188 results about "Dental Equipment" patented technology

A variety of improvements to the vibrating devices for dental remodeling are provided, including improved bite plate designs that accommodate common patient bite structure, a connector for a bite plate, a sizing tray for same, as well as better motors providing improved performance characteristics for an extraoral vibrator, and a completely intraoral vibrating dental plate with very thin cross section.

The present invention provides methods for acquiring and utilizing time-based 3d jaw motion images (4d datasets) to enhance the computer-aided design (CAD) of dental devices, which may include dental restorations, oral prostheses, and oral appliances. These 4d datasets may be used directly to provide a jaw motion model suitable for enhanced CAD or, they may be used to derive mathematical expressions that are then used to drive a motion simulation. The methods of the invention are based on acquiring time-based 3d images (a 4d sequence) of the upper and lower teeth, with each 3d frame in the time sequence capturing some upper and lower arch anatomy (the oral anatomy). Each image in the 4d sequence may therefore contain an accurate record of the relationship between the upper and lower arch in three dimensions.

An electrolytically activated, microcidal aqueous solution is disclosed which is used in the elimination and control of biofilm in dental unit water lines. The solution has a pH between 6.75 and 10 with microcidal as well as anti-oxidising, dispersing and surfactant properties, rendering the solution bio-compatible and non-corrosive, as well as capable of eliminating biofilm in dental unit water lines, while simultaneously dispersing and dislodging the biofilm from the water lines so as reduce the micro-organisms in the dental water to a predetermined level. The aqueous solution is produced using an electrolytic device that allows the independent manipulation of specific individual properties of two separate product streams (a cation-rich stream and an anion-rich stream), the manipulation being performed by separate and independent recirculation through the same electrode chamber or counter-electrode chamber of the electrolytic device to modulate the respective properties of the anion-containing and the cation-containing solutions.

The present invention relates to a wireless remote control for dental equipment, such as dental scaler tools, dental drills, prophy angles and other rotary instruments. The wireless control switch can control the on and off state of the dental tool, or it can also be programmed to control the speed of the tool by a switch on the tool. The wireless control switch can be in the form of, for example, a foot switch, and replaces manual and foot operated controls formerly connected by cables to the dental tools. This removes a potential safety hazard in the dentist's office and makes the equipment control more versatile and easier to adapt to various office conditions. The wireless control can be battery powered, further eliminating the need for cables.

A dental appliance has an auxiliary feature bonded to a polymeric surface of a shell body with a compartment for receiving teeth. The auxiliary feature is bonded with a light-curable acrylic adhesive comprising acrylate base material and photoinitiator. Auxiliary features include colored layers and, decals, reinforcing features and auxiliary dental devices. A light-curable acrylic adhesive may include a thiol monomer and/or a pigment. A dental appliance may have a shell body with a bonding surface adapted for attachment of an auxiliary feature, such as prepared by a pretreatment to mar the surface of to impregnate the surface with a reactive adhesion promoter.

A dental equipment for cutting teeth, forming root canals and so on. The dental apparatus includes: an actuator for actuating a cutting tool; a load sensor for sensing a load worked in the cutting tool; and a load indicator for making an operator know the load sensed by the load sensor visually, aurally and/or tactily.

An intraoral dental device includes an insert for protecting the teeth, dental arches, mandible, maxilla, temporal mangila joint and lips of the wearer from impact that may arise in athletic activities. The insert is an open cell structure which may optionally contain a fluid material, such as hydrogels, amorphous solids, semisolids, liquids and/or gases. The insert may be permanently or resiliently deformable whereby a portion of the fluid material, if present, is expelled from the insert's cells. The inserts are replaceable after they are rendered ineffective from the sustained impact.

The invention relates to an adjustable impression tray (1) comprising a trough (2) in the form of an arch with a straight central portion (7) extended by two lateral branches (8,9), essentially matching the form of a dental arch and comprising several integral zones which may be deformed at the temperature of use in the form of a multi-directional extension means (12), for example an accordion-like bellows arrangement (13 to 16). The impression tray, preferably for single usage, advantageously comprises splitting zones (17, 18) which allow the production of impression trays of differing sectors, which by comprising one or several deformation zones are equally adjustable. The invention is of interest to dentists and prosthetic dentists and more generally to producers and users of dental equipment.

A method of producing a stream of aqueous chlorine dioxide sterilizing fluid suitable for use in sterilizing medical and dental equipment or for wound irrigation or skin asepsis is described. Steps are:

• • pumping fluid portions of a first reagent and a second reagent into the proximal end of an elongate reaction chamber (24) to form a reaction mixture, the reagents being selected to react together to form aqueous chlorine dioxide;
  • providing a stream of water around or adjacent to the distal end of the reaction chamber (24); continuing to pump fluid portions of said reagents so as to cause the reagent mixture to travel through the reaction chamber and then into the stream of water to form a stream of aqueous chlorine dioxide sterilizing fluid;
  • wherein the pumping rates and the internal dimensions of the elongate reaction chamber (24) are selected so that the reaction to form chlorine dioxide is substantially complete when the reagent mixture exits the reaction chamber (24); and continuing pumping fluid portions of said reagents until a desired quantity of said sterilizing fluid has been produced;
  • wherein the pumping of each reagent is carried out by means of a diaphragm pump (90, 92) or a piston pump via a pressure-control valve (32, 34) so that each fluid portion is pumped at substantially constant pressure.

