Abstract: A dental instrument is disclosed having a light source assembly suspension which includes resilient means, such as a coil spring, for supporting the lamp assembly while at the same time reducing vibration that may be transmitted from the instrument to the light source assembly. The resilient means also reduces heat loss from the light source assembly to the dental instrument so that shorter filament warm-up time is provided. The light source assembly suspension is particularly useful in a dental handpiece in which the frequency of vibration of the gas-driven motor may coincide with one of the harmonic frequencies of vibration of the lamp filament or filament support.

Abstract: A reversible cam lock assembly is described. The cam lock assembly is adapted for attachment to a movable member and includes an eccentric cam for engaging a surface of a stationary member to resist movement inducing forces applied to the movable member. Depending on the orientation of the cam lock assembly, clockwise or counterclockwise rotational movement of the movable member relative to the stationary member is resisted.

Abstract: This invention relates to a motion mechanism for moving an X-ray film in a panoramic X-ray machine in a predetermined pattern and rate of travel relative to a source of radiation. The mechanism includes a cassette holder on which is carried a rotatable rod or roller driven by a traction wheel, a lever assembly for changing the drive angle between the traction wheel and the rod and a moving or rotatable supporting column or structure on which the motion mechanism is mounted. The panoramic X-ray machine also has a radiation source suspended from one end of the supporting structure at a position opposite the cassette holder. The object or patient to be radiographed is placed between the radiation source and the cassette holder and the supporting structure is rotated at a selected rotational speed about the object.

Abstract: A dental scaler is disclosed wherein an air-driven rotor is driven about a shaft to impart vibrations thereto and drive a work tool or other object attached to the shaft. The vibratory device includes means on the shaft for correcting displacement of the rotor from its drive position. That means comprises a portion of the shaft beneath the rotor means having an enlarged diameter such that movement of the rotor caused by shaft wear is corrected. Additional means may be associated with the rotor, e.g., chamfered end edges of the rotor, which minimize pressure differentials at the end of the rotor edges and consequently assist in centralization of the rotor about the outlet means on the shaft. The fluid outlet means comprises outlet ports in the shaft wall beneath the area of rotation of the rotor, the outlet ports having chamfered outside end edges to minimize power losses from turbulence. Additionally, means are provided along the shaft for selecting the vibrational mode in which the vibratory device operates.

Abstract: The invention at hand concerns a device for supporting the patient in panoramic X-ray radiography. The device has a certain head supporting equipment to support the patient's head in order to keep it in a fixed position during the X-ray radiography. The device also has equipment for placing the patient's head in the right position for radiography. These make it possible to move the X-ray machine in relation to the head supporting equipment, so that the patient's head can be placed in the appropriate position in relation to the X-ray machine.

Abstract: An air-driven dental scaler is disclosed having water transport means associated with the tool assembly for delivering water to a scaling type work tool. The water transport means comprises a tube disposed within a hollow connector body and extending between a water plenum at one end of the connector body to the other end of the connector body, whereat the scaling type work tool is attached. The water transport tube has an internal diameter of greater than 0.010 inch and a surface roughness smoother than 25 micro-inches to minimize clogging of the tube by mineral deposits or sediment. The independent fluid path permits the use of hard, martensitic stainless steels for the work tool and softer, corrosion-resisting austenitic stainless steels for the water transport tube. The water transport means delivers a controlled quantity of water to the work tool and the water is atomized by the vibratory movement of the tool.

Abstract: An articulating headrest for a dental chair having a unidirectional locking means is described. The locking means comprises a locking plate engageable with a pivotable shaft connected to a headrest support means. The locking means is adapted to one-handed operation by an operator and permits unhindered forward rotational movement of the headrest about the support means in order to prevent accidental jamming of the headrest against an object during downward movement of the dental chair.

Abstract: A dental wrench is described having a structure which permits application of differing torques to the bur securing collet of a dental handpiece and the end cap of the turbine housing in a single wrench assembly. The wrench combines a shaft, for engaging the bur securing collet, supported rotatively in a frame member and secured to a support member which has means for engaging the end cap of the turbine housing. Interlocking means are provided between the support member and the frame member so that the wrench can be rotated as a unitary assembly to secure or remove the end cap of a turbine housing. The interlocking means are releaseable so that the shaft can be rotated independently within the frame member to secure or remove a dental bur in or from the collet of the handpiece housing.

Abstract: A powered dental scaler is disclosed of a type which drives a vibrating scaling tip in a circular or ellipsoidal pattern of motion. A scaling tip having working surfaces provided by the edges of an elongated, curved element which has a cross-sectional configuration in the shape of a multi-sided figure, e.g., a triangle or a diamond, is particularly useful with a scaler having this type of vibrational pattern. The scaler tip also has a curved free end portion terminating in a point. These configurations enable a dental operator to conduct important dental cleaning operations with a single hand-held instrument.

Abstract: A powered dental scaler is disclosed of a type which drives a vibrating scaling tip in a circular or ellipsoidal pattern of motion. A scaling tip having working surfaces provided by the edges of an elongated, curved element which has a cross-sectional configuration in the shape of a multi-sided figure, e.g., a triangle or a diamond, is particularly useful with a scaler having this type of vibrational pattern. Each of the longitudinal edges has a radius of curvature in the range of about 0.001 inch to about 0.005 inch. The free end of the scaler work tool preferably terminates in rounded or ball-shaped configurations, and the working surfaces can be joined along inactive edges by a convex surface to provide "safe" surfaces. The absence of sharp edges or points on the scaler tool work surfaces substantially reduces the likelihood of damage to tooth dentin, cementum or gums.

Abstract: A dental tool for generating a relatively smooth surface on tooth enamel comprises an elongated shank with an operative end and an end adapted to engage a chuck of a dental handpiece. Any cross-section of the operative end perpendicular to the shank's longitudinal axis is circular with a diameter of less than 0.140 inch. Adjacent, continuous annular grooves extend around the operative end, each groove being defined by a pair of inwardly sloping side surfaces intersecting with each other at least about 0.010 inch from the shank's longitudinal axis and forming an included angle of 60.degree. to 150.degree. between the side surfaces. An abrasive material, such as diamond grit, having a particle size of less than 0.006 inch covers at least a portion of each surface.

Abstract: An air-driven dental scaler is disclosed having water transport means for delivering water to a scaling type work tool. The water transport means comprises a tube coaxially disposed within a vibratable hollow shaft. The water tube is supported at one end within a resilient support assembly which provides a water seal between the coaxially disposed vibratable shaft and water transport tube. The water seal assembly is positioned forwardly of a vibrational node characteristic of a standing wave created during operation of the dental scaler. An axial force exerted on the water seal assembly during vibration of the vibratable shaft improves the efficacy of the water seal between the shaft and the water transport tube. The single, resilient support for the water transport tube provides for quick replacement of the water tube in the event of clogging of the tube by mineral deposits or sediment.