Dental BUR depth calibration device and method of use

Abstract

A dental bur depth calibration device having a main body configured to receive a dental bur. The main body comprising a first surface and a second surface defining a thickness there between, and a hole or cavity extending between the first and the second surfaces. The hole having an upper section, a lower section, and an intermediate section, at least parts of the intermediate section tapering between the upper and the lower sections. The intermediate section configured to support the dental bur when placed within the hole or cavity, and each of the sections defining a depth of the hole or cavity. The upper section defines a first diameter and the lower section defines a second diameter less than the first diameter, the upper section being adjacent to the first surface.

Description

DENTAL BUR DEPTH CALIBRATION DEVICE AND METHOD OF USECROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 637,585, filed April 23, 2024, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND

[0002] Dental burs are a common tool used in a variety of dental procedures that require the removal of tooth structure. Such burs come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including many which have tapered or curved profiles. In use, a dental bur is attached to a dental handpiece that engages and rotates the dental bur such that a cutting end of the dental bur extends a certain distance from a housing of the dental handpiece. In general, the side of the dental bur is specifically used to cut and shape teeth such that the shape and length of the cutting end of the dental bur must be accounted for when cutting the teeth.

[0003] More recently, dental burs have been used in conjunction with dental preparation guides, such as those developed by Viax Dental Technologies LLC, that are used for preparing teeth to receive crowns, bridges, and veneers or to perform an interproximal reduction (IPR) process in preparation for orthodontic alignment. In such instances, it may be critical that a dental bur extends from a handpiece with a certain length, for example, when the side of the bur is used to cut teeth during a procedure, which may require measuring and adjusting the bur until it is properly positioned with respect to the handpiece. Calibration jigs have been developed that adjust the depths of the tips of dental burs relative to handpieces via abutment with the tips of the dental burs. However, as the diameters of dental burs can vary along their length, such calibration devices are inadequate for dental burs which contact teeth along the side of the dental bur and have varying diameters along their lengths. Moreover, such calibration jigs could damage certain dental burs that taper to a very narrow tip.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for a device that calibrates the depths of dental burs that contact teeth along the sides of the dental burs to dental handpieces in a fast and efficient manner and more appropriately for the intended function of such dental burs.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0005] In accordance with an aspect, a dental bur depth calibration device having a main body that may be configured to receive a dental bur. The main body may include a first surface and a second surface defining a thickness therebetween. The main body may also include a hole or cavity that extends between the first and the second surfaces. The hole may have an upper section, a lower section, and an intermediate section such that at least a portion of the intermediate section tapers between the upper and the lower sections. The intermediate section may be configured to support the dental bur when placed within the hole or cavity. Each of the upper, lower, and intermediate sections may define the depth of the hole or cavity in the main body. The upper section may define a first diameter, and the lower section may define a second diameter such that the second diameter is less than the first diameter. The upper section may be adjacent to the first surface of the main body.

[0006] In some arrangements, the calibration device may include a plurality of fins that circumferentially disposed around at least the intermediate section of the hole or cavity. Each of the fins may extend radially inward along the intermediate section. Each of the fins may extend at least partially along the upper and the intermediate sections of the hole or cavity. In some instances, each of the fins may also extend partially along the lower section of the hole or cavity. Each of the fins may have a rectangular cross-section. An end of each of the fins may be flush with the first surface of the main body. The fins may have a variable thickness along the length of each of the fins.

[0007] In other arrangements, the calibration device may include an entry way extending between the first and the second surfaces such that the entryway extends partially into the hole or cavity. In this manner, the hole or cavity may be configured to receive a dental bur through the entryway. In some instances, the hole or cavity of the calibration device may be a channel that extends through the main body. In other arrangements, the main body may be integral with a dental cutting guide. In such arrangements, the main boy may extend from a tooth wrap of the dental cutting guide. The upper, the intermediate, and the lower sections may define a skirt-shaped profile. An exterior of the main body may be tapered such that one end is wider than the other.

