256 results about "Dental impression" patented technology

An intra-oral dental irradiation device for use in dental procedures for whitening teeth, imaging teeth, and making impressions of tooth structures of a patient. The device features one or a plurality of LED devices mounted to an arched shaped structure which project light upon or through teeth. In the whitening mode the light of the proper spectrum to activate enamel whitening material is projected. In the imaging mode light projected by the LED devices is received by a charged coupled device which communicates the image of the light passing through the teeth from the LED devices, to a computer. In making dental impressions, the device projects light in a spectrum that provides the catalyst to material that hardens when exposed to that spectrum thereby hardening dental impression material when inserted over the teeth of a patient.

An intra-oral dental irradiation device for use in dental procedures for whitening teeth, imaging teeth, and making impressions of tooth structures of a patient. The device features one or a plurality of LED devices mounted to an arched shaped structure which project light upon or through teeth. In the whitening mode the light of the proper spectrum to activate enamel whitening material is projected. In the imaging mode light projected by the LED devices is received by a charged coupled device which communicates the image of the light passing through the teeth from the LED devices, to a computer. In making dental impressions, the device projects light in a spectrum that provides the catalyst to material that hardens when exposed to that spectrum thereby hardening dental impression material when inserted over the teeth of a patient.

A method and system useful for planning a dental restorative procedure of a patient and for producing at least one dental restoration or product related thereto to be used in said dental restorative procedure are disclosed. Input data from different sources, e.g. 3D data from a CT scan of a patient with a dental impression tray including a previously prepared dental impression of the patient in the patient's mouth, is matched with data from a high resolution 3D scan of the same dental impression. The resulting data is for instance matched by means of fiducial markers arranged at the dental impression tray. Thus reliable planning and production are enabled by means of the same, matched data set. In this manner the dosage to which the patient is exposed to may be reduced in comparison to previous methods.

The present invention relates to a method for obtaining an accurate three-dimensional model of a dental impression, said method comprising the steps of, scanning at least a part of an upper jaw impression and / or a lower jaw impression, obtaining an impression scan, evaluating the quality of the impression scan, and use the impression scan to obtain a three-dimensional model, thereby obtaining an accurate three-dimensional model of the dental impression.

A system and method for producing a dental fixture are provided. A laser digitizer imaging system creates a visual three-dimensional image of a dental item such as a tooth or a dental impression. The three-dimensional image may be displayed and the size and shape of the image may be selectively modified by the user of the system. Digital data associated with the three-dimensional image of the dental item is sent to an implant production device. A dental implant is produced in response to receipt of the data associated with the three-dimensional image such that the implant is insertable into a socket of the jawbone from where a tooth was extracted.

The invention relates to an impression tray, such as in particular a dental impression tray, which carries a deformable impression mass in order to prepare an impression of arrangements, shapes and / or dimensions, in particular in or on the human body, preferably in the mouth, and further preferred an impression of at least part of a tooth or of dental structures, wherein furthermore sensor devices are present, by means of which a change of at least one physical property and / or variable of the impression mass can be captured in a spatially resolved manner when preparing an impression and can be provided in a form that is suited for electronic data processing. The invention further relates to a method for capturing structures, arrangements or shapes, such as preferably for capturing dental structures, arrangements or shapes in the mouth or in the human body, whereby a deformable impression compound is brought onto or into the structures, arrangements or shapes in particular, is introduced, into the mouth or body and a change of at least one physical property and / or variable of the impression compound is transmitted there in a spatially resolved manner directly to sensor devices when preparing an impression and is captured by the sensor devices and, furthermore, provided in a form that is suitable for electronic data processing.

An impression coping for taking an impression of a dental implant installed in the jawbone of a patient. The impression coping has a proximal end with an impression portion adapted to be embedded in impression material and a distal portion with a retention mechanism. The retention mechanism includes a housing having a locking member and biasing member. The locking member is biased to slideably move in the housing and engage the dental implant.

