Abstract: A dental orthodontic apparatus includes a carrier and fastening elements having rear holding and front parts. The carrier includes an elongated carrier piece having two sections and a carrier holding part. The fastening elements are arranged along the sections such that the front part of each element is adjacent a front side of a section, and the rear holding part of each fastening means is adjacent a rear side of the section. Carrier piece material at the rear side of a section is removable by a fabrication tool. The rear holding part of each fastening element is embedded within and completely surrounded by a first section of the carrier piece, and the rear holding part of each fastening element is embedded within and completely surrounded by a second section of the carrier piece.

Abstract: A multi-use removal apparatus includes a body and a pry lip. The body includes a perimeter. The body extends along a central longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end. The second end is bifurcated to define a first prong and a second prong. The pry lip extends from the perimeter. The pry lip includes an inclined surface and a terminal ridge surface. The inclined surface is disposed between the terminal ridge surface and the perimeter of the body. The pry lip includes at least a portion disposed on the first prong and the second prong.

Abstract: A device for increasing movement of a tooth in a jaw includes a handle, an elongate member extending from the handle, a screw tip at a distal end of the elongate member, and a sleeve. The screw tip is configured to drill into cortical bone of the jaw to increase movement of the tooth. The sleeve is configured to move along the elongate member to vary the length of exposed screw tip.

Abstract: A dental template for positioning an object on teeth of a patient and method for fabricating the same. The method includes creating a digital model of the patient's teeth, creating a simplified template model based on the digital model, and fabricating the dental template based on the simplified template model. The template model is simplified by removing certain features of the patient's tooth anatomy. The dental template can be located on a patient's teeth using four or fewer positioning teeth.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the efficient, safe, and hygienic removing of removable tooth positioning appliances such as aligners or other dental appliances from the teeth of a patient. A straight rigid barrel has a lever appendage on the proximal end for fully engaging and removing a lower aligner and a hook appendage on the distal end for fully engaging and removing an upper aligner.

Abstract: An orthodontic fixture system includes a tap, a screw, a tool, and fixation wire. In a method of orthodontic fixation, a user manipulates the tool to drive the tap and screw. The tap is configured to first make a threaded hole in only a proximal wall of an alveolus bone. The screw is configured for firm insertion in the proximal wall of the alveolus bone through the hole made with the tap and to abut an inner surface of the distal wall of the alveolus bone in a non-damaging manner. The screw and fixation wire include cooperating structures to enable a user to readily apply both tension and torsional forces via mutual engagement of the screw and fixation wire and thus to one or more orthodontic elements attachable to patient teeth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-ligation bracket for correcting teeth alignment comprising: on one side a body 210 further comprising a connection part 2110 and an attachable portion 2120, the connection part being provided on the upper portion of an insertion groove 2111 and an insertion groove 2111 having a predetermined depth into which an archwire is inserted, being provided on the lower portion of the insertion groove and a plurality of fixing protrusions provided with fixing grooves on one side, and being provided in between a supporting protrusion 2114 and a supporting protrusion 2114 which are arranged with a predetermined distance apart from each other, and the body 210 formed with a hooking space 2118 which is provided on the downside of a guide protrusion 2116 that protrudes to a predetermined height and the insertion groove 2111; and a cap spring 220 provided with an elastic fixing part 222 on one side, an elastic hanging part 224 on the other side, and a bent portion 223 which is at the e

Abstract: Method and system for establishing an initial position of a tooth, determining a target position of the tooth in a treatment plan, calculating a movement vector associated with the tooth movement from the initial position to the target position, determining a plurality of components corresponding to the movement vector, and determining a corresponding one or more positions of a respective one or more attachment devices relative to a surface plane of the tooth such that the one or more attachment devices engages with a dental appliance are provided.

Abstract: A tool for insertion and removal of an archwire into low-profile orthodontic brackets includes a handle section and at least one end section having a pair of claws separated by a gap. Each of the pair of claws has a pair of lobes with internal pathways for accommodating an archwire. This enables the archwire to be alternately pushed into and pulled away from an orthodontic bracket.