[0008] In accordance with another aspect, a dental tool kit may include a dental bur, a dental preparation guide device, and any one of the calibration devices described herein. The preparation guide device and the calibration device may be configured to receive the dental bur. The dental preparation guide device may include a cutting guide that may be configured for limiting movement of the dental bur when the dental bur is received in a dental handpiece and the dental handpiece is received in the cutting guide. The cutting guide may be configured for limiting movements of the dental bur for interproximal reduction (IPR) of teeth to be treated. The cutting guide may include a custom tooth wrap, and the calibration device may be integral with the custom tooth wrap. The dental bur in the dental tool kit may be skirt-shaped bur configured for interproximal reduction (IPR).

[0009] In accordance with another aspect, an insertion depth of a dental bur may be calibrated by a process. In the process, the dental bur may be inserted into the hole or cavity of any one of the calibration devices described herein until the dental bur is seated against the intermediate section of the hole or cavity. Subsequently, the dental bur may be secured to a dental handpiece while the dental bur is seated against the intermediate section of the hole.

[0010] In accordance with yet another aspect, a dental bur depth calibration system may include a dental bur and a calibration device. The calibration device may have a hole or cavity that may be configured to receive the dental bur. The hole or cavity may extend between a first surface and a second surface and have a tapered section that narrows as the tapered portion approaches the second surface. The tapered section may be configured to support the dental bur when placed within the hole or cavity. The hole or cavity may also define a lower section disposed between the second surface and the tapered section. The dental bur may have a length sufficient to extend into the lower section such that a tip of the dental bur is spaced from the calibration device when the dental bur is placed within the hole or cavity and thetapered section is supporting the dental bur. The tapered section may be skirt shaped. The hole or cavity may further include a non-tapered section disposed between the first surface and the tapered section. The non-tapered section may have a wider inner diameter than the tapered section. The dental bur may include a tapered shaft configured for resting on a portion of the tapered section. The hole or cavity may extend through the first and the second surfaces. The dental bur depth calibration system may further include a dental handpiece having a head. The head of the dental handpiece may define a width that is wider than that of the hole or cavity such that the head cannot be inserted into the hole or cavity.

[0011] In accordance with another aspect, a dental depth calibration device may include a main body having a first surface and a second surface defining a thickness therebetween, a hole that may extend between the first and the second surfaces and may have tapered section, and a plurality of fins extending inwardly from and disposed circumferentially around a section of the hole. The fins may extend along at least a portion of the tapered section. The hole may further include a non-tapered section disposed between the first surface and the tapered section such that the non-tapered section has a wider inner diameter than the tapered section. The fins may extend from the tapered section and the non-tapered section. In some instances, a dental tool kit that may include a dental bur and the calibration device such that the dental bur may be supported solely by the fins when placed in the hole of the calibration device. A distal end of the dental bur may extend beyond the fins when the dental bur is placed within the hole or cavity of the calibration device.

[0012] In accordance with another aspect, a dental bur depth calibration device that may include a main body configured to receive a dental bur. The main body may include a first surface and a second surface defining a thickness therebetween, and a hole or cavity that may extend into the main body from the first surface. The hole may have a tapered section defining a depth of the hole or cavity. The tapered section may have a skirt shape. The main body may further include an entry way or a side entry way that is in communication with the hole or cavity. The side entryway may have the same depth as the hole or cavity. The calibration device may further include a base extending from the main body and defining a third surface such that the third surface defines a larger surface area than the first surface. The depth of the hole or cavity may be further defined by a non-tapered portion disposed between the first surface and the tapered section. The hole or cavity may extend through the second surface.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] A more complete appreciation of the subject matter of the present disclosure and the various advantages thereof may be realized by reference to the following detailed description which refers to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] FIG. 1A is a side perspective view of a dental bur calibration device into which a dental bur is inserted, in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure;

[0015] FIG. IB is a close-up perspective view of a top portion of the calibration device with the dental bur inserted of FIG. 1 A;

[0016] FIG. 2A is a top perspective view of the calibration device of FIG. 1 A;

