The present invention relates to an orthodontic splint made of a crosslinked polymer, wherein the crosslinked polymer has a glass transition temperature T.sub.g, determined by means of dynamic-mechanical analysis at a frequency of 1/s DMA as peak tan ?, of ?25? C. and ?60? C., a modulus of elasticity, determined by means of dynamic-mechanical analysis as the storage modulus E at a frequency of 1/s at 35? C., of ?500 MPa and ?4000 MPa, and a loss factor tan ?, determined by means of dynamic-mechanical analysis at a frequency of 1/s at 35? C., of ?0.08. The invention further relates to a process for producing such splints.

The present invention relates to a dental apparatus, wherein the apparatus is made of a polymer composition having antimicrobial activity, wherein the polymer composition contains one or more metal ions and/or metal salts at a concentration of between 0.001% and 10%. The present invention also relates to the use of said dental apparatus in the prevention or treatment of bacterial oral diseases, such as gingivitis, periodontitis and halitosis. As a final aspect, the present invention also relates to a method for producing said dental apparatus.

A method that includes collecting scrap ZrO.sub.2 material; reducing sizes of the scrap ZrO.sub.2 material to produce a reduced-size scrap ZrO.sub.2 material; preparing a ceramic slurry comprising the reduced-size scrap ZrO.sub.2 material, deionized water, and at least one dispersant; milling the ceramic slurry to produce a milled ZrO.sub.2 slurry, wherein the milled ZrO.sub.2 slurry comprises a ZrO.sub.2 powder with a particle size distribution D.sub.(50) of 0.05 ?m to 1.0 ?m; and casting the milled ZrO.sub.2 slurry to prepare a ceramic block.

A dental component gripping device may have an exterior surface with a proximal end, a distal end, and an intermediate region between the proximal end and the distal end, and a bore with a distal portion within the distal end, a proximal portion within the proximal end, and an intermediate portion between the distal portion and the proximal portion. The distal portion may be sized to receive and grip an exterior, proximal surface of at least one dental component such as an abutment, a transfer, and a healing collar. The intermediate portion may have a reduced-diameter zone in which the bore has a diameter smaller than in an entirety of the distal portion. The reduced diameter portion may help to retain a fastener within the distal portion of the bore. The dental component gripping device may be formed of a resilient material such as a Silicon-based material.

An advanced thermoplastic orthodontic retainer is disclosed. The prior art includes a clear piece of thermoplastic material of uniform thickness which is then heated to a soft state and adapted to a stone model of a patient's teeth. The present invention incorporates a gradient of thickness of the plastic running from one end to the other. This gradient will exist in the final retainer, and it will take into account the normal pattern of opening and closing of the jaw during which the posterior segment is open less than the anterior segment when the teeth are close to contacting. The present invention retains the ease of fabrication, low cost, and aesthetics of the currently prescribed removable appliance while improving the durability and functionality. Dentists and orthodontists can use the present invention to prevent the unwanted side effects of the prior art including but not limited to posterior open-bites.

An orthodontic appliance includes a nano-pillar coating on an external surface that is visible during use of the orthodontic appliance. The nano-pillar coating may absorb 99% of the incident visible light; has a pillar-like structure with pillar structures having a point that widens to a base; has a negative index of refraction at wavelengths in the visible light spectrum; and/or does not include nano rods. An orthodontic bracket includes a bracket body that includes an archwire slot, and a nano-pillar coating on an external surface of the bracket body. A movable member is movable between an opened position and a closed position, and the nano-pillar coating is on one or more external surfaces of the movable member. The bracket body is a ceramic and may be transparent or translucent. A method of making an orthodontic bracket includes forming a nano-pillar coating on at least a portion of the bracket body.

A polymerisable radiation-curable composition comprising: (i) monomers, comprising at least (a) a first monomer having a TG (glass-transition point) of the homopolymer of said first monomer? 120? C. and at least (b) a second monomer having a TG (glass-transition point) of the homopolymer of the second monomer? 100? C., wherein at least one of the at least one first monomer or of the at least one second monomer has an alicyclic group, and comprising (ii) at least one further component, comprising at least one photo-initiator for the UV and/or Vis spectral region or a photo-initiator system for the UV and/or Vis spectral region. Also disclosed is a blank in the form of a three-dimensional moulded body of a polymerised composition, in particular a radiation-cured composition, for producing 3D moulded bodies, dental prosthetic parts, orthopaedic appliances or dental pre-forms in a rapid prototyping, rapid manufacturing, or rapid tooling method.

An orthodontic separator including a substrate including at least one resilient material configured to produce and maintain an outward force for a predetermined time period between adjacent teeth, wherein the substrate includes a plurality of layers including polymer fibers having a fluoride compound incorporated therein or that coats a surface thereof. The plurality of layers is arranged concentrically and configured such that the plurality of layers of the substrate successively dissolve or disintegrate within the predetermined time period when disposed between those adjacent teeth, whereby the separator dissolves or disintegrates.

The invention relates to a mouthpiece and method for antibacterial treatment of intraoral surfaces. The mouthpiece comprises a body made of light-guiding material, the body comprising facial and lingual outer surfaces and facial and lingual inner surfaces adapted to face facial and lingual surfaces of teeth, respectively. A light source is attached to the body and adapted to deliver light to surfaces of teeth, the light source being positioned on at least one of said outer surfaces and adapted to deliver said light via said inner surfaces to both the facial and lingual surfaces of the teeth, wherein a portion of light is adapted to travel through said body from the facial side to the lingual side, or vice versa.

An electric toothbrush replacement head device includes: a toothbrush replacement head. The toothbrush replacement head includes: a toothbrush handle and a toothbrush head, a bottom of the toothbrush handle defines a bottom hole, the toothbrush head includes: a brush component, and the brush component includes: bristles. The toothbrush handle is provided with a hollow fixing column therein, which is located at a lower end of the toothbrush handle, a middle part of the fixing column is provided with an elastic sheet, and a bottom of the fixing column defines a mounting hole. A new type of the electric toothbrush replacement head device with a simpler structure, more flexible assembly and disassembly, more convenient use, better teeth cleaning effect, and stronger stability is provided.