Abstract: An alignment corrector for a dental implant which is axially misaligned relative to a desired axis has a base member that is removably attachable to the implant with reproducible orientation around the axis of the implant and a corrector member providing a receiver to support a prosthesis on a support that is correctly aligned relative to the desired axis. The angular difference between the misaligned axis and the desired axis is fixed between the two members in a variety of structures.

Abstract: An abutment for orthodontic anchorage is mountable on an osseointegrated dental implant fixture in the same manner as components used to support prosthodontic restorations. This abutment is adjustable around the axis of the implant fixture, and it supports a mount for holding an orthodontic anchor fixed to a buccal or a lingual side of the abutment. The mount is adjustable around an axis running between the buccal and lingual surfaces.

Abstract: A method and a system for preparing a single-tooth prosthodontic restoration for non-rotational fixation to a dental implant fixture of the kind having a threaded socket together with anti-rotation means to restrain components non-rotationally attached to the fixture. The system provides a set of attachments comprising a two part impression coping having anti-rotation means cooperative with the anti-rotation means of the fixture and index means to fix the coping against rotation when encased in resilient impression material, a laboratory analog having a replica of the anti-rotation means of the fixture and core means on which to fabricate the restoration, the core means having a replica of the anti-rotation means of the impression coping. The method of using the system prepares a single-tooth restoration for fixation on an implanted fixture non-rotationally and with the desired orientation around its axis, so that no stabilizing connection to an adjacent tooth is required.

Abstract: A healing cap for use in the second stage of dental implantology covers the implanted prosthesis and shields its upper surface from overgrowth of gum tissue, and at the same time maintains an opening through the fleshy gum tissue that overlies the implant. This cap is shown to be useful without as well as with an intervening transmucosal abutment. A unique holder/driver enables the healing cap to be located and fixed in place in remotely accessible places in the mouth with minimal requirement for manual dexterity.

Abstract: Abutment posts and copings for use with dental implants are disclosed. The abutment post has at one end means to affix it to the implant so as to extend supragingivally from the implant through the gum tissue. The post tapers down in cross-section from a region at or near the exposed surface of the gum tissue to its free end, and has at its free end a socket for receiving the coping. The coping has at its open end a hollow flaring section dimensioned to fit over and envelop the tapered post section, and a socket section at the smaller end of the flaring section which fits over and mates with the socket on the post. The flaring section of the coping extends to the locus of the boundary between the post and the exposed surface of the gum tissue, where the coping and the post can meet along that locus and form a seal, or provide rigidity to the installed restoration.

Abstract: In a dental post and coping combination in which the coping is a tubular envelope open at one end, a shoulder around the base of the post which has an annular surface on the locus of a first curvilinear surface, and an annular meeting surface around the open end of the coping which is on the locus of a second shallower curvilinear surface cone, so that when the two parts are assembled the two surfaces meet on the locus of a circle that coincides with the larger periphery of at least one of the two surfaces.

Abstract: A dental implant fixture for use in a shallow bore in a jawbone has a flange around its gingival end which overlies the jawbone around the bore when the fixture is installed in the bore. The bore is countersunk to receive the flange, preferably deeper than the thickness of the flange to encourage growth of bone over the flange. Pressure on the fixture is taken up by the flange.

Abstract: A dental restorative pin is provided in three sequential sections, the first intended to penetrate into and to engage in a dentinal pin-hole having a hemispherical indentation surrounding its opening, a second section having a sealing surface curved on a hemispherical locus for mating with the hemispherical indentation when the first section penetrates into said pin-hole, to seal the opening, and to limit penetration of the first section into the pinhole, and the third section extending supragingivally from the second and being embeddable in a surrounding body of restorative material. Means is provided to form an annular open zone surrounding the junction of the first and second sections when the first section is engaged in the pin-hole and the sealing surface of the second section is mated to the hemispherical indentation.

Abstract: A prefabricated abutment of precise size, shape and dimensions is fixed in a patient's jawbone, as the supragingival part of an endodontic post, or an implant, for example. The post is used in combination with a prefabricated sleeve-like coping which is telescopically mated to the post with a high degree of dimensional precision. A finished crown is fixed rigidly to such a coping, or replicates its internal dimensions, so as to use the post as its support.

