Abstract: The present invention relates to an alveolar bone shape and a direction display device, and a measuring method using the same where direction display device includes: a main body; a gum insertion fixing part connected to a fixed plate of the main body; a plurality of pin through holes or cut-out lines defined in a fixed plate central position disposed on a center of the main body; and a plurality of bone shape displays inserted into upper portions of the plurality of pin through holes or cut-out lines and the bone shape displays include a bone shape display part having a plate shape, and one to twelve bone shape display pin parts installed on a lower portion of the bone shape display part.

Abstract: Methods and kits are provided for identifying carious lesions using a detectable fluorescent probe that binds to the lesion and an optical device. The detectable probe includes a molecule, a stain, a marker, and a dye capable of binding to a caries in the enamel layer of a tooth. The detectable probe is a fluorescent composition, or a bioluminescent composition, that emits a characteristic wavelength of light following illumination at an excitation wavelength.

Abstract: A tooth separator apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes a tong having two arms constructed of a resilient material and having a wedge disposed at each end. An expander member is coupled to the two arms, and a drive shaft is coupled to the expander member. When a user moves or rotates the drive shaft, the expander member is moved into a position which causes the two arms and wedges to separate by a distance sufficient to permit the wedges to be inserted in a patient's mouth and positioned adjacent to two teeth that are to be separated. When the user rotates the drive shaft in the reverse direction, the expander member returns to its original position thereby releasing the separating force on the resilient arms and permitting them and the wedges to move in a closing direction with sufficient force to separate the adjacent teeth.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and devices for restoring teeth using fixed restorations. In particular, the invention provides a system, kit, and devices for the management of interproximal areas for traditional cementation and/or bonding of dental crowns, onlays, inlays, veneers and bridges. In the method, a barrier is positioned in contact with the tooth being restored and an adjacent tooth to cover a section of the tooth being restored and to create separation of the tooth being restored and the adjacent tooth. Cement is applied to the first mating surface of the fixed restoration and/or to the second mating surface of the tooth, and the first mating surface of the fixed restoration and the second mating surface of the tooth are positioned adjacent each other to seat the fixed restoration on the tooth. The barrier covers a section of the tooth being restored to prevent cement from bonding to the section of the tooth. This eliminates the need to remove hardened cement from this section of the tooth.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for detecting a crack in a human tooth, especially one covered by a restoration, such as a crown, the approach is to stress the suspect tooth and, by means of acoustic emission techniques, analyze the characteristics of the resultant acoustic emission from the tooth. To aid the identification of a crack from the acoustic emission signal, a baseline may be obtained by performing this procedure at a time when the tooth is known not be cracked, e.g., when a restoration is placed on it. This baseline acoustic emission signature is recorded. This procedure is repeated at intervals. The subsequent measurements are compared with the baseline to identify changes that indicate the initiation and growth of a crack. The invention includes apparatus for implementing the method. The approach is to integrate the acoustic emission pulser and sensor into commercially available dental instruments, e.g., a tooth polisher and a water syringe.

Abstract: An oral appliance is provided for delivering a medicament to at least a portion of teeth and/or soft tissue areas inside a mouth, the oral appliance comprising an interior surface having a porous material disposed on at least a portion of the interior surface of the oral appliance, the porous material containing a medicament and the interior surface being formed to fit contours of at least the portion of the teeth and/or soft tissue areas inside the mouth and being capable of supporting and holding the porous material in contact with at least the portion of the teeth and/or soft tissue areas inside the mouth to deliver the medicament.

Abstract: A first aspect of the invention is related to a method for treating a subject's tooth that needs regeneration of dental enamel tissue and/or ameloblast cells. This method includes exposing at least a portion of crown, root canal or periapical tissue of the tooth and administering an enamel material in an amount sufficient to promote the regeneration of dental enamel tissue and/or ameloblast cells such that at least a portion of the exposed crown, root canal or periapical tissue is in contact with the enamel material. The invention is also related to a kits, compositions, and devices which can be used for the purposes of the present invention.

