Abstract: A method for rapidly accomplishing a durable manicure, that includes the steps:a) providing a flexible tab having a protective and separable upper layer, and a durable lower layer, the tab having the shape of a fingernail forward tip portion,b) applying and adhering the tab lower layer to the fingernail forward tip portion so that the tab extends proximate the forward edge of the fingernail forward tip portion,c) then peeling off the tab upper layer, thereby to expose the lower layer which has an upper surface,d) whereby the fingernail has an upwardly exposed upper surface of selected finish on the lower layer, and at its forward tip portion.

Abstract: A personal information carrier (10) having a radiographically readable code (12) uniquely identifying a person which is installed in a cavity (34) in the side (30) of the person's tooth (32) which is then filled with a radiolucent composite filler (50) to protectively seal the carrier (10) within the cavity (40). Detecting the location of a missing child is achieved by using a filler (50) which matches the color of the surrounding tooth surface (30) to conceal the presence of the personal information carrier (10) from a potential kidnapper and distributing the code (12) of the missing child to the authorities and professional dental community. Amnesics and corpses are also identified by radiographically reading the carrier (10) and comparing the code (12) to a list of codes (12) of missing persons which are listed in alphanumeric order.

Abstract: A unitary, molded elastomeric wedge for rotating a tooth about its long axis during orthodontic treatment has a base which functions as a wedge portion, as well as two ligature loops connected to the base. In use, the loops cross over each other and function to ligate the archwire to the bracket while retaining the base in place. The wedge may be installed without removing the archwire from the bracket.

Abstract: A dental space and periodontal cavity measuring instrument for insertion in interdental or interproximal spaces between teeth and in periodontal cavities in both the upper and lower dental arches to determine the width of such spaces and the depth of the cavities, respectively, for appropriate treatment. The dental space and periodontal cavity measuring instrument is characterized by a centrally located handle provided with a pair of oppositely-extending single tips or multiple, elongated, graduated cylinders which terminate in graduated ends, for insertion in the interdental spaces and periodontal cavities. The calibrated cylinders and graduated ends may be extended in a straight line from the handle, or one or more cylinders in one or both of the calibrated and graduated tips may be angulated and the diameter of each cylinder may be indicated on the handle for size-identification purposes. The ends of the cylinder or stem tips may also be "waffled" with striations for ligature tucking purposes.

Abstract: A sign of the flexible face type in which, about the periphery of the sign face there is an extension member which is adapted to be received in and retained in a complementary part which complementary part is adapted to be moveable relative to the members of the sign frame to whereby permit tensioning of the fabric.

Abstract: A germicidal dental floss having a coating of the active material typically a phenol derivative/compound removably fixed thereon by a binder such as wax. The active material is rubbed off by contact with the teeth thereby treating areas between the teeth and gums for improved oral hygiene.

Abstract: A quick connect/disconnect coupling for dental handpieces that includes a pair of telescoping coupling sleeves equipped with a plurality of bayonet slots and lugs for detachably connecting the sleeves together. In one sleeve is a spring-loaded connector body having a plurality of axially extending passages communicating with the fluid (air and water) conduits of a supply hose, the connector having a hard-surface planar end face exposed at the distal end of the sleeve. The other sleeve is a proximal extension of a handpiece and contains a plurality of tubes arranged and dimensioned to be received in the passages of the connector body when the two sleeves are coupled together. A resilient gasket, confined by a rigid support ring, surrounds the tubes and includes frusto-conical ring portions about such tubes for sealingly engaging the end face of the connector body.

Abstract: A system for identifying a lost pet and locating its owner includes a central clearing house and a pet collar or tag having a telephone number and a unique code number imprinted thereon. Information about the pet and its owner is stored at the central clearing house under the unique number and is retrievable in response to a telephone call from a finder of the pet.

Abstract: Apparatus for ejecting saliva and retracting cheeks and lips comprising a tongue retractor terminating into a pair of ends. A pair of saliva ejector is secured to the tongue retractor. A tongue retainer is attached to the tongue retractor, and a cheek and lip retractor is connected to the tongue retainer. A process for removing saliva from an oral cavity having a tongue and partially surrounded by cheeks and lips including expanding the cheeks and lips of the oral cavity with a cheek and lip retractor. The process additonally comprises retracting the tongue within the oral cavity with a tongue retractor that is supported by the base of the oral cavity, retaining the tongue in a generally fixed position and removing saliva along a structural portion of the tongue retractor.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket device for use with the straight wire and light wire corrective techniques either singly or in combination. The bracket features intersecting securement slots for both reduced bulk and advantageous placement of the control wires closer to the tooth surface. In combination with a SHORT T-pin the two corrective techniques are simultaneously used without increasing the bulk of the bracket or wearer discomfort.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for implanting tooth analogues in the jawbone resulting in aesthetically and functionally desirable gingival tissue contours after restoration. The system permits modification and adaptation of the tooth analogue to meet intraoral demands in a manner similar to that used in the preparation and restoration of natural teeth. The system comprises a standard fixture and cover screw passed through opened gingival tissue and implanted in the jawbone. After the osseointegration of the fixture, the gingiva is reopened, the cover screw removed and a healing cap having a predetermined contour, is attached to the fixture. The reopened gingiva re-heals in a shape determined by the contour of the healing cap. The healing cap is then removed and replaced by an abutment having an emergence profile matching that of the healing cap. An immediate snug fit between the gingival tissues and the abutment is thereby provided at the time of connection of the abutment to the fixture.

