An orthodontic absorbing retractor and methods for retracting regions of a mouth of a patient with the orthodontic absorbing retractor. The orthodontic absorbing retractor includes a braided cotton roll having a cylindrical shape, and has a central axis, a first end and a second end. The orthodontic absorbing retractor further includes a shape retention wire coaxially located within the braided cotton roll between the first end and the second end. The orthodontic absorbing retractor further includes a flexible hydrophobic plastic thread wrapped around an exterior of the braided cotton roll from the first end to the second end. The flexible hydrophobic plastic thread prevents sticking of the orthodontic absorbing retractor to an interior surface of the mouth.

Disclosed herein are protective apparatuses, and associated systems, for minimizing the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and/or other infectious diseases between individuals in close proximity to one another including, for example, transmission through droplets projecting from the mouth or nasal region of an infected individual. Said apparatuses may comprise a substantially transparent shield component and a handle component comprising a connecting aspect. The protective apparatuses may comprise light emitting diodes and associated control means. The protective apparatuses of the present disclosure may further comprise a camera communicatively connected to a display screen.

A dental instrument hanger has the body of a reader/writer, or an antenna connected to the body, arranged in a hanger unit so as to read identification information from a wireless tag, in a state that an instrument having the wireless tag preliminarily attached thereto is placed in the hanger unit. The hanger includes: an identification information storage that stores the read identification information in a database; a reading history detector that, in response to a driving instruction having been inputted, detects the latest reading history and a reading history read before the instrument displaced from the hanger unit has been displaced with reference to said storage; an identification information specifier that determines a difference between the two reading histories to specify a wireless tag attached to the instrument which has been instructed to drive; and a usage information generator that generates usage information of the instrument.

A dental instrument hanger has the body of a reader/writer, or an antenna connected to the body, arranged in a hanger unit so as to read identification information from a wireless tag, in a state that an instrument having the wireless tag preliminarily attached thereto is placed in the hanger unit. The hanger includes: an identification information storage that stores the read identification information in a database; a reading history detector that, in response to a driving instruction having been inputted, detects the latest reading history and a reading history read before the instrument displaced from the hanger unit has been displaced with reference to said storage; an identification information specifier that determines a difference between the two reading histories to specify a wireless tag attached to the instrument which has been instructed to drive; and a usage information generator that generates usage information of the instrument.

The present invention provides improved devices, systems and methods for repositioning teeth from an initial tooth arrangement to a final tooth arrangement. Repositioning is accomplished with a system comprising a series of polymeric shell appliances configured to receive the teeth and incrementally reposition individual teeth in a series of successive steps. The individual appliances may be formed from layers having different stiffnesses (elastic moduluses), and the stiffnesses of successive appliances may be different, or both.

The present invention provides improved devices, systems and methods for repositioning teeth from an initial tooth arrangement to a final tooth arrangement. Repositioning is accomplished with a system comprising a series of polymeric shell appliances configured to receive the teeth and incrementally reposition individual teeth in a series of successive steps. The individual appliances may be formed from layers having different stiffnesses (elastic moduluses), and the stiffnesses of successive appliances may be different, or both.

An extra-oral capture hood includes a first cone that provides a first path for a vacuum product through the extra-oral capture hood. A second cone concentric with the first cone and disposed around the first cone provides a second path for the vacuum product through the extra-oral capture hood, the second path being located between the first cone and second cone. A disconnect is connected to at least one of the first cone or second cone, the disconnect being configured to connect the extra-oral capture hood to a duct, a valve or other component of a capture system.

A particulate collecting device for dental patients is disclosed. The device includes a pair of vertical flanges, with a first flange configured to be positioned and worn on a right side of a patient's chest and a second flange configured to be positioned and worn on a left side of the patient's chest. The vertical flanges have an inner contour that aerodynamically funnels air flow away from the patient's face. The device includes a protective sheet located between the vertical flanges. The device includes a particulate matter reservoir that is fluidly coupled to the vertical flanges and configured to receive funneled air, and particulates contained therein, from the vertical flanges. The device also includes a negative air pressure generator, which is fluidly coupled to the particulate matter reservoir and produces negative air pressure in a direction from a top area of the vertical flanges towards the particulate matter reservoir.

The present invention refers to a plasma jet device (30) for medical treatment of root canals (3) using an atmospheric pressure plasma. The device comprises a handle (40) and a probe (50) with a gas channel (54) and a first and second electrode (31, 32). The probe (50) has a first end connected to the handle (40) and a second end opposite to the first end being a probe tip. The first electrode (31) extends to the probe tip. The first electrode (31) is a hollow outer electrode and the second electrode (32) is an inner electrode extending at least along a section of the first electrode (31) inside the first electrode (31). The second electrode (32) except for a portion at its end is surrounded by a dielectric material (33). The probe (50) is adapted to be inserted into a root canal (3). The plasma jet device (30) is adapted to provide negative pulses at the second electrode (32) for producing the atmospheric pressure plasma at the tip of the second electrode (32). The invention further refers to a method for generating atmospheric pressure plasma.

The present invention refers to a plasma jet device (30) for medical treatment of root canals (3) using an atmospheric pressure plasma. The device comprises a handle (40) and a probe (50) with a gas channel (54) and a first and second electrode (31, 32). The probe (50) has a first end connected to the handle (40) and a second end opposite to the first end being a probe tip. The first electrode (31) extends to the probe tip. The first electrode (31) is a hollow outer electrode and the second electrode (32) is an inner electrode extending at least along a section of the first electrode (31) inside the first electrode (31). The second electrode (32) except for a portion at its end is surrounded by a dielectric material (33). The probe (50) is adapted to be inserted into a root canal (3). The plasma jet device (30) is adapted to provide negative pulses at the second electrode (32) for producing the atmospheric pressure plasma at the tip of the second electrode (32). The invention further refers to a method for generating atmospheric pressure plasma.