[0017] FIG. 2B is a bottom perspective view of a portion of the calibration device of FIG. 1 A;

[0018] FIG. 3A is a close-up top perspective view of a hole of the calibration device of FIG. 1A;

[0019] FIG. 3B is a bottom view of the calibration device of FIG. 1 A;

[0020] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the calibration device of FIG. 2A along line A — A’ :

[0021] FIG. 5 is a transparent side view of the calibration device with the inserted dental bur ofFIG. 1A;

[0022] FIGS. 6A-6D are side views of a dental bur calibration system including the calibration device with the dental bur inserted of FIG. 1A showing steps for calibrating the depth of the dental bur relative to a dental handpiece, in accordance with another aspect of the disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 6E is a side view of the dental calibration system of FIG. 6A showing the dental bur positioned adjacent to a measuring groove on the calibration device;

[0024] FIG. 7 is a process flow diagram of a process for calibrating the depth of a dental bur, in accordance with another aspect of the disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a dental bur calibration system, in accordance with another aspect of the disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 9 is cross-sectional view of the calibration system of FIG. 8 along line B — B’ ;

[0027] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the calibration system of FIG. 8, excluding a dental handpiece of the dental bur calibration system;

[0028] FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of a calibration device of the calibration system of FIG. 8, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a combination dental preparation guide and bur calibration device, in accordance with another aspect of the disclosure; and

[0030] FIG. 13 is a process flow diagram of a process for calibrating the depth of a dental bur, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Specific examples herein relate to a calibration device configured to calibrate the distance in which a dental bur extends from a dental handpiece. When used with a dental preparation guide, e.g., a dental preparation guide such as those described in U.S. Patent Appl. Publ. No. 2010 / 0192375 Al, now abandoned; U.S. Patent Appl. Publ. No. 2010 / 0196842 Al, now U.S. Patent No. 8,640,338; U.S. Patent Appl. Publ. No. 2014 / 0248577 Al, now U.S. Patent No. 11,033,356; International Patent Publication No. WO 2018 / 170278 (“the ’278 Publication”); U.S. Patent Appl. Publ. No. 2022 / 0071736 Al ; and International Patent Appl. Publ. No. PCT / IB2023 / 000729, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein, such distance corresponds to the depth of the dental bur within the preparation guide relative to a datum of the handpiece such as a flange extending from the handpiece.

[0032] Referring now to the drawings, as shown in FIGS. 1A-3B, dental bur calibration device 10 generally includes first surface 11 and second surface 12 at opposite ends of the calibration device that are parallel to each other. As shown, first surface 11 defines a generally circular shape having a largersurface area than second surface 12, in which the second surface defines a generally rectangular shape, in this instance a rectangle with rounded corners. In other embodiments, the first and the second surfaces may both be circular or rectangular in shape, or be any type of polygon or elliptic shape. Preferably, the first surface has a shape and dimensions that substantially correspond to a surface of a flange through which a dental bur, e.g., dental bur 1, extends and that is intended to engage with the first surface in calibrating the depth of a dental bur, as described further herein. As shown, first section of calibration device 10 constitutes a first portion of a thickness of the calibration device in which the first section tapers from first surface 11 to approximately one end of measuring groove 14 of the calibration device As further shown, a second section of calibration device 10 constitutes a second portion of the thickness of calibration device 10 in which the second section has the generally rectangular shape of second surface 12 from the second surface to approximately one end of measuring groove 14 described further herein.

[0033] First surface 11 includes hole 20 located at a central region of the first surface and extending between the first surface and second surface 12 of calibration device 10. As shown, hole 20 includes a plurality of fins 13 that extend radially inward from the circumference of the hole and are evenly spaced apart from each other around the circumference of hole. Hole 20 is designed to receive a portion of dental bur 1 such that the dental bur is centered within the hole and supported by fins 13. While fins 13 do not extend the full length of hole 20, in other embodiments the fins may extend a different distance, either more or less, than that presently illustrated or even the entire length of the hole. The thickness of fins 13 gradually decreases as the diameter of hole 20 gradually decreases (i.e., as hole 20 tapers) such that thicker portions of the fins are disposed in wider sections of the hole and vice versa for thinner portions of the fins. In other embodiments, the fins may have multiple sections that define different thicknesses which arc constant throughout each respective section. For example, each fin may have a thinnest section, an intermediate section and a thickest section, the thinnest section being disposed in a narrower section of hole 20 than the intermediate and thickest sections and vice versa. In this manner, hole 20 of calibration device 10 has sufficient space to accommodate both fins 13 and dental bur 1 despite the narrowing of the hole as the hole extends away from first surface.