A dental implant system and method for effecting a dental restoration using the same. The dental implant system having an implant fixture adapted to be deployed in a bone; an impression coping adapted to be selectively deployed on the implant fixture and in a dental impression; a laboratory analog adapted to be selectively deployed on the impression coping and in a dental cast; a spherical abutment adapted to be selectively deployed on the laboratory analog; and a multiaxis abutment adapted to be adjustably deployed on the spherical abutment; wherein the spherical abutment and the multiaxis abutment are used to generate a cast permanent abutment which may be received by the laboratory analog and the implant fixture.

A “digital impression” is provided in lieu of a physical “dental” impression. A 3D digitizer is used to capture the digital impression, e.g., by scanning in a patient's oral cavity. A digital impression “data set” is formed using a computer-implemented method. The method begins by generating a three dimensional (3D) restoration model. Then, a bounding volume of the restoration model is computed. The bounding volume is defined as at least a minimum 3D volume that contains the 3D model. Thereafter, a lower solid 3D model, and an upper solid 3D model are created; these lower and upper models have a predetermined relationship with one another. In particular, when superimposed upon one another within the bounding volume, the lower and upper 3D models define a cavity into which the restoration model is adapted to fit. The restoration model, the lower solid 3D model and the upper solid 3D model are then aggregated into the data set to form the digital impression. Typically, the digital impression is generated at a first location, i.e., a dental office, and then transmitted to a second location, a dental laboratory, remote from the first location. Such transmission is conveniently done over a network, such as a TCP / IP network (e.g., the Internet). A dental item is then manufactured at the second location. Thus, for example, the lower solid 3D model may be used to build a coping, or the restoration model itself used to build a restoration. In the latter case, information in the data set may be used to check a fit of the restoration.

A method for manufacturing a removable dental prosthesis using a three-dimensional (3D) printer includes receiving dental impressions of a patient obtained using a dental impression tray assembly, the dental impressions including a bite registration and at least a mandibular impression or a maxillary impression; receiving information related to the patient's jaw relations obtained using the dental impression tray assembly, the jaw relations including a vertical dimension and a centric relation obtained during the patient's single visit to a dentist; scanning the received dental impressions with a 3D scanner to provide data representative of an edentulous shape of the patient; generating a 3D model of the dental prosthesis based on the data and the received information related to the patient's jaw relations using 3D design software; displaying the generated 3D model on a display, allowing customization of the 3D model; and 3D printing the dental prosthesis according to the 3D model.

A dental impression composition comprises a polyether derivative functionalized via the hydroxyl groups of a polyether polyol with groups such as aziridine, epoxide and unsaturated substituents including (meth)acrylic, allyl, vinyl, vinyl ether or maleate groups, wherein the level of cyclic oligomeric polyethers is less than 5.0 weight percent.

Apparatus, kits and methods for providing accelerated treatment of a patient's teeth. The apparatus, kits and methods involve the use of a dental impression tray that includes a patient dentition impression formed from a dental impression material such as an alginate. The impression tray advantageously includes heating means for heating and maintaining the formed patient dentition impression at a temperature greater than about 105° F. The heated dental trays may be used to accelerate the activity of dental bleaching agents (e.g., peroxides), desensitizing agents (e.g., potassium nitrate), remineralizing agents (e.g., fluoride salts), and the like. A dental office procedure for treating teeth involves the basic steps of: (1) coating a specially-prepared patient dentition impression with a dental composition such as a bleaching, desensitizing or remineralizing composition; (2) placing the coated patient dentition impression into the patient's mouth; (3) heating the patient dentition impression and dental composition to a temperature of at least about 105° F.; and (4) retaining the patient dentition impression in position for period of time in a range of about 1 minute to about 60 minutes. The procedure can be adapted to microwave heating, electrical resistance heating, or hot fluid heating of the patient dentition impression.

An impression coping is provided for taking an impression of an implant installed in a patient's mouth. The impression coping comprises an engagement portion, a cover and an impression portion. The engagement portion is adapted to be inserted within an internal cavity of the implant. The engagement portion has a plurality of axially extending protrusions positioned around the periphery for engaging corresponding channels within the internal cavity of the implant. The engagement shaft is thus configured to register the internal orientation of the implant within a patient's jaw. The impression portion of the coping includes one or more embedment features adapted to be embedded in a dental impression material for taking a dental impression thereof.

