Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for whitening teeth using a fluid delivery toothbrush to deliver a bleaching liquid to the teeth during brushing. The fluid delivery toothbrush may be manual or powered, delivering fresh relatively high strength bleaching liquid to the tooth surfaces, preferably on a daily basis, for one to three minutes.

Abstract: A fluid delivery powered toothbrush utilizes a removable/disposable neck assembly that contains a fluid reservoir, a fluid delivery system and a fluid path therein leading to a brush receptacle. No fluid is used in or passes through the toothbrush handle. Preferably a pump is located in the neck assembly and activated at the same time as the brush drive such that fluid is delivered during brushing. In one embodiment of the invention, the brush is replaced with a nozzle for providing fluid prior to or after brushing. The components for the neck assembly are disposable to minimize cross-contamination while enhancing fluid delivery to the teeth during brushing.

Abstract: In a dental prophylaxis angle, an angle housing defines a main passageway and an ancillary passageway communicating therewith and extending at an substantial angle thereto. A drive shaft extends through the main passageway, while a cup holder is rotatably disposed in the ancillary passageway, the cup holder being drivingly coupled to the drive shaft. A flexible prophy cup is mounted to the cup holder, and a bearing is rotatably disposed in the main passageway about the drive shaft. The bearing has a snap-lock element projecting into a recess provided in the housing, thereby fixing a longitudinal position of the bearing with respect to the housing and holding the drive shaft in driving engagement with the cup holder. The prophy cup is coupled to the cup holder via a ball and socket joint and is provided in a region about the ball and socket joint with a flexible skirt defining an annular groove, the cup holder having an annular seat projecting into the groove.

Abstract: A dental scaling system includes a scaling instrument with a handpiece and a scaling tip at the end of the handpiece. An ultrasonic transducer is connected to the scaling tip, and there is an irrigant outlet in the scaling tip. A cable is attachable to the handpiece and includes an irrigant passage and two lead wires for supplying irrigant and electrical energy to the handpiece. An irrigant supply bottle is releasably attachable on a housing, and the cable is attachable on the housing. The housing includes an air pump to pressurize and transfer irrigant liquid from the irrigant supply bottle through the cable to the handpiece. The housing also includes electronics to power and control the ultrasonic transducer. Each irrigant supply bottle includes a mounting member with a pair of wings, received in a forked docking assembly on the housing, with the mounting member lockable in the docking assembly.

Abstract: The invention is a high humectant, low water, stannous fluoride containing toothpaste composition which maintains the stability and activity of the stannous fluoride over time, and methods for the preparation thereof. Stannous fluoride combined with from about 70 to about 92% humectant, and water present at less than 10% by weight, provides a stable toothpaste which avoids stannous fluoride degradation with time.

Abstract: A medicament containing dental brush includes a plurality of parallel fibers having a medicament such as tetracycline, chlorhexidine, or sodium fluoride disposed between or within the individual fibers. The medicament is released during brushing to provide direct contact of the medicament with the areas in the mouth receiving treatment, including those areas both above and below the gum line. The brush is disposable and contains a sufficient dosage for one use and is preferably used with a rotary toothbrush. Utilizing a dental brush as a means for delivery of the medicament to a treatment area, increases the effectiveness of the treatment.

Abstract: A gum stimulator is disclosed which has a removable brush composed of a high-density of soft thin fibers. The brush tip is disposed on a handle, which may comprise an end of a toothbrush, and is mounted on a shaft which extends from the handle. In one embodiment, the brush extends at an angle of about 90 degrees from the handle and includes long fibers surrounded by short fibers which penetrate the interstitial spaces between the teeth to provide complete gum stimulation without causing tissue damage.

Abstract: A medicament containing dental brush includes a plurality of parallel fibers having a medicament such as tetracycline, chlorhexidine, or sodium fluoride disposed between or within the individual fibers. The medicament is released during brushing to provide direct contact of the medicament with the areas in the mouth receiving treatment, including those areas both above and below the gum line. The brush is disposable and contains a sufficient dosage for one use and is preferably used with a rotary toothbrush. Utilizing a dental brush as a means for delivery of the medicament to a treatment area, increases the effectiveness of the treatment.

Abstract: A toothpick has an elongated body portion having an upwardly extending ridge and a pair of angulated legs defining a longitudinal groove, a tooth gap traversing tip which is substantially flat relatively long and tapers to a point for substantially traversing the gap between adjacent teeth, and a tooth scraping tip which is substantially flat relatively short and tapers to a point for scraping adjacent tooth surfaces in an upward movement. The tips are substantially flexible perpendicular to the flat surfaces for adjusting to the curved surfaces which are encountered in the spaced between teeth. The tips are highly effective in removing food debris from the gap between tooth surfaces yet can be produced at relatively low cost from plastic.

Abstract: A gum stimulator is disclosed which has a removable brush composed of a high-density of soft thin fibers. The brush tip is disposed on a handle, which may comprise an end of a toothbrush, and is mounted on a shaft which extends from the handle. In one embodiment, the brush extends at an angle of about 90 degrees from the handle and includes long fibers surrounded by short fibers which penetrate the interstitial spaces between the teeth to provide complete gum stimulation without casuing tissue damage.

Abstract: A constant pressure periodontal probe (1) has a probing portion (3) and is connected to a handle (2) through a flexing joint (10). A backing portion (4) extends from the handle adjacent to but spaced away from the probe tip such that a gap (17) exists between the probing portion and the backing portion. As the probing portion is inserted into a pocket between the tooth and gum, the amount of resistance causes the probe portion to be displaced about the flexible joint, closing the gap between the probing and backing portions. When the probing portion contacts the backing portion, a constant insertion pressure has been reached and a reading is taken to determine the depth of the pocket. Utilizing such a constant pressure periodontal probe assures that each reading is taken at a set pressure, preventing damage to the gum tissue and assuring accurate readings.

Abstract: A gum stimulator is disclosed which has a removable brush composed of a high-density of soft thin fibers. The brush tip is disposed on a handle, which may comprise an end of a toothbrush, and is mounted on a shaft which extends from the handle. In one embodiment, the brush extends at an angle of about 90 degrees from the handle and includes long fibers surrounded by short fibers which penetrate the interstitial spaces between the teeth to provide complete gum stimulation without causing tissue damage.

Abstract: A brush head for cleaning and massaging the teeth and gums is disclosed having a bundle of fibers welded together to form a bottom plate. The bottom plate has formed structures produced by partially melting one end of the fiber bundle while pressing the bundle into a shaped recess in a heated tool. The shaped structures allow interlocking of the brush head with mating structures in a driving devise.

Abstract: An end brush for use in a dental unit or the like includes a base formed of solified fiber material. The base includes an outwardly projecting portion, which is adapted to be received within a mounting structure provided on the dental unit. An apparatus and method for forming the end brush are disclosed.

Abstract: A brush head for cleaning and massaging the teeth and gums is disclosed having a bundle of parallel fibers welded together to form a bottom plate. The brush head is produced by continuously feeding the parallel fibers to a heated mandrel, partially melting one end of the fiber bundle to form a bottom plate with a surplus of melted material extending away to form an extended bottom plate. The extended bottom plate is removed, leaving a bottom plate which is sufficiently rigid so as to be directly attachable to a driving device. The welded bottom plate assures that fibers remain firmly attach to prevent fibers from loosening or separating from the brush.