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

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.

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).

A method for integrating a non-supported dental imaging device into dental imaging software operates on a computer which is coupled to a display that is capable of displaying dental x-rays and dental photographs. An originally supported dental imaging device has an API binary file with an original filename accessible to the computer. The method includes the steps of creating a replacement alternate API binary file which contains equivalent functionality as the API binary file of the original supported dental imaging device and placing the replacement alternate API binary file either onto or accessible to the computer. The replacement alternate API binary file has the same filename as does the original filename of the API binary file of the originally supported dental imaging device. The method also includes the step of having the replacement alternate API binary file operated on by the dental imaging software by means of the computer. The dental imaging software is not aware the dental imaging software is not communicating with the originally supported dental imaging device. The replacement alternate API binary file delivers image data acquired by the non-supported imaging device to the dental imaging software.

Periodontal disorders such as disorders associated with a dental implant are treated. An average power for a laser is selected via a user interface on a tablet, along with a set of permissible laser parameters provided in response to the selected average power. A gingival trough or flap is created around the implant with the laser. Infected tissue is selectively ablated or denatured via photothermolysis, and a pocket is lased around the affected implant. Marginal tissues are compressed against the implant.

Periodontal disorders such as disorders associated with a dental implant are treated. An average power for a laser is selected via a user interface on a tablet, along with a set of permissible laser parameters provided in response to the selected average power. A gingival trough or flap is created around the implant with the laser. Infected tissue is selectively ablated or denatured via photothermolysis, and a pocket is lased around the affected implant. Marginal tissues are compressed against the implant.

At least one embodiment of an ultrasonic periodontal probe, the ultrasonic periodontal probe comprising a grip portion having a longitudinal axis, a support member comprising a part having a longitudinal axis different from the longitudinal axis of the grip portion, and an ultrasonic device fastened to the grip portion via the support member, wherein the ultrasonic device is 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 opposite directions with regard to a plane comprising the longitudinal axis of the grip portion.

A method and system for monitoring an oral health indicator of a subject at one or more sites in the mouth via measurement of their pain response to applied mechanical stimuli at the one or more sites. At least one set of embodiments comprises a system which includes an oral tool for use in applying a standardized mechanical stimulus to an oral location in the mouth of a subject.

A broad object of a particular embodiment of the invention can be to provide a method of determining the periodontal pocket depth around a tooth, including: locating the alveolar bone crest of the alveolar bone which supports the tooth to determine an alveolar bone crest location; locating the line where the free gingiva meets the exposed part of the tooth to determine a gumline location; and calculating the periodontal pocket depth using the alveolar bone crest location, the gumline location, and a predetermined biologic width value.

A method for measuring regions of a tooth in a mouth including: measuring at least one surface point on a surface of the tooth with respect to an element mechanically coupled to said surface point; determining a location of at least one visible reference mechanically coupled to said surface point with respect to said element; estimating a location of said surface point with respect to said visible reference. A device used for such measuring may include a main body comprising a final optical element of an imager which defines an optical field of view directed in a first direction; and a measurement element coupled to said main body extending generally in said first direction; where a tip of said measurement element is sized and shaped to be inserted between a tooth and adjacent gingiva; where said optical field of view is sized to image at least part of a tooth.