Abstract: A stump comprising a central core having a head part and a lower part provided with means for fixing the stump to an implant, and a cap for covering at least a part of the head part, at least one elastic element being arranged at the cap/central core interface. The assembly is arranged so as to permit relative movement between the cap and the central core. Restraining elements are provided to limit the relative vertical movement between the cap and the central core.

Abstract: A connector for attaching a supply hose to a dental handpiece, the connector including a generally cylindrical body having a longitudinally-extending socket containing a lamp for directing light towards a fiberoptic light conductor of the handpiece during operation. The body also includes an exhaust air passage that extends alongside the socket and communicates with that socket through a slot extending substantially the full length of the socket. The lamp includes bulb and base portions with the base portion having a lug projecting radially outwardly through the slot into the exhaust air passage. A tool has stem and head portions insertable into the exhaust air passage for engaging the lug when extraction of the lamp is desired.

Abstract: A motor-driven toothbrush includes a housing adapted to be gripped by the user and containing an electrical rotary motor, and a toothbrush coupled to the rotary motor by an eccentric coupling such that rotation of the motor causes the toothbrush to oscillate. A sleeve threadedly received in the end of the housing through which the toothbrush handle passes defines a pivot point for the oscillations of the handle, and is adjustable with respect to the housing so as to permit varying the location of the pivot point, and thereby the type of oscillations produced by the rotary motor.

Abstract: A dental appliance safety-line consists of a line, one end of which contains a flexible vinyl handle and with an attachment end. The vinyl handle is used to grasp onto and manipulate the safety line, and the attachment end provides an adequate amount of retentive surface area for an adhesive to penetrate and adhere to and imparts substantial strength between the safety line and a dental device such as a dental restoration or appliance. The safety line is left attached to the dental device during the fitting and adjustment procedures. Once the dental device is permanently affixed in the oral cavity, the chair side practitioner takes any readily available instrument and removes the safety line by cleaving the adhesive at the junction of the attachment end and surface of the dental device. This removal is accomplished without the need for modifying or refinishing the surface of the dental device.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance has a base portion having formed on one side thereof a tooth-abutting surface and a bracket portion defining an archwire slot therein. Two tie-wings project outwardly from the bracket portion and extend along one side of the archwire slot. Two hooked tie-wings extend along the other side of the archwire slot and project outwardly therefrom. Each hooked tie-wing defines on an interior side thereof a hook-shaped surface. The hook-shaped surfaces are provided for mounting auxiliary force transmitting members thereto.

Abstract: A device for supplying individual ligature wires inserted as a pack of wires in a casing of the device has an operating arm. A pack of ligature wires is inserted into a recess provided in the casing. Pressure is exerted onto the pack of wires by a push rod. In each case the lowermost ligature wire in the pack is pressed into a recess formed in the bottom of the casing. Then the wire from this readiness position is advanced into a transfer position by a driving pawl mounted in a slide. The movement is carried out by pressing the operating arm, the free end of which projects into a slot of the slide and, on pressing the operating arm, advances the slide and therefore the ligature wire into the transfer position. In the transfer position, the end portions of the ligature wire can be grasped by a tool, e.g. a twister and removed from the casing to be placed into the area of use.

Abstract: An angled abutment adapted for use with an endosseous dental implant includes two parts, a first part having a platform joined to a downwardly-projecting post with screw threads on its outer surface adapted for engagement in an internally-threaded shaft at the top of an endosseous dental implant, and a second part that includes an angled head joined to a shaft that projects downwardly from the head and is adapted for insertion and for cementing into the downwardly-projecting passage in the platform of the first part.

Abstract: A dental implant installation assembly which comprises three components, first, a dental implant having a biocompatible surface, a first end for being located in the alveolar cavity and a second end having formed therein a threaded opening, second a protective cap screw in the threaded opening in the implant, the screw having formed therein a female wrench-engaging cavity constructed and adapted to engage an insertable wrench, and, third, a holder having a gripping portion and a holding projection received in compression in the wrench-engaging cavity of the cap screw, the holder being releasable from the cap screw when the holder is bent relative to the head thereof is disclosed.

Abstract: A man's erection truss to be temporarily worn by a man, helping him to acquire and to maintain his turgidity during copulation is provided by a manufacturer in a kit requiring final fitting and completion by the man, with or without the assistance of a physician or another person. When completed, this erection truss is essentially a completed loop of surgical tubing, or the like, having a male-female, preferably plastic, in line encirclement fastener assembly, removably fastened, thereby permitting repeated uses, while maintaining essentially the same fit. The kit includes a rigid plastic fitting assembly of two parallel tubes attached to one another, having one end of each rigid tube located adjacent one another, and the other ends being longitudinally spaced, as one rigid tube is preferably longer than the other. The surgical tubing is knotted at one end, passed through the shorter rigid tube, then formed into a large loop, and thereafter passed through the longer rigid tube.