Abstract: The ablator is made with synthetic resins reinforced so as to resist the mechanical stresses of flexion and abrasion. The resins are reinforced with metallic or non-metallic fibers totally incorporated in them, and are reinforced against wear due to abrasion by a modification in their surface molecular structure by means of a process of ionic implantation or similar procedures. Preferably, the synthetic resins used belong to the group of polyarylamides which exhibit better characteristics of mechanical resistance and of the duration of the sharpened edge of the ablator.

Abstract: A dental scaler particularly for scaling artificial dental abutments made of a material that is softer than natural dentition, such as titanium and its dilute alloys, without scratching the surface of the abutment. Two embodiments of the scaler are disclosed; in one the scaler tip has a contact surface that is softer than the abutment surface; in the other the contact surface has a contact edge that is rounded to avoid scratching the abutment surface.

Abstract: An improved dental scaler or curette wherein the cutting blade is spaced from the handle of the instrument by an arcuately formed shank portion which extends outwardly from the lower portion of the handle in a generally continuous arc to a relatively straight portion that extends transversely at an obtuse angle with respect to the plane of the arcuate shank and from which the cutting blade of the instrument extends at an acute angle with respect to the plane of the arcuate shank. In a further embodiment, the cutting blade includes a concave or generally V-shaped portion extending inwardly of the cutting edge thereof so as to form an elongated trough or trap in which material may be retained for removal during scaling or scraping of a tooth surface.

Abstract: A dental curet adapted to remove calculus from the root surface of a person's teeth. The curet has a handle portion, a terminal shank, and a working end. A subgingival shank portion and the working end are arranged so that a working end lengthwise dimension from a rear surface of the lower part of the subgingival shank portion horizontally to the forward end of the toe portion is no greater than about 4 millimeters. The front toe portion of the working end extends in an upward and forward slant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a suction root elevator and a suction dental curette each of which comprises a handle and a working part both of which are provided with a canal system which extends through both the handle and working part. The canal system terminates in an opening at the tip of the working part on one side while the opposite end of the canal is by means of a flexible connection attached to a suction unit. In addition to the integrated canal system an external pipe system may be attached running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the instrument terminating in an opening next to or distally of the working part's tip, while its opposite end is attached by means of a flexible connection to a rinsing device. The working end of the suction root elevator as well as the suction dental curette may be detachably secured to the handle thus permitting to be replaced by another similarly or differently shaped working part.

Abstract: An improved dental scaler or curette wherein the cutting blade is spaced from the handle of the instrument by an arcuately formed shank portion which extends outwardly from the lower portion of the handle in a generally continuous arc to a relatively straight portion that extends transversely at an obtuse angel with respect to the plane of the arcuate shank and from which the cutting blade of the instrument extends at an acute angle with respect to the plane of the arcuate shank. In a further embodiment, the cutting blade includes a concave or generally V-shaped portion extending inwardly of the cutting edge thereof so as to form an elongated trough or trap in which material may be retained for removal during scaling or scraping of a tooth surface.

Abstract: A dental curette or scaler having a finger pad including a generally concave finger surface proximate a working head and complementary contoured to the shape of an extended middle finger urged thereupon. The finger pad is selectively rotatable about and removable from a tapered end closely proximate the working head of the instrument. The finger pad is comprised of a resilient material to adapt to individual finger variations and is textured to provide a comfortable feel and a friction grip to the dental hygienist or dentist. The finger pad is restricted from lateral sliding along a longitudinal axis of the instrument and, further, is sterilizable prior to use. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the finger pad has a plurality of finger surfaces for receiving a finger in more than one position.

Abstract: A dental curet and sharpening machine system has been developed for complete mechanical guidance of the instruments during the sharpening procedure. Double-ended dental curets comprising cutting blades, shanks, and a handle have been designed so that regardless of the instrument's rake angle, the arc center of the toe on the face of the cutting blade which is to be sharpened lies on the longitudinal center axis of the instrument and at a constant distance from reference points on the instrument handle. The sharpening machine comprises a base, an electrical motor with a rotating sharpening stone, and an instrument guide unit. The instrument guide unit can position the blade face of a curet of any rake angle in a horizontal plane with the arc center of the toe on the blade's face coincident with a vertical axis about which the guide unit is swung while the blade edge is engaged with the rotating stone during the cutting procedure.

Abstract: A periodontal implement in form of a scaler or curette having at least one blade mounted to one end thereof in which the body of the implement includes at least one fluid passageway through which a source of medicinal fluid supply including germicidals, anesthetics, soothing agents hemostatics and the like are released to the area of the blade during patient treatment by controlled flow such as by metering or capillary action.

Abstract: Periodontal and dental scalers and curettes for removing tartar and other debris from the outer surface of teeth and especially root areas and which incorporate blades which are carried by a handle with the blades including a concavely curved cutting edge which extends in a plane transverse to the elongated axis of the handle and which cutting edge is configured so as to conform to an arcuate segment of the outer surface of the root or crown portion of a tooth taken generally normal to the elongated axis of the tooth.

Abstract: A dental tool for facilitating gingival retraction.A shank coupled to a handle terminates in a working end member having a curved edge shaped to generally conform to the curvature of the root surface of a tooth at the gingival level and also to the contour of the marginal gingiva. The exact shape of the curved edge varies with the type of tooth for which the tool is designed.The tool can also be used for shielding the gingiva from a cutting tool working close to the gingiva, and as an aid in installing a rubber dental dam.

