gums.

Abstract: A medical or dental treatment device for use in an oral or dental procedure, comprises a base part with a power supply unit and an electrical or electronic control device and a set of different parts for use with the base part. The set of different parts comprises at least one delivery part for a first treatment phase and comprising a sound or ultrasound source, a movable piston and a piston operating element operable to deliver a substance from the delivery part to a treatment site, and at least one active part for use in a second treatment phase to act on the treatment site. The active part comprises a sound source, an ultrasound source and/or an electromagnetic radiation source. The delivery part and the active part are selectively connectible to the base part for use in consecutive treatment phases (the first can precede or follow the second).

Abstract: A method for detecting a movable object in a location includes —providing a first 3D representation of at least part of a surface by scanning; —providing a second 3D representation of at least part of the surface by scanning; —determining for the first 3D representation a first excluded volume; —determining for the second 3D representation a second excluded volume; —if a portion of the surface in the first 3D representation is located in space in the second excluded volume, the portion of the surface in the first 3D representation is disregarded, and/or —if a portion of the surface in the second 3D representation is located in space in the first excluded volume, the portion of the surface in the second 3D representation is disregarded

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing of a glass ceramic material for dental applications. The method comprises: providing a first precursor comprising silicon(IV); providing a second precursor comprising zirconium(IV); hydrolyzing said first precursor and second precursor in solution; polymerizing of the hydrolysed first precursor and second precursor in a solvent, wherein polymers are formed; formation of colloids comprising said polymers; formation of a gel from said colloids; aging the gel; drying the gel; and sintering the gel under formation of a glass ceramic material.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing a disinfecting treatment. A fluid is placed within a volume, where the fluid absorbs radiation of a first wavelength, and where the fluid is transparent to radiation of a second wavelength. Radiation of the first wavelength is applied near or inside the volume to generate shockwaves or pressure waves in the fluid. Radiation of the second wavelength is applied near or inside the volume to cause thermal disinfection.

Abstract: A dental cutting system for cutting a patient's tooth comprises a cutting guide with a slot to guide a cutting tool. Opposing channels are formed in opposing walls of the slot. A sleeve is slidably disposed in the slot and has an enlarged collar slidably disposed in the opposing channels. The enlarged collar retains the sleeve in the slot with respect to an in-and-out direction and limits the sleeve to movement within and along the slot. The sleeve has a bore removably receiving the cutting tool, with the cutting tool being rotatable in the bore and slidable through the bore in the in-and-out direction, and into and out of the sleeve. The cutting tool has two transverse degrees of freedom, including laterally along the slot, and in and out of the slot and the sleeve.

Abstract: A dental preparation delivery system includes a soft malleable wax sealing strip bonded to a wax base strip. The peripheral outline of a model dentition extends into the thickness of the sealing strip to form a receptacle. A border of the sealing strip completely surrounds the outline. The receptacle is filled with a dental preparation to be administered and the sealing strip is overlaid with a film. In use, the film is removed, the system is bent to an arch shape and the outline is registered with the user's buccal dentition. Lateral force is applied in a lingual direction against the base strip to reshape the sealing strip for sealing contact of the border against the periphery of the user's buccal dentition, while leaving the preparation in contact with remaining buccal surfaces.

Abstract: A dental trap is provided for use in a mouth cavity of a patient during a dental procedure. The dental trap may separate the patient's mouth cavity from the patient's throat to prevent an extracted tooth and/or a dental tool, such as a screw, in the mouth cavity from falling into the throat. The dental trap may also allow the patient to breathe through the dental trap.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a method of creating an impression of structures of the human oral cavity comprises: preparing impression trays; creating a first, or base, impression; grinding out portions of the base impression; and using the void(s) in the ground out base impression to take a second, or wash, impression. The base impression is taken with an excess of a high-density impression material which is positioned to extend beyond the structures of interest (of which the impression is being taken). The base impression is removed and all fine structure surrounding the structure(s) of interest is ground out. A wash impression is then taken using a low-density impression material. The base impression creates a seal around the structure(s) of interest (a closed system), thereby producing omnidirectional hydraulic pressure on the low-density material. Such omnidirectional hydraulic pressure produces a highly detailed final impression from which a high-quality model (e.g., cast) can be made.