Abstract: A multiphoton microscope is provided. The microscope includes: an excitation source for providing an optical excitation beam at an excitation wavelength ?; a scanner for scanning the excitation beam on a sample; an objective for irradiating the sample with the excitation beam scanned by the scanner and for collecting an emission beam from the sample; a first detector for detecting a plurality of multiphoton signals; and an emission light path allowing transmission from the objective to the first detector a wavelength band limited to greater than or equal to ?/2 and less than ?, wherein the plurality of multiphoton signals have wavelengths within the wavelength band; wherein the plurality of multiphoton signals comprises a first multiphoton signal and a second multiphoton signal of different types. Fast image capture rate multiphoton microscopes for in vivo imaging, as well as photothermolysis methods using the microscopes are also provided.

Abstract: An aspirator tip for a dental aspirator comprising: an elongated hollow tube comprising a first end and a second end, the first end configured to connect to a dental aspirator unit to provide suction to the second end of the elongated hollow tube, the second end configured to be inserted into an oral cavity of a patient, an opening in a portion of the elongated hollow tube between the first end and the second end of the elongated hollow tube, a gate configured to be inserted into the opening, and an actuator configured for actuation by a single digit (e.g., finger or thumb) to insert the gate into the opening to at least partially block an airway through the elongated hollow tube.

Abstract: A method and marker element to determine the position of a prosthetic element (2) which is fixed to the jaw (13) of a person, such as a dental implant. An image is formed of the jaw of a reproduction model of this jaw which is provided with the prosthetic element (2), by means of X-rays or magnetic resonance. At least one marker element (3) is then provided on the prosthetic element (2) which produces a strong contrast in imaging techniques. The position of the marker is then formed by X-rays or by magnetic resonance, and the position of the prosthetic element (2) is then derived from the observed position of the marker element (3).

Abstract: A wireless, remote foot controller and a wireless instrument in direct communication with one another and method of operation. The remote foot controller can determine the wireless instrument in the hand of the dental professional and can determine whether the instrument is operational in an continuously variable mode or whether the instrument is operational at discrete speeds. The remote foot controller can then respond to activation by a user to provide a predetermined signal that drives the handheld unit with the appropriate signal. The remote foot controller is activated by application of pressure to the foot controller that provides tactile, sensory feedback to the user. The foot controller includes a circuit board, antenna and battery so that it is wireless. The circuit board includes communications protocol to permit the foot controller to communicate with several dental instruments.

Abstract: An intra-oral camera (10) includes an imaging system (12), an imaging sensor (16) and an image stabilization apparatus (14) comprising a liquid lens (36), lens driver elements (38), a microprocessor (34) and a motion sensor (32). The motion sensor (32) provides a motion signal indicating camera movement. The adjustable liquid lens (36) has an interface between first and second immiscible liquids and is actuable to change refraction with respect to a first axis in response to a first adjustment signal at a first pair of electrodes and with respect to a second axis in response to a second adjustment signal at a second pair of electrodes. The microprocessor (34) is responsive to stored instructions for obtaining the motion signal from the motion sensor (32) and in communication with lens driver elements (38) for providing the first and second adjustment signals to the adjustable liquid lens (36).

Abstract: A device for treating skin, the gums, a tooth, or an internal organ by a laser pulse source for generating laser pulses with a pulse duration which is preferably in the femtosecond range, and an optical path for directing the laser pulses from the laser pulse source for the surface of the skin, gums, tooth or internal organ. The laser pulses are directed onto the surface of the skin, gums, tooth or the internal organ in such a way that the pulses are focused in the skin, in the gums, in the tooth or in the internal organ and cause a laser-induced optical breakdown below the surface of the respective skin, gums, tooth or internal organ, whereat the laser pulses have a larger cross-sectional area at the surface of the skin, of the gums, the tooth or of the internal organ than at the location of the laser-induced optical breakdown.

Abstract: An oral appliance is provided for delivering a medicament to at least a portion of teeth and/or soft tissue areas inside a mouth. The oral appliance contains an interior surface having a medicament disposed in or on at least a portion of and/or the entire interior surface of the oral appliance. The interior surface of the oral cavity is formed to fit contours of at least the portion of the teeth and/or soft tissue areas inside the oral cavity and is configured for holding the medicament in contact with at least the portion of the teeth and/or soft tissue areas inside the oral cavity to deliver the medicament to strategic areas in need of treatment. In some embodiments, computer, network and computer readable storage media are provided.

