Everyday IP: Sink Your Teeth Into Dental Patents

March 6 is National Dentist's Day in the United States – a celebration of the people who work tirelessly to keep us smiling. Although it may not be on your mind while sitting in the dentist's chair, these cavity conquerors owe much of their success to a universe of inventions, innovations and technical evolutions, all deeply rooted in Intellectual Property (IP) history.

So, take this opportunity to thank your dentist for their handiwork – even if through gritted teeth – and thank a patent for taking off some of the bite.

Mechanics or medics?

It is no surprise that modern dentistry boasts a long list of IP protections on everything from model teeth structures to dental training kits. After all, the profession was once viewed more as the work of mechanics than doctors, and nothing demonstrates mechanical excellence as well as holding patents.