An optical sensor for an instrument to form a closed-loop curing instrument that is configured to manage the quantity of delivered energy to a curable material, including a composite restoration for a tooth. The closed-loop curing instrument is configured to analyze a signal indicative of the light reflecting from the curable material, and to adjust light output based on the analysis.

Methods produce a three-dimensional dental block of material from a dental, polymerizable material. The methods include at least: transferring the polymerizable dental material into a radiolucent three-dimensional casting or press mold; irradiating the polymerizable dental material substantially from all sides with light in the UV/Vis spectral region forming polymerized outer surfaces of the dental material in the form of a solid outer shell of the dental material, wherein the shell is present in the defined three-dimensional geometry of the material whilst the inner region of the material is not polymerized or partially polymerized; heating the material with solid shell being present in defined three-dimensional geometry, to 60° C. to 150° C. for at least 90 minutes; and obtaining a dental, polymerized block of material having defined three-dimensional geometry.

A dental light polymerization device has an intra-oral tip portion and a handle portion. The dental light polymerization device has a polymerization light source and a light mixing element. The polymerization light source has a first LED exhibiting a first light emission peak wavelength and a second LED exhibiting a second light emission peak wavelength. The first and second LED each are configured for emitting visible light within a wavelength range of 380 nm to 495 nm. The first and second light emission peak wavelength differ from each other by at least 10 nm. The light mixing element is formed of a solid transparent body that has a rear portion and an adjacent front portion. The rear portion has the shape of a square-based truncated pyramid. Further, the front portion has a convex shape. The rear portion forms a rear end of the light mixing element and the front portion forms a front end of the light mixing element. The rear end forms a first diagonal dimension and the rear portion, adjacent the front portion, forms a greater second diagonal dimension. The light mixing element is arranged with the rear end facing the polymerization light source and with the front end facing away from the polymerization light source.

A method of building up a dental object includes steps of (i) determining the three-dimensional shape of the object; (ii) mixing at least a first and a second component to form a hardenable composition; (iii) depositing the hardenable composition through a nozzle; (iv) performing steps (ii) and (iii) in combination with moving the nozzle by computer control based on said data. The invention helps providing an object like a dental restoration at maximized geometric and optical quality.

A handpiece of a medical or dental device allows a user to hold, support, and/or operate the handpiece by placing a portion of the user's hand, such as one or more fingers (e.g., the forefinger) through an ergonomic aperture in the handpiece.

The present invention provides assemblies, kits, and methods including a compressible material. Optionally, a hardenable dental composition (e.g., an adhesive or primer) is in contact with the compressible material for bonding a dental article (e.g., an orthodontic appliance) to a tooth structure. Removal of excess hardenable and/or hardened dental composition, if desired, can be facilitated for embodiments in which the hardenable dental composition is an unfilled or a lightly filled composition.

By using techniques to diverge an emitted beam, the same base device may be utilized as either a cutting laser or a curing light. The use of multiple frequency laser modules (312) and a selection of emitter heads (304) allow for systems (300) which may be used for a wide variety of medical and dental procedures. Each system (300) has a plurality of emitter heads (304) to select from either a curing light, a cutting laser, or any other therapeutic energy emission all while utilizing the same laser module (312). Various structures of emitter heads are disclosed, as well as laser modules and connection strategies.

A three-dimensional printing system including a feed source of uncured filled resin material, a print head configured to apply discrete layers of a composition including upconversion phosphors, and a radiation source configured to irradiate layers of uncured filled resin material and deposited layers of the composition is provided. A method of three dimensionally printing a dental article is also provided.

Molds for fabrication of custom and potentially modifiable abutments and impression posts for dental implants with various degrees of angulations (including zero degrees) and various dimensions are provided, with a generally oval shape that expands laterally upwards, a symmetrical or asymmetrical cross-section, and regular surfaces, that are fabricated as one piece, or as two coupling pieces snapping onto each other. Custom abutments achieve the development of a custom gingival emergence profile, three dimensionally, which is potentially modifiable according to the needs of each particular clinical case. Custom impression posts that correspond in dimensions and angulations to the abutments allow the accurate recording and transfer of the developed gingival emergence profile from the mouth onto the working cast, where the final implant prosthesis is fabricated. Custom abutments and impression posts have properties and design that allows their preparation and usage as temporary abutments for the cementation and support of temporary prostheses.

Disclosed embodiments integrate a camera into an intraoral mirror. Integrating a camera into an intraoral mirror provides an efficient way to record and display what is visible to the healthcare provider in the mirror.