Abstract: A mouthguard includes lateral cheek compaction domes which compressibly fill the space between the inside of the cheek and the rear teeth when worn. The domes are ellipsoid in shape and provide elasticity which allows the muscles of the cheek to comfortably grip the mouthguard. The internal aspects of the cheek compress the domes against the outer tooth and gum surfaces to hold the mouthguard in place even when the teeth are not biting on the bite plate section. This holds the mouthguard in place as the jaws move when speaking or during deep breathing.

Abstract: A mouthguard includes lateral cheek compaction domes which compressibly fill the space between the inside of the cheek and the rear teeth when worn. The domes are ellipsoid in shape and provide elasticity which allows the muscles of the cheek to comfortably grip the mouthguard. The internal aspects of the cheek compress the domes against the outer tooth and gum surfaces to hold the mouthguard in place even when the teeth are not biting on the bite plate section. This holds the mouthguard in place as the jaws move when speaking or during deep breathing.

Abstract: A mouthguard includes two sections, a vertical component and a horizontal component. The foam is molded into a configuration such that the vertical component curves around the anterior section of the maxillary dental arch to the lateral aspects, just beyond the canine teeth. At the mouth temperature of 98.6 degrees F., the vertical component is held perfectly between the upper lip and teeth by the general pressure of lip musculature. There is a V-shaped notch in the midline of the vertical section to accommodate the maxillary labial frenum. The horizontal component provides a bite platform and a slit is located along the midline forming two rearwardly extending tabs to facilitate the curvature of the bite platform. Accommodative curvature of the vertical section is provided by spaces between the horizontal component and the ends of the vertical component forming deflectable wings in these regions.

Abstract: A foil sheet of semi-rigid laminated material provides a disposable adhesive pad which includes adhesive on portions of opposing top and bottom surfaces. On a portion of the top side an adhesive is covered by a peel-off label that preferably includes advertising. The remainder of the top surface is substantially a fictionless foil surface. The opposite bottom side is also provided with an adhesive on a portion of its surface. The foil is a medical metal foil that is insoluble in saliva, prophylactic paste, and water. The device is substantially planar, however two wings may be formed along foldlines which provide sidewalls that extend upwardly from the top surface and contain a dental material such as a cleaning paste, holding it on the foil portion of the pad.

Abstract: A two-piece mouthguard is composed of separate pieces of flat cushioning material which contain pre-formed notches, cutouts and holes that permit the separate pieces to be fitted together into the proper shape and configuration of a mouthguard. A horseshoe-shaped bite plate member includes a pair of left and right curved slots and a frontal interlocking tab joint which secures the bite plate member to a vertical member which after assembly assumes the approximate shape of the dental arch. The vertical member includes a centrally-located slot which receives the interlocking tab on the bite plate member. A handgrip projects from the front of the bite plate member which includes an aperture that may be used to secure a tether.

Abstract: A matrix segment of sufficient size to cover the interproximal area of a tooth restoration is shaped for patient comfort, easy application, and easy removal. The smooth tapered shape of the segment sides provides adequate tooth coverage and minimizes potential gingival laceration. An aperture is located in the segment so that it may be conveniently pulled away after use with a string-like material, such as dental floss.

Abstract: Novelty eyeglasses having decorative lenses include a parallel double lens system rigidly mounted in a frame creating an enclosed space between the lenses which is filled with a flowable liquid. Ports through the frame into the space provide for easy filling and refilling of the liquid and introduction of other elements, including floatable and non-floatable decorative materials. The fluid may further contain a coloration or dye to provide the lenses with a translucent tint. The tint color may be easily changed by merely replacing the liquid with that of a different color.

Abstract: A unique dental spatula includes an angle head, and an elongate body having a plurality of lateral projections forming apertured posts for affixing and displaying color-shade samples. The spatula portion of the instrument has an angled head so that the instrument can be conveniently held for spatulation or for holding the color samples adjacent to the patient's teeth to visually determine the proper color match. The elongate handle portion of the present invention is made of a clear material so that it does not affect resin coloration and further includes a roughened front surface for retaining written indicia, which serves to denote the particular proportions of material used in a given sample.

