A cover device formed of a plastic or similar composition is structured for removable attachment over a bracket of an orthodontic appliance and includes a main plate with an outer front face, and top and bottom claws integrally formed with the main plate, curling behind the main plate, and each terminating at distal ends in spaced, opposing relation to each other behind the main plate. The main plate is bowed outwardly from top to bottom to allow the claws to flex away from each other and snap over the bracket upon application of inward pressure on the front face while the claws are pressed against the bracket, to thereby attach the cover to the bracket, with the bracket concealed from view behind the cover device. The front face may include an ornamental design. In another embodiment, the cover device includes a bottom tab for cooperating engagement with a removal tool.

A method includes determining depth values associated with a first set of pixel locations in a first image of a mouth. A first function is generated for a color channel based on intensities of the color channel at the first set of pixel locations and depth values associated with the first set of pixel locations. Image data comprising a new representation of the teeth is received, wherein the image data comprises a second set of pixel locations and new depth values associated with the second set of pixel locations. A new image is generated based on the image data and the first function, wherein a shape of the teeth is based on the image data and a color of the teeth is based on applying the first function to the second set of pixel locations for the teeth and the new depth values.

Dental appliances, materials, and methods of forming such appliances and materials for improved laser marking are provided herein including the use of a particulate material for enhancing laser marking.

A device for producing dental ceramic, with a CAD/CAM device for preparing a compression molding cavity for producing the dental ceramic, wherein a CAD device thereof, on the basis of scan data, determines the shape of the dental ceramic to be produced, and wherein a CAM device thereof produces a positive model, on the basis of which the mold cavity is produced via a sacrificial mold (muffle). The CAM device also determines the distribution and the transfer between different ceramic types, i.e. types of ceramics that differ at least in respect of one parameter in terms of material, appearance, strength or the like, wherein the CAM device for adjusting the distribution and the transfer determines the position and the dimensions of a feed channel between a muffle rod and the compression molding cavity for producing the dental ceramic according to at least one of these parameters.

Dental appliances, materials, and methods of forming such appliances and materials for improved laser marking are provided herein including the use of textured and/or roughened surfaces to enhance laser marking.

An oral hygiene device is provided. The oral hygiene device includes a body having a base and first and second opposing sides extending from the base and defining a gap therebetween. The device may further include a plurality of corresponding notch pairs, wherein each corresponding notch pair has a first notch positioned in the first opposing side and a second notch positioned in the second opposing side. The location of the notch pairs may coincide with a user's mouth and in particular to the position of the user's teeth within the mouth. As such, a fibrous material, such as floss, may be coupled to the device such that the material spans the gap between at least one of the corresponding notch pairs so that the material may be inserted into the spaces between the user's teeth when the device is placed into the user's mouth.

Monochromatic dental shaped body, which has an opacity of from 70 to 78%, and a process for its production.

The invention relates to a porous zirconia article in particular for use in the dental or orthodontic field, the porous zirconia article comprising ZrO.sub.2: 80 to 87 wt. %,Y.sub.2O.sub.3: 3 to 5 wt. %, AI.sub.2O.sub.3: 10 to 14 wt. %, wt. % with respect to the weight of the porous zirconia article, the porous zirconia article being characterized by a BET surface from 15 to 100 m.sup.2/g. The invention also relates to a sintered zirconia article in particular for use in the dental or orthodontic field, the sintered zirconia article comprising ZrO.sub.2: 80 to 87 wt 5, Y.sub.2O.sub.3: 3 to 5 wt. %), AI.sub.2O.sub.3: 10 to 14 wt. %, wt. %) with respect to the weight of the porous zirconia article, the sintered zirconia article being characterized by a corundum crystal phase content of 7 to 12 wt. %>and a flexural strength of at least 2,000 MPa.

Orthodontic brackets and methods for the manufacture of orthodontic brackets including identification marks indicating placement, thickness, or torque.

The present disclosure relates to ornamental indicia carrier and method of producing the same. In some embodiments, the ornamental indicia carrier comprises an ultraviolet light (UV) cured ink printed on a thin flexible film and combined with an adhesive layer. The ornamental indicia carrier is capable of enduring the conditions inside the mouth for an extended period of time and can be used in conjunction with a dental appliance.