Abstract: An orthodontic retainer system including retainer modules that are applied to adjacent teeth in a patient's mouth. The retainer modules may be provided in the form of mutually attracted members, such as magnets, that are temporary coupled on opposites sides of a delivery member for positioning and bonding to an adjacent pair of teeth. In one exemplary embodiment, the retainer modules have rounded and/or chamfered edges and sloped and curved lingual surfaces, and may include a magnet that is received and sealed within an enclosure or cover that has the same shape or profile as the magnet and is made of a wear-resistant biocompatible material.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance for use in orthodontic treatment. The orthodontic appliance is selected from the group consisting of an orthodontic bracket, an orthodontic archwire, an orthodontic tool, and a discrete component thereof. The orthodontic appliance is made of a metallic glass. The orthodontic appliance may be an orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth. The orthodontic bracket comprises a bracket body including an archwire slot, the bracket body being made of a metallic glass. The orthodontic bracket further comprises a movable member made of a metallic glass and operatively coupled to the bracket body and movable between an opened position in which the archwire is insertable into the archwire slot and a closed position in which the movable member retains the archwire in the archwire slot. The orthodontic bracket further comprises a pin coupling the movable member to the bracket body.

Abstract: A tool bit for removing orthodontic brackets includes a handpiece-engaging portion, a shaft portion, a curved portion and a working end portion. The curved portion provides sufficient offset to present the end portion in a substantially co-planar relationship with a tooth surface. The working end portion includes at least one beveled cutting surface for cutting away the adhesive and at least one blunt/flat polishing surface for polishing away any residual adhesive that may remain after the bracket has been removed. The tool bit may also include a cooling fluid delivery port. Edges of the beveled surfaces may be serrated. Beveled surfaces and the top surface may be coated with an abrasive material such as diamond grit. These cutting surfaces are used to cut through the adhesive layer bonding the bracket to the tooth. The tool has a blunt/flat second edge surface for polishing away any remaining adhesive after removal of the bracket.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a customised jig for an orthodontic appliance, to an assembly formed by the jig, a base and a bracket, and to the associated design methods. The customised jig is used to install a bracket-bearing base on a tooth, said base forming part of an orthodontic appliance. The invention is characterised in that: the jig is a cap that covers the tooth, covering the free edge thereof and at least portions of the front and rear surfaces of same; and the shape of the jig is such that it matches that of the base in at least one portion of at least one of the edges thereof. The invention also relates to an assembly formed by a customised base bearing a bracket and a customised jig of the type mentioned above, and to methods for designing one such jig.

Abstract: A thermoplastic-based polymer adhesive for use in dentistry includes a thermoplastic polymer and an additional polymer or additive including at least one moiety, monomer, or prepolymer capable of changing at least one property of the thermoplastic-based polymer adhesive when exposed to an activation energy. The activation energy may be heat energy and/or sonic or ultrasonic energy. Bonding a dental component to a tooth includes placing the thermoplastic-based polymer adhesive between the dental component and the surface of the tooth and compressing the dental component against the adhesive, and, while compressing, applying an activation energy to cause crosslinking of the additional polymer or additive with the thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reversibly securing an attachment part to a base part by means of a connecting means which rigidly connects these parts to each other. For this purpose, an adhesive separating material is disposed between the base part and the attachment part, said material losing its adhesive effect reversibly or irreversibly under the effect of electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for manufacturing a positioning tray and a bracket with a positioning hook for manufacturing the positioning tray. The method for manufacturing the positioning tray comprises the following steps: acquiring an original dental impression and an ideal dental impression; transforming the ideal dental impression to a three-dimensional digital model and drawing each bracket body; drawing a positioning hook on the bracket body; making a wax pattern of a bracket with the positioning hook by using a wax pattern machine; casting, with the wax pattern as a mould core, a blank of the bracket with the positioning hook which then receives surface treatment; after the surface treatment, assembling the bracket with the positioning hook to the original dental impression and performing film lamination to obtain a positioning tray, and finally removing the positioning hook to obtain the bracket matching the positioning tray.

