Abstract:
A matrix band for use in dentistry has a silicone-based, polymer coating applied to an etched stainless steel surface, which reduces or eliminates capillary action between a tooth and the matrix band, while at least one aperture in the matrix band assists with removal of the matrix band from the tooth.
Abstract:
A brace that includes a chin support for stabilizing a patient's chin in a fixed relative position. More specifically, the chin support is maintained in a fixed position through the use of additional mechanisms such as a chest plate, an articulating arm, or a telescoping arm. The brace is used to stabilize a patient's chin when the patient's chin is placed upon the chin support.
Abstract:
The brace comprises: a chest plate; a chin support; a rod having a top surface, the rod adjustably attached to the chest plate; and an adjustable linkage connected to the top surface and to the chin support. The brace is used to immobilize a Patient' s chin relative to The Patient' s spinal column, or The Patient' s chest, or both when the Patient's chin is placed upon the chin support.
Abstract:
Dental instruments (210) made from a super-flexible alloy, which includes atoms from the group IVB and group VB transition metals and oxygen have superior strength and flexibility. The metal alloys are cold worked to increase the tensile strength of the dental instruments (210). Cold working the metal also increases the flexibility of the dental instruments (210). In one particular example a super-elastic endodontic file (210) is described.
Abstract:
An interdental cleaning instrument is equipped with a base part (10) and a cleaning part (20). The base part (10) has a shaft part (12) and a grip part (14). The cleaning part (20) has a shape that covers a portion including an insertion end section (12a) of the shaft part (12). At least the shape of the base part (10) is set in a manner such that a first pressing force required to press a portion spaced 2.5 mm apart from a tip of the cleaning part in 10 mm is 0.3 N or more and 1.4 N or less in a state in which a portion spaced 10 mm apart from the tip of the cleaning part is fixed, and a second pressing force required to press a portion spaced 8.0 mm apart from the tip of the cleaning part in 10 mm is 0.5 N or more and 2.5 N or less in a state in which a portion spaced 35 mm apart from the tip of the cleaning part is fixed.
Abstract:
The brace comprises: a chest plate; a chin support; a rod having a top surface, the rod adjustably attached to the chest plate; and an adjustable linkage connected to the top surface and to the chin support. The brace is used to immobilize a Patient' s chin relative to The Patient' s spinal column, or The Patient' s chest, or both when the Patient's chin is placed upon the chin support.
Abstract:
An orthodontic appliance for use in orthodontic treatment. The orthodontic appliance is selected from the group consisting of an orthodontic bracket (110, 200, 300), an orthodontic archwire (10), an orthodontic tool (20), and a discrete component (22, 24, 36, 112, 114, 116, 302, 306, 308) thereof. The orthodontic appliance is made of a metallic glass. The orthodontic appliance may be an orthodontic bracket (110, 200, 300) for coupling an archwire (10) with a tooth. The orthodontic bracket (110, 200, 300) comprises a bracket body (112, 202, 302) including an archwire slot (118, 204, 304), the bracket body (112, 202, 302) being made of a metallic glass. The orthodontic bracket (110, 300) further comprises a movable member (114, 306) made of a metallic glass and operatively coupled to the bracket body (112, 302) and movable between an opened position in which the archwire (10) is insertable into the archwire slot (118, 304) and a closed position in which the movable member (114, 306) retains the archwire (10) in the archwire slot (118, 304). The orthodontic bracket (110, 300) further comprises a pin (116, 308) coupling the movable member (114, 306) to the bracket body (112, 302).