Abstract: This application describes a dental burr including a cutting surface having one or more grooves therein, each of the grooves being defined by a plane which encircles the cutting surface at a skewed angle with respect to the axis of rotation of the burr. Such groove(s) provide an oscillatory chip clearing action as the burr rotates to give edge cutting and fast chip clearance. The cutting surface has abrasive particles coated thereon.

Abstract: Novel dental pins having a first shaft, a handle secured to one end of the first shaft, and a second shaft connected to the handle at a point substantially directly opposite the attachment of the first shaft. Each shaft preferably has a roughened or uneven surface to improve the retention of that portion thereof which remains in a pre-drilled hole in a patient's tooth. Each shaft also has a fracture groove between the leading portion of the shaft and the handle so that the handle and the remaining portions of the shafts adjacent thereto can be separated from the leading portions which remain in the pre-drilled holes after insertion. Preferably, each shaft has a self-tapping flute at the leading edge thereof which cuts a thread into the dentine as the shaft is rotatably inserted therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the actuation of a light for illuminating the work zone adjacent the operative end of a dental handpiece. The apparatus includes (a) switch for actuating a light source when a signal is transmitted to the actuating switch from the power transmitting line for the dental handpiece, (b) line for transmitting the signal to the actuating switch from the power transmitting means for the handpiece, and (c) delay shutoff switch associated with the actuating switch for maintaining the light source on for a predetermined period of time after transmission of power to the operative end of the handpiece is terminated and then causing the light source to be extinguished at the end of the predetermined period of time.

Abstract: This application describes a dental burr including a cutting surface having one or more grooves therein, each of the grooves being defined by a plane which encircles the cutting surface at a skewed angle with respect to the axis of rotation of the burr. Such groove(s) provide an oscillatory chip clearing action as the burr rotates to give edge cutting and fast chip clearance. The cutting surface has abrasive particles coated thereon.

Abstract: An air driven dental handpiece comprising a hollow handle and a turbine housing mounted at one end thereof. The turbine housing includes a rotor having rotor blades with arcuate recesses formed therein. An air supply line is positioned within the handle and includes two spaced tubes adapted to inject air under pressure into the turbine housing and against the turbine blades. A fiber optic system is mounted within the handle, which is adapted to direct light from two separate sources adjacent the rotating bur mounted in the handpiece. A novel wrench is provided for securing a bur in the collet of the handpiece.

Abstract: Improved means for directing an atomized water spray at the tip of a bur in a dental handpiece irrespective of the length of the bur. The means comprises a water carrying tube terminating at a free end adjacent to the bur and directed at the bur at a first predetermined acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bur, a first air carrying tube disposed on one side of the water tube and having a free end terminating adjacent the free end of the water tube and a second predetermined acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the bur, the second angle being greater than the first angle, and a second air carrying tube disposed on the outer side of the water tube and having a free end terminating adjacent the free end of the water tube and at a third predetermined acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bur, the third angle being smaller than the first angle.

Abstract: In combination, a turbine driven dental handpiece and a collet wrench therefor. The handpiece includes a rotor having a shaft, and a collet is threadedly received within the shaft. A dental bur is adapted to be inserted in one end of the collet, and the other end of the collet has a bore of non-circular cross-section. The wrench includes means for preventing rotation of the rotor shaft and means for rotating the collet relative to the shaft. The collet rotating means comprises a shaft having an end of non-circular cross-section, which end is received in the end of the collet. The wrench also includes means for rotating the shaft to advance the collet within the rotor shaft and means to prevent further rotation of the shaft after a predetermined rotational force has been applied to the collet.

Abstract: A dental handpiece and a wrench adapted to be used in combination with the handpiece for securing a dental bur in the handpiece. The handpiece includes a turbine housing, a rotor shaft and a collet threadedly secured in the rotor shaft. The wrench has a plurality of fingers which are adapted to be received in the rotor shaft, and a shaft rotatably mounted in a tube from which the fingers project. The wrench shaft is adapted to threadedly advance or retract the collet relative to the rotor shaft.

Abstract: A collet wrench adapted to place a predetermined force on a collet threadedly secured in a dental handpiece. The wrench comprises a frame and means on the frame for securing the rotor shaft against rotation. A shaft is rotably mounted in the frame, and has a lower end of non-circular cross-section. The lower end is received in the collet and is adapted to rotate the collet relative to the rotor shaft. A disc having ratchet teeth is keyed to the shaft and a second disc having ratchet teeth is placed on the first mentioned disc and held there by a spring force. Rotation of the second disc causes the rotation of the first disc, and the subsequent rotation of the shaft having the end secured to the collet. After a predetermined force has been applied to the second disc, it will slip relative to the first disc, and accordingly apply a predetermined force to the collet. The pressure of the spring controls the predetermined force.

Abstract: A dental handpiece and a wrench adapted to be used in combination with the handpiece for securing a dental bur in the handpiece. The handpiece includes a turbine housing, a rotor shaft and a collet threadedly secured in the rotor shaft. The wrench has a plurality of fingers which are adapted to be received in the rotor shaft, and a shaft rotatably mounted in a tube from which the fingers project. The wrench shaft is adapted to threadedly advance or retract the collet relative to the rotor shaft.

Abstract: An air driven dental handpiece comprising a handle and a turbine housing mounted at one end thereof. The turbine housing includes a rotor having rotor blades and ball bearings for rotatably mounting the rotor. A port is formed in the handle, which is in fluid communication with the interior of the turbine housing. A lubricant is injected into the turbine housing through the port. Removable sealing means cover the port to prevent any foreign matter from entering the turbine housing and to prevent air from leaving the port.

Abstract: A dental pin used in building a superstructure on a tooth having a substantial portion thereof that has been removed. The pin comprises a shaft having a flute at the lower end thereof. The remainder of the shaft is threaded. The flute taps a hole that has previously been drilled in the tooth, and the threads on the shaft are retained in the tapped hole. Thus, the shaft is self-tapping. The shaft also includes an integral handle which permits the rotating of the pin into the tooth. A plurality of the pins are inserted in the tooth in a non-parallel relationship, and a superstructure is built on exposed portions of the pins. A fracture point is formed on each pin in order to break the head off after the pin has been inserted.