A method for fabricating a denture using, among other devices, a semi-custom thermoplastic tray. The thermoplastic tray is customized over a mold of an edentulous ridge. The thermoplastic tray has a handle that it trimmed off after its use as a tray thereby converting the thermoplastic tray into a base plate for continued fabrication of the denture. This allows the denture to be completed in only a few days with the patient making a trip to the dentist for the initial fabrication steps and then a second time to pick the finalized denture.

Non-customized dental treatment trays used to provide a desired treatment are formed from elastomeric silicone or silicone-like material. They may be molded from a two-part liquid silicone composition or a silicone-like TPE material (e.g., preferably SEBS and/or VERSAFLEX thermoplastic elastomer). The dental treatment trays possess high adaptability, flexibility, softness, and elastic elongation while also exhibiting resiliency in order to readily conform to the ridges, depressions and contours of a person's teeth during use. The trays possess a greater ability to adhere to a person's teeth compared to non-elastomeric thermoplastic materials. Due to their high adaptability and conformability, the non-customized dental trays behave like a semi-custom dental tray when placed over conformed to a person's teeth, particularly when used in combination with a sticky, viscous treatment composition.

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.

A kit for the application of hydrophobic compositions to hydrophilic surfaces with an applicator device and a container for the hydrophobic composition. An applicator device for the application of an emulsion composition to wetted teeth. An applicator tip with at least one external ridge, a plurality of internal ridges, and a plurality of internal channels between the plurality of internal ridges. A container with a ribbon orifice for the dispensing of the emulsion composition.

The present invention relates to a chucking device for a drilling tool for a dental handpiece, as well as a handpiece for dental or surgical applications comprising:a head (10) in which is inserted in removable fashion a drilling tool (100) able to be actuated in rotation about an axis of rotation (R) by means of a drive mechanism comprising a drive shaft (2) rotating about this axis of rotation (R)a clamping device for the drilling tool (100), comprising a chucking clamp (4) disposed inside said drive shaft (2) for axial retention of the drilling tool (100) with respect to the axis of rotation (R), the clamp (4) co-operating with a plunger (5), anda push-button (61) arranged to act upon the plunger (5) in order to release the drilling tool (100); The handpiece (1) contains a permanent magnet (7) arranged symmetrically around the axis of rotation (R) and exerting a force of magnetic attraction (F) on the plunger (5) in direction of the push-button (61).

A cheek retraction or dental device is provided with a member forming an arm extending between and connecting a first retractor and a second retractor. Each retractor defines an internal passage and an aperture. A nasal tube defines another internal passage and an aperture, and the nasal tube extends between and is in fluid communication with the passages of the first and second retractors. A fluid connector to connect the dental device to a remote vacuum source is supported by the arm and in fluid communication with the first and second passages. The apertures of the first and second retractors face towards one another such that aerosols flow from an oral cavity of a patient into the passages of the retractors. The aperture of the nasal tube faces away from the arm such that aerosols flow from a nasal passage of the patient into the passage of the nasal tube.

A tapered-thickness single strip interproximal reduction tool having a thickness that progressively decreases in width from one end to the other along its length so that it is easier to pull through the contact areas intended to open up a space, and does not need to be removed to change thicknesses. In a typical embodiment the narrowest end of the strip would be 0.1 mm and gradually thickens from the narrow end to the thickest end.

An endodontic file for dental nerve treatment according to the present invention comprises: a helical shaped blade that is to be inserted into a root canal, remove dental nerve, and enlarge the root canal; a head that is detachably inserted into a rotary power tool, and a connection part extending by a predetermined length between the head and the blade and having a diameter smaller than that of each of a contact end of the blade and the head. According to the endodontic file for dental nerve treatment, by forming the connection part of the endodontic file with an adjusted thickness or shape such as a thin thickness so that stress generated during rotation of the endodontic file is concentrated on the connection part rather than the blade, the endodontic file is induced to be fractured outside the tooth rather than inside the tooth root, thereby allowing fractured pieces to be easily found and removed.

A temporary alignment system and method for holding a dental coping to an implant abutment using the same threads in the abutment that are used for definitive attachment are disclosed. The disclosed temporary fasteners initially orient and hold a coping against an abutment with a force along the same axis as the semi-definitive screw. The aligned coping can be picked-up in a closed-tray impression process without unscrewing the temporary fastener. Embodiments include threaded posts that release copings from the abutment through axial forces. Some embodiments include a threaded post with separable cap that is picked-up with the coping. Methods for converting an existing prosthesis for screw attachment to implants in a single visit and digital capture of the converted prosthesis are described.

A dental article including a dental article body made of a ceramic material and a coating formed on the surface of said dental article body. The coating includes crystalline nanostructures made of yttria-stabilized zirconia YSZ.sub.1, the crystal habitus of at least a portion of the nanostructures having at least approximately the shape of a regular convex polyhedron.