Releasable and removable palatal expander apparatuses for expanding a patient's palate (palatal expanders) and methods of using and making them. These releasable palatal expanders are adapted for ease in removal by the patient or caregiver, and may include a breach region configured to predictably bend or break when a pulling force is applied. The palatal expander apparatuses described herein may include one or more locks for locking the palatal expander onto the patient's teeth. The lock(s) may be unlocked to release the palatal expander from the teeth. A lock may include a control for manually unlocking the lock. Unlocking the locks may allow the palatal expander to automatically disengage from the patient's teeth.

The present invention relates to an orthodontic bracket specifically designed for use with the deciduous teeth and method for its use. The bracket is unique in providing a debonding tab which reduces the potential for damage to the tooth due to the application of excessive force during the debonding process. The small size of the bracket allows it to fit available crown space on the deciduous teeth. Further the bracket is modified in shape to minimize mechanical forces applied to the deciduous teeth when engaged with an archwire. The bracket base is shaped to conform to the morphology of the deciduous tooth crown surface thereby providing an optimal adhesive interface with the deciduous tooth. The deciduous bracket provides adequate adhesion to avoid unwanted detachment of the bracket which often occurs when the use of permanent brackets is attempted on the deciduous teeth.

The invention is directed to a composition that safely removes a cured dental cement or resin from metal brackets, metal braces, and enamel surfaces of teeth. It contains eugenol, isoeugenol, methyl-eugenol or an isomer thereof. A method for removing orthodontic fixtures adhered with a dental cement or resin to the enamel surfaces of teeth from these surfaces by contacting the dental cement or resin with a composition containing eugenol.

A device for removing a dental covering having: (a) an engagement portion, having a first plate portion which is substantially flat, that is configured to contact a portion of the dental covering along only one of a facial side or a lingual side of the dental covering; (b) a load applying portion, connected to the engagement portion and having a second plate portion which is substantially flat, which is adapted to rest upon an adjacent surface relative to the dental covering; and (c) an intermediate portion which is integral with and adjacent to both the engagement portion and the load applying portion; and wherein the first plate portion is parallel to the second plate portion. The device may be a dental covering removal tool which may find particular use in removing dental coverings, such as temporary and permanent crowns.

Palatal expander apparatuses for expanding a patient's palate (palatal expanders) and methods of making them. The apparatuses may include a pair of tooth engagement regions connected by a palatal region. A detachment region on at least one of the tooth engagement regions may be defined by one or more first vertical cut-out regions extending from a bottom of a buccal side toward an occlusal side of the tooth engagement region. The buccal side may be more flexible than the occlusal side so that the detachment region flexes when a removal force to release the palatal expander apparatus from the patient's palate is applied to the detachment region.

Palatal expander apparatuses for expanding a patient's palate (palatal expanders) and methods of using and making them. The palatal expanders may include tooth engagement regions connected by a palatal region that is configured to apply force between the tooth engagement regions. At least a portion of the palatal region may be configured to have a clearance from the patient's mid-palatal region when the palatal expander is worn by the patient. The clearance between the palatal region and the patient's palate may decrease from the patient's mid-palatal region laterally toward the tooth engagement regions.

A device for use by a clinician includes a tip structure that is configured to extend from a handle and to be inserted into a patient's mouth and at least one light source that is capable of emitting incoherent actinic radiation from the device. The light source is on the tip structure or within the handle. A light device includes a shell that is configured to engage an orthodontic bracket while the orthodontic bracket is attached to a tooth and at least one light source is embedded in the shell and is capable of emitting incoherent actinic radiation. A method of debonding an orthodontic appliance from a tooth includes exposing an adhesive secured to the tooth to incoherent actinic radiation that reduces a bond strength of at least a portion of the adhesive and separating the orthodontic appliance from the tooth at the portion of the adhesive having reduced bond strength.

A handling device for a dental tool having a) a body having an elongated shape configured to receive a prying load from an operator; and b) one or more receptacles through the body configured to retain at least a portion of a dental tool and allow an engagement portion of the dental tool to project therefrom substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body; wherein the engagement portion is adapted to contact a portion of a dental covering along only one of a facial side or a lingual side of the dental covering and by being wedged between a gum-line and the dental covering; and wherein the one or more receptacles are configured to transfer the prying load from the body to the engagement portion of the dental tool.

A dental tool for removing a dental aligner secured to teeth may include a first contact point that is configured to contact a biting surface of the aligner; a second contact point that is configured to contact a gumline end of the aligner; and a third contact point that is configured to contact a lateral surface of the aligner. A method of using the dental tool to remove the dental aligner from teeth is also disclosed.

A light curing impression system comprising a light emitting tray that precisely distributes an optimal amount of curing light energy to internal, external and extra oral portions of the dental arch to cure impression material. The light curing impression system generally includes an LED light source, a light emitting impression tray, an activation module and impression material.