Abstract: A device for making a muffle, with which dental restoration parts can be produced with the aid of an embedding compound, at least one press blank and a pressing device, the device having a muffle base, a tubular sleeve surrounding the muffle base and at least one muffle insert which is arranged on the muffle base and can be separated from it. At least two cylindrical press-channel forming elements (16, 18, 20) extend parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another from a flat-formed portion of the muffle insert (12), which can be burned out at least with respect to the forming elements, which elements are formed in a closed manner, and in particular with thin walls, at least on one free end face opposite from the flat-formed portion (14).

Abstract: A method for inserting a flowable material adjacent the alveolar ridge bone through an elongated tube having an a side perforation. The elongated tube can be a dental implant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a motion analysis system for measuring the relative function of one anatomical structure to another based on optical fiducial markers tracked in a series of images and in turn data, where the components of hard and soft tissue are used in analysis and where the image data can be compared in a time series such that probabilities of involvement with various tissues can be correlated to the image data. The system measures displacement at various positions and can relate the data to various muscle and other soft tissue variations within the constraints of the anatomy and physiology including motion in three dimensional space, including rotations and translations and functions including velocity and acceleration.

Abstract: To create a digital surface model of an intra-oral anatomy, a recess or a hole in an impression material having a predetermined shape and size is scanned. The scanning results and information on the predetermined shape and size are used for determining a threshold value representing interface between the impression material and another material. The threshold value is then used in generating the digital surface model from CT scanning data of an impression of an intra-oral anatomy on said impression material.

Abstract: A wand having a housing is coupled to an intra-oral imaging system. The wand comprises a first device and a second device coupled to the housing. The first device is an intra-oral imaging device for capturing images of a patient's teeth, and the second device provides an additional function.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining an image of a tooth having at least one light source providing incident light having a first spectral range for obtaining a reflectance image from the tooth and a second spectral range for exciting a fluorescence image from the tooth. A polarizing beamsplitter in the path of the incident light from both sources directs light having a first polarization state toward the tooth and directs light from the tooth having a second polarization state along a return path toward a sensor, wherein the second polarization state is orthogonal to the first polarization state. A first lens in the return path directs image-bearing light from the tooth toward the sensor, and obtains image data from the portion of the light having the second polarization state. A long-pass filter in the return path attenuates light in the second spectral range.

Abstract: There is provided a dental apparatus including a light source for emitting a light to irradiate at least one of a tooth, a gum, a plaque and a calculus of an oral cavity, a light detector for detecting fluorescence from the oral cavity emitted to the light irradiated from the light source, and a control unit for outputting first data for visualizing a temporal change in a fluorescence intensity based on the fluorescence detected by the light detector. Also, there is provided a calculation method including irradiating an excited light, detecting a fluorescence intensity, and calculating a temporal change in the fluorescence intensity in a depth direction.

Abstract: A dental apparatus includes a light irradiation unit for emitting a light to irradiate an oral cavity, an image capturing unit for image-capturing the oral cavity light irradiated by the light irradiation unit, and an output unit for outputting data for highlighting and displaying at least one of a plaque site and a calculus site on an image of the oral cavity based on an image captured result by the image capturing unit.

Abstract: A system for dental tissue treatment includes a system for directing a laser beam to an area of dental tissue to be treated, and a fluid-delivery system for directing and controlling a flow of a fluid. The fluid is directed to at least a portion of the area to be treated and the fluid flow is controlled to substantially prevent both a change in laser energy absorption by the dental tissue and attenuation of treatment efficiency due to fluid interference with the laser beam. The fluid present in at least a portion of the area to be treated may prevent or reduce the likelihood of melting of enamel in that area.

Abstract: A mouth opening instrument includes an upper member suitable for attaching on an upper jaw side within the mouth of a patient and a lower member suitable for attaching on a lower jaw side. The instrument further includes a connecting section, a control section, and an input section. The connecting section connects end portions of the upper member and the lower member such that a resistance of opening or closing actions of the upper member and the lower member are controllable. The control section controls the resistance of opening or closing actions of the upper member and the lower member. The input section receives an operating state signal indicating an operating state of a dental treatment device. When the operating state signal indicating an operating state of a dental treatment device is inputted, the closing resistance of the upper member and the lower member is set to be greater than that at a time when the operating state signal is not inputted.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a phototherapy device that can deliver light to tissues to activate photoactive agents that have been applied to the tissues or that are included within a fiber optic tip member of the device which may be coupled to a light source using a sleeve. The present disclosure also relates to methods of phototherapy using the phototherapy device such as anti-bactericidal treatment, anti-fungal treatment, anti-parasitic treatment, anti-viral treatment.