Abstract: An intra-oral camera has a projector that is energizable to emit patterned illumination and an imaging sensor that is energizable to obtain image content. An inertial motion sensing element provides signals indicative of acceleration of the intra-oral imaging apparatus along at least one axis. A processor is in signal communication with the projector, the imaging sensor, and the inertial motion sensing element and is configured to initiate image acquisition according to signals obtained from the inertial motion sensing element.

Abstract: A computer is used to create a plan for repositioning an orthodontic patient's teeth. The computer receives an initial digital data set representing the patient's teeth at their initial positions and a final digital data set representing the teeth at their final positions. The computer then uses the data sets to generate treatment paths along which teeth will move from the initial positions to the final positions.

Abstract: A dental illumination apparatus includes a lamp system mounted on a support structure. The lamp system includes a light source. A control system is provided for controlling the activation of the lamp system. A light guide shields soft tissues local to teeth of a subject from effects of ultraviolet radiation. The light guide includes a lamp attachment formation coupled to the lamp system, and a recording device in communication with the control system, the recording device including memory which stores the amount of time that the light source has been on since the beginning of a treatment procedure. A lip retractor, coupled to the light guide, is adapted to receive the lips of a patient.

Abstract: The invention describes the modification of polyamine-based materials to form polyguanidine compounds that are useful for their antimicrobial, anticaries, and muccoadhesive properties. The present invention also relates to methods for preventing or treating periodontal disease and caries which include delivering a therapeutically effective amount of an oral composition containing a polyguanidine compound into an oral cavity.

Abstract: A system for scanning a dental arch of a patient includes a reference element having a reference pattern thereon; a holding mechanism configured to hold the reference element in a fixed position inside the patient's oral cavity adjacent to and spaced from the dental arch, wherein the holding mechanism is configured to be installed on the patient without contacting an occlusal surface of the dental arch; and an intra-oral scanner configured to scan the dental arch and an adjacent portion of the reference element to obtain a scanned image comprising the scanned portion of the dental arch and the scanned adjacent portion of the reference pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dental laser-emitting device capable of treating both soft tissue applications and hard tissue applications.

Abstract: A mounting method of dental cast is disclosed. The mounting method includes the steps of providing an articulator and a label module having at least a label and at least a reference object, generating a label coordinate information in accordance with the reference object and the label, providing a midface and mandible image information and generating a landmark coordinate information in accordance with a plurality of landmarks of the midface and mandible image information, generating a structure coordinate information in accordance with a plurality of structures of the articulator and the label, disposing a first dental cast connected with the label module on the articulator, and providing a detecting device to detect the label and adjust the position of the first dental cast in accordance with the midface and mandible image information, the label coordinate information, and the structure coordinate information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for delivering an active agent into an intraoral structure are disclosed. One embodiment of a method for implementing the subject matter described herein includes generating an electrical signal that includes a first frequency, a second frequency, and a third frequency, and supplying the electrical signal to an embedded circuit contained in an intraoral delivery tray, wherein the embedded circuit includes at least one electrode that includes projections positioned proximally to a surface of an intraoral structure. The method further includes providing the first frequency and the second frequency to the at least one electrode to generate an electrical field that electrically motivates the active agent suspended in a fluid medium contained in the intraoral delivery tray toward the intraoral structure via dielectrophoresis and providing the third frequency to the at least one electrode to increase the uptake of the active agent into intraoral structure via alternating current electroosmosis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for retaining medical instruments is disclosed. The apparatus includes a medical instrument tray having a substantially planar, rigid interior section, wherein the interior section has a plurality of holes formed therein. A flexible grommet sheet is positioned abutting a first side of the medical instrument tray, the flexible grommet sheet having a plurality of openings therein, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of openings are substantially axially aligned with the plurality of holes formed within the interior section. A substantially rigid back plate is removably attached to the medical instrument tray, wherein the flexible grommet sheet is positioned between the first side of the interior section and the back plate, and wherein the back plate has a plurality of holes positioned therein, wherein the plurality of holes are substantially axially aligned with the plurality of holes formed within the interior section.

