A dental appliance is described herein. The dental appliance includes an abutment device adapted to be coupled to a jawbone and a sensor support assembly coupled to the abutment device. The sensor support assembly includes a sensor chamber that is configured to receive a sensing device therein. A chamber cover is coupled to the sensor support assembly to enclose the sensor chamber. The chamber cover includes a plurality of orifices that are configured to couple the sensor chamber in flow communication with an oral cavity. A tooth cap is coupled to the abutment device and includes a cap opening to receive the sensor support assembly therein.

A system (10) and method for selecting a mouthpiece (25) for a user. The method includes receiving a signal with a personal care system (10) to initiate oral arch measurements using a personal care device (12). Data is collected from a position sensor (16) related to a location of a probe (14) of the personal care device as the probe is moved about an oral arch of the user. A controller (18) of the personal care system determines a dimension of the oral arch from the data. The controller selects a mouthpiece for the user based on the dimension of the oral arch. Information identifying the mouthpiece is transmitted to the user or other intended recipient.

A dispensing control system includes a dispensing device and a remote device. The dispensing device includes a dispenser configured to dispense material from a cartridge disposed in the dispensing device, a first receiver configured to receive information related to the cartridge, a transmitter configured to transmit the information related to the cartridge, and an electronic controller configured to cause the transmitter of the dispensing device to transmit the information related to the cartridge. The remote device includes an electronic controller, a receiver and a transmitter, the receiver of the remote device is configured to receive the information related to the cartridge, the controller of the remote device is configured to monitor the information related to the cartridge and to cause the transmitter of the remote device to transmit the information related to the cartridge to a remote server.

A carrier element for supporting at least one medical or dental instrument in a cleaning or care device, wherein the instrument comprises a first transmitting and receiving unit for wireless transmission of electromagnetic radiation having data and/or energy with a second transmitting and receiving unit. A coupling antenna is provided on the carrier element, which receives and in turn emits the electromagnetic radiation wirelessly transmitted between the first and second transmitting and receiving units in order to support the wireless transmission of the electromagnetic radiation between the first transmitting and receiving unit and the second transmitting and receiving unit. A method for wireless transmission of electromagnetic radiation with a corresponding carrier element is also described.

A handpiece maintenance system and method identifies a dental handpiece and operates in a diagnostic cycle to power the handpiece and determine predictive maintenance condition thereof. The handpiece maintenance system includes a temperature sensor and/or an acceleration sensor to measure the conditions of the handpiece during the diagnostic cycle. The predictive maintenance condition of the handpiece is based on data from the diagnostic cycle and other stored data for the identified handpiece. A system is also configured to determine a predictive maintenance condition of the handpiece based on sensor data read from a handpiece and historical usage data thereof.

A coupling device for detachably connecting a medical or dental instrument to a drive unit or a supply hose for transfer of at least one of data, energy, a driving movement and a working medium between the drive unit or the supply hose and the instrument includes a first coupling element and a second coupling element. One of the coupling elements includes a coupling recess and the other includes a coupling protrusion insertable therein. One of the coupling elements includes a positioning element and the other includes an indentation into which the positioning element can be inserted to position the coupling elements in a defined angular position about a shared axis. One of the coupling elements includes a memory unit for storage of data and the other includes a transfer unit, so that data can be transferred from the memory unit by the transfer unit to the other coupling element.

A microchip denture implant and reader system includes a microchip having a transceiver 1150 or transmitter-receiver pair for transmitting a wireless signal containing information relating to a user, and an external reader scanner 130 in communication with the microchip. The microchip mounts in a dental prosthetic item for oral use. The external reader when activated can scan and display or otherwise provide access to the information relating to the user. The microchip and dental prosthetic item, when installed in the mouth of the user, are configured to provide access to the information relating to the user at a given time.

A medical or dental treatment device comprises a tool retainer, a measuring coil and an evaluation device. The tool retainer can be connected to a plurality of different tools. The measuring coil can be supplied with a periodic electrical energy. The evaluation device can be connected to the measuring coil for detecting whether a tool is connected to the treatment device or which of a plurality of tools is connected to the treatment device. On the basis of an electromagnetic (e.g., inductive) coupling between the tool accommodated in the tool retainer and the measuring coil supplied with the periodic energy, a periodic measurement signal specific to each tool can be generated and assigned by the evaluation device to the tool. The evaluation device determines the phase shift of the electrical voltage and of the electric current of the periodic measurement signal.

Embedded sensors and onboard or off-board processing in an aligner case can detect aligner material and/or quality. Material detection can be used for counterfeit detection, or to trigger material specific events. Quality detection can include detection of common aligner failures or defects. A case for a dental appliance may include a tray for supporting the dental appliance, a cover coupled to the tray, and at least one sensor to detect a deformation of the dental appliance. A case for a dental appliance may include a tray for housing the dental appliance, a cover coupled to the tray, and at least one sensor configured to detect a change in material of the dental appliance.

A medical or a dental instrument comprises an operative portion (101) for operations according to the purpose of use of the instrument, a center portion (103) mechanically connecting to the operative portion, and a radio frequency identifier (106) located on the center portion and capable of being read from a distance of the instrument. The instrument further comprises a tubular handle portion (104) provided to surround the radio frequency identifier and at least a part of the center portion, the tubular handle portion being cast on the instrument so that the material of the tubular handle portion is adhered to the material of the center portion. Thus, the tubular handle portion acts not only as the handle portion but also as at least a part of a fixation system attaching the radio frequency identifier to the instrument. An instrument of such construction is easy to keep hygienic.