[0034] As best shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, measuring groove 14 of calibration device 10 extending along the exterior of the calibration device. As shown, measuring groove 14 is in the form of a shallow depression that extends into a side of calibration device 10 and between first surface 11 and measuring surface 15 on opposite ends of the measuring groove. Measuring groove 14 allows dental practitioners or other users of calibration device 10 to check a depth of dental bur 1 after setting the depth using hole 20 of calibration device 10, as shown in FIG. 6E, which is discussed in more detail below.

[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 3 A, 4 and 5, hole 20 is divided into top section 21, upper intermediate section 22, lower intermediate section 23, and bottom section 24. Surfaces of hole 20 defined by top section 21, which section includes arcuate, rectangular, and trapezoidal surfaces as best shown in FIG. 3A, and a surface defining a majority of bottom section 24 run parallel to a longitudinal axis defined by the hole and are perpendicular to first surface 11, and both of these surfaces have a constant diameteralong their respective lengths. Surfaces of hole 20 defined by upper intermediate section 22 and lower intermediate section 23 both taper from wider to narrower regions of the hole as these surfaces extend further from first surface 11 and closer to second surface 12, as best shown in Fig. 4. Top section 21 is adjacent to and extends through first surface 11, and bottom section 24 is adjacent to and extends through second surface 12 so that the tip of a dental bur, e.g., a dental bur in the form of dental bur 1, inserted into hole 20 does not contact calibration device 10 when the dental bur is properly positioned within the calibration device. In some alternative arrangements, bottom section 24 may not extend through second surface 12. In some such instances, bottom section 24 may still extend a distance from intermediate lower section 23 to ensure that a tip of a dental bur, e.g., one in the form of dental bur 1, does not contact a bottom or any other portion of hole 20 when the dental bur is inserted into the calibration device. Upper intermediate section 22 extends between and is adjacent to each of top section 21 and intermediate lower section 23, and the intermediate lower section is adjacent to bottom section 24 such that the intermediate lower section extends between the upper intermediate section and the bottom section. Surfaces defining upper intermediate section 22, which includes intermediate portions of fins 13, taper going from first rim 25 at an upper end of the upper intermediate section to second rim 26 at a lower end of the upper intermediate section. Surfaces defining lower intermediate section 23, which includes bottom portions of fins 13, taper going from second rim 26 at an upper end of the lower intermediate section to third rim 27 at a lower end of the lower intermediate section. First rim 25 at a lower end of top section 21 has a larger diameter than that of second rim 26 and third rim 27 with the third rim having the smallest diameter of them all.

[0036] As best shown in FIG. 5, dental bur 1 includes upper region 521, intermediate region 522, and lower region 523 that correspond to certain sections of hole 20. The dimensions, relative positions, and orientation of each section 21-23 and of fins 13 of hole 20 are configured to correspond to these regions (i.e., 521-523) of dental bur 1. In the example shown, when dental bur 1 is disposed within hole 20, upper region 521 of the dental bur is positioned within top section 21, intermediate region 522 of the dental bur is positioned within upper intermediate section 22, and lower region 523 of the dental bur is positioned within lower intermediate section 23 of the hole such that each section of the hole and the group of fins 13 correspond to the shape and dimensions of the respective regions of the dental bur positioned in the hole. In this manner, fins 13 support and center dental bur 1 when properly inserted in hole 20 of calibration device 10 such that the fins are the only points of contact between the dental bur and the calibration device when the dental bur is fully inserted into the calibration device. Additionally, the tapered profile and fins 13 of hole 20 contact and thereby cause dental bur 1 to be guided for proper insertion and centered placement within calibration device 10. In some alternative arrangements, the calibration device may be custom-made for a specific bur or configured to receive a general type of dental bur.

