Abstract: The invention relates to a positioning and immobilization device for positioning and immobilizing a mandibular or maxillary surgical guide on a patient, which guide is adapted to preparing for and to fitting at least one dental implant and is provided with a link slab member designed to extend outside the oral cavity when the surgical guide is placed in register with the patient's mandible or maxilla, said positioning and immobilization device being characterized in that it comprises a body that has bearing face for bearing against the outside of the head of the patient, and a fastener designed to co-operate with the link slab member of the surgical guide.

Abstract: A stopper Y is cylindrically formed in its entirety and inserted and attached from a top side of a blade Xc of a drill X having a flange Xa projecting at a shank Xb. The stopper has a through hole to be inserted by the blade Xc of the drill X and includes a drill blade entering depth regulating part Ya and a drill holding part Yb. The drill blade entering depth regulating part Ya has a height regulating a entering depth of the blade Xc of the drill X in a jawbone of the lost tooth part. The drill holding part Yb has a plurality of slits Yba formed along the axial direction of the stopper from an end opposite to the drill blade entering depth regulating part Ya, detachably engages to the flange Xa of the drill X, and holds the drill X by elasticity.

Abstract: A dental surgical drill guide assembly and method includes a surgical guide housing and a base frame that fits to both gum tissue and one or multiple small areas of jawbone. The apparatus may be configured to accurately place dental implants according to planned positions. Such apparatus may increase the stability of the surgical guide by clasping and/or contacting the jawbone, while improving the overall fit and minimizing the need of invasive surgery and flapping by also clasping and/or contacting selected areas of the gum tissue at the same time. Self-locking alignment members aid in easy removal, and re-installation, of the surgical guide housing to the base frame.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a drill template, comprising: a base body made by casting or rapid prototyping; at least one reinforced portion made by casting or rapid prototyping; and at least one guiding hole within the at least one reinforced portion made by drilling or milling. furthermore, the present invention concerns a method of manufacturing a drill template, comprising the steps of: forming a base body by casting or rapid prototyping; forming at least one reinforced portion by casting or rapid prototyping; and forming at least one guiding hole within the at least one reinforced portion by drilling or milling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a template for placing at least one dental implant (7) in a jaw (1) having at least one bore (3) for guiding this implant (7) when it is fixed in the jaw (1), whereby a recess (4) is provided that opens at least partly in said bore (3) in order to enable verifying the position of a implant guide with the implant.

Abstract: A method and a device for the simplified inspection of the compatibility of the positions of bore bushings in a drilling template with respect to the positions in a predetermined plan in a computer model. The position parameters are detected by a measuring device which is arranged at distance from the bore bushings. The position parameters are transferred to a measurement plane on a reference seat. The drilling template is held to the reference seat at at least one of a predetermined orientation or a predetermined distance from the measurement plane.

Abstract: Drilling of an implant shaft is carried out with a handpiece tool whose location and angular orientation with respect to a radiographic working guide is updated in real time with respect to the radiographic working guide and anatomical structures of the patient, free of viewing obstructions. Prior to the drilling, the radiographic working guide is fitted to a particular patient. Real-time imaging support is provided on a display of a computer, wherein the radiographic workpiece guide includes a plurality of fiducial markers that define a substantially planar reference surface of the radiographic workpiece guide. The radiographic workpiece guide also includes an alignment structure located a predetermined distance from a pilot hole proximate the work site. The image is updated based on an initial radiographic scan and updated position information from the handpiece tool as to location and angular orientation of the handpiece tool relative to the workpiece guide.

Abstract: A template for drilling channels in a dental alveolar ridge to receive dental implants wherein interchangeable drilling guides are precisely located in a manner that each channel is formed with successive drills that are guided in the same predetermined location, axial inclination and penetration depth in the alveolar ridge.

Abstract: Example apparatus for explanting a dental implant from a human or animal bone are disclosed herein. In one example, the apparatus includes a trephine bur on an end side of which there is formed a bur bit. In one or more examples, an apparatus by which dental implants can be drilled out accurately is achieved by a guide pin that can be attached to the dental implant and by a guide element attached to the trephine bur, said guide element cooperating with the guide pin so that the trephine bur is guided in the axial direction of the guide pin.

