A light curing dental 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 a dental material. The light curing dental system generally includes a light source, a light emitting dental tray, an activation module and a photocurable dental material.

Palatal expander apparatuses for expanding a patient's palate (palatal expanders) and methods of using and making them. These palatal expanders may be configured to have a variable surface smoothness on one side (e.g., the lingual-facing surface) compared to the opposite side (e.g., the palatal-facing surface). These palatal expanders may be configured to have a varying thickness in the palatal region. These palatal expanders may be adapted for ease in removal by the patient or caregiver (e.g., including a hinged region and/or detachment region, and/or including a thinner buccal side then occlusal side, etc.).

A pocket orthodontic bonding pad for attaching orthodontic attachments to teeth wherein the orthodontic attachment is mechanically secured within a bonding pad pocket with a design that allows a slight buffering flexibility under masticatory stress and ease of removal of the orthodontic attachment. Upon removal of locking tabs the orthodontic attachment may be removed with minimal force, and the remaining bonding pad polished from the teeth with ease, which is most advantageous for brackets that tend to break upon removal and create high stress forces upon tooth structure. The ease of removing orthodontic attachments allows maximum bonding strengths.

A pocket orthodontic bonding pad for attaching orthodontic attachments to teeth wherein the orthodontic attachment is mechanically secured within a bonding pad pocket with a design that allows a slight buffering flexibility under masticatory stress and ease of removal of the orthodontic attachment. Upon removal of locking tabs the orthodontic attachment may be removed with minimal force, and the remaining bonding pad polished from the teeth with ease, which is most advantageous for brackets that tend to break upon removal and create high stress forces upon tooth structure. The ease of removing orthodontic attachments allows maximum bonding strengths.

Palatal expander apparatuses for expanding a patient's palate (palatal expanders) and methods of using and making them. These palatal expanders may be configured to have a variable surface smoothness on one side (e.g., the lingual-facing surface) compared to the opposite side (e.g., the palatal-facing surface). These palatal expanders may be configured to have a varying thickness in the palatal region. These palatal expanders may be adapted for ease in removal by the patient or caregiver (e.g., including a hinged region and/or detachment region, and/or including a thinner buccal side then occlusal side, etc.).

A pocket orthodontic bonding pad for attaching orthodontic attachments to teeth wherein the orthodontic attachment is mechanically secured within a bonding pad pocket with a design that allows a slight buffering flexibility under masticatory stress and ease of removal of the orthodontic attachment. Upon removal of locking tabs the orthodontic attachment may be removed with minimal force, and the remaining bonding pad polished from the teeth with ease, which is most advantageous for brackets that tend to break upon removal and create high stress forces upon tooth structure. The ease of removing orthodontic attachments allows maximum bonding strengths.

The present invention relates to orthodontic brackets designed for use with the deciduous teeth and method for its use. The brackets provide one or more debonding tabs which reduces the potential for damage to the deciduous tooth due to the application of excessive force during the debonding process. The small size of the brackets allow the brackets to fit available crown space on the deciduous teeth. Further the brackets are shaped to minimize mechanical forces applied to the deciduous teeth when engaged with an archwire. The bracket bases are shaped to conform to the morphology of the deciduous tooth crown surface thereby providing an optimal adhesive interface with the deciduous tooth. The deciduous brackets provide proper adhesion to avoid unwanted detachment of the brackets which often occurs when the use of permanent brackets is attempted on the deciduous teeth.

A tooth bracket extraction device which comprises a motor housed within a motor housing, and a motor shaft extending from the motor. A gear cover is fastened to the motor housing, and a first shaft is coupled to the motor shaft, where the first shaft receives the drive from the motor via the motor shaft. A first gear is attached to the first shaft, and a second shaft comprises a second gear, where the second shaft is in communication with the first shaft via engagement of the second gear to the first gear. A torque generated from the motor is transferred to the second shaft, and the second shaft comprises a head receiver member which is configured to receive and mount a plurality of heads. Each head is configured to transfer the torque to a bracket section attached to teeth, thereby removing the bracket section from the teeth.

The present invention is directed to indirect bonding orthodontic brackets to a patient's teeth. A geometric index pin is attached to the orthodontic bracket enabling the orthodontic bracket to be precisely held by a plastic tray. A computer program positions the index pin/bracket combination for a patient's teeth in a determined position and designs the tray to carry each bracket to the patient's tooth in its computer selected position. The index pin eliminates the necessity for the tray material to enclose the bracket which results in a dental tray one third the normal dental tray which saves tray material and reduces the print time of the tray. The ease of removal of the tray from the teeth after placement of the brackets is enhanced by clipping the index pins with a pin cutter.

A pocket orthodontic bonding pad for attaching orthodontic attachments to teeth wherein the orthodontic attachment is mechanically secured within a bonding pad pocket with a design that allows a slight buffering flexibility under masticatory stress and ease of removal of the orthodontic attachment. Upon removal of locking tabs the orthodontic attachment may be removed with minimal force, and the remaining bonding pad polished from the teeth with ease, which is most advantageous for brackets that tend to break upon removal and create high stress forces upon tooth structure. The ease of removing orthodontic attachments allows maximum bonding strengths.