[0037] In reference to FIGS. 6A-7, a dental bur is attached to a dental handpiece after the depth of the dental bur relative to a flange or other portion of the dental handpiece has been calibrated using a bur calibration device in a process 30. At step 31 of process 30, a cutting (distal) end of a dental bur, e.g.,dental bur 1, is inserted in a hole of a bur calibration device, e.g., hole 20 of calibration device 10, such that an attachment (proximal) end of the dental bur extends from the calibration device. At step 32 of process 30, the attachment end of the dental bur is inserted a distance (which varies depending on a length of the bur and depth into which the cutting and / or grinding end of the dental bur is inserted into the calibration device) into a dental handpiece, which preferably may be a pneumatic or electric device, by lowering the handpiece over a portion of the attachment end of the dental bur until the handpiece contacts a surface of the bur calibration device, e.g., until flange 4 of dental handpiece 2 contacts first surface 11 of calibration device 10. In some instances, pressure may need to be applied to the dental handpiece when calibrating the dental bur and securing it to the dental handpiece. At step 33 of process 30, the dental bur is secured to the handpiece, e.g., via locking engagement of handpiece 2 to dental bur 1 (which is further shown in FIG. 5) and is then removed from the bur calibration device by separating the handpiece and the bur calibration device. Optionally, at step 34 of process 30, after the dental bur has been removed from the calibration device, the depth of the dental bur may be verified with a measuring groove having a measuring surface, e.g., measuring surface 15 of measuring groove 14, to ensure the depth of the dental bur has been properly calibrated. In using measuring groove 14, the dental bur is positioned within the measuring groove such that the dental bur runs along the length of the measuring groove and the dental handpiece is positioned against the top surface of the calibration device, e.g., flange 4 of dental handpiece 2 is in abutment with first surface 11 as shown in FIG. 6E. The tip of the dental bur must not be touching the measuring surface, e.g., measuring surface 15 of measuring groove 14, or otherwise the dental bur is not properly calibrated. In this manner, dental practitioners can verify that the depth of a dental bur has been properly calibrated relative to the dental handpiece into which the dental bur is inserted prior to removing tooth structure with the dental bur. Once the bur depth is properly calibrated, the handpiece into which the dental bur is inserted may be inserted into a slot of a dental preparation guide, e.g., one such as those disclosed in the ’278 Publication. By both having a known decreasing diameter along a dental bur going towards the tip of the dental bur and setting the dental bur depth relative a dental handpiece at a known distance so as to know the diameter of the dental bur where the dental bur will contact a tooth to be treated, the amount of tooth structure to be removed from the tooth to be treated when using a dental preparation guide, such as those disclosed in the ’278 Publication, can be predetermined due to the calibration device of the present disclosure.

[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 8-11, calibration device 110, like calibration device 10, is configured for calibrating the depth of a dental bur relative to dental handpiece 2 includes first surface 111, second surface 112, and third surface 113 that are all parallel to each other. First and third surfaces 111, 113 are positioned on opposite ends of calibration device 10, and second surface 112 is positioned between the first and third surfaces. First surface 111 defines a crescent shape and has a smaller surface area than third surface 113, and the third surface defines a rectangular shape. Calibration device 110 further includes cavity 120, recessed section 1 15, and base section 1 19, in which the cavity extends between first surface 111 and second surface 112 such that the second surface defines the bottom of the cavity. Cavity 120 isoffset from the center of surface 111. This offset of cavity 120 allows a user to more easily see the dental bur when positioning the dental bur within the cavity. In this manner, the offset of cavity 120 facilitates proper calibration of the dental bur.