Abstract: An arrangement for determining position and fixation of an element relative to a part in or on a bone or a model of a bone. An expansion spacer extends through a sleeve. The spacer includes a first flange engages a first end of the sleeve and a second flange engages a second end of the sleeve when the spacer is expanded to vertically fix the spacer relative to the sleeve. An expansion screw extends through the spacer and includes an outer conical expansion surface configured to cooperate with an inner conical expansion surface on the spacer to radially expand the spacer causing the outer surface on the spacer to engage the inner surface of the sleeve, thereby determining the position of the sleeve relative to the part and fixing the sleeve.

Abstract: A method for producing a dentist tool for use in removing tooth structure is provided. The method includes acquiring three-dimensional data relating to a shape of a tooth and part of a neighbouring tooth. The method includes processing the data to determine an overlay fitting the tooth and part of the neighboring tooth. The method further includes processing the data to determine the tooth structure to be removed from the tooth to prepare the tooth for further treatment. The method includes determining first and second guiding edges such that the two edges are spaced apart a distance of at least 0.5 mm and configured to enable a dentist cutting tool to be guided by simultaneously contacting the first and second guiding edges to enable a guided removal of at least partially the predetermined part of tooth structure. The method includes producing the determined overlay having the determined guiding edges.

Abstract: Method and kit for producing implant drilling guides positioned at the proper orientation 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 device with x-ray visible depth markers in the root socket of the patient's tooth immediately after tooth extraction. The post device may additionally be configured to guide the drill at a position and angle that is different from that of the original tooth socket. This post device 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 socket 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.

Abstract: There is described a hand-held dental instrument for detection of carious lesions which includes a handle portion defining a longitudinal axis therethrough and at least a first working end, mounted on the handle portion, which includes a probe body extending from the handle portion and a probe tip disposed at a remote end. The probe tip is configured for exploring teeth and/or periodontal pockets. The probe body is curved and has a curette portion disposed on the probe body between the handle portion and the probe tip, the curette portion having at least two scraping fins each defining a curved blade for removing at least one of biofilm, plaque and tartar from a curved tooth surface.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is an apparatus for explanting a dental implant from a human or animal bone. In one example, the invention may use a trephine bur on the end side of which there is formed a bur bit. In one or more examples, an apparatus by which dental implants can be drilled out accurately is achieved by a guide pin that can be attached to the dental implant and by a guide element attached to the trephine bur, said guide element cooperating with the guide pin so that the trephine bur is guided in the axial direction of the guide pin.

Abstract: Provided is a surgical guide that enables a dentist to visually identify the tip of a drill during dental implant treatment, and does not allow the drill to tilt more than necessary, and enables sufficient cooling water to be provided so as not to cause bone burns, and is compatible with several different types of drills having different diameters. A first wire is embedded in a mockup in a same orientation as the orientation of a fixture of an implant is to be embedded. A guide member of a surgical guide is fitted to a tooth portion of the mockup. An adjusting mechanism adjusts such that an intersection line made by plane-shaped red laser light beam and green laser light beam from line laser modules is located on the first wire. The guide member is removed from the tooth portion of the mockup, and fitted to a tooth portion in the mouth, and the orientation of a drill is aligned with the intersection line. Drilling operation is performed in the aligned condition.

Abstract: A positioning assist device for drilling multiple dental implant holes is disclosed, which includes a main arm unit and an extension arm unit. The main arm unit has an arm body with two opposing ends, in which a reference shaft is pivoted on a first end, and an extension arm unit is pivoted on a second end via a connecting shaft. A drill-guiding portion having a drill-guiding hole is disposed on an external end portion of the second connecting head. The reference shaft is inserted into a first dental implant hole through an axis hole of the first end. The positions and angles of the drill-guiding hole of the extension arm unit can be adjusted to reach other dental implant holes by pivoting on the reference shaft and the connecting shaft, so as to lead a driller to drill other dental implant holes precisely according to the drill-guiding hole.

