A method of removing a dental adhesive may comprise locating the position of the dental adhesive, directing radiant energy into the dental adhesive causing the dental adhesive to weaken a bond formed with the dental adhesive, and breaking the bond by applying a suitable force to overcome the weakened bond. A dental adhesive may comprise a polymer and a dye or pigment, The dental adhesive may be formulated to cure to form a bond that is weakened in response to the dye or pigment absorbing radiant energy subsequent to curing.

The invention relates to a method for producing a dental prosthesis, wherein the dental prosthesis comprises a prosthetic base and a plurality of prosthetic teeth, wherein the method is carried out with the use of a virtual three-dimensional dental prosthesis model of the dental prosthesis which is to be produced, and wherein the virtual three-dimensional dental prosthesis model comprises virtual prosthetic teeth and a virtual prosthetic base, including the following chronological steps: A) producing a physical occlusion plate, wherein a region of the surface of the occlusion plate is formed by a negative of the coronal sides of the virtual prosthetic teeth of the virtual dental prosthesis model, wherein the location and orientation of the virtual prosthetic teeth relative to one another corresponding to the virtual dental prosthesis model remain retained in the shape of the surface of the occlusion plate; B) placing and securing preassembled prosthetic teeth on the occlusion plate, wherein the coronal sides of the pre-assembled prosthetic teeth are placed on the surface of the occlusion plate formed by the negative; C) securing the occlusion plate, with the prosthetic teeth secured therein, in a device for the layered forming of three-dimensional plastic structures; and D) printing the prosthetic base onto the basal ends of the prosthetic teeth with the device for the layered forming of three-dimensional plastic structures on the basis of the shape of the virtual prosthetic base. The invention also relates to a dental prosthesis produced with such a method and a device for carrying out such a method.

A method of diagnosing optical inhomogeneity of a volume scattering object is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a substance coated with phosphorous materials, adapting the substrate to a surface of a volume scattering object to be diagnosed, and trans-illuminating the volume scattering object with radiation. A dental tool including a substrate is also provided. The substrate includes a transparent flexible film or metallic foil with an applied coating of upconversion phosphors, afterglow particles or both.

An oral treatment device that emits light onto surfaces of a user's teeth. In one aspect, the oral treatment device includes an intraoral mouthpiece. The mouthpiece comprises a lamp support structure comprising a lamp support surface and is formed of a first material. A flexible lamp is mounted to the lamp support surface so that a light emitting surface of the flexible lamp assumes a concave curvature, thereby forming a lamp assembly. A guard component is overmolded to the lamp assembly. In one embodiment, the oral treatment device may be a teeth whitening device.

The present invention relates to a dental matrix for use repairing and restoring inter-proximal cavities on a tooth with light-cured composites, the dental matrix comprising a matrix body and a plurality of light transmitting micro-pores positioned on the matrix body and overlying the inter-proximal surface of the tooth when the dental matrix engages the restored tooth. The present invention further relates to a method manufacture of such dental matrix.

A dental instrument for use with a dental handpiece for cleaning and disinfecting of tooth root canals, the instrument including a shaft and connector for releasable attachment to the handpiece, the shaft comprising: a tip end; a distal portion approximate to the connector; and at least two radial protrusions extending along length of the shaft with a longitudinal groove extending therebetween.

There are disclosed methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth, and dental matrices, dental wedges, interdental matrix stabilizers, dental separator rings, dental curing light devices, and kits that can be used in the methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth.

A device for the drying of tooth or bone surfaces includes a radiation source for irradiating the tooth or bone surface to be dried, a temperature sensor and/or a humidity sensor.

Provided herein is a retraction device for retracting soft tissue from the dental surfaces in the oral cavity of a patient. The retraction device is comprised of a topology conformable structure, where the topology conformable structure is adaptable to be delivered to the oral cavity in a constrained shape. The device can then undergo a conformation change in the oral cavity, where the device transforms into its unconstrained shape. The unconstrained shape of the device creates a useable working field in the oral cavity. The useable working field can provide increased accessibility to and/or visibility within the oral cavity. Also provided herein are methods for using the device and kits.

The invention features devices and methods for collecting and measuring light from external light sources. In general, the devices of the invention feature a light diffusing element, e.g., as a component of a light collector, connected by a light conducting conduit, e.g., a fiber optic cable, to a light measuring device, e.g., a spectrometer. This light diffusing element allows, e.g., for substantially uniform light diffusion across its surface and thus accurate measurements, while permitting the total footprint of the device to remain relatively small and portable. This light diffusing element also allows flexibility in scaling of the device to permit use in a wide range of applications.