7505 results about "Dentistry" patented technology

Drug dosage forms, which are housed in oral devices, and methods for controlled drug release are provided. The oral devices are permanently or removably inserted in the oral cavity and refilled or replaced as needed. The controlled drug release may be passive, based on the dosage form, or electronically controlled, for a high-precision, intelligent, drug delivery. Additionally, the controlled release may be any one of the following: release in accordance with a preprogrammed schedule, release at a controlled rate, delayed release, pulsatile release, chronotherapeutic release, closed-loop release, responsive to a sensor's input, release on demand from a personal extracorporeal system, release in accordance with a schedule specified by a personal extracorporeal system, release on demand from a monitoring center, via a personal extracorporeal system, and release in accordance with a schedule specified by a monitoring center, via a personal extracorporeal system. Drug absorption in the oral cavity may be assisted by an electrotransport mechanism. The oral devices require refilling or replacement at relatively long intervals of weeks or months, maintain a desired dosage level in the oral cavity, hence in the gastrointestinal tract, for extended periods, address situations of narrow drug therapeutic indices, and by being automatic, ensure adherence to a prescribed medication regimen.

Disclosed are systems, devices and methods for optimizing the manufacture and / or production of patient-specific orthopedic implants. The methods include obtaining image data of a patient, selecting a blank implant to be optimized for the patient, and modifying the blank implant utilizing techniques disclosed herein to alter specific features of the implant to conform to the patient's anatomy.

An oral appliance for treating sleep apnea and bruxism is formed of a maxillary tray and a mandibular tray. The maxillary tray carries a maxillary bite pad projecting downwardly toward an opposed mandibular occlusal surface. The mandibular tray carries a mandibular bite pad projecting upwardly toward an opposed maxillary occlusal surface. The maxillary bite pad is posterior to the mandibular bite pad such that upon sufficient relative posterior movement of the mandibular tray, the maxillary bite pad engages the mandibular bite pad and limits posterior movement of the mandibular tray. At least one surface, chosen from the anterior face of the maxillary bite pad and the posterior face of the mandibular bite pad, defines a guide plane disposed at an upward and forward slant. The maxillary bite pad and the mandibular bite pad are engageable at the guide plane for advancing the mandibular tray along the guide plane upon vertical closure between the trays. A smooth pad is disposed over the occlusal surface of at least one of the trays, guarding the occlusal surface from engagement with the opposed bite pad.

Provided is a device for monitoring the orientation of a hand-held surgical or dental tool. The device includes one or more orientation sensors that generate signals indicative of an orientation of the device. A processor calculates from the signals a current orientation of the device, where the current orientation is specified by a unit vector defined by a first angle formed between the unit vector and a predetermined first fixed axis and a second angle formed by the unit vector and a second predetermined axis. The processor compares a current orientation of the device with a predetermined reference orientation of the device stored in the memory and provides an indication of the deviation between a current orientation of the device and the reference orientation.

The present invention encompasses topical oral care compositions comprising the combination of an anti-bacterial agent with an anti-inflammatory agent in an orally acceptable carrier for effective treatment and prevention of bacteria-mediated diseases and conditions in the oral cavity and for modulating host reaction to bacterial pathogens present in the oral cavity and to the toxins, endotoxins, inflammatory cytokines and mediators released by or prompted by these pathogens. The present invention also encompasses methods of use of these compositions comprising topical application to the oral cavity. The benefits of the present compositions and methods extend beyond treating and preventing oral bacterial infections in the oral cavity to promoting whole body or systemic health.

An oral appliance for treating sleep apnea and bruxism is formed of a maxillary tray and a mandibular tray. The maxillary tray carries a maxillary bite pad projecting downwardly toward an opposed mandibular occlusal surface. The mandibular tray carries a mandibular bite pad projecting upwardly toward an opposed maxillary occlusal surface. The maxillary bite pad is posterior to the mandibular bite pad such that upon sufficient relative posterior movement of the mandibular tray, the maxillary bite pad engages the mandibular bite pad and limits posterior movement of the mandibular tray. At least one surface, chosen from the anterior face of the maxillary bite pad and the posterior face of the mandibular bite pad, defines a guide plane disposed at an upward and forward slant. The maxillary bite pad and the mandibular bite pad are engageable at the guide plane for advancing the mandibular tray along the guide plane upon vertical closure between the trays. A smooth pad is disposed over the occlusal surface of at least one of the trays, guarding the occlusal surface from engagement with the opposed bite pad.

Provided, among other things, is a system for progressive palatal expansion, the system comprising a series of incremental expanders, including: a) a first incremental expander having a geometry selected to incrementally expand the palate; b) one or more intermediate expanders having geometries selected to progressively expand the palate; and, c) a final expander, having a geometry selected to expand the palate to a target desired breadth.

Devices for collecting a fluid sample from the oral cavity, the device including a mouthpiece that includes a chamber, the chamber including front and rear inner walls; and means for collecting the fluid sample from the oral cavity; and methods of collecting and analyzing samples of fluid from the oral cavity, including the steps of placing the device in the oral cavity, collecting the fluid sample and conducting an analysis of the fluid sample.

A method to create a digital model of a patient's teeth includes creating an impression of the patient's teeth; and scanning the impression using an X-ray source to generate the digital model.

A wax model of a required coping is produced using CNC machining techniques based on a virtual model of the coping created from digital data obtained from the intraoral cavity. The dental coping is then fabricated from the wax model.

An oral appliance compliance monitoring system and method comprises an oral appliance suitable for wearing in a patient's oral cavity during sleeping periods, the oral appliance having one or more sensors measuring a variety of conditions such as oxygen saturation levels in the oral cavity mucosa. The data generated by the sensor is continuously transmitted to a local scanner which is in communication with a central computer. The computer interprets the data to determine if the patent is wearing the oral appliance in compliance with a prescribed treatment regimen for breathing-related sleep disorders. Remotely located computers are authorized to receive the streamed data to enable remote monitoring of compliance in real time by a plurality of patients with treatment regimens.

A device and system for use in procedures associated with the intra-oral cavity, the device having a probe member and a handpiece for holding the elongate probe member, the probe member having an elongate distal portion capable of being manipulated in the intra-oral cavity, the probe member comprising: at least one treatment channel having a distal opening in the elongate distal portion, the at least one treatment channel being configured for enabling operation of a suitable tool via the distal opening; at least one illumination channel comprising a first light guide having a first proximal end configured for optical coupling to a light source system, and a second distal end in the distal portion for illuminating regions of interest during operation of the device; at least one light collection channel configured for optical coupling to an imaging system and for collecting and transmitting light reflected from the regions of interest during operation of the device.