Abstract: A system for dental tissue treatment includes a system for directing a laser beam to an area of dental tissue to be treated, and a fluid-delivery system for directing and controlling a flow of a fluid. The fluid is directed to at least a portion of the area to be treated and the fluid flow is controlled to substantially prevent both a change in laser energy absorption by the dental tissue and attenuation of treatment efficiency due to fluid interference with the laser beam. The fluid present in at least a portion of the area to be treated may prevent or reduce the likelihood of melting of enamel in that area.

Abstract: Conversion assemblies enable an air/water dental syringe adapted for connection to an existing tip such as an autoclavable tip to instead receive disposable tip. A conversion kit includes a cap subassembly with a cap body having a distal opening into which the disposable tip is inserted, and an adapter subassembly having a proximal end configured for connection to the syringe body and a distal end configured for coupling to the cap subassembly. The adapter subassembly includes one or more components with cut-outs, grooves or channels to direct air and water from the syringe body to the air-carrying channels and water-carrying tube of the disposable tip through the cap subassembly. To accommodate a wide variety of syringe styles, the adapter subassembly may include a proximal receptacle to receive a stem on the syringe; a proximal stem insertable into the syringe; one or more proximal air- or water-carrying tubes insertable into the syringe; or a threaded connection to the syringe body.

Abstract: A mouthpiece that adjusts manually to accommodate a broad range of different size sets of upper and lower teeth in the mouth and yet seals the treatment area from oxygen exposure. The mouthpiece includes light emitting diodes and heat generating resistors all arranged in an array. A series of parallel texture bands are provides to guide and direct the light from the LEDs to diffuse generally evenly onto teeth to be treated. The seal arises from an inner surface of the mouthpiece titling inwardly so that a seal bead seals in the vicinity of the gum above the teeth to be treated.

Abstract: An oral preparation of the present invention contains a multi-composition system including a calcium ion supplying compound; a fluoride ion supplying compound a polyolphosphate ion supplying compound; and, a monofluorophosphate ion supplying compound, wherein the calcium ion supplying compound and the fluoride ion supplying compound are separated within the oral preparation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tubular dental reinforcement preform formed by a cord made from woven fibres. The cord is impregnated and filled by a polymerizable resin and is able, by isostatic crushing, to take the shape of a strip without breaking of the woven fibres constituting the cord, the polymerizable resin being able to creep through the cord to form two lateral parts. The invention also relates to a production method of a dental contention strip from such a tubular reinforcement preform.

Abstract: An oral appliance is constructed and provided for delivering a medicament to at least a portion of teeth and/or soft tissue areas inside a mouth, the oral appliance including an interior surface having a porous material disposed on at least a portion of the interior surface of the oral appliance, the porous material containing a medicament and the interior surface being formed to fit contours of at least the portion of the teeth and/or soft tissue areas inside the mouth and being capable of supporting and holding the porous material in contact with at least the portion of the teeth and/or soft tissue areas inside the mouth to deliver the medicament.

Abstract: According to a present invention embodiment, a dental appliance maintains a patient mouth in an open state, retracts tissue, and evacuates bodily and/or other fluids from a dental site. The dental appliance includes an elongated tube configured with a looped section. The elongated tube is flexible, where the looped section is adjustable and manipulated to enable the dental appliance to accommodate mouths of various dental patients. Further, the looped section is resilient in order to maintain the patient mouth in an open state for dental procedures. In addition, the elongated tube includes perforations to remove bodily or other fluids from the patient mouth. A vacuum or suction device is coupled to an end of the elongated tube, where suction is applied to the tube to draw bodily or other fluids from the patient mouth through the perforations and remove these fluids from a dental site.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining an image of a tooth having at least one light source providing incident light having a first spectral range for obtaining a reflectance image from the tooth and a second spectral range for exciting a fluorescence image from the tooth. A polarizing beamsplitter in the path of the incident light from both sources directs light having a first polarization state toward the tooth and directs light from the tooth having a second polarization state along a return path toward a sensor, wherein the second polarization state is orthogonal to the first polarization state. A first lens in the return path directs image-bearing light from the tooth toward the sensor, and obtains image data from the portion of the light having the second polarization state. A long-pass filter in the return path attenuates light in the second spectral range.