This invention relates to methods and compositions for single component photoinitiated dental impression materials. The impression material is workable in its pre-cured state, cures rapidly upon exposure to light, and exhibits desirable processing conditions such as short setting time, long working time, no void formation, good wettability, mechanical properties, and detail reproduction.

Improved systems and methods for producing dental restorations and ceramic materials for such restorations are disclosed. Optical properties, preferably including color and translucence characteristics, of a tooth or teeth of a patient are measured with a shade measuring instrument. The tooth to be restored is prepared, and a physical or virtual dental impression is created. A prescription for the restoration, which typically includes color, translucence and thickness information, is sent to the restoration fabrication facility either electronically or physically. A recipe and / or a mixture of ceramics are generated for the restoration, with multiple layers being specified, based on the measured optical properties. The recipe algorithm may adapt, or process checks may be performed, based on measurements of fabricated layers. Preferably, dental ceramics are specified to bracket the region of color space relevant to human teeth, and a reduced set of ceramic materials are manufactured and distributed. Based on measured optical characteristics of the ceramic materials, recipes and / or material mixtures are specified or prepared for the restoration. A virtual impression data file may be transmitted to the laboratory instead of a physical impression.

An adjustable dental impression tray includes a first and second arcuate member movably attached at a proximal end of each arcuate member. The adjustable dental impression tray includes a handle to facilitate removal of the tray from a person's mouth. The dental impression tray also includes an adjustment mechanism which allows the user to position the first arcuate member relative to the second arcuate member to form a U-shaped channel which approximates the patients dentition. The dental impression is further configured with a locking member to receive and retain impression material into the tray.

The present invention relates to an improved dental impression tray and related methods. In one embodiment, a dental impression tray includes a first portion for receiving impression material from a source and a second portion is configured for receiving a patient's upper or lower teeth and will at least partial define a cavity shaped to receive the teeth during use. In use, impression material introduced into the first portion can pass through openings and into the second portion and around a patient's teeth.

A method for positioning teeth is provided. The method includes receiving a dental impression kit at an address of the dental patient. The dental impression kit includes a first dental impression tray, a mixable dental impression material, and instructions for taking an impression of the patient's teeth. The method also includes the steps of mixing the mixable dental impression material to form a settable dental impression material, and then placing the settable dental impression material into the first dental impression tray. A dental impression of the patient is made at the address of the patient. The method then includes delivering the impression to a scanning company, and in return, receiving a first orthodontic aligner from the scanning company. A plurality of additional aligners may also be received for the purpose of moving the patient's teeth to a final desired position. Preferably, the processes take place without the intervention of a dental healthcare provider.

A dual-chamber package for the constituent materials for preparing an alginate dental impression paste includes a first chamber containing a pre-measured volume of water, and a second chamber, attached to and isolated from, the first chamber, and containing a pre-measured quantity of alginate powder, wherein the quantity of powder and the volume of water are in a pre-determined ratio for making a dental impression paste when mixed together. The powder and the water may be mixed outside of the package by dispensing the water and the powder respectively from the first and second chambers. Alternatively, the powder and water may be mixed within the second chamber by breaching a barrier between the first and second chambers to allow water to flow from the first chamber into the second chamber, after which the alginate dental impression paste is dispensed from the second chamber.

A process for bonding a denture to the tissue surfaces of the jaw over which the denture is superimposed during use which comprises the steps of providing at the interface of the denture and the jaw's tissues, a liquid irreversible hydrocolloid of an alginate dental impression formulation, applying pressure to the denture so that it presses into the tissue surfaces and causes the liquid hydrocolloid to flow within such interface, and then allowing the hydrocolloid to solidify within the interface. Also described is a novel relatively-thin film, settable hydrocolloid denture aid and the set, cushiony, relatively-thin film denture aid obtained from it.

A dental impression tray assembly includes an upper tray and a lower tray operable with the upper tray, and the lower tray includes a first piece configured to measure jaw relations of a patient's mouth and a pair of second pieces detachably attachable to the first piece. The first piece of the lower tray is inserted into the patient's mouth independently of the pair of second pieces of the lower tray to measure the jaw relations and to obtain a bite registration. After the first piece is connected to the pair of second pieces, the assembly allows a final gum impression of the patient's lower gum to be obtained.