A dental device for exposing teeth to electromagnetic radiation includes a carrier and at least one source of electromagnetic radiation attached to the carrier and oriented so that the electromagnetic radiation is emitted from the source to a surface of a tooth. The dental device may also include a power source internally or externally disposed with respect to the carrier, and may include a circuit for controlling radiation emitted from the source. The dental device may be used for whitening teeth, and dental hygiene in general. Related methods are also disclosed.

A dental device for exposing teeth to electromagnetic radiation includes a carrier and at least one source of electromagnetic radiation attached to the carrier and oriented so that the electromagnetic radiation is emitted from the source to a surface of a tooth. The dental device may also include a power source internally or externally disposed with respect to the carrier, and may include a circuit for controlling radiation emitted from the source. The dental device may be used for whitening teeth, and dental hygiene in general. Related methods are also disclosed.

Dental devices coated with substantially aqueous-free, saliva soluble, base coatings and ablative abrasives that break down during flossing; which combination creates the perception during flossing that said devices are working.

A consumable tip assembly for use with a dental tool and a system for irrigation of a tooth root canal. The dental tool has an ultrasonic energy generator positioned therein. The tip assembly provides a single continuous flow path for delivering fluid from a reservoir at the proximal end of the needle to a root canal of a tooth at the distal end of the needle. Energy generated by an ultrasonic energy generator is translated into movement of a needle to provide optimum cleaning to the root canal. The system also includes a pressure source of irrigation fluid connected to the tip assembly. The irrigation fluid has ultrasonic energy imposed thereon as it passes through a hand piece of the dental tool.

A dental apparatus for removing fluid from a patient's mouth during a dental procedure, the dental apparatus includes an intraoral tip having a wall defining a cavity, the wall having a plurality of apertures and at least one opening, the apertures being distributed over the wall; and a hollow tube coupled to the intraoral tip, the hollow tube for connecting the opening of the intraoral tip to a suction device. The intraoral tip is continuously within the patient's mouth during the dental procedure and the dental apparatus removes fluid from the patient's mouth through the apertures of said intraoral tip. In one embodiment, the dental apparatus further includes a valve for modulating the rate of fluid removal from the patient's mouth. In another embodiment, the dental apparatus further includes a fastener for securing the intraoral tip within the patient's mouth.

The present invention provides a dental device preferably for infants and small children. A dental device in accordance with the present invention includes a handle portion and a head portion joined by a joinder. The head portion includes a plurality of projections and a plurality of bristle bunches. In one embodiment, the plurality of projections encircle a core in an about 190 to about 280 degree circumference and the plurality of bristle bunches encircle a core in an about 190 to about 80 degree circumference. In another embodiment, the plurality of projections encircle a core in a plurality of alternating segments interspaced with the plurality of bristle bunches. The plurality of projections can include, but are not limited to a plurality of raised wave-shaped projections, a plurality of circular disks, a plurality of circular grooves, a plurality of ribs, a plurality of spikes and combinations thereof.

An adjustable dental device for use with a CPAP system in the treatment of sleep apnea and snoring is comprised of an upper bite block, a lower bite block having one or more tongue retainers, means for adjustably connecting the upper bite block to the lower bite block, and means for connecting the dental device to a CPAP system. The adjustable dental device is compatible with a variety of CPAP systems, including systems that utilize nasal inserts and systems that utilize a nasal mask.

Methods of representing user edits or modifications of a treatment plan for a dental apparatus (e.g., one or a series of aligners) by managing an original clinical data set and a set of modifications of the clinical data set. Also described herein are methods of displaying, condensing, storing and reconstructing collision regions between two or more teeth.

A tool recognition system recognizes a tool selected for a surgical procedure. The tool includes a distal portion configured to perform at least part of the surgical procedure and a proximal portion including a first electronic module that stores tool-identifying electronic information. A surgical handpiece is configured to receive the tool and includes a second electronic module configured to communicate electronically with the first electronic module when tool is disposed in the handpiece. The first electronic module includes a coil that is configured as a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag antenna. The second electronic module includes a coil that is configured as a radio-frequency identification (RFID) interrogator antenna. In one embodiment, the first electronic module is a transponder that includes a RFID chip and a RFID antenna. Another embodiment includes a surgical tool recognition system for a drill and the tool includes a file.