[0039] Cavity 120 comprises non-tapered section 121 and tapered section 122 which are configured to receive adjacent portions of a tapered, in the example shown, skirt-shaped, dental bur 101 and potentially others of similar shape and size. The non-tapered section 121 has a constant diameter and is adjacent to first surface 111, and tapered section 122 gradually narrows as it extends from the first surface to second surface 112 such that the tapered section has a skirt shaped profile similar to dental bur 101. Recessed section 115 extends into second surface 112 of calibration device 110 beneath cavity 120 to prevent the tip of dental bur 101 from contacting calibration device 110. Base section 119 extends between second surface 112 and third surface 113 such that the base section is in the form of a trapezoidal prism that expands outwardly where a profile along calibration device 110 transitions from a generally circular shape to a rectangular shape. In this manner, the interface of the cylindrical portion and base section 119 of calibration device 110 provides an ergonomic shape that makes the calibration device easier to handle, and the widening shape of the base section provides good support to keep the calibration device upright. In other arrangements, the profiles along a length of the calibration device may be in the form of any type of polygon or elliptical shape (see, e.g., calibration device 210).

[0040] Referring now to FIG. 12, combination wrap 200 includes calibration device 210, cutting guide 251, and tooth wrap 250 that are all attached together. Calibration device 210 includes first surface 211 and second surface 212 similar to calibration device 110 such that the features between the first and second surfaces of the calibration device 210 are generally the same as between first surface 111 and second surface 112 of calibration device 110, as described above. However, below second surface 212, calibration device 210 is integrally attached to tooth wrap 250 and adjacent to cutting guide 251, which is also integrally attached to the tooth wrap. Tooth wrap 250 is configured to align cutting guide 251 with respect to a patient’s teeth to facilitate cutting or / and grinding the teeth with a dental bur, e.g., dental bur 1, and calibration device 210 is configured to properly calibrate the depth of the dental bur according to the positioning of the cutting guide with respect to the teeth. In this manner, dental practitioners can quickly and efficiently reshape teeth, such as to prepare teeth to receive a crown, bridge, or veneer or as part of an interproximal reduction process (IPR), in a safe and predictable manner using combination wrap 200. In other arrangements, it is also contemplated that the calibration device of the combination wrap may be similar to calibration device 10 or other such calibration devices as disclosed above.

[0041] Prior to fabrication, a computer model of combination wrap 200 may be created using computer aided design (CAD) software in conjunction with a digital model of the patient’s teeth, likely provided by the dental practitioner, to ensure the safety and accuracy of cutting guide 251 and calibration device 210. Once the computer model is finalized, combination wrap 200 may be fabricated and then shipped or otherwise transported to a dental practitioner. Alternatively, in situations where dental practitioners have their own means to fabricate combination wrap 200, e.g., a three-dimensional printingmachine, or at least access to such equipment, the computer model may be sent to the dental practitioner directly for use in fabricating the combination wrap.

[0042] The various embodiments of the calibration device and combination wrap that are described herein may be fabricated by additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing, or a combination of both. Such calibration devices may be made from any variety of materials such as a high-density polymer like a single layer of polyurethane, a multilayer thermoplastic polyurethane, or something similar thereto. In other instances, the calibration device may be manufactured from other materials that have enough density to support calibration of a dental bur. The calibration devices described herein may be custom fabricated such that they correspond to patient-specific tooth cutting guides and dental preparation guides such as any of those described previously herein. Such custom fabrication may be based on digital models or files of a patient’s teeth based on a digital tooth scan provided by a dental practitioner or a digital scan of a dental impression provided by a dental practitioner or of a dental impression provided by the dental practitioner. In some instances, the calibration devices described herein may be custom fabricated by combining the calibration device with a patient-specific tooth cutting guides and / or dental preparation guides such as any of those described herein.

