Disclosed is a system and method for treating mal-alignment of teeth using super-elastic nickel titanium, heat activated nickel titanium coated or uncoated orthodontic wires with composite resins in order to effectuate desired tooth alignment. The composite resin is formed into beads that hold the wire in place preferably on the lingual surface of the teeth. Alternate embodiments using composite brackets are disclosed. The overall purpose of this invention is to provide a close contact, low profile orthodontic system, in particular, a lingual orthodontic system that is significantly more comfortable than existing orthodontic systems, completely concealed and effective.

A method of pre-operatively forming a surgical splint configured to receive a patient's dentition can include combining a 3-D facial computer model and a 3-D dental computer model. The method includes the step of obtaining a 3-D facial computer model of at least the patient's maxilla, mandible, and dentition from a CT scanner and the step of obtaining a 3-D dental computer model of the patient's dentition with an optical scanner. The 3-D dental computer model is then combined with the 3-D facial computer model to form a composite virtual model. The composite virtual model can be manipulated into a planned post-operative shape, and a surgical splint can be custom constructed to match the planned post-operative shape. The surgical splint can be configured to receive the patient's dentition.

An intra-oral simultaneous bilateral inter arch isolation appliance features a generally W-shaped body having first and second cheek retractor wings, and first and second transitions respectively joining the cheek retractor wings to a tongue crib of generally U-shaped configuration with an open posterior end. In a patient worn position, each cheek retractor wing runs buccally along a respective half of a patient's dental arches to retract and isolate buccal mucosa, while the transitions curve posteriorly around the rear molars between the maxillary tuberosity and retromolar pad to carry the tongue crib inside the dental arches, where it shields and isolates the tongue. Commissure cradles at anterior ends of the cheek retractor wings hook around the patient's oral commissures at terminal ends of the appliance. Inner passageways within the body accommodate fluid extraction and/or light transmission through the appliance.

An off-the-shelf oral splint that is operatively secured to the maxilla and mandible to assist in reduction and provide maintenance of reduction of maxillary and mandibular fractures in the edentulous or partially edentulous patient. The oral splint is fabricated into a plurality of standardized sizes. These sizes are determined by imaging a population of jaws, measuring dimensions thereof, manipulating (e.g., calculating the mean) these dimensions, and generating a size that is representative of a subset of that population. This can be done for all sizes that would represent individuals in that population. The splint itself is fabricated virtually by creating U-shapes, splitting them horizontally into halves, creating an evacuation channel, and generating a coupling mechanism to hold the halves together. The splint can then be printed or otherwise manufactured.

A device for the relative positioning of the lower and upper jaws of a subject that includes splints intended to be disposed on the dental arches of the lower and upper jaws of the subject and linked by link members disposed in an occlusal position, between the splints, each link member includes posterior and anterior end parts made secure and articulated on a respective occlusal face of the upper and lower splints, so as to stress said lower splint in a forward direction. Each link member is composed of a rigid link rod of fixed length whose posterior end part is on the upper splint and in that the position of the posterior end part of each rigid link rod is longitudinally adjustable in the occlusal plane so as to adjust the position of the lower splint.

A device for trimming a dental splint (1) comprises a spatially movable holder (2) for the dental splint (1), a suction device (3), a laser (4) and a computation unit (5). In a device of the aforementioned kind that can be used with a minimum of control complexity and preparation for the user to precisely trim dental splints despite the use of conventional components, the laser (4) is stationary, a camera (6) for determining the position of the dental splint (1) is provided, and the holder (2) comprises a platform (7) at least portions of which are thermostable and a stop (8) for the force-locked and play-free mounting of the dental splint (1), which is free from a deep-drawing mold.

A method and system to address the adverse effects on an individual's oral microbiome with the objective of restoring gingival health caused by exposure to sodium lauryl sulfate. Certain embodiments of the present invention facilitate the growth of desired bacteria in a human's mouth to reduce the likelihood of dental caries, halitosis, canker sores, and other oral diseases. Probiotic bacterial, bioactive flavonoid, xylitol and zinc compound compositions, provide effective prevention and treatment options, especially while precluding the use of sodium lauryl sulfate so as to reduce adverse consequences it has on gingival health.

An orthodontic retention system includes a fixed component that remains on teeth and a component that attaches to this fixed component. The fixed component and the component have mating or interlocking parts. The component that mates with the fixed component can be removable. The component that mates with the fixed component can be adjustable. The retention system also can include magnetic retention components to retain the removable component with respect to one or more teeth. The retention system also can include an element that replaces as tooth.

An intraoral positioning device (IPD) is disclosed. The IPD is to be positioned within a patient's mouth for intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) planning and treatment. The intraoral positioning device comprises: a bite stent having upper and lower sections, the upper section configured to engage an upper oral structure of the patient's mouth and the lower structure configured to engage a lower oral structure of the patient's mouth during IMRT planning and treatment; a tongue displacement stent extending from and fixed to the bite stent, the tongue displacement stent configured to displace the tongue of the patient in a direction with respect to a base of the patient's mouth in accordance with a patient's prescription for IMRT planning and treatment, whereby the patient's tongue is positioned in a motionless state during the IMRT planning and treatment; and a deployment handle extending from and fixed to the bite stent.

The invention relates to a multi-layer, preferably co-extruded, plastic film with improved modulus properties, which is suitable, in particular, for producing three-dimensionally shaped articles.