Abstract: A series of drills are provided for creating progressively larger and/or deeper holes in a dental implant procedure based upon a single drill guide. In one embodiment, the drills are monolithic or single-piece drills. In another embodiment, drills are held in drill extensions that provide control of depth independent of drill length. Using the techniques described herein, a kit of drills and/or extensions may be provided for independent control of hole depth and hole diameter during a progressive drilling procedure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for facilitating the placement of dental implants by use of an implant placement locator and a sequentially sized drill orientation tube series. The implant placement locator disclosed herein comprises a visible radiolucent moldable grid, a set of radiopaque markers located at known intervals within the moldable grid, and a plastic sheeting encasing the visible radiolucent moldable grid and the radiopaque markers. The method of the present invention comprises obtaining a radiograph of a patient's mouth with the implant placement locator overlaying the patient's dental ridge and then transferring reference points as indicated by the location of the radiopaque markers relative to existing teeth and other oral structures to a dental stone model. In a preferred embodiment, drill bits are directed in the desired trajectory into the patient's available lower or upper jaw bone by use of drill orientation tubes in combination with the implant placement locator.

Abstract: There are disclosed apparatus and method for obtaining a proper emergence profile for a dental implant. An emergence profile guide may be seated into an osteotomy and a dental bur may be guided onto and along the emergence profile guide. The emergence profile guide may include a pilot, and the dental bur may include a corresponding channel, such that the channel rides onto the pilot. The dental bur is stopped by the emergence profile guide, such that a countersink is created with an optimum depth.

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

Abstract: Various tools and procedures are provided for implantation of an implant at a target site. The procedure can comprise performing an osteotomy at the target site; placing a guide sleeve into the osteotomy; inserting a coring tool into the guide sleeve; coring the target site up to a depth less than the depth of the osteotomy, the coring tool being configured to collect autogenous bone material from the target site during the coring of the target site; placing the implant at the implant site; and grafting the autogenous bone material into selected portions of the target site.

Abstract: A pulp chamber locator assists a dentist in performing a root canal procedure. The device includes a generally circular plate and a plurality of struts extending from the plate. The plate has a hole in the vicinity of its center. The device is inserted over a tooth, such that the struts engage the cemento-enamel junction of the tooth. The hole then indicates the proper point of entry for a dental instrument. The device may also include a rotatable indicator for showing the proper angle of entry, to insure that the instrument reaches the pulp chamber of the tooth. The dentist adjusts the position of the indicator, based on information provided by an X-ray or equivalent, and positions the dental instrument so as to be generally parallel with the indicator.

Abstract: A method for implanting a tooth implant in an at least partially edentulous patient including the steps of anchoring at least one attachment element in a patient's jaw bone, removeably and replaceably mounting a carrier assembly bearing at least one fiducial marker onto the at least one attachment element in a precisely repeatable position with respect to the patient's jaw bone, employing the carrier assembly for providing registration between the at least one fiducial marker and the patient's jaw bone and implanting the tooth implant by employing a tracking system which uses the registration to guide a drilling assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making a guiding template for dental implantation. The method provides for associating a base template to a reference device, subjecting the patient to CAT, loading the data to a computer program, making an implant planning, generating the volume model, coupling the volume model to the reference device model, projecting the elements of the implant planning on the volume model, making a volume suitably drilled on the basis of the projection, coupling the volume to the reference device and making the holes of the planning on the base template. The present invention also relates to the guiding template thus obtained and the reference device for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A guide device is provided that can interact with a number of sleeves of a tooth template. The guide device can include a handle part, a support part, and a guide part. The handle part can include first and second parts. The first part can be connectable to the second part, and the second part can include a space having a variable size. The variable size of the space can be determined by the position of the first part relative to the second part. The supporting part can be sized and configured to engage the space of the handle for allowing selective positioning of the supporting part relative to the handle part. The guide part can be connectable to the supporting part with the guide part being operative to align a tool for use in the dental treatment.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a template which locates hole positions in a jawbone while the template is separated from the jawbone by gum tissue. The template follows a contour of the gum tissue surrounding the jawbone and has guide holes which receive a cutting tool. Anchoring elements attach the template to the jawbone. A system includes means for scanning an implantation site on a patient's jawbone, simulating the implantation site, and determining nerve-rich areas or nerve paths in the jawbone. A holed template is produced which is separated from the jawbone by at least gum tissue of the patient. Attachment hole positions in the jawbone are located so as to avoid nerve paths. A method of forming holes to attach a dental implant to a patient's jaw bone without surgical intervention in gum tissue of the patient to expose the jawbone is disclosed which avoids impingement on a nerve path.