Abstract: A dental container (10) comprising means for containing liquid and solid powder dental materials initially in separated condition. The liquid is contained in a receptacle (22) having an inner wall (26) with a relatively thin weakened section (28). A plunger (30) is mounted in an open outer end (24) of the receptacle (22) initially. The receptacle (22) is inserted at a proximal end of an outer central body (12) whilst a separable nose portion (18) is mounted at a distal end of the outer central body (12). In use, the plunger 30 is used to rupture the wall (26) by hydraulic pressure or by means of a sharp projection (52) to cause the liquid to contact powder material held in a distal end of the outer central body (12) and the nose (18) for mixing to form a dental paste. The nose (18) is subsequently manually detached from the outer central body (12) so that the dental paste can be accessed for use.

Abstract: The invention encompasses non-aqueous dentifrice compositions containing a bioacceptable and bioactive glass with improved mouth-feel, foam, and product stability. More particularly, the invention encompasses non-aqueous compositions including combinations including carrageenan and/or carboxymethylcellulose gums, glycerin, ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymers, and a bioactive glass and methods of use the compositions in an oral care product, for example, a whitening tooth-paste, for hypersensitive teeth.

Abstract: A flexible containment device can comprise a textile material including at least one of a woven material, a braided material, a knit material, a felt material, and an electrospun material, wherein the textile material includes a plurality of biocompatible strengthening fibers configured to engage a bone graft material and configured to remain in a patient.

Abstract: A method for detecting indications of dental caries in an image of a tooth. The method comprises fitting a model to the image to identify a part of the image representing an outside edge of the tooth. Image variations are analyzed in an area of the image to detect said indications of dental caries, the area of the image representing a part of the tooth and being defined with reference to the fitted model. Data is then generated indicating the presence of dental caries based upon the analyzed image variations.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymerizable dental compositions comprising a dimer acid-derived monomer such as a dimer acid-derived di(meth)acrylate monomer.

Abstract: A polymeric material is curable from an uncured state to a cured state and includes at least one finely dispersed filler. The material has in the cured state, a translucency in the range of about 30% to about 100%, and shore A hardness according to DIN 53505:1984 in the range of about 20 to about 70 and a tensile strength according to DIN 53504:1994 in the range of about 1.5 MPa to about 4.5 MPa. The material has in the uncured state, a consistency according to DIN ISO 4823:2000 of type 0 to 3.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate to health monitoring systems and, in certain embodiments, to take-home monitoring systems designed for oral appliance monitoring. Embodiments include a method for obtaining data from an oral appliance. The method comprises placing an oral appliance comprising embedded electronics in an oral cavity, wherein the embedded electronics collect data; transmitting the data to a reader, wherein the reader comprises a computer, tablet computer, smart device, reader box, relay transmitter, or a combination thereof.

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: A method for making a guide channel includes providing an auxiliary jig comprising a coupling structure and a corresponding coupling structure of a drilling jig so that the auxiliary jig and the drilling jig are arranged in a defined spatial position. An auxiliary bore is drilled into the auxiliary jig. An auxiliary bore sleeve comprising a reference ring plane is inserted into the auxiliary bore predefined by a target depth. The auxiliary jig is placed on the drilling jig in the defined spatial position. A guide bore is drilled into the drilling jig. A guide sleeve is inserted into the guide bore using a positioning tool so as to form the guide channel. The guide sleeve comprises a depth stop for the drill stop. The guide sleeve is inserted to an insertion depth defined by the reference ring plane and the reference device. The auxiliary jig is removed.

Abstract: A non-custom, dental tray device includes a moisture-resistant barrier layer having a labial-buccal wall, a lingual wall, and a bottom wall. The dental tray device includes at least one of the following structural features to enhance the fit of the device; (1) the bottom wall includes an abrupt reduction of width at a location corresponding to where the first bicuspid meets the canine; (2) a bottom wall in the posterior region having a width that is equal to or less than the width of the bottom wall in the anterior region, with no lingual wall in the posterior region; or (3) a transition portion between the bottom wall and either the labial-buccal wall or the lingual wall has a larger radius of curvature as compared to a radius of curvature at a transition portion between the bottom wall the other of the labial-buccal wall and the lingual wall.

Abstract: Dental curing systems, apparatuses, and methods may include a light source, a perforated plate, and a dental composite. The perforated plate may be positioned between the light source and the dental composite. The perforated plate may include a plurality of perforations that convert a first curing light beam from the light source into multiple curing light beams before reaching the dental composite. The multiple curing light beams come in contact with the dental composite to begin the curing process at certain locations on the dental composite. The perforated plate may then be removed, and a second curing light beam from the light source may be applied to the dental composite to complete the curing process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-colored shaped body having layers arranged on top of one another for producing dental restorations, a process for its production and its use for the manufacture of dental restorations.