Abstract: A bonding tray for indirect bonding of orthodontic appliances includes a body adapted to fit over at least a portion of the dental arch. One or more orthodontic appliances are releasably connected to the body, and a photocurable adhesive material extends across the base or bonding pad of each appliance for bonding the appliance to a tooth. An outer surface of the body includes at least one receptacle for removably receiving a source of light in order to facilitate curing the photocurable adhesive material.

Abstract: A method for providing orthodontic therapy. The method includes the steps of providing a kit that includes an enclosure and tools and components for providing orthodontic therapy using braces to a single patient, applying the braces to the single patient's teeth using the tools, placing the tools back into the kit, storing the kit, and reusing the kit at the single patient's subsequent visits during the term of the orthodontic therapy.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a dental appliance can include a body having a perimeter and a pry lip extending from the perimeter of the body. The pry lip includes a terminal ridge surface and an inclined surface disposed between the terminal ridge surface and the perimeter of the body. The apparatus for removing a dental appliance can be incorporated in a dental system which includes a dental appliance and the apparatus for removing a dental appliance. The apparatus for removing a dental appliance can be configured such that it fits within an area defined by an outer edge of the dental appliance. Thus, the dental appliance and the apparatus for removing the dental appliance can be stored within a dental appliance container with an internal cavity that closely conforms to the shape and size of the dental appliance.

Abstract: A process of applying at least one dental element to a patient's arch employs a device comprising a support tray shaped to fit to at least a portion of a patient's dental arch. A formed, liquid-soluble material (such as a thin starch layer formed from a starch sheet) is supported by the support tray and holds at least one dental element in a location for allowing an exposed surface of the at least one dental element to be applied to a patient's dental arch. Afterwards, the support tray is removed from the liquid-soluble material and the liquid-soluble is removed by dissolving it in a liquid, such as water.

Abstract: Orthodontic spacer and floss set-ups are organized on a set-up holder which is a thin square or rectangular piece of plastic that has a plurality of complementary notches formed across opposite sides. The spacer is positioned more or less in between the notches on the set-up holder and one length of floss is disposed in one notch while the other length of floss is disposed in the complementary notch on the opposite side of the holder. In a supply of two or more spacer set-ups, the set-ups are separated from each other in this manner so that a particular one does not have to be untangled from a jumble of other set-ups. Kits provide pre-made set-ups already organized on a piece of notched plastic.

Abstract: A handle for releasably retaining tubular sleeve-like crimpable stops is disclosed. The handle includes an elongated body with opposed ends and at least one receptacle positioned at one end of the body. The receptacle has an inside surface and defines an entry opening. The receptacle may be configured to mechanically retain the stop, or the stop may be releasably bonded to the receptacle by sticky substances like wax, any suitable adhesive or techniques such as heat bonding. The handle is molded from plastic in a color contrasting with the oral environment, such as orange. The handle aids in handling and positioning crimpable stops during installation of archwire assemblies in the oral environment. A stop retained in the disclosed handle is highly visible and can be handled without tools.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus's for improving orthodontic treatments. In an embodiment, an orthodontic tracking template is provided for assisting in determining whether a patient's teeth are in an appropriate tooth arrangement for transitioning between a wire and bracket orthodontic treatment to a patient-removable orthodontic appliance treatment. The tracking template may include a shell portion defining a plurality of tooth-receiving cavities arranged to fit over at least a portion of the patient's teeth in an intermediate tooth arrangement without applying a tooth-moving force to the teeth or to any brackets attached to the teeth.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for positioning orthodontic components, more particularly orthodontic brackets, with a base structure made of elastic material, at least one dental cap, which is detachably arranged on the base structure by means of a coupling device and on the underside has a retention fixture corresponding to a tooth for interlocking mounting on the tooth, and at least one bracket holder, which is formed on the at least one dental cap and which is configured to position an orthodontic component on the corresponding tooth at least partially outside the retention fixture when mounting the at least one dental cap.

