Abstract: An intra-oral appliance that is associated with a pair of dental arches having a trough for receiving an upper dental arch. A second layer in a covering relation to the first layer opposite the trough, the second layer being relatively harder than the first layer. A third layer in covering relation to the second layer opposite the first layer. The third layer is relatively harder that the second layer.

Abstract: A face bow wherein injection-molded plastic is used to form the joint between an outer bow and an inner arch. The outer bow also contains a plastic coating that provides a desired color other than that of bare metal which it covers. A clear-coat layer may also be applied over the colored layer. The plastic coating of the outer bow and the injection-molded plastic that forms the joint may have the same color.

Abstract: Multi-laminar bite registration devices are fabricated from ethylene vinyl acetate. Injection molding is used to bond one lamina to another without the use of separate adhesive. The lamina have different durometers. In one embodiment, two relatively low durometer lamina are injection molded onto opposite surfaces of a relatively higher durometer lamina. In another, a relatively lower durometer lamina is injection molded onto a relatively higher durometer lamina.

Abstract: A container for a mouthguard has two closed positions. In one of these, there is an opening between confronting margins of the top and bottom halves of the container that allows an integral attaching strap of the mouthguard to pass through. Intra-oral devices such as mouthguards can be customized by using a manually operated electric gun to progressively melt a stick of pharmaceutical hot melt material and dispense the melted material onto a device, such as to fill a space in a trough of a mouthguard. Such a gun may have two barrels for melting sticks of different durometer, or a single barrel for melting a dual-durometer stick. The gun also has a quick-attach, quick-release mechanism for interchanging different dispensing nozzles.

Abstract: A mouthguard that possesses a number of unique features including: a two part main body in which the two parts are exactly identical so that they can be fabricated by the same mold; the main body has internal pockets that provide for the placement of a lower durometer material within the main body, particularly the molar regions; the main body is constructed in two parts to provide for the inclusion of air/saliva ducts and the attachment of a separate attaching strap; the relative thicknesses of the liner material and the main body material can be varied in particular ways at the occlusal wall; the buccal wall has pocketry containing different durometer material; a bite locator is provided; and the liner forms a significant portion of the buccal wall as a smooth rounded edge.

Abstract: A metallic orthodontic wire is coated with a layer of tooth color material and a clear layer of material covers the tooth color material to allow the tooth color material to be seen through the layer of clear material. A preferred material for the tooth color layer is a plastic such as polyethylene or polyurethane. A preferred material for the clear layer is a silicone elastomer.

Abstract: A method of making a dental appliance made of an elasticized acrylic containing embedded nylon fibers including the steps of heating the thermoplastic material, forming it onto a dental cast, and cooling it to a rigid state. The fibers may be arranged in various patterns within the elasticized acrylic and it is the fibers which act on the arch through the elasticized acrylic. The appliance may be used as a tooth positioner, a retainer, a splint, or a base plate.

Abstract: A metallic orthodontic wire is coated with a layer of tooth color material and a clear layer of material covers the tooth color material to allow the tooth color material to be seen through the layer of clear material. A preferred material for the tooth color layer is a plastic such as polyethylene or polyurethane. A preferred material for the clear layer is a silicone elastomer. Several processes for fabricating various embodiments of coated metal orthodontic wires are also disclosed.