A motor-driven dental device has a motor control that is responsive to a load placed upon the motor. More specifically, the invention relates to a dental device having motor that drives a tool, wherein the tool is activated or otherwise controlled in response to a load placed upon the motor through the tool, such as by touching the tool to a surface. The tool may also be controlled by the sustenance, over a predetermined time period, of an increase or decrease in motor current beyond a predetermined hysteresis current threshold. The motor may be an electric motor, a rotary electric motor, and air driven motor, an ultrasonic device or the like.

An orthodontic system and method for aligning at least one tooth of an upper jaw or a lower jaw of a patient. In the system and method at least one orthodontic appliance can be provided which may include at least one force exerting member for applying a force to move the at least one tooth, a tooth movement sensor for obtaining tooth movement data, and a tooth movement monitor for calculating at least one of the distance the at least one tooth has moved and a current position of the at least one tooth from the tooth movement data. An electronic control console may be operatively connected to the force exerting member and in data communication with the tooth movement monitor, for controlling the operation of the force exerting member using the at least one of the distance the at least one tooth has moved and the current position of the at least one tooth.

Embodiments of the invention include a handpiece system including a detachable cable that can receive at least power, and a detachable cable connector, where the detachable cable connector and detachable cable are reversibly attachable to each other. In some embodiments, the system includes an interchangeable laser module, where the laser module and detachable cable connector are reversibly attachable to each other. Further, the interchangeable laser module is configured and arranged to receive at least the power via the cable connector when coupled to the cable connector, and to be removed from the detachable cable connector and replaced with another laser module. In some embodiments, the system further includes an interchangeable handpiece which is reversibly attachable to the interchangeable laser module. Further, the interchangeable handpiece is configured and arranged to be removed from the interchangeable laser module and replaced with another interchangeable handpiece.

A dental delivery system can comprise a first fluid conduit for supplying fluid via the delivery system to a handpiece connected to a distal end of the conduit, a plurality of flow control adjusters positioned on the delivery system at a location remote from the at least one fluid conduit, and an indicator circuit comprising a plurality of sensors and a plurality of indicators corresponding to the plurality of flow control adjusters. A first flow control adjuster of the plurality of flow control adjusters can be operable to change a fluid flow rate in the first fluid conduit. A first sensor of the plurality of sensors can be operable to trigger a first indicator of the plurality of indicators in response to predetermined motion of the first fluid conduit to indicate that the first flow control adjuster is associated with the first fluid conduit.

A saliva ejector device comprises a handle having a passageway in fluid communication between a vacuum device and a saliva ejector. The saliva ejector device comprises an automatic switching mechanism comprising a button that is switchable between open and closed positions to allow or restrict restricts airflow. The button can be automatically actuatable, via a compliant device in the handle, when an individual places the handle in the cradle or removes the handle from the cradle. The compliant device can be a tube that allows or restricts airflow about the passageway, or a spring in the passageway that actuates the button. A saliva ejector device comprises a handle having an upper housing rotatably coupled to a lower housing to selectively switch the handle between open and closed positions to allow or restrict airflow about the handle. A handle adapter has a spherical body for an individual to cup or hold to improve ergonomics. Associated systems and methods are provided.

The overload protection device used on a high-speed dental handpiece includes a valve body, a piston, an elastic member, and a valve plug. The valve body is provided with an air chamber and an air intake passage in communication with each other. The piston is arranged in the air chamber. The valve plug is arranged at an end of the air chamber away from the air intake passage and is connected with the valve body. The elastic member is arranged between the piston and the valve plug. An outer surface of the valve body is provided with a plurality of air discharging holes which is in communication with the air chamber. The piston is capable of opening or closing the air discharging holes when moving vertically within the air chamber. The present invention further discloses a high-speed dental handpiece with an overload protection device.

A powder-cleaning device for dental use is provided. It has a proximal arm configured for attachment to a source of compressed air; a distal arm having a distal end configured for dispensing a mixture of air and powder to a patient a turbulence chamber, which has a loading side door configured for insertion of an abrasive powder into the chamber according to a loading direction substantially orthogonal to a plane defined by the prevailing extension s of the arms (DP, DD). The turbulence chamber is interposed between the proximal arm and the distal arm and in fluid communication with both in such a way that the compressed air can be adducted in the turbulence chamber through the proximal arm and a mixture of air and powder can escape therefrom within the distal arm. A controller for compressed air flow is also arranged on the proximal arm upstream of the turbulence chamber.

An oral irrigator has a first liquid container, a nozzle outlet, a pump driven by a drive to pump liquid from the liquid container to the nozzle outlet so that a liquid jet is emitted via the nozzle outlet, a first switch arranged so that the drive is powered when the first switch is actuated once and the oral irrigator is switched into an ON state, and so that powering of the drive is stopped and the oral irrigator is switched into an OFF state when the first switch is actuated once again, and a second switch arranged so that the drive is powered only while the second switch is continuously actuated by the user and powering is stopped when the second switch is released.

An orthodontic system and method for aligning at least one tooth of an upper jaw or a lower jaw of a patient. In the system and method at least one orthodontic appliance can be provided which may include at least one force exerting member for applying a force to move the at least one tooth, a tooth movement sensor for obtaining tooth movement data, and a tooth movement monitor for calculating at least one of the distance the at least one tooth has moved and a current position of the at least one tooth from the tooth movement data. An electronic control console may be operatively connected to the force exerting member and in data communication with the tooth movement monitor, for controlling the operation of the force exerting member using the at least one of the distance the at least one tooth has moved and the current position of the at least one tooth.

A dental instrument comprises a fluid driven handpiece in fluid communication with a valve; a source of fluid in fluid communication with the valve; and a controller in electrical communication with the valve and an actuator positioned on the handpiece. The actuator is configured to cause the valve to move between a first position in which fluid cannot flow from the source of fluid to the handpiece and a second position in which fluid flows from the source of fluid to the handpiece thereby driving the handpiece. The dental instrument may further comprise a second actuator in communication with the controller. The second actuator is configured to cause the valve to move between the first position in which fluid cannot flow from the source of fluid to the handpiece and the second position in which fluid flows from the source of fluid to the handpiece thereby driving the handpiece.