Abstract: Orthodontic spacer and floss set-ups are organized on a set-up holder which is a thin square or rectangular piece of plastic that has a plurality of complementary notches formed across opposite sides. The spacer is positioned more or less in between the notches on the set-up holder and one length of floss is disposed in one notch while the other length of floss is disposed in the complementary notch on the opposite side of the holder. In a supply of two or more spacer set-ups, the set-ups are separated from each other in this manner so that a particular one does not have to be untangled from a jumble of other set-ups. Kits provide pre-made set-ups already organized on a piece of notched plastic.

Abstract: The invention includes a dental tool for applying orthodontic attachments to teeth. The tool includes a body having a portion for holding the dental tool and a portion for selectively gripping an object to be bonded to a tooth. The tool also includes a nozzle for emitting pressurized air adjacent the portion for selectively gripping the object to be bonded to the tooth. A method of using the tool is also disclosed.

Abstract: Prescription-altering accessories for use with orthodontic brackets to modify the corrective forces applied to the teeth by orthodontic bracket assemblies that include the orthodontic bracket. The orthodontic bracket assemblies may include specialized orthodontic brackets that are designed and/or configured for use with the prescription-altering accessories. Additionally or alternatively, the orthodontic bracket assemblies may be configured for use with traditional orthodontic brackets, such as by being operatively attached thereto. The prescription-altering accessories may be configured to generate a modifying force to alter any suitable tip, torque, rotation, and/or step corrective force that may be applied to one or more teeth within a dental arch to improve, or otherwise modify, the occlusion of the one or more teeth.

Abstract: A device for increasing movement of a tooth in a jaw includes a handle, an elongate member extending from the handle, a screw tip at a distal end of the elongate member, and a sleeve. The screw tip is configured to drill into cortical bone of the jaw to increase movement of the tooth. The sleeve is configured to move along the elongate member to vary the length of exposed screw tip.

Abstract: A system and method for orthodontic alignment includes a radiographic template. The radiographic template has a plurality of metallic markers. A negative impression of a patient's dental arch is made. At least one orthodontic treatment aligner is produced. The aligner is manufactured based in part on a computed axial tomography (CT) scan of a patient wearing the radiographic template and a separate scan of the radiographic template, wherein the data is processed by superimposition of the orthodontic aligner on the CT images of the patient including a jaw in axial and panoramic views. In this manner, the tooth above the gum line, represented by the negative impression as well as the tooth below the gum line, represented by the CT data is used to design the orthodontic aligner.

Abstract: An orthodontic tool for an orthodontic appliance includes a handle and at least one distal end having a finger. The finger has a manipulator, which may include a pin or a plurality of pins, and a probe for engaging a rotary archwire cover. Using the tool, the orthodontist may open and close the archwire cover, which is rotationally mounted to an orthodontic bracket.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket having an opening for receiving a wire, but without a base to create a lever arm when the bracket is oriented in free space at a customized angle relative to a tooth surface. The bracket can be embedded into or encapsulated by an adhesive that is bonded to the tooth. A clip is provided for holding the bracket in position and occluding the opening while the adhesive is applied. And indirect methods of attaching the brackets to teeth are provided wherein the brackets can be attached to the lingual side of the teeth in a low-profile arrangement. A first method includes the step of positioning the brackets on a physical model of the teeth by using a positioning machine. A second method includes the step of positioning virtual brackets on a virtual model of the teeth using software, then generating a physical transfer try using rapid prototyping.

Abstract: A dental tool may include a head that may include a working portion and a neck. The neck may include a first end and a second end, and the working portion may extend from the first end. A handle may include a clamp and a socket. The socket may be configured to receive the second end of the neck. The second end may pivot within the socket to move the working portion and the neck relative to the handle. The clamp is may be adapted to selectively fix the second end relative to the handle.

