Abstract:
A method of monitoring the degree of fit of an aligner among a series of aligners. First, an aligner in the series of aligners is selected whose fit to a patient's teeth are to be tested. Next the method includes disposing a nontoxic plastic material comprising an ultra violet reactive agent into the selected aligner, setting the patient's teeth into the selected aligner containing the material, and then illuminating the patient's teeth and the selected aligner with ultra violet light to determine the amount of material disposed onto the interior aligner's surfaces by visual inspection. The material disposed therein is then assessed, a good fit being indicated by a low degree of reflected ultra violet light from the disposed material, and a poor fit being indicated by a high degree of reflected ultra violet light from the disposed material.
Abstract:
A prescription management system is used by an orthodontic or dental lab and a plurality of prescribing users who send prescriptions for customized orthodontic or dental appliances to the lab. The prescriptions are stored in a database selectively accessible by the lab and plurality of prescribing users. A digital workspace is provided in the system in which the lab or prescribing users may create designs for the customized appliances. The designs of the appliances are stored in the database. A tracking record of fabrication of the appliances is stored in the database. A plurality of billings are simultaneously generated in response to the submissions and storage of the prescriptions, the designs of the customized appliances and the fabrication of the designed customized appliances.
Abstract:
An apparatus for cleaning the touch screen of any personal electronic device, including but not limited to smart phones and personal computing tablets. The apparatus comprises a wet portion and a dry portion in a substantially horizontal figure “8” configuration. The apparatus may also comprise a reservoir for storing a volume of conventional cleaning fluid. When not in use, the apparatus is slid into a case which is configured to house the wet and dry portions of the apparatus in separate housing compartments. A method is also provided for storing the apparatus when not in use so as to prolong its effective lifespan and improve its overall performance.
Abstract:
A comforting mouth guard is disclosed for use after indirect bonding of orthodontic brackets onto teeth of a patient and installation of orthodontic wires between the brackets. The mouth guard includes an indirect bonding tray having a wall of soft material and molded-in channels defined in the soft material of the wall so that the tray is reinsertable over the orthodontic wires and brackets after bonding to the teeth of the patient to provide a conformal fit to the teeth, brackets and wires and to lock in place over the brackets and wires.
Abstract:
An apparatus for cleaning the touch screen of any personal electronic device, including but not limited to smart phones and personal computing tablets. The apparatus comprises a wet portion and a dry portion in a substantially horizontal figure “8” configuration. The apparatus may also comprise a reservoir for storing a volume of conventional cleaning fluid. When not in use, the apparatus is slid into a case which is configured to house the wet and dry portions of the apparatus in separate housing compartments. A method is also provided for storing the apparatus when not in use so as to prolong its effective lifespan and improve its overall performance.
Abstract:
An apparatus for cleaning the touch or display touch or display surface of an electronic device such as a cell phone or computer tablet comprising a wiper coupled to cleaner bar. The cleaner bar moves longitudinally and/or laterally across the electronic device with the wiper in contact with the touch or display surface. The wiper comprises both a moist pad and a dry pad. The moist pad is fluidly communicated to a reservoir defined within the cleaner bar. On its “cleaning stroke”, cleaning fluid is released into the moist pad and then deposited onto the touch or display surface. The cleaner bar moves longitudinally across the touch or display surface by manual or motorized means. The cleaner bar may also be in communication with the electronic device to detect when a task has been completed on the electronic device. After detection, the cleaner bar automatically traverses the touch or display surface, thereby cleaning it after every use.
Abstract:
A removable and transferable electronic system monitors the brushing patterns and brushing intensity of a user by analyzing the sound(s) that is produced by a conventional tooth brush as it passes over the teeth and/or gums. The system couples to the toothbrush and the brushing sounds are captured by a microphone coupled to the toothbrush which is then communicated to a microprocessor coupled to a digital display. After the microprocessor has analyzed the brushing sounds, a message is displayed on the digital display that directs the user to continue brushing or change brushing habits, depending on the outcome of the analysis. After brushing, the system may be decoupled from the toothbrush and stored or coupled to another user's toothbrush and the process repeated.
Abstract:
A method for managing an office using a network of robotic elements. The method includes transmitting a first signal corresponding to a request to at least one robotic element within the network of robotic elements, wherein the request comprises a first location and a first task to be completed at the first location. The robotic element then navigates to the first location associated with the request and performs the first task that is associated with the request. The robotic element then transmits a second signal which corresponds to the request by the at least one robotic element to the network of robotic elements, wherein the second signal corresponding to the request comprises a notification that the first task has been performed. The robotic element may be an airborne drone or a wheeled robot. Each robotic element may perform several tasks associated with office management.
Abstract:
An interproximal reduction (IPR) kit and method for using the same. The patient takes their own dental impression and submits it to a dental service provider for a treatment plan. A set of aligners based on the treatment plan are then delivered to the patient as part of a kit. The kit also includes a set of written instructions and/or a treatment diagram and a plurality of strips used to reduce the widths of specific spots of the patient's teeth according to the treatment plan. The patient follows the reapproximation instructions or is instructed to go to a website for supervision for the performance of the reapproximation process. After sufficient instruction, the patient applies the plurality of strips to the correct spots between their teeth. Once reapproximation is complete, the patient is ready to begin wearing the aligners as dictated by the treatment plan.
Abstract:
An orthodontic apparatus includes a printed assembly conforming to the tooth with a separation line or zone defined therein having a configuration adapted to facilitate removal of the printed assembly. The separation zone or line takes the form of a slit, slot, serration, thinned indentation, a horizontal or vertical separation line or zone or a combination thereof, and an open slot defined in a cross configuration into the printed assembly with a vertical slot and intersecting horizontal slot, the vertical slot extending to the lower edge of the assembly. The assembly includes at least two separate portions, a buccal portion and a lingual portion conformed to the tooth, the separation line or zone being defined on at least one of the two separate portions. A three dimensional structural fixture may also be defined in the printed assembly for engagement with a tool.