Abstract: A tubular sleeve is configured to grasp a small part, move it, and place it in a correct location in a patient's mouth. The tubular sleeve comprises a picking end; a connection end having a connection end piece configured to connect to a suction system; and an inner part between the picking end and the connection end, the inner part being equipped with a sealing flap configured to cooperate with a control device to move the sealing flap between an open position and a closed position. The sealing flap, in the open position, allows passage of aspirated air flow from the suction system to pick up and suction the small part, and the sealing flap, in the closed position, blocks the aspirated air flow to separate the small part from the tubular sleeve.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are acrylic and methacrylic acid ester-based polymeric materials containing as flexibilizing and brittleness reducing agents 1-60% of C4-C8 polyalkylene or polyalkyldiene compounds, preferably having a molecular weight of 300-2100, and the use of such materials in dentistry and medicine.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring dentin hypersensitivity is provided. The apparatus has a dental probe configured to apply force increasingly on a tooth until the applied force corresponds to a threshold force. Further, the apparatus has a load cell that is positioned in the dental probe. The load cell is configured to generate an electrical signal proportional to the applied force. Further, the apparatus has a microcontroller which is in communication with the load cell. The microcontroller is configured to determine an applied force value corresponding to the electrical signal. Furthermore, the apparatus has a display device. The display device is in communication with the microcontroller. The display device is configured to display the applied force value and a threshold force value digitally. The threshold force value is a quantifiable value of the applied force to which a patient responds and is a measure of the dentin hypersensitivity.

Abstract: A method for diagnosis and evaluation of tooth decay comprises: locating in an x-ray image the contour of the dento-enamel junction (DEJ); measuring optical density along contours substantially parallel to and on either side of the DEJ contour; and calculating at least one numerical decay value from the measured optical densities. A method for diagnosis and evaluation of periodontal disease comprises: measuring in an x-ray image a bone depth (BD) relative to the position of the cemento-enamel junctions (CEJs) of adjacent teeth; measuring bone density along a contour between the adjacent teeth; and calculating a numerical crestal density (CD) value from the measured bone density. Calibration standards may be employed for facilitating calculation of the numerical values. A dental digital x-ray imaging calibration method for at least partly correcting for variations of the optical densities of images acquired from the dental digital x-ray imaging system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to rigidly connect the imaging elements such as camera(s) and the monitor on a single arm, or a single arm element, which maintains the proper relationship between the camera and the monitor while simultaneously allowing the monitor height to be at the ideal viewing height for the dentist. While the imaging elements of the invention are rigidly connected on a single arm or arm element, there is provision for changing the tilt, on a horizontal axis, of the monitor, as well as its height, to accommodate differences in height among dentists. This rigid connection of the invention assures that the image of the operative site will always be presented in the most understandable frame of reference for the dentist.

Abstract: A method of fixating allogeneic bone to an area of deficient bone in the jaws comprising: exposing the area of deficient bone by incising and retracting soft tissue; selecting a drill bit having a diameter corresponding to the area of deficient bone to receive donor bone; contacting the selected drill bit with the exposed deficient bone to form a generally cylindrical seat for receiving the donor bone; selecting a section of donor bone having a generally cylindrical shape and circular cross-section corresponding to said formed seat; fixating the donor bone to the formed seat with at least one screw; and closing the soft tissue to cover the previously exposed deficient bone.

Abstract: System and method for automatic construction of orthodontic reference objects, such as the occlusal plane, arch form, and the local occlusal plane for a patient's teeth are disclosed. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented system and method for automatic construction of orthodontic reference objects comprises receiving three dimensional data for the teeth, setting an initial direction for a normal of the occlusal plane, determining tips for selected teeth, calculating a plane that matches the determined tip, and determining a new normal for the calculated plane.