Abstract: To provide a detachable stopper fixed on a spindle part of a dental drill to regulate the depth of an implant fixture embedding hole in an implant treatment, the detachable stopper includes a stopper main body 1 being made of an elastically deformable metal material, having a cylindrical shape, having a slightly smaller inner diameter than an outer diameter of the spindle part, having a slit part 1a formed along an axial overall length from an outer peripheral face to an inner peripheral face to have an opening, and having a diameter expanding tool insertion part 1b bored at an axial center of the slit part 1a, and a diameter expanding tool 2 to be inserted into the diameter expanding tool insertion part 1b to expand the inner diameter of the stopper main body 1 to be larger than the outer diameter of the spindle part.

Abstract: A method for producing an artifact-corrected image of negative jaw impression in a recipient jaw comprising, forming a negative impression of said recipient jaw, producing a first digital image of said negative jaw impression, producing a second digital image, including said artifacts of said negative jaw impression in said recipient jaw and using said first digital image to produce an artifact-corrected computer representation of said negative impression in said recipient jaw.

Abstract: A dental implant system and method for inserting a threaded implant in both edentulous and partially edentulous space of a patient's jaw bone in the form of a threaded implant having at least one hole adapted along its longitudinal axis for insertion of an abutment post and a drilling gauge having leg portions adapted for use with the implant. Any one of the leg portions includes a hole equally aligned with thee hole of the threaded implant when placed proximate the gauge. The implant is inserted into the hole drilled in the jaw bone. The hole of the drilling guage marks the location where a hole will be drilled vertically into the jaw bone through which an abutment post would be inserted and screwed into the hole of the implant, for subsequent placement of a prosthetic tooth.

Abstract: A dental handpiece carries a drill and drives it in relative motion in a direction of penetration. The handpiece includes a body with a proximal end and a distal end, a removable head connected to the body's distal end, able to hold the drill, abutment means fixed on the dental handpiece by fixation means and able to limit the depth of penetration of the drill in the body of a patient. The abutment means, protruding from the dental handpiece, are fixed and locked on the dental handpiece by locking means which are actuated by the simple movement of joining the head to the body.

Abstract: A system for reconditioning a dental implant in situ comprising a buffer member and a drive member. The buffer member is operable in an open configuration in which the buffer member may be placed over a portion of the implant and a closed configuration in which the buffer member is in contact with the portion of the implant. The drive member is adapted to engage the buffer member such that rotation of the drive member is transferred to the buffer member. Rotation of the drive member with the drive to member engaged the buffer member and the buffer member in the closed configuration causes rotation of the buffer member such that the buffer member abrades at least a portion of the surface of the implant.

Abstract: A surgical drill guide for installing dental implants with predetermined angular alignment and rotational orientation for a dental prosthesis, formed of: a. a base part formed to correspond generally to the shape and contour of a patient's upper or lower mouth, the base part having peripheral edges and having opposite tissue and mouth sides and at least one drill guide hole extending through the base part from the tissue side to the mouth side, each of the drill guide holes having a central axis at a predetermined angular orientation relative to the mouth side and having lateral location relative to the peripheral edges, and b. a set of rotational position indicators on the tissue and mouth sides respectively of the base part for each of the drill guide holes, the rotational position indicators of each set being at the same rotational position about the central axis of the drill guide hole.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including at least one tool configured to be placed inside a subject's mouth. A first optically-visible marker is coupled to the tool. A second optically-visible marker is coupled to a structure inside the subject's mouth. A plurality of optical cameras are coupled to the tool, and are placed inside the subject's mouth by the tool being placed inside the subject's mouth. The cameras acquire respective images of the inside of the subject's mouth, in which the second optically-visible marker is identifiable. A plurality of optical cameras that are disposed outside the subject's mouth acquire respective images of the tool, while the tool is inside the subject's mouth, in which images the first optically-visible marker is identifiable. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for facilitating removal of a dental prosthesis. A recess on a dental prosthesis is included and the dental prosthesis is mountable on one or more dental studs. The one or more dental studs are each connected to a dental implant in the jaw of a user. The recess includes a tool engaging surface, and the tool engaging surface has a shape corresponding to a recess engaging surface of a removal tool. The user may apply the recess engaging surface of the removal tool to the tool engaging surface of the recess and apply a force in a direction to remove the dental prosthesis from the one or more dental studs.