[0043] Referring now to FIG. 13, the depth of a skirt-shaped dental bur is calibrated using a bur calibration device in a process 330. At step 331 of process 330, an attachment end of a dental bur, e.g., dental bur 101, is inserted into a handpiece, e.g., handpiece 2, such that the dental bur is loosely fitted within the handpiece. At step 332 of process 330, the cutting end of the dental bur is placed in a partially tapered cavity of a bur calibration device, e.g., cavity 120, 220 of calibration device 110, 210, through an end opening, e.g., an end opening into cavity 120, 220, such that the dental bur is in contact with the bur calibration device. The tapered cavity of the bur calibration device defines a tapered profile that corresponds to the profile of the dental bur, e.g., a skirt-shaped profile. When inserted therein, the dental bur contacts the tapered profile at some point along the transition portion, e.g., tapered section 122, 222, between the widest and narrowest portions of the tapered cavity such that the tip of the bur does not contact the calibration device. In this manner, damage to the tip of the dental bur is mitigated during the calibration process. At step 333 of process 330, the handpiece is pressed against a surface of the bur calibration device to further insert the attachment end of the dental bur into the handpiece and then to secure the dental bur in the dental handpiece.

[0044] The dental calibration devices that have been described herein may be included in dental tool kits that include other tools needed to complete a specific dental procedure such as the addition of one or more crowns, one or more bridges, or one or more veneers, or an interproximal reduction process. For example, a dental tool kit may include any one or any combination of one or more dental burs such as but not limited to dental bur 1, 101, a dental handpiece such as but not limited to dental handpiece 2, a dental preparation guide such as any of those described previously herein, a tooth restoration such as a crown, bridge, or veneer, a tooth aligner, a set of tooth aligners, and at least one of the calibration devices described above. The kit may include one or more tooth wraps that have a cutting guide and / or calibration deviceattached to the one or more tooth wraps such as combination wrap 200 described above. Additionally, the dental calibration device provided in a tool kit may be customized such that the calibration device corresponds with patient- specific cutting guides or dental preparation guides.

[0045] It is to be understood that the disclosure set forth herein includes any possible combinations of the particular features set forth above, whether specifically disclosed herein or not. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect, arrangement, configuration, or arrangement, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and / or in the context of other particular aspects, arrangements, configurations, and arrangements of the technology, and in the technology generally.

[0046] Furthermore, although the technology herein has been described with reference to particular features, it is to be understood that these features are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present technology. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications, including changes in the sizes of the various features described herein, may be made to the illustrative arrangements and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present technology. In this regard, the present technology encompasses numerous additional features in addition to those specific features set forth in the claims below. Moreover, the foregoing disclosure should be taken by way of illustration rather than by way of limitation as the present technology is defined by the claims set forth below.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A dental bur depth calibration device comprising a main body configured to receive a dental bur, the main body comprising: a first surface and a second surface defining a thickness therebetween; a hole or cavity extending between the first and the second surfaces and having an upper section, a lower section, and an intermediate section, at least parts of the intermediate section tapering between the upper and the lower sections, the intermediate section configured to support the dental bur when placed within the hole or cavity, and each of the sections defining a depth of the hole or cavity, wherein the upper section defines a first diameter and the lower section defines a second diameter less than the first diameter, the upper section being adjacent to the first surface.

2. The calibration device of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of fins circumferentially disposed around at least the intermediate section of the hole or cavity, each of the fins extending radially inward along the intermediate section.

3. The calibration device of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of fins extends at least partially along the upper and the intermediate sections of the hole or cavity.

4. The calibration device of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of fins has a rectangular cross-section.

5. The calibration device of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of fins extends partially along the lower section of the hole.

6. The calibration device of any one of claims 2-5, wherein an end of each of the plurality of fins is flush with the first surface of the main body.

7. The calibration device of any one of claims 2-6, wherein the plurality of fins has a variable thickness along the length of each of the plurality of fins.

8. The calibration device of claim 1, further comprising an entry way extending between the first and the second surfaces and partially into the hole or cavity such that the hole or cavity is configured for receiving a dental bur through the entry way.

9. The calibration device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hole is a channel that extends through the main body.

10. The calibration device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body is integral with a dental cutting guide.

11. The calibration device of claim 10, wherein the main body extends from a tooth wrap of the dental cutting guide.

12. The calibration device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper, the intermediate, and the lower sections define a skirt-shaped profile.