Abstract: A disposable cap for use by dentists for facilitating the cementation process of orthodontic banding. The cap includes a two-piece construction employing an adhesive base portion with a peel-off cover. The base element contains the surface adhesive only in a central area where the orthodontic band should make contact with the cap. The cap further includes a pair of tabs that extend from opposite sides which are not coated with adhesive to facilitate use by a practitioner wearing rubber gloves.

Abstract: A gel-etchant for resin bonding in dentistry includes phosphoric acid, fumed silica, and silicon carbide particles. The silicon carbide adds an abrasive to the etchant gel which permits the combination of the preparatory cleansing step and the application step into one operation. The silicon carbide increases the weight of the gel which aids its rinsability and further functions to indicate the location of the acid gel on the tooth. A procedure for applying the gel etchant eliminates a preparatory cleansing step and includes applicator agitation against the tooth, combined with a shortened rinse time.

Abstract: This invention relates to dentistry, and more particularly to cosmetic dentistry, where for aesthetic objectives it is desirable to remove a small amount of the patient's tooth enamel to modify tooth color. A procedure is described using an applicator and compound which provides accelerated treatment time in stripping away a sufficient amount of the outer layer of the tooth enamel to provide the necessary tooth color modification. The applicator has two functional ends. One end has a containment pocket for holding the compound, and a second end for high pressure scouring of the tooth enamel. The compound comprises an enamel softening acid, such as hydrochloric acid, in the concentration range of between 6%-16% in combination with an abrasive particulate material. The abrasive material should have a hardness greater than 6.0 as measured on the Mohs hardness scale for greatest effectiveness.

Abstract: An applicator system for a powered dental handpiece enables the low RPM controlled application of abrasive tooth compound. The system comprises, in combination, a speed reducer and a mandrel which includes a grooved cylindrical sleeve. The mandrel is made from substantially rigid material so that pressure may be applied to the tooth without deformation of the mandrel and, hence, increased contact surface area between the applicator sleeve and the tooth is prevented. The mandrel further includes a central containment pocket for holding and applying the tooth compound so that both inner and outer portions of the applicator sleeve are operable. A ring-shaped end portion of the applicator sleeve is effective for spot application of the compound.

Abstract: This is a shield made principally of a single sheet of filtering plastic, shaped in a convenient paddle configuration. The dimension of the filter-paddle is sufficient to block all direct and reflected light from the tooth of the patient that would possibly be seen by any personnel in the operatory. A portion of the paddle is provided with a magnifier which may be employed by the physician for closer inspection of the tooth being operated on. Additionally, a relatively thin intensity-filtering material is applied to the back of the light paddle so that the intensity of the filtered light is reduced for the increased comfort and protection of the physician.

Abstract: A hand-mounted light shield for dentists is disclosed which provides eye protection against harmful light-curing guns used in resin bonding. A substantially circular finger disc is provided with finger ring element for attachment to the hand. The finger mounting ring permits the filter to be maintained in a ready-to-use position while permitting the free use of both hands.

Abstract: A light shield for protecting dental bonding materials comprises a light filtering coverplate, a stand, and an electronic timer. This device is to be used in a dental operatory to prevent premature curing of the restorative materials after mixing as they await handling and use.

Abstract: The invention discloses a protective light shield to reduce the harmful effects of resin-curing lights used in dentistry. This is a shield made principally of a single sheet of filtering plastic, shaped in a convenient paddle configuration. The dimension of the filter-paddle is sufficient to block all direct and reflected light from the tooth of the patient that would possibly be seen by any personnel in the operatory. A portion of the paddle is provided with a magnifier which may be employed by the physician for closer inspection of the tooth being operated on. Additionally, a relatively thin intensity-filtering material is applied to the back of the light paddle so that the intensity of the filtered light is reduced for the increased comfort and protection of the physician.