Abstract: An oral implant system and method. The system includes a positioning tool, a transfer band, a transfer screw, and a transfer drill to provide for accurate placement of a dental implant parallel to other implants and or existing teeth and at predetermined depths. A model is made of the patient's maxilla and mandible. The model is marked for implant position, depth and size. Holes are drilled in the model for implant analogs using the positioning tool. The analogs are installed into the model using the positioning tool and a surveyor. Transfer bands are coupled to the analogs and a surgical stent portion is fabricated. The surgical stent is fitted to the patient's occlusion, secured, and then utilized to accurately drill apertures into the patient's maxilla or mandible. The implants are installed into the apertures and the surgical stent is removed. A final restoration is secured to the implants.

Abstract: An endosseous jaw implant for insertion into a cavity formed in a jaw bone has a central implant body onto which at least one anchor wing is integrally molded. The anchor wing has a wedge-shaped cross section, and at least a front edge and/or a back face or an axis of the center of gravity of the anchor wing extends secantally away from the implant body.

Abstract: A stent for implant surgery is provided. The stent includes a support part surrounding a buccal side, lingual side and occlusal side of at least one tooth, and a treated part having a through hole through which a drill for drilling alveolar bone passes. The support part extends further from a height of a contour of at least one of the buccal side and the lingual side to surround part of an undercut of the tooth. Further, an elastic part which is elastically deformable is attached to the inner surface of each of the buccal side and the lingual side of the support part.

Abstract: The present invention is a surgical guide for guiding the insertion of a dental implant into a desired location in a patient's mouth. The implant includes a non-rotational structure. The surgical guide includes a structure and a master tube. The structure has a negative impression surface to be fitted on and placed over gingival tissue, bone, and/or teeth in the patient's mouth. The structure includes an opening through which the dental implant is placed. The master tube is located at the opening. The master tube includes indicia for alignment with the non-rotational structure on the implant such that the non-rotational structure of the implant is at a known angular orientation with respect to the master tube. The present invention includes kits of various components used with the surgical guide and with the dental surgery using the surgical guide.

Abstract: An endodontic file is provided for use during root canal therapy. The endodontic file has a handle, a blade, and a marker. The marker provides a working length adjustment scale that is integrated with the handle and the blade. After adjustment of the endodontic file to a desired working length, compared to the depth of a subject root canal, the marker is maintained in a substantially static position relative to the blade, which is itself stationary relative to the handle. The endodontic file reduces the chances of unintended complications during root canal therapy, for example if the blade were to penetrate into various tissues located in proximity to the root canal.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating teeth utilizing a base member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion. A first spring extends outwardly from the first end portion while a second spring extends outwardly from the second portion of the base member. A lingual shield spans the distal portions of the first and second springs extending from the base member. A pair of tines overlap one another, one tine extending from the base member, the other extending from the shield. The first and second springs urge the meeting or overlapping of the first and second tines in the vicinity of gap for meeting place between a pair of teeth.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, device, tools and method is provided for the insertion of improved anatomically corrected modular design anterior and posterior dental implants, the apparatus including a root component and a head/abutment component, wherein the root component is inserted into the jawbone using precision surgical guide tools in combination with self-limiting surgical templates and a precision adjustable clamping device.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing implantation sites for dental surgery, comprising: a reference template, which incorporates one or more first cylindrical surgical stents having a first diameter, a series of additional surgical stents, each having a different diameter which decreases with respect to one of the first stents, the additional stents being contoured so that they are insertable reversibly in order one inside the other, a series of pilot burrs, each of which has a diameter that is compatible with a corresponding one of the surgical stents, a series of expanders-compactors and of osteotomes, each of which has a diameter that is compatible with a corresponding one of the surgical stents, a predefined intra-bone implant.