13. The calibration device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein an exterior of the main body is tapered such that one end is wider than the other.

14. A dental tool kit, comprising: a dental bur; a dental preparation guide device; and the calibration device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dental preparation guide device and the calibration device are both configured for receiving the dental bur.

15. The dental tool kit of claim 14, wherein the dental preparation guide device comprises a cutting guide configured for limiting movements of the dental bur when the dental bur is received in a dental handpiece and the dental handpiece is received in the cutting guide.

16. The dental tool kit of claim 15, wherein the cutting guide is configured for limiting movements of the dental bur for interproximal reduction of teeth to be treated.

17. The dental tool kit of claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the cutting guide includes a custom tooth wrap and the calibration device is integral with the custom tooth wrap.

18. The dental tool kit of any one of claims 14-17, wherein the dental bur is a skirt-shaped bur configured for interproximal reduction.

19. A method for calibrating an insertion depth of a dental bur inserted into a dental handpiece, comprising: inserting a dental bur into the hole or cavity of the calibration device of any one of claims 1-13 until the dental bur is seated against the intermediate section of the hole or cavity; and securing the dental bur to a dental hand piece while the dental bur is seated against the intermediate section of the hole.

20. A dental bur depth calibration system comprising: a dental bur; and a calibration device having a hole or cavity configured to receive the dental bur, the hole or cavity extending between a first surface and a second surface and having a tapered section that narrows as the tapered portion approaches the second surface, the tapered section being configured to support the dental bur when placed within the hole or cavity, and the hole or cavity further defining a lower section disposed between the second surface and the tapered section, wherein the dental bur has a length sufficient to extend into the lower section such that a tip of the dental bur is spaced from the calibration device when the dental bur is placed within the hole or cavity and the tapered section is supporting the dental bur.

21. The calibration system of claim 20, wherein the tapered section has a skirt shape.

22. The calibration system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hole or cavity further comprises a non-tapered section disposed between the first surface and the tapered section, the non-tapered section having a wider inner diameter than the tapered section.

23. The calibration system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dental bur includes a tapered shaft configured for resting on a portion of the tapered section.

24. The calibration system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hole or cavity extends through the first and the second surfaces.

25. The calibration system of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a dental handpiece having a head, wherein a width of the head is wider than that of the hole or cavity such that the head cannot be inserted into the hole or cavity.

26. A dental depth calibration device comprising a main body, the main body comprising: a first surface and a second surface defining a thickness therebetween; a hole extending between the first and the second surfaces and having a tapered section; and a plurality of fins extending inwardly from and disposed circumferentially around a section of the hole.

27. The calibration device of claim 26, wherein the plurality of fins extends along at least a portion of the tapered section.

28. The calibration device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hole further comprises a non-tapered section disposed between the first surface and the tapered section, the nontapered section having a wider inner diameter than the tapered section.

29. The calibration device of claim 28, wherein the fins extend from the tapered and the nontapered sections.

30. A dental tool kit, comprising: a dental bur; and the calibration device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dental bur is supported solely by the fins when placed in the hole of the calibration device.

31. The dental tool kit of claim 30, wherein a distal end of the dental bur extends beyond the fins.

32. A dental bur depth calibration device comprising a main body configured to receive a dental bur, the main body comprising: a first surface and a second surface defining a thickness therebetween; and a hole or cavity extending into the main body from the first surface and having a tapered section defining a depth of the hole or cavity, the tapered section having a skirt shape.

33. The calibration device of claim 32, further comprising a side entry way in communication with the hole or cavity.

34. The calibration device of claim 33, wherein the side entry way has the same depth as the hole or cavity.

35. The calibration device of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a base extending from the main body and defining a third surface such that the third surface defines a larger surface area than the first surface.

36. The calibration device of claim 35, wherein the depth of the hole or cavity is further defined by a non-tapered portion disposed between the first surface and the tapered section.

37. The calibration device of claim 35, wherein the hole or cavity extends through the second surface.

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