The aim of the invention disclosed herein is to control and regulate the stiffness and flexibility of an endodontic file exploiting its super-elastic and shape-memory characteristics. This result is achievable thanks to temperature-induced phase transformations of the file performed by a proper heating and cooling system managed by a control system in a handpiece. Different designs of the apparatus implementing the proposed solution are disclosed.

A dental or dental surgical ultrasonic tool, comprising: a tool body, a connecting device for connection to an ultrasonic source, a working section extending along a longitudinal axis and designed to penetrate into bone to be treated, and a liquid line extending through the tool body in the direction of the working section and ending in at least one opening for the discharge of a liquid, wherein the working section has a distal end face with multiple cutting edges and a lateral surface connected thereto, wherein at least one channel for conveying a liquid is provided in the lateral surface, and wherein the at least one opening of the liquid line is disposed on the lateral surface in the at least one channel or directly adjacent to the at least one channel. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one channel extends helically around the longitudinal axis of the working section.

Provided herein are surgical guides with internal channels for irrigation cooling. In one embodiment, an apparatus for guiding a surgical instrument includes a proximal side and a distal side. A first channel is configured to guide a material removal device, where the first channel extends from the proximal side of the apparatus to the distal side of the apparatus. A second channel configured to direct irrigation fluid, where the second channel extends from the proximal side of the of the apparatus to the distal side of the apparatus. The first channel is separate from the second channel. A method of performing a surgical procedure and a method of manufacturing a surgical guide are also disclosed. In certain embodiments, the surgical guides may be manufactured via additive manufacturing processes, including for example, three-dimensional printing processes.

Methods and systems for tracking a dental tool within an oral cavity for taking and/or updating of a dental impression are described. In some embodiments, a marker, optionally a magnetic marker, is coupled to position movements of a rotatable dental tool. In some embodiments, detected movements of the marker are used, optionally in combination with other tracking data, to map contours which a portion of the rotatable dental tool follows during interaction with a dental surface. Optionally, the interaction occurs during grinding, drilling, and/or other procedures; which may be preparatory, for example, to the manufacture and/or fitting of a dental prosthetic.

A dental handpiece comprises an outer sleeve (1), a tool-holding socket (2) for holding a treatment tool (3) arranged in the handpiece, wherein the tool-holding socket (2) has a central axis about which the tool-holding socket (2) can be rotated and/or oscillated and wherein the tool-holding socket (2) is arranged to be driven by a driveshaft of the handpiece driven by a motor (10) housed in the outer sleeve (1). At least one Peltier element (5) is received in the handpiece in thermal contact with the tool-holding socket (2), the Peltier element (5) having a cool face in thermal contact with the tool-holding socket (2) to cool a treatment tool (3) held therein when the tool (3) is driven in rotation or oscillation.

A system for driving an electric handpiece in response to a pneumatic control signal may provide for fast interchange of handpieces, self-calibration and wide dynamic range of operation with precise speed control. The system may be incorporated into virtually any dental treatment center using traditional pneumatic drive handpieces, and a conversion kit may facilitate such conversion. The system may provide not only for controlling the speed and torque of a tool coupled to an electric drive handpiece responsive to a pneumatic control signal, it may also provide for coupling cooling air and treatment media, such as air and/or water to the handpiece. Coupling of a handpiece to an operating base of the system, including coupling of media lines and electrical connections may be made with a simple press and twist action using quick connection structure.

According to various implementations, a dental cleaning device includes a steam conduit and a cooling fluid conduit. The steam conduit has a distal tip with an opening defined therein that allows steam to be applied intraorally close to a dental implant to flush away bacteria that has colonized on or adjacent the dental implant. The cooling fluid conduit has a distal tip with an opening defined therein that allows a cooling fluid to be applied intraorally close to the dental implant following the application of the steam to cool the tissue and prevent overheating of the tissue and bone adjacent the dental implant. For example, the cooling fluid may be applied intermittently with the steam, or the cooling fluid may be applied continuously while the steam is applied intermittently, according to various implementations.

A laser induced thermo-acoustical system has a waveguide for propagating laser radiation to an absorbing layer of a tip. The tip has an absorbing layer serving to absorb the laser radiation propagating through the waveguide. The absorbing layer has such an absorption coefficient that upon absorbing the laser radiation the absorbing layer heats up to boil a quantity of a liquid when the tip is surrounded by the liquid. A laser induced thermo-acoustical method calls for providing a waveguide for propagating laser radiation to the absorbing layer of the tip to be at least partially absorbed by the absorbing layer and to boil a quantity of the liquid surrounding the tip and generating the stream of liquid. The laser induced thermo-acoustical streaming of the liquid is used, in particular, for the treatment of a root canal and periodontal pockets.

A system for dental tissue treatment includes a system for directing a laser beam to an area of dental tissue to be treated, and a fluid-delivery system for directing and controlling a flow of a fluid. The fluid is directed to at least a portion of the area to be treated and the fluid flow is controlled to substantially prevent both a change in laser energy absorption by the dental tissue and attenuation of treatment efficiency due to fluid interference with the laser beam. The fluid present in at least a portion of the area to be treated may prevent or reduce the likelihood of melting of enamel in that area.

According to various implementations, a dental cleaning device includes a steam conduit and a cooling fluid conduit. The steam conduit has a distal tip with an opening defined therein that allows steam to be applied intraorally close to a dental implant to flush away bacteria that has colonized on or adjacent the dental implant. The cooling fluid conduit has a distal tip with an opening defined therein that allows a cooling fluid to be applied intraorally close to the dental implant following the application of the steam to cool the tissue and prevent overheating of the tissue and bone adjacent the dental implant. For example, the cooling fluid may be applied intermittently with the steam, or the cooling fluid may be applied continuously while the steam is applied intermittently, according to various implementations.