A laser and a minimally invasive dental surgical procedure using the laser to stimulate periodontal tissue formation.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure include, for example, a method for automatically entering content into a periodontal chart. Such methods include, for example, providing an Intra Oral Scanner (IOS) with an elongate probe extending therefrom, contacting a first point inside an oral cavity with the probe while scanning the cavity with the IOS, determining a position of the first point based on the scanning to determine a position in space of the elongate probe, calculating content to be entered into a periodontal chart, and entering the content into the periodontal chart. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

A system for measuring a depth of a periodontal pocket defined by a gap between a tooth and gingiva includes a frame, one camera, and a processor. The frame is configured to be worn by a user. The camera is configured to capture at least one 2D image of an intraoral target area. The at least one 2D image includes a representation of at least a part of the tooth, a gingiva margin defined by a section of the gingiva adjacent to the at least a part of the tooth, and a probe tip when the probe tip is inserted into the periodontal pocket. The processor is configured to receive the captured at least one 2D image and to determine an insertion length of the probe tip in the periodontal pocket. The determined insertion length represents the depth of the periodontal pocket.

Provided herein are aptamers that bind specifically to the surface proteins of periodontal pathogens. Also provided herein are methods for detecting and treating periodontal disease in a subject. The method comprises detecting bacteria associated with periodontal disease by use of the present aptamers to analyze a sample taken from a gum pocket of a tooth of the subject; and treating the periodontal disease of the subject by administering to the gum pocket of the tooth a bactericide or an anti-microbial phototherapy to eradicate the bacteria associated with periodontal disease.

Disclosed is an apparatus for cleaning periodontal pockets configured to be inserted into the periodontal pockets formed at boundaries between teeth and gums so as to clean the periodontal pockets, the apparatus includes a customized frame configured to have a structure which the user puts in a mouth thereof and manufactured to match shapes of teeth and gums of a user, and inserts provided inside the frame and arranged at the boundaries between the teeth and the gums of the user so as to clean the periodontal pockets, and the inserts are formed at different positions for respective teeth of the user so as to correspond to the boundaries of the teeth and the gums, so that the inserts are capable of being inserted into the periodontal pockets despite differences in positions of the periodontal pockets of the respective teeth.

The present invention provides for devices and methods of treating wounds, including general wounds, gum disease and gingival tissues post scaling/root planning, using a diode laser which generates a beam of light having a wavelength in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum (400 nm-700 nm). Further disclosed are devices and methods capable of stimulating tissue regeneration at the site of a wound.

An intra oral scanner (IOS) including a probe is disclosed. Optionally, the probe is calibrated to measure locations at a higher accuracy than the IOS. For example, the probe may be used to locate points in a 3D map at high precision and/or the points used to increase the precision of location of other points and/or surfaces in the map. In some embodiments, the probe includes a sensor. Optionally, the probe may be used to measure locations that are hard to view with the IOS. For example, the IOS probe combination may be used to produce 3D maps of a recess in a tooth and/or gums and/or a periodontal pocket and/or to traduce a 3D map or periodontal disease. In some embodiments the probe may be used to measure physical properties, for example, the IOS probe combination may be used to produce a 3D image of hardness of mucosa.

There is a need for a minimally invasive surgical treatment method for periodontitis for the removal of deep pockets, elimination of disease, creation of reattachment of the gingiva to the tooth surface and true regeneration of the attachment apparatus (new cementum, new periodontal ligament, and new alveolar bone) on a previously diseased root surface. The PerioLase® MVP-7™ including eGUI or another device capable of laser dosimetry, such as an original MVP-7™ type laser without the eGUI, achieves this with the LANAP protocol (laser-assisted new attachment procedure) and the LENAP protocol (laser excisional new attachment procedure).

At least one embodiment of a method for a method of detecting an abnormality along a portion of a dental arch using scanning material comprising an ultrasonic periodontal probe configured for emitting ultrasound signals within at least one emitting cone and for receiving corresponding echoed ultrasound signals, the method comprising moving the probe along a portion of the dental arch, while moving the probe along the portion of the dental arch: emitting an ultrasound signal within the emitting cone; measuring echoed ultrasound signals; detecting at least one anatomical structure to be investigated; measuring at least one predetermined feature of the at least one detected anatomical structure to obtain a value of the measurement of the at least one predetermined feature characterizing the detected anatomical structure; detecting an abnormality as a function of a threshold and the value of the measurement of the predetermined feature of the at least one detected anatomical structure.

At least one embodiment of a method for scanning material using a dental ultrasonic imaging probe comprising an ultrasonic device configured for emitting ultrasound signals within at least two emitting cones and for receiving corresponding echoed ultrasound signals, the at least two emitting cones extending in different directions, the method comprising: receiving an item of information relating to a direction for emitting an ultrasound signal; selecting one of the received corresponding echoed ultrasound signals or the ultrasound signals to be emitted as a function of the received item of information.