A method for preserving the alveolar ridge using partial extraction therapy. The method comprises de-coronating the tooth to leave a tooth root, de-coring a coronal portion of the tooth root to leave a tooth ring, severing an apical root portion of the tooth root from the tooth ring and removing the apical root portion. The tooth ring provides a ring of natural material that reinforces the coronal part of the tooth socket in the gum and reduces or obviates alveolar resorption.

Ablation probe tips (108, 148, 320, 360) and physical and virtual stents (110) for use in tooth bud ablation procedures that result in tooth agenesis as well as tooth bud ablation methods are described herein.

Ablation probe tips (108, 148, 320, 360) and physical and virtual stents (110) for use in tooth bud ablation procedures that result in tooth agenesis as well as tooth bud ablation methods are described herein.

A surgical instrument (10, 100) configured to facilitate gripping and manual adjustment by a left-handed or righted-handed user. The surgical instrument includes a rod (11) having a first end (12a) attachable to a working end (13, 113) of the instrument via a mount (16). The rod has a second end (12b) coupled to a handle (14) having rotational directionality for gripping by a first hand of the user. The handle is rotatable about the rod so as to allow the user to adjust an angular displacement of the user's finger relative to the working end, and a locking member (20, 146) prevents rotation of the handle relative to the rod when the beveled indent is optimally located relative to the working end.

A surgical instrument (10, 100) configured to facilitate gripping and manual adjustment by a left-handed or righted-handed user. The surgical instrument includes a rod (11) having a first end (12a) attachable to a working end (13, 113) of the instrument via a mount (16). The rod has a second end (12b) coupled to a handle (14) having rotational directionality for gripping by a first hand of the user. The handle is rotatable about the rod so as to allow the user to adjust an angular displacement of the user's finger relative to the working end, and a locking member (20, 146) prevents rotation of the handle relative to the rod when the beveled indent is optimally located relative to the working end.

A forceps having relative pivoting forceps joined by connectors and jaws retractable by action of a helical spring in a chamber inside the connectors of the two forceps. A passage from the spring chamber outward to the exterior periphery of a first connector and opening in a space between the two jaws of the two forceps when the forceps and their jaws are retracted, permitting entry of cleaning materials into the interior of the forceps. The jaws being shaped and the passage into the interior of the forceps being so located and shaped that the passage into the interior of the forceps is blocked by at least one of the jaws when the forceps are gripped and the jaws are toward each other.

A forceps having relative pivoting forceps joined by connectors and jaws retractable by action of a helical spring in a chamber inside the connectors of the two forceps. A passage from the spring chamber outward to the exterior periphery of a first connector and opening in a space between the two jaws of the two forceps when the forceps and their jaws are retracted, permitting entry of cleaning materials into the interior of the forceps. The jaws being shaped and the passage into the interior of the forceps being so located and shaped that the passage into the interior of the forceps is blocked by at least one of the jaws when the forceps are gripped and the jaws are toward each other.

A method for fabricating a custom surgical stent. A human third molar tooth bud ablation system for use in a tooth bud ablation procedure that results in tooth agenesis. A tooth bud ablation procedure that results in tooth agenesis. These methods, systems, and procedures may include and/or use ablation probe tips and/or stents.

A surgical tool with an improved drive system may feature an uneven, rotating, swash plate pushing against a spring biased driving shaft to transform rotary motion to linear motion. As the swash plate pushes forward, the spring tension increases and is then continually released as the swash plate is rotates to a point where less pressure is applied to the shaft. The motion is then smooth, continuous, and reciprocating. Various tool bits may be provided for various operations.

Various aspects are directed to dental extraction and dental extraction devices. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments herein, a dental extraction apparatus includes an engagement component that extracts teeth from patients' mouths by engaging with and applying a torque to a tooth. An input torque component translates received input torque to the engagement component. A torque controller operates with the input torque component and the engagement component to limit the applied torque, relative to input torque provided via the input torque component.