A procedure for creating a dental prosthetic includes registering three-dimensional (3D) dental impression image data of a tooth restoration site and 3D x-ray image data of the tooth restoration site, and removing image data corresponding to soft tissue in the tooth restoration site from the 3D dental impression image data. A system for producing a dental prosthetic includes at least one processor operable to register 3D dental impression image data of a tooth restoration site and 3D x-ray image data of the tooth restoration site and remove image data corresponding to soft tissue in the tooth restoration site from the 3D dental impression image data.

A block member is selectively positioned on a dental impression tray with an outer engagement surface of the block member in engagement with the tray portion defining a lingual recess to block entry of plaster or other casting material into the lingual recess.

A dental implant system comprising an implant member, an abutment member and a transfer key with cooperatively engaging structures for ensuring proper alignment and orientation of an abutment assembled on the implant member and for preparing an accurate dental impression and mold which represents the implantation site and its relationship to adjacent teeth structures. The abutment has the advantage of being easily removed for maintenance, repair or replacement with minimal or no discomfort to the patient. The invention also includes a dental implant with an improved bone-engaging structure for enhancing implant stability and fixation, an O-ring type abutment assembly with a reduced footprint in its assembled state when compared with similar conventional systems, a surgical screw and bone screw insertion tool, a healing abutment that need not be removed during an impression taking procedure, and an implant coding system that facilitates selection and identification of dental implants and implant analogs whose dimensional attributes will produce an accurate fit between the dental prosthesis and the dental implant. Further, dental reconstruction and abutment installation methods utilizing the dental implant system and instruments of the invention are disclosed.

A dental impression tray includes a body having a channel for receiving a quantity of curable thermoset dental impression material and an electrically resistive heating element provided within the channel, in order to use heat to accelerate the curing of the dental impression material. In some embodiments, the tray includes a liner positioned on the heating element in the channel, where the liner has low thermal conductivity. A system for forming a dental impression includes a quantity of thermoset dental impression material, and the tray. A method for using the tray includes the step of turning on the heating element after the tray is positioned within a patient's mouth, to accelerate the curing of the dental impression material.

A method for creating a substantially accurate dental restoration from scanning a negative dental impression of a patient's teeth or a positive dental stone model of the patient's teeth includes applying a compensation rate to compensate for the shrunk or enlarged scan of the patients teeth, to the scan of the patient's teeth using the scanner to create a true dimension working file; the scan of the patient's teeth using a computer system to create a true dimension working file; or a shrunk restoration file of the restoration using a restoration fabricator. A restoration can be designed based on the scan of the patient's teeth and creating a restoration file. The restoration can be fabricated using a restoration fabricator.

In an exemplary embodiment, a method of creating an impression of structures of the human oral cavity comprises: preparing impression trays: creating a first, or base, impression; grinding out portions of the base impression; and using the void(s) in the ground out base impression to take a second, or wash, impression. The base impression is taken with an excess of a high-density impression material which is positioned to extend beyond the structures of interest (of which the impression is being taken). The base impression is removed and all fine structure surrounding the structure(s) of interest is ground out. A wash impression is then taken using a low-density impression material. The base impression creates a seal around the structure(s) of interest (a closed system), thereby producing omnidirectional hydraulic pressure on the low-density material. Such omnidirectional hydraulic pressure produces a highly detailed final impression from which a high-quality model (e.g., cast) can be made.

A device for determining the position of at least one of a dental patient's dental midline and incisal plane relative to the patient's facial midline. The device includes an impression / bite tray for obtaining a dental impression of at least one of the patient's maxillary arch and mandibular arch, and a plane indicator including at least one of a vertical alignment bar and a horizontal alignment bar, pivotally mounted to the impression / bite tray for rotatable movement relative to the impression / bite tray. The at least one of the vertical alignment bar and the horizontal alignment bar can be aligned with the dental patient's facial midline and an imaginary plane perpendicular to the facial midline, respectively, by rotating the plane indicator relative to the impression / bite tray while the impression / bite tray is retained in the patient's mouth during positioning and securing of the at least one of a vertical alignment bar and a horizontal alignment bar.