Abstract: A process for treating periodontitis existing in the mouth of a patient having teeth with roots extending downwardly in the gums by using a scaler including a scraper with a cutting edge and a handle for the scraper. A dentist uses the scraper to remove tartar, concretions and necrotic root element from a tooth by guiding the cutting edge along the tooth root under the gums from the lowest point of the gum pocket and while exerting pressure on the root suddenly moving the cutting edge with a powerful jerk in scraping manner toward the chewing face of the tooth. The scaler is adapted for manual movement by the dentist and also has a mechanism which when actuated initiates and performs the jerk action without manual movement of the scraper by the dentist.

Abstract: A dental instrument employs a tool having an upper portion for use in contacting teeth and a lower portion defining a shank with a lower end, a hollow elongated gripping holder having an opening at one end, a device in the holder communicating with the opening in the holder to removably receive said part of the shank, including the lower end; and a manually operated coupling mechanism having a first section connected to the holder and a second section on the shaft, the mechanism having a lock position at which the first section engages the second section in such a manner that the tool is locked in the holder in position for use, and having a release position at which the first and second sections are disengaging and the tool can be removed from the holder.

Abstract: A cleaning instrument for removing plaque and calculus deposits from the titanium anchor cylinders of tissue integrated dental prostheses is disclosed. The instrument, molded from hard plastic, such as polypropylene or glass reinforced nylon, has an elongated handle and a substantially crescent-shaped scraper body disposed at one end of the handle. The scraper body defines an interior opening which is of the same internal diameter as the external diameter of the titanium anchor cylinders to be cleaned. Interior walls of the crescent-shaped scraper have teeth or ridges to provide a scraping or cutting action for the calculus deposits. The crescent-shaped body extends more than one-half of the corresponding circle. Therefore, in order to place the scraper on the titanium cylinder the jaws of the scraper must be slightly spread apart and thereafter the scraper body snaps onto and is removably held on the titanium cylinders.

Abstract: A tartar remover, particularly useful for removing gross tartar deposits from the teeth of dogs and cats, includes first and second elongate members mounted to another at a central pivot. The elongate members include handles on one side of the pivot and jaws on the other side of the pivot. The first jaw tip has a transversely oriented cutting edge with sharp corners to engage the gross tartar deposits. The length of the second jaw, measured from the pivot to the tip of the jaw, is about 3 mm longer than the length of the first jaw. The tartar remover is used by first placing the inner surface of the second jaw against the tip of a tooth. The cutting edge of the first jaw is then positioned under the gross tartar deposit so that when the handles are squeezed, the tartar is cracked off the tooth.

Abstract: A periodontal scaler or currette having a shaft offset from the handle at an angle of 28.degree. to 32.degree. and a shank, which is offset back toward the central axis of the handle at an angle of 32.degree. to 34.degree. and a length equal to or 2.5 times greater than the shaft, ending in a curved blade in a plane orthogonal to the plane of the handle, shaft and shank.

Abstract: A tool is described for the removal of hardened plaque and tarter from the interproximal spaces of the mouth. The tool is designed to permit self-application. The tool comprises a conically-based stainless steel pick which tapers upward to a J-shaped, curved substantially flat tip, a blunted end for said tip and an elongated substantially cylindrical handle.

Abstract: A grinding instrument, especially adapted to permit wearer adjustment of dentures, comprises an S-shaped handle, a straight shaft and a blade, the handle, shaft and blade all being integral sequential members of a unitary, elongated cylindrical wire. In a preferred embodiment the wire is made of a seven and one-half inch length of four millimeter diameter carbon steel wire in a novel process comprising the steps of:cutting a carbon steel wire to a selected straight length,bending about one-half of said length of wire to form a handle,stamping the terminal portion of the unbent half of said length of wire to form a shaft terminating in a blade, andgrinding at least one surface of said blade at a selected angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said shaft to form a grinding edge.

Abstract: A method in the manufacture of tartar removing dental instruments of the type comprising a longitudinal tool portion having a triangular cross-section tapering towards the tip, at least two of the three edges along the lateral faces of the tool portion being ground into cutting edges (5, 6). A profiled blank (1) of a substantially constant triangular cross-section is being ground along one of the lateral faces (2) with the removal of stuff (3) increasing towards the tip (4).

Abstract: An instrument for removing tartar consists of a handle having a working portion with its outer end formed into a blade dimensioned to be moved down along the tooth and below the gum recess. The side and end edges of the blade are rounded-off to obviate damage to the gum. For scraping or planing off tartar or other deposits on the tooth, the end portion of the blade has a through-opening with edges made as cutting edges with a relatively large cutting angle.

Abstract: A tooth cleaning instrument mounted at one end of a handle comprising a tapered blade of plastics material having a blunt apex folded about a base to apex line and inclined to the axis of the handle, the arrangement allowing all outer surfaces of the teeth as well as the spaces between them to be scraped to remove plaque and tartar. The other end of the handle can include a brush.

Abstract: The tool is designed for use by a denture wearer after the chemical cleaning of the denture or partial denture in the home. The tool is a double ended instrument with two blades mounted on opposite ends of an elongated handle, which handle preferably has a square cross-section and is made of plastic. One blade is spear-shaped and sharpened to a knife edge along its leading edges and at its apex. The second blade has a convex concave configuration and a rounded tip with all edges of this blade including its rounded tip sharpened to a knife edge.

Abstract: The finishing of dental restorations is disclosed with use of dental instruments of the present invention including instruments having concave surfaces shaped to conform to external convex tooth anatomy. External carving and contouring is accomplished by first carving the distal, mesial, lingual and facial convex surfaces using an interproximal carving instrument of the present invention, followed by carving of adjacent marginal ridges and contact areas, and embrasures with an intermarginal carver. Internal carving and contouring is accomplished by first making the areas of fossae and basic occlusal grooves with the ball end of the intermarginal carver, followed by carving and contouring tooth cusps and cuspal inclines, and then supplemental or developmental grooves with an occlusal-incisal carver.