Abstract: A device (1) for placing a dental splint (2) which is intended to be fixed at the level of the lingual, palatal or vestibular surfaces of at least two adjacent teeth (10) to immobilize the teeth. The placing device (1) comprises at least one flexible and elongated guiding support (3) carrying the splint (2), at least one positioning element (4, 4?), mounted so as to slide on the guiding support (3) behind the splint (2), and arranged for being positioned substantially in front of an interproximal gap (9) between the at least two adjacent teeth (10). A pressing mechanism (5, 5?) coupled to the positioning element (4, 4?) and arranged to bring the positioning element (4, 4?) close to the at least two adjacent teeth (10) to be interlocked, when pressed, to bring the splint (2) in contact and conform with the lingual, palatal or vestibular surfaces.

Abstract: In preparing dentures, hardened mould material surrounds the denture. This mould material is adhered inside a denture flask with a housing having two separably matable portions. To remove the hardened mould material from the flask, the flask is mounted in a mould press having a shaft, with one of the portions is restrained against movement along an axis of travel of the shaft. A portion of the mould material at an end of the restrained flask portion is available for contact with the shaft along the axis of travel. A capped end of the shaft is forcefully advanced against the adhered mould material therein, thereby breaking the adhesion. After this is done, the denture flask is dismounted from the mould press and the hardened mould material is removed from the first flask portion. If necessary, the process is repeated with the other housing portion.

Abstract: An orthodontic apparatus for direct placement of a ligature for tooth extruding. The apparatus comprises a body having a first end and a second end wherein the first end has a reservoir for receiving adhesive and a ligature having a first end and a second end wherein the first end is releasably embedded in the reservoir and the second and extends through the body.

Abstract: An orthodontic aligner removal tool and kit. An embodiment of the tool includes a shaft including a proximate end and a distal end. A C-shaped portion is positioned at the proximate end of the shaft. The C-shaped portion includes a top hook and a bottom hook. The top hook extends from the shaft and curves toward the bottom hook. The bottom hook extends from the shaft and curves toward the top hook. A handle portion is positioned at the distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ring installation pistol (1), which is used to automatically install orthodontic rings made of elastic material, which are molded onto a strip (7). By pulling the trigger (2), which is installed in a pistol-shaped housing (3), the working piston (4) is pressed forward. There, the wire fork tips (5), which have been moved toward each other, reach into one of the molded-on rings (6) and remove said ring from the strip of the ring by pulling the ring. At the same time, the magazine (8) moves to the side. The ring separated in such a way is then expanded by the spreading of the forks and pushed off onto a metal lock. When the trigger is returned, a gear (10) in the magazine is actuated by means of a transport lever (9), which gear moves the strip by means of a transport wheel (11) in such a way that the next ring on the strip can be grabbed in the following operation.

Abstract: A dental tool for the removal of dental appliances or oral devices from a user's mouth comprises a universal handle which is substantially cylindrical. Interconnected thereto is an engagement head comprising a first engagement member extending upward and outward opposite the handle, and a second engagement member extending downward and outward opposite the handle. The first engagement member and second engagement member are disposed in angled relation to one another, each terminating in a broad distal tip having a curvilinear edge. The first and second engagement members further contain contact surfaces for contacting and engaging the dental appliance or oral device. The dental tool is comprised of a rigid material, with a resilient portion overlaid on at least the contact surfaces of the first and second engagement members and distal tips thereof. The dental tool may also be stored in a case to make a kit for removing oral devices.

Abstract: A polyhedral tool for producing an orthodontic appliance has a main body with one upper and one lower surface that are parallel to each other and at least one other pair of nonparallel, opposite lateral surfaces. One of the two nonparallel surfaces of the body extends at an angle of 5°-45° and the other at angle of 45°-85° to the upper and lower surfaces of the body. Each of the nonparallel lateral surfaces is formed with a dovetail groove. Respective thin plates each have a dovetail tongue fittable into a respective one of the grooves.