Abstract: A natural anhydrous oral care composition with a limited number of naturally-derived, naturally processed, generally regarded as safe (GRAS) ingredients including an effective amount of a bioactive glass is described. The topical application of the composition to human teeth cleanses, remineralizes and reduces plaque build-up on teeth.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclose a system for controlled oral drug delivery. The system comprising a removable device comprising a drug to be delivered, wherein the drug is delivered based on osmotic pressure generated in the removable device. Further, the system comprises a receptacle to hold the removable device in an oral cavity, and a base station configured to dock the removable device for determining information about one or more characteristics of the removable device.

Abstract: Methods for controlling and/or regulating of a compressed-gas-operable medical or dental drive device and a control and/or regulating device for performing such methods are described. In one method according to a first embodiment, a rotor of the drive device is operated at an essentially constant rotational speed (n1) by adjusting the gas pressure and/or the flow rate of the compressed gas through a valve and the rotational speed is reduced on reaching a pressure value (p2) of the compressed gas which is lower than the maximum gas pressure (pmax) of the compressed gas. In the case of a method according to a second embodiment, the gas pressure of the compressed gas and the rotational speed of the rotor are altered on reaching a rotational speed limit value (n2, n3) of the rotor by adjusting the valve.

Abstract: A periodontal probe is provided for measuring a depth of a periodontal pocket using a touch sensor. The periodontal probe includes a handle with a probe tip for insertion into the periodontal pocket. The probe tip includes a touch sensitive reader located on or near an exterior surface thereof for measuring contact between the exterior surface of the probe tip and the tissue of the periodontal pocket. A touch sensor and a microcontroller are connected to the touch sensitive reader to measure the amount of contact between the touch sensitive reader and the tissue of the periodontal pocket, which corresponds to the depth of the periodontal pocket.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides computing device implemented methods, computing device readable media, and systems for motion compensation in a three dimensional scan. Motion compensation can include receiving three-dimensional (3D) scans of a dentition, estimating a motion trajectory from one scan to another, and calculating a corrected scan by compensating for the motion trajectory. Estimating the motion trajectory can include one or more of: registering a scan to another scan and determining whether an amount of movement between the scans is within a registration threshold; determining an optical flow based on local motion between consecutive two-dimensional (2D) images taken during the scan, estimating and improving a motion trajectory of a point in the scan using the optical flow; and estimating an amount of motion of a 3D scanner during the scan as a rigid body transformation based on input from a position tracking device.

Abstract: A method of cleaning teeth by providing a device for generating a chemical agent in situ on an as-needed basis via the application of an electrical potential across a pair of conductors in communication with an electrolyte. The chemical agents may include ozone, hydrogen peroxide, peroxide, chlorine and/or hypochlorite. The device may include a voltage source and a first set of electrodes for applying an electrical potential to the electrolyte. The device may also include a second set of electrodes disposed about an anode of the first set of electrodes. The first and second sets of anodes cooperate to produce ions, peroxides, ozone and/or other chemical agents via the application of electrical potential to the electrolyte.

Abstract: Herein are provided methods, systems, computer-readable media, techniques and processes for adjusting dental prostheses based on soft tissue. These include allowing an operator to define the surface of a dental prosthesis, such as an abutment, that is proximal to the patient's gum relative to a 3D scan of the patient's gums. The operator can define the offset of that surface as well as the limits of that surface.

Abstract: Methods for administration of a substantially non-cytotoxic chlorine dioxide composition to whiten a tooth surface are provided.

Abstract: A device for secondary caries detection characterized in that it contains a current generating block in its casing (6), advantageously equipped with the high linearity amplifiers, the current having the form of sinusoidally varying signal, advantageously with one frequency chosen from the range of frequencies from 200 Hz to 100 kHz and amplitude from 50 mV to 5 V; a block of preamplifiers (4), advantageously of high sensitivity and linearity with phase-sensitive detectors measuring components, advantageously with one frequency chosen from the range of frequencies from 200 Hz to 100 kHz as well as its multiples, advantageously integral in principle; microprocessor control unit (5), advantageously with a miniature keyboard and display unit, and at least one fixed electrode (2) placed on mucous membrane of the oral cavity and at least one moveable electrode to be mounted on a tooth (1).