Abstract: The current device and method provides an apparatus for targeting a substance to a patient, such as a dental patient. The apparatus includes a support member including engagement surfaces for engaging portions of a site to which the substance is to be administered. A rotating means is coupled to the support member and a guide is coupled to the rotating means for guiding a substance delivery device into a predetermined position in the patient's body. The rotating means provides pivotal and rotational adjustment of the guide.

Abstract: An ablation procedure. The ablation procedure may be applied to tooth buds 120 and result in tooth agenesis. The ablation procedure may be applied to lesions or tumors. A tooth bud ablation system for use in a tooth bud ablation procedure that results in tooth agenesis. A method for volume scanning both hard tissues and soft tissues of a patient. A method for manufacturing or fabricating a custom surgical stent 110. A custom surgical stent 110 for use in a tooth bud ablation procedure that results in tooth agenesis, the custom surgical stent 110 for use with an ablation probe tip 108 having a center of ablation 130a.

Abstract: Surgical tool for use in guided surgery comprising a distal end portion having a functional element, a shank on the opposite end of the tool, and a substantially circular cylindrical guide portion. The guide portion is located between the functional element and the shank and has at least one visual marker. The at least one marker has at least one recess which is finite in the circumferential direction such that, at the axial location of the recess a section of guide portion having outer radius r is maintained.

Abstract: A dental handpiece for root canal treatment comprises an outer sleeve, a connecting device for connecting the handpiece to a control and analyzing unit, a measurement circuit having a power source and to a drive unit, an electrically conducting tool receptacle and an electrically conducting driving device, wherein the tool receptacle and the driving device are mechanically and electrically connected together so that a driving motion generated by the drive unit can be transmitted via the driving device to the tool receptacle and electrical measurement signals can be transmitted between the driving device and the tool receptacle. A first connection is provided for transmitting the driving motion. A second electrically conducting connection, which may comprise sliding contacts, is provided for transmitting the electrical measurement signals.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing an aligning plate (3) with at least one opening (4) designed for drilling a bore hole (5) in a specific place in the bone of a lower or upper jaw (1) through said opening (4) to thus fix an implant (9,10) in the bore hole (5) in said bone in an oral cavity, whereby the position of said opening (4) in the aligning plate (3) and the position of the latter in the oral cavity are determined in relation to at least one reference organ (2) that is fixed to a tooth (12) situated in said lower or upper jaw (1).

Abstract: An apparatus includes a template which locates hole positions in a jawbone while the template is separated from the jawbone by gum tissue. The template follows a contour of the gum tissue surrounding the jawbone and has guide holes which receive a cutting tool. Anchoring elements attach the template to the jawbone. A system includes means for scanning an implantation site on a patient's jawbone, simulating the implantation site, and determining nerve-rich areas or nerve paths in the jawbone. A holed template is produced which is separated from the jawbone by at least gum tissue of the patient. Attachment hole positions in the jawbone are located so as to avoid nerve paths. A method of forming holes to attach a dental implant to a patient's jaw bone without surgical intervention in gum tissue of the patient to expose the jawbone is disclosed which avoids impingement on a nerve path.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a dental implant system for implanting a dental implant in bone tissue using an implant drill driver includes a shank and a drill guide. The shank is removably coupleable to the implant drill driver and includes an internal passage that has a non-round cross-sectional shape. When coupled to the implant drill driver, the shank is rotatable via operation of the implant drill driver. The drill guide pin includes a bone penetrating end portion and a shank engagement portion. The shank engagement portion includes a notched section having a non-round cross-sectional shape corresponding with the non-round cross-sectional shape of the internal passage of the shank. The notched section of the shank engagement portion is insertable within the internal passage of the shank. Moreover, engagement between the notched section and the internal passage facilitates co-rotation of the shank and drill guide pin.

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.