Abstract: A carrier for introducing bite registration material between occlusal surfaces of teeth, comprising a frangible film weakened to minimize its ability to stimulate the proprioceptive neuromuscular mechanism associated with jaw motions.

Abstract: A rigid tubular housing having a shaft alley and transverse to it at one end a dental tool chamber, has a telescopically-fitted cover which in one position gives access to the tool chamber via diametrically-opposed apertures one of which is always open and the other of which moves to open and close an access opening to the tool chamber. Locks for the cover fill both openings when the cover is closed over the access opening, as when a tool is in place in the chamber.

Abstract: The invention achieves its purposes with a grommet thimble incorporating a bore sleeve which may be fitted with retainer means for a sanitary dam. When this thimble is fitted into the specially-prepared entrance portion of a root canal, the retainer means extends from the tooth for holding a dam of rubber or the like without injury to surrounding gingiva during placement of a clamp for the rubber dam. The root canal can be prepared with the sleeve and dam in place, the sleeve and dam serving to facilitate the establishment and maintenance of a sterile field of operation without creation of unnecessary lacerations on the surrounding gingiva. After completion of the desired preparation procedure, or of partial completion, a temporary plug can be removably fitted into the sleeve protection of the work done or in process. For completion of a restoration several options are available. The retainer means can be left in place and used to anchor a core with or without a post. Alternatively a post can be fastened (e.

Abstract: An ultrasonically vibrated dental scaling apparatus with liquid feed through the scaling tool, in which the tool is mounted to one end of a tuned coupler having a piezoelectric transducer at the other end, and the liquid feed is through the member which drives the tool.

Abstract: A dental hand-piece of the type known as "contra-angle" uses a pair of helical gears on shafts that rotate on respective axes which pass by each other but do not intersect. The gears, one set of which is on a tool driver and the other set of which may be formed in the shaft of a dental tool, engage in respective pitch circles, the diameters of which are smaller than their respective outer diameters.

Abstract: A dental contra-angle which supports a tool socket for combined motion consisting of two oscillatory movements simultaneously, one motion being a linear reciprocating motion parallel to the axis of rotation, and the other motion being an oscillatory motion around the axis of rotation. A tool receiving aperture opens through one end of the socket and extends along the axis toward the other end. A tool for treating a root canal, when installed in the socket, will be given a combined motion consisting simultaneously of a linear reciprocating motion in the axis of the root canal, and an angular oscillatory motion around the axis of the root canal. The resulting motion of such a tool is one of dipping with simultaneous partial rotation.

Abstract: A contra-angle housing made in two parts hinged together at one end encloses a drive shaft with drive gears at one end, and a geared hub for a dental tool or the like supported in apertures in or through the housing parts transverse to the drive shaft. A latch mechanism can be manually operated to release the two housing parts so that they can be opened to change tools, clutches or the like with integral gear hubs. When the housing parts are closed the gears on the hub automatically mesh with the drive shaft gears. Reinforced gears which can be made of molded plastic make possible low-cost interchangeable tools with integral gears.

Abstract: Parapulpal dental restorative pins for use with all forms of dental restorative materials, including impression-taking materials, modeling waxes and the like, as well as amalgams, gold and other materials used for constructing a superstructure on a natural tooth, have heads to anchor the pins in such materials, and means on the head to prevent the head from rotating around the longitudinal axis of the pin in the restorative material. A constricted neck between the head and the principal body of the pin allows the head to be oriented into a plane that is not perpendicular to the pin axis. The heads can take various shapes and configurations. A composite pin, having a principal body made of one material and a head made of another is shown.

Abstract: A rigid tubular housing provides separate enclosures for a drive shaft and a dental tool that are rotatable on axes that are angularly related. A wall separating the two enclosures provides bearing support for tool-driving gears in one of the enclosures and connection to a driving shaft in the other. A latching mechanism envelops the housing and covers it smoothly. The latching mechanism is movable on the longitudinal axis of the tubular housing for controlling access to the enclosure for a dental tool.