Abstract: A pulp chamber locator assists a dentist in performing a root canal procedure. The device includes a generally circular plate and a plurality of struts extending from the plate. The plate has a hole in the vicinity of its center. The device is inserted over a tooth, such that the struts engage the cemento-enamel junction of the tooth. The hole then indicates the proper point of entry for a dental instrument. The device may also include a rotatable indicator for showing the proper angle of entry, to insure that the instrument reaches the pulp chamber of the tooth. The dentist adjusts the position of the indicator, based on information provided by an X-ray or equivalent, and positions the dental instrument so as to be generally parallel with the indicator.

Abstract: A pulp chamber locator assists a dentist in performing a root canal procedure. The device includes a generally circular plate and a plurality of struts extending from the plate. The plate has a hole in the vicinity of its center. The device is inserted over a tooth, such that the struts engage the cemento-enamel junction of the tooth. The hole then indicates the proper point of entry for a dental instrument. The device may also include a rotatable indicator for showing the proper angle of entry, to insure that the instrument reaches the pulp chamber of the tooth. The dentist adjusts the position of the indicator, based on information provided by an X-ray or equivalent, and positions the dental instrument so as to be generally parallel with the indicator.

Abstract: A pulp chamber locator assists a dentist in performing a root canal procedure. The device includes a generally circular plate and a plurality of struts extending from the plate. The plate has a hole in the vicinity of its center. The device is inserted over a tooth, such that the struts engage the cemento-enamel junction of the tooth. The hole then indicates the proper point of entry for a dental instrument. The device may also include a rotatable indicator for showing the proper angle of entry, to insure that the instrument reaches the pulp chamber of the tooth. The dentist adjusts the position of the indicator, based on information provided by an X-ray or equivalent, and positions the dental instrument so as to be generally parallel with the indicator.

Abstract: A pulp chamber locator assists a dentist in performing a root canal procedure. The device includes a generally circular plate and a plurality of struts extending from the plate. The plate has a hole in the vicinity of its center. The device is inserted over a tooth, such that the struts engage the cemento-enamel junction of the tooth. The hole then indicates the proper point of entry for a dental instrument. The device may also include a rotatable indicator for showing the proper angle of entry, to insure that the instrument reaches the pulp chamber of the tooth. The dentist adjusts the position of the indicator, based on information provided by an X-ray or equivalent, and positions the dental instrument so as to be generally parallel with the indicator.

Abstract: A device for storing and transporting a tooth includes a basket having two halves, each half including at least one net. When the halves of the basket are in abutment, the nets together form one or more compartments capable of holding a tooth. The basket is inserted into a container holding a cell preserving solution. The container is then sealed, and can then be stored or transported. In the case where there are multiple nets in each half, the teeth are stored in multiple separate compartments, and do not impinge against each other, or against the walls of the container, during storage or transportation. The stored teeth can later be used to recover cells, including stem cells, for medical use.

Abstract: An automatic toothbrush enables a user to brush all teeth of an arch simultaneously. A toothbrush portion includes a set of brushes arranged in an arc shaped to coincide with the shape of the user's mouth. The toothbrush includes side brushes for brushing the sides of the user's teeth, and occlusal brushes for brushing the biting surfaces of the teeth. All of the brushes are connected together by gears, so that rotation of one of the gears causes rotation of all of the brushes. The toothbrush includes a handle which contains a motor, the motor being connected to a drive shaft which engages one of the gears. The toothbrush also includes a display screen which is connectable to the handle, and which provides educational material or entertainment to the user while the toothbrush is in use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for saving an exarticulated tooth. The tooth is grasped by its crown, so as not to harm the periodontal membrane. In one embodiment, the tooth is placed in a net which is attached to a basket. The net and basket are immersed in a modified saline solution which preserves the cells of the periodontal membrane. The solution is held in a container which accommodates the net and basket. The container is closed, and the tooth and patient are taken to a dentist. The dentist removes the lid of the container, and lays the lid on a table or other surface, so that the sponge faces upward. The dentist then lifts the basket, with the tooth, out of the solution, and inverts the net so that the tooth falls out onto the sponge. The dentist then grasps the tooth with a forceps and reimplants it in the patient's mouth. In other embodiments, the net is omitted, and is replaced by padding in the container which protecgts the tooth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for saving an exarticulated tooth. The tooth is grasped by its crown, so as not to harm the periodontal membrane. The tooth is then placed in a net which is attached to a basket. The net and basket are immersed in a modified saline solution which preserves the cells of the periodontal membrane. The solution is held in a container which accommodates the net and basket. The lid of the container has a sponge attached to its interior surface. The container is closed, and the tooth and patient are taken to a dentist. The dentist removes the container lid, and lays the lid on a table or other surface, so that the sponge faces upward. The dentist then lifts the basket, with the tooth, out of the solution, and inverts the net so that the tooth falls out onto the sponge. The dentist grasps the tooth with a forceps and reimplants it in the patient's mouth.