Abstract: Compositions having high fluoride ion recovery comprising a hydrocolloid, a heteropolysaccharide, a PVME/MA copolymer, and a fluoride ion source and use thereof, e.g., in the treatment of xerostomia and/or sensitive teeth.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a housing, an emitter, and an electronic circuit. The housing is configured to fit within a patient's mouth. The emitter is at least partially encased within the housing. The emitter is configured to emit an effective amount of light to the alveolar soft tissue when the housing is disposed within the mouth. The electronic circuit is operatively coupled to the emitter. The electronic circuit is configured to control the emitter when the housing is disposed within the mouth and the apparatus is in use during orthodontic treatment. The apparatus and its use for regulating tooth movement or maintaining or improving oral tissue health are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A dental implant system includes a base member that is adapted to be embedded within a patient's jawbone at a treatment site. The base member has a generally flat top side defining an outer periphery, a bottom side, and a central opening. At least one recess is included in the top side for receiving an alignment pin. The system further includes an implant screw that has a head and a threaded end. The threaded end is adapted to pass through the central opening of the base member and into the patient's jawbone. Also, the head is adapted to be seated within the central opening of the base member after the threaded end is screwed into the patient's jawbone. The implant screw further includes a threaded opening in the head.

Abstract: A method of providing an accurate three-dimensional scan of a dental arch area is disclosed. The arch area has two segments and a connecting area between the two segments. The connecting area has homogeneous features. A connecting-geometry tool with at least one definable feature is affixed to the arch area. The definable feature overlays at least part of the connecting area. The arch area is scanned to produce a scanned dataset of the arch area. The definable feature of the connecting-geometry tool on the connection area is determined based on the scanned dataset. The dimensions of the arch area are determined based on the data relating to the definable features from the scanned dataset.

Abstract: The present invention provides an oral cavity composition with which brief treatment using the same yields a high effect for dental cavity prevention and an excellent dental hyperesthesia preventive and treatment effects, and a method of treatment using such a composition. The oral cavity composition according to the present invention contains a first composition (A) containing a fluoride ion-supplying compound, an inorganic phosphoric acid and a salt thereof, and a second composition (B) containing a calcium salt of organic acid, with an organic acid constituting said calcium salt of organic acid having a pKa value ranging from 3 to 11, or at least one pKa value ranging from 3 to 11 when said organic acid has plural pKa values, wherein said first composition (A) and said second composition (B) are discretely packed from each other so that said two compositions can be alternately used and then come to be mixed with each other at a tooth region when applied thereto.

Abstract: A cluster mill blank includes a framework constructed to cooperate with a blank holder of an existing CAD/CAM system, and a plurality of sub-blanks attached to the framework forming an addressable matrix or cluster blank. CAD/CAM systems including such a framework, as well as associated methods are described.

Abstract: A tongue guard and a method for using the tongue guard, in particular for dental procedures, is described.

Abstract: A matrix band retainer clip for sealing a matrix band against a tooth is provided. The retainer clip includes a pair of tines, each of which has a generally wedge shaped piece with a pair of contact surfaces that are angled relative to one another. A spring is coupled with and extends between the tines and biases the tines towards one another to apply a biasing force from at least one contact surface of each tine against the matrix band thereby sealing the matrix band against the tooth. The spring has a generally U-shaped portion with a pair of vertically extending legs coupled with the tines at their lower ends and interconnected at their upper ends by a generally laterally extending leg for distributing a stress across a length of the spring in response to the tines being separated from one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to manufacturing a surgical guide to be placed in a patient's mouth. The patient's mouth is scanned to obtain surgical-region scan data at a region where an implant is to be located. The patient's mouth is also scanned in the opened position to acquire dental conditions opposite from the surgical region so as to obtain opposing-condition scan data. A virtual model is developed using the surgical-region scan data and the opposing-condition scan data. Using the virtual model, a surgical plan is developed that includes the location of the implant to be installed in the patient. A virtual surgical guide is also developed based on the surgical plan. The dimensions of instrumentation to be used with the surgical guide are checked to ensure they will fit within the mouth by use of the opposing-condition scan data. After checking, final surgical-guide manufacturing information is obtained for manufacturing the surgical guide.

Abstract: A method and kit for producing implant drilling guides positioned at the proper angle and orientation so as to avoid inadvertent damage to critical regions of the patient's jaw when drilling to place dental implant screws. The method works by placing a small post with x-ray visible depth markers in the root of the patient's tooth immediately after tooth extraction. This post, along with guideblocks, optional washers, reduction or expansion guides, and rapidly hardening guide materials (such as acrylics or thermosetting materials) is used to construct a removable guide that anchors to the patient's adjacent teeth, and preserves the location and orientation of the extracted tooth root. Once the root is filled in with new bone, the guide, in conjunction with the X-ray post depth information, can be used to direct drilling along the same route as the old tooth root, thus avoiding critical structures.