A method of aligning teeth and an orthodontic appliance are provided. The orthodontic appliance is configured to be adhered to a surface of a tooth and configured to receive a plurality of differently sized archwires. The orthodontic appliance includes a bonding surface configured to be adhered to the surface of the tooth, an opposing outside surface, a plurality of sidewalls extending between the bonding surface and the opposing outside surface, and an archwire groove extending from a sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls parallelly between the bonding surface and the opposing outside surface.

An orthodontic device is disclosed comprising a head configured to be coupled to a tooth, the head having a first geometric configuration such that actuation of the head facilitates adjustment of the tooth, a neck adjacent the head to facilitate coupling of the head to the tooth, the neck having a second geometric configuration, the neck operable to transfer a force exerted on the head to the tooth and at least one of the neck and the head comprising a flexible material. In some embodiments, the orthodontic device further comprises a member operable to engage the head such that actuation of the head facilitates physical adjustment of the tooth and the member comprises an aligner and the aligner further comprises at least one well configured to engage the head.

A fluoride-releasing dental composition includes a polymeric compound selected from (meth)acrylate polymers, (meth)acrylate copolymers, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, and mixtures and combinations thereof; and a cariostatically effective amount of a fluoride compound. A dental appliance made from the fluoride-releasing dental composition.

A fluoride-releasing dental composition includes a polymeric compound selected from (meth)acrylate polymers, (meth)acrylate copolymers, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, and mixtures and combinations thereof; and a cariostatically effective amount of a fluoride compound. A dental appliance made from the fluoride-releasing dental composition.

A method for generating a digital model of dentition, executed at least in part by a computer, acquires a 3-D digital mesh that is representative of the dentition along a dental arch, including includes braces, teeth, and gingival tissue. The method modifies the 3-D digital mesh to generate a digital mesh dentition model by processing the digital mesh and automatically detecting one or more initial bracket positions from the acquired mesh, processing the initial bracket positions to identify bracket areas for braces that lie against tooth surfaces, identifying one or more brace wires extending between brackets, removing one or more brackets and one or more wires from the dentition model, and forming a reconstructed tooth surface within the digital mesh dentition model where the one or more brackets have been removed. The modified 3-D digital mesh dentition model is displayed, stored, or transmitted over a network to another computer.

An implant plate device comprises a plate base body, further comprises at least one fixing recess, which is introduced in the plate base body and is configured for receiving a jawbone screw that is configured, for a fixation of the plate base body, to be screwed through the fixing recess into a bone, in particular a jawbone, and comprises at least one inner thread adjoining the fixing recess, wherein the implant plate device comprises at least one functional recess, introduced in the plate base body, for a coupling with an orthodontic treatment apparatus and/or with a drilling and/or insertion templet.

Disclosed is an orthodontic anchor unit to be fixed to a tooth, the unit including a mounting portion, the mounting portion having a length in the mesial-distal direction, a height in the occlusal-gingival direction, a thickness in the buccal-lingual direction and a rear surface fixable to the tooth; a projection extending transversely from the mounting portion in the buccal direction, the projection and the mounting portion defining a longitudinal cavity extending in the mesial-distal direction along a cavity axis, wherein the cavity is provided with an opening and configured to receive and locate an elongate splinting member that extends longitudinally into the cavity through the opening.

An orthodontic molar distalizer having a molar component, a mesial anchor tooth attachment, and an elongate member therebetween. The elongate member features a hook for receiving a traction member for imparting distalizing force. A spring biasing means is positioned between the hook and the molar tube for applying distalizing force on the molar component and reducing canine over eruption. A telescopic distalizer comprised of an inner tube, an outer tube, and a plunger can be adjusted to a patient's anatomy. An arched distalizer having a threaded bolt connection between the elongate member and the molar component is also provided.

A saliva sensing device for detecting oral health and/or overall health includes a chemically treated test strip biomarker targeted to identify bacteria in the saliva. A breathalyzer for detecting bacteria in the mouth of a user includes a housing, a sensor, and an analyzer. The sensor is coupled to the housing and extends outwardly therefrom for placing in the mouth of user and for collecting a saliva sample. The analyzer is for testing saliva that contacts the sensor.

An orthodontic bracket and archform system that uses friction-free mechanics are disclosed. The archform can have a male fastener that can be retained within an orthodontic bracket. The orthodontic bracket can have varying locking mechanism, such as deflectable tabs, springs, locking pins, and others, that can cooperate with features of the male fastener to prevent sliding between the archform and the bracket.