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.

Mechanisms for securing an abutment, removable prosthesis, and/or a fixed prosthesis to an implant without screws or cement are provided. At least a portion of an abutment and/or a fixed prosthesis may be formed from a resilient material to enable the abutment and/or the fixed prosthesis to be secured to secured to the implant without screws or cement. Alternatively, a removable prosthesis may include a spring-loaded snap fastener for securing the removable prosthesis to an implant without screws or cement. The spring-loaded snap fastener may include a metal coil having at least three turns disposed in a same plane. The spring-loaded snap fastener may secure the removable prosthesis to the implant by at least gripping a groove disposed at least a partially around an interface between the removable prosthesis and the implant.

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.

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.

Dental cement compositions (including two-part compositions), kits, and related methods are used for bonding a dental prosthetic appliance to a tooth. A first part includes an amine activator component and a zinc oxide reactive filler, while a second part includes a polymerization initiator (e.g., benzoyl peroxide) and a polymerizable component having a structure including at least one acrylate or methacrylate group at one end and a carboxylic acid group at another end. A temporary cement composition advantageously exhibits reduced compressive and/or bonding strength relative to permanent cement compositions, which provides sufficient strength to facilitate normal use of the teeth while the provisional appliance is in use, while also facilitating easy removal of the provisional appliance for replacement with a permanent appliance at a later time.

Dental cement compositions (including two-part compositions), kits, and related methods are used for bonding a dental prosthetic appliance to a tooth. A first part includes an amine activator component and a zinc oxide reactive filler, while a second part includes a polymerization initiator (e.g., benzoyl peroxide) and a polymerizable component having a structure including at least one acrylate or methacrylate group at one end and a carboxylic acid group at another end. A temporary cement composition advantageously exhibits reduced compressive and/or bonding strength relative to permanent cement compositions, which provides sufficient strength to facilitate normal use of the teeth while the provisional appliance is in use, while also facilitating easy removal of the provisional appliance for replacement with a permanent appliance at a later time.

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.

There is described a dental prosthesis for forming a friction fit attachment to a dental implant or dental connector. The prosthesis comprises a release device comprising a release member that is movable relative to the prosthesis from a first position to a second position. When the release member is in the first position the release device is not operable to impart a separating force to a friction fit attachment between the implant or connector and the prosthesis and when the release member is in the second position the release device is operable to impart a separating force to a friction fit attachment between the implant or connector and the prosthesis.

There is described a dental prosthesis for forming a friction fit attachment to a dental implant or dental connector. The prosthesis comprises a release device comprising a release member that is movable relative to the prosthesis from a first position to a second position. When the release member is in the first position the release device is not operable to impart a separating force to a friction fit attachment between the implant or connector and the prosthesis and when the release member is in the second position the release device is operable to impart a separating force to a friction fit attachment between the implant or connector and the prosthesis.

A tooth loosening device comprises a body having a tooth contacting portion connected to a handling portion. The tooth contacting portion has a tooth contacting member including one or more surfaces adapted to contact a tooth, and the handling portion includes a manipulation member. The tooth contacting portion can be inserted into a mouth having a tooth in need of loosening, and the manipulation member can position the tooth contacting member so that the one or more surfaces contacts the tooth in need of loosening. The tooth in need of loosening can then be loosened by manipulation of the tooth loosening device. A vibrating mechanism can also be provided to apply vibration to the tooth in need of loosening.