Abstract: An orthodontic aligner removal tool, kit, and method of using the same. An embodiment of the tool includes a shaft including a proximate end and a distal end. A C-shaped portion is positioned at the proximate end of the shaft. The C-shaped portion includes a top hook and a bottom hook. The top hook extends from the shaft and curves toward the bottom hook. The bottom hook extends from the shaft and curves toward the top hook. A handle portion is positioned at the distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: An orthodontic anchoring screw including a threaded shank, extending prevalently along a longitudinal axis, and a head provided with a seat extending substantially along a housing direction perpendicular to the axis and intended to house a metallic wire for imposing a correction action on a tooth. The head has engagement mechanism for holding the wire in the seat, which includes two shaped appendages, each with a shaped shank having a widened head fixed on top. The heads define between them a slit for inserting the wire, extending prevalently along a transversal direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and inclined with respect to the housing direction of the seat. The shanks and the heads define together the seat, communicating with the slit to receive the wire.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the efficient, safe, and hygienic removing of removable tooth positioning appliances such as aligners or other dental appliances from the teeth of a patient. A straight rigid barrel has a lever appendage on the proximal end for fully engaging and removing a lower aligner and a hook appendage on the distal end for fully engaging and removing an upper aligner.

Abstract: A method of indirect bonding and a physical model that allows for optimal positional alignment of orthodontic appliances on a patient's teeth is disclosed. The physical model of the patient's teeth has pods and ridges on the facial surface of the teeth. Adhesive is applied to an orthodontic appliance and the appliance is placed on a tooth of the physical model against the ridge and on top of the pods. The adhesive fills the space in between the appliance and the facial surface of the tooth and adheres to the model, resulting in a dimensionally correct custom base that is properly aligned with the tooth to account for all five positional elements of a tooth. Once all the orthodontic appliances are applied to the model, the appliances can then be removed from the model and bonded to the patient's teeth in the optimal position using a transfer template.

Abstract: An adjustable orthodontic bracket-positioning device includes an adjustable bracket-positioning jip, a positioning vernier and a dental crown vernier. First, using the crown vernier to measure the crown height value of patients' tooth, and labeling the measured center height value of clinical dental crown on the positioning vernier, correctly position the adjustable bracket-positioning jip in the groove shape base of the positioning vernier, and finally use the adjustable bracket-positioning jip to bond MBT bracket.

Abstract: An orthodontic tool for an orthodontic appliance includes a handle and at least one distal end having a finger. The finger has a manipulator, which may include a pin or a plurality of pins, and a probe for engaging a rotary archwire cover. Using the tool, the orthodontist may open and close the archwire cover, which is rotationally mounted to an orthodontic bracket.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a device for circumdental wiring intraoral objects and related oral structures during a dental procedure, the device includes a predetermined length of dental wire and a predetermined length of guiding member attached to the dental wire thereby increasing the efficiency of the dental procedure and the safety of a dental professional and patient during the dental procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the efficient, safe, and hygienic removing of removable tooth positioning appliances such as aligners or other dental appliances from the teeth of a patient. A straight rigid barrel has a lever appendage on the proximal end for fully engaging and removing a lower aligner and a hook appendage on the distal end for fully engaging and removing an upper aligner.

Abstract: Locating the physical placement location of a plurality of brackets on a patient's study cast includes obtaining an array of data points from a study cast and generating a virtual model of a dental impression from the array of scanned data points, Individual teeth from the dental impression can be manually severed or “cut” and manually dragged from a start position to a finished position to determine a treatment plan. The orthodontist virtually marks the position on the virtual model where a physical bracket is desired. A marking device physically marks a physical model with the corresponding bracket locations. The physical model can serve as a template or guide to locate brackets for an indirect bonding style tray.

Abstract: A method for applying a desired shape to an orthodontic archwire includes the steps of obtaining a numerical description of the desired shape of an orthodontic archwire, generating a description of the design of a fixture basing on the numerical description, manufacturing a fixture basing on this description of the design, constraining a wire into the fixture and applying an adequate treatment to the wire in order to cause it to adopt the shape dictated by the fixture.