Abstract: An electric dental handpiece including a head engaging a handle and configured to rotatably support a tool. The handle includes a lower handle portion and an upper handle portion with the lower handle portion engaging the head and the upper handle portion having an attachment area configured for attachment to a power supply. An electric motor is positioned with a majority thereof within the lower handle portion and is configured to rotate the tool.

Abstract: An electric dental handpiece including a head engaging a handle and configured to rotatably support a tool. The handle includes a lower handle portion and an upper handle portion with the lower handle portion engaging the head and the upper handle portion having an attachment area configured for attachment to a power supply. An electric motor is positioned with a majority thereof within the lower handle portion and is configured to rotate the tool. Additionally, a method of operating a dental drilling system connected with one of a plurality of handpieces.

Abstract: A light-emitting handpiece for curing light-curable dental resins and similar materials. In general appearance, the handpiece is designed to resemble a conventional dental drill. Preferably, the handpiece comprises a housing defining a tubular handle portion that is adapted to contain a power pack for energizing an LED light source, a head portion for supporting an LED in a position to project radiation outwardly therefrom; and (iii) a neck portion that serves to interconnect the head and handle portions. Preferably, at least the head and neck portions of the housing are integrally formed from a common, thermally conductive material, preferably aluminum. In use, the head and neck portions of the handpiece housing operate to provide a heat sink for the LED. Circuitry within the handpiece housing operates to prevent overheating of the housing and the LED source.

Abstract: An irradiation device for directing radiation onto a substance in a desired wavelength range for curing the substance, and particularly for use in curing substances on the teeth of dental patients. A light-emitting lamp assembly is located within a plastic housing of the device, and a heat shield surrounds the lamp assembly to divide the housing into an outer chamber between the shield and housing, and an inner chamber within the shield. The housing includes an entrance conduit for receiving pressurized cooling air, and a channeling arrangement is provided for directing the pressurized cooling air from the entrance conduit, through the outer and inner chambers within the housing, and out of the housing through exit passages.

Abstract: An orthodontal electrical device for assisting in the repositioning of a tooth in the mouth of a patient is attached directly to the tooth to be repositioned to thereby cause anodic and cathodic electrodes thereof to move automatically relative to the gingival lining as the tooth is being repositioned to thereby continuously maintain the desired orientation between the tooth being repositioned and the anodic and cathodic electrodes of the device. The method of employing low current electrical energy to assist in the repositioning of a tooth by automatically moving anodic and cathodic surface electrodes with the movement of the tooth undergoing repositioning also forms a part of the invention.

Abstract: A dental handpiece having a mechanism for mounting a bur in one end thereof. A fiber optic system is mounted within the handpiece, and is adapted to direct light adjacent the bur when it is rotating to aid a dentist in using the handpiece. The fiber optic system includes a bulb mounted within the handpiece, which bulb is secured in a housing formed from a heat-resistant plastic. Air used for driving the handpiece is also used to cool the heat generated by the light. A pneumatic switch is provided for automatically turning on the light when the handpiece is used and for automatically turning off the light when use of the handpiece is terminated.

Abstract: An air driven dental handpiece having an air turbine at one end thereof. Collet means for securing a dental bur therein are positioned within the air turbine. The air turbine is mounted in ball bearings, which are in turn resiliently mounted within the turbine housing. The handpiece handle is hollow and includes air and water tubes therein. The air and water are mixed within the handpiece at the point of expulsion from the handpiece, thereby creating a coolant mist or fog on the dental bur and the tooth being drilled.

Abstract: An air driven dental handpiece having an air turbine at one end thereof. Collet means for securing a dental bur therein are positioned within the air turbine. The collet means includes a plurality of collapsible jaws at the bottom thereof. Threads are provided on the exterior surface of the collet means in the area of the jaws. The bottom of the collet means is tapered, and a collet nut is threadedly secured on the collet means. The collet nut has an internal taper which is complementary to the taper of the collet means. The threaded advancement of the collet nut on the collet means causes the collapsing of the jaws of the collet means, through the mating tapers, and accordingly a dental bur can be secured in the collet means.

Abstract: A dental handpiece and a wrench adapted to be used in combination with the handpiece for securing a dental bur in the handpiece. The handpiece includes a turbine housing, a rotor shaft and a collet threadedly secured in the rotor shaft. The wrench has a plurality of fingers which are adapted to be received in the rotor shaft, and a shaft rotatably mounted in a tube from which the fingers project. The wrench shaft is adapted to threadedly advance or retract the collet relative to the rotor shaft.

Abstract: A dental handpiece and a wrench adapted to be used in combination with the handpiece for securing a dental bur in the handpiece. The handpiece includes a turbine housing, a rotor shaft and a collet threadedly secured in the rotor shaft. The wrench has a plurality of fingers which are adapted to be received in the rotor shaft, and a shaft rotatably mounted in a tube from which the fingers project. The wrench shaft is adapted to threadedly advance or retract the collet relative to the rotor shaft.

Abstract: A dental pin used in building a superstructure on a tooth having a substantial portion thereof that has been removed. The pin comprises a shaft having a flute at the lower end thereof. The remainder of the shaft is threaded. The flute taps a hole that has previously been drilled in the tooth, and the threads on the shaft are retained in the tapped hole. Thus, the shaft is self-tapping. The shaft also includes an integral handle which permits the rotating of the pin into the tooth. A plurality of the pins are inserted in the tooth in a non-parallel relationship, and a superstructure is built on exposed portions of the pins. A fracture point is formed on each pin in order to break the head off after the pin has been inserted.