Abstract: An autoclavable dental bur block or portable holder for dental burs and the like having elastomeric insert receptacles adapted to releasably hold burs of different shank diameters, with the receptacles color coded and arrangeable and rearrangeable in organized manner as a convenient means to identify and organize the different kinds of burs in the holder. The tubular insert receptacles have a downwardly tapered central bore, including an upper portion of relatively large average diameter extending above the support panel to accommodate large-shank burs, and a lower portion extending below the support panel to accommodate small-shank burs. Dovetail fitting elements on the sides of the bur blocks adapt them to interengage complemental fittings on other blocks so as to hold a plurality of the bur blocks in substantially coplanar relationship permitting them to be handled as a composite unit.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a dental operatory console system including one or more fluid control valves for driving air and water to be delivered to dental handpieces supported for ready removal from a pivoted holder to provide adjustable angular positioning of the handpiece, one of such pivoted holders being adjacent each control valve and including a lockout for the valve plunger when the handpiece is removed from the holder, such as when changing burs, to prevent accidental operation of the air and water valve for delivery to the handpiece. The pivoted holder is readily removable for servicing the valve and the fluid circuit for water and air between a source of the same and a plurality of handpieces in the console includes shuttle valves to permit the use of a single air pressure gage for the system rather than a gage for each handpiece as in conventional multiple-handpiece consoles.

Abstract: A stand for instruments of metal for use in the field of medicine, particularly odontology, comprising a body composed of a large number of sheets of a liquid impregnatable paper material. The sheets are arranged vertically close together so that the instruments are insertable by their operating ends between the sheets to be retained there during the sterilizing process and are thus stored easily accessible for subsequent clinical work. The sheets of paper are impregnated with a corrosion inhibitor to protect the instruments at least during a sterilizing process.

Abstract: A rack for supporting and systematically organizing dental clamps according to shape and size includes a support and a plurality of posts extending generally upwardly therefrom, the posts each having at least one partially circumferential slit disposed essentially perpendicular to the axis of the post, and containing a permanent magnet exposed at the inner end of the slit. In use, the bow portion of a clamp is placed in a slit, the slit serving to mechanically support the clamp on the post and the magnet serving to retain the clamp in the slit, even though the rack be jostled while being moved from one place to another, or tipped, or subjected to any other action that would tend to dislodge the clamp from the slit if not otherwise held.

Abstract: An instrument for processing artificial teeth and the like, which is utilizable for collecting precious metallic powder shavings produced during the processing of the teeth, and which comprises a handy bowl-like collector and a collector plate for supplementally collecting the powders which have not been caught by the handy bowl-like collector.

Abstract: Endodontic files extend freely through openings in a gauge plate supported through a central threaded opening by an elongated, rotatable screw extending upwardly from a base. A post extends upwardly from the base and slidably engages the gauge plate to prevent rotation of the plate while allowing it to move vertically relative to the base upon rotation of the screw, whereby to afford adjustment of the vertical distance between the base and gauge plate to correspond with the depth of radicular pulp to be removed from the root canal of a tooth. Depth stoppers on the files are adjusted along the length of the files to bring them into abutment with the upper surface of the gauge plate, thereby establishing the depth to which the files are to penetrate the root canal. A cover fits removably over the gauge plate and base to retain the files on the gauge plate during transport and to accommodate autoclaving and sterile storage.