Abstract: A dental tool and method for removing plaque from teeth and for cleaning teeth, as well as for other applications, wherein ultrasonic energy is coupled into a liquid stream that impinges upon the teeth to be cleaned. The ultrasonic energy cleans the teeth and removes plaque, while the liquid stream provides a carrier for the ultrasonic energy and carries away any debris produced during plaque removal or cleaning. The jet stream is a very gentle one which does not cause harm to teeth or gums and can be used in the home as well as by professionals. No discomfort is caused through heating, scraping, or abrasive action.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating an orthodontic archform and forming an archwire. The method includes setting up separated model teeth in a setup fixture to mutually locate the brackets relative to the model teeth, with the teeth supported on a setup plate structure. The model teeth are transferred on the setup plate structures to an alignment fixture and positioned in a curved archform. An archwire forming fixture is substituted for the teeth on the alignment fixture; an archwire is clamped in an archwire slot in this assembly, and then heat treated.

Abstract: A method for determining orthodontic bracket placement on a malocclused tooth to correct the malocclusion includes the steps of generating digital information which defines the shape and location of the malocclused tooth in the patient's jaw, from which digital information a mathematical model of the tooth and jaw is generated. The correct placement position of a bracket is then calculated from the digitized information. A standard bracket is thereafter modified, if desired, individually for the patient, in view of the patient's physical deviations from the statistical averages. The shape of a bracket positioning jig is calculated and formed. Another step is forming an archwire for the brackets. The method may be used on one or more teeth in the same dental arch, as well as for both dental arches with respect to malocclusion therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention provides a custom impression dental tray having a sheet of thermosetting material. The thermosetting material is preferably polycapractone which becomes pliable at a temperature between 130.degree.-140.degree. F. but becomes rigid at the temperature of the human mouth. An optional separation layer is disposed over one side of the sheet of thermosetting material with a wax or clay-like consistency. In practice, the tray is heated to a temperature of between 115.degree.-150.degree. F. and then molded around the teeth in the patient's mouth (or the impression of the patient's mouth for denture work). After the tray has ridigified, the separation layer and wax covering are removed from the tray thus providing a space for dental impression material to allow a final impression to be made.

Abstract: An appliance is disclosed for the correction of dental malpositions, and particularly for the distalization of molar teeth. A metal wire arch is fastened to the incisors and canines, and at least one small tube receives a portion of the wire arch which can move freely inside the tube. The tube has a fixed protrusion which is in contact with a coil-spring wound around the tube at one end. The coil-spring engages a sleeve fastened onto a metal band which is fitted to a malpositioned molar tooth. At the other end, the tube is provided with a hook-shaped projection. An inter-maxillary rubber band engages the hook and a similar hook-projection fastened to a molar of the antagonist jaw. The appliance is of the intra-oral and non-movable type, which is used to carry out a functional treatment which is similar to biological and natural rhythms. This device uses the muscular force that the patient exerts in order to tense the inter-maxillary elastic, when talking or chewing.

Abstract: A penile prosthesis implantable within the corpus cavernosum of the penis in order to alleviate erectile impotency includes a unique deflation valve mechanism for returning the prosthesis from the erect to the flaccid state. In its preferred embodiment the prosthesis is of a unitary type comprising a distal portion including a pump, a medial portion defining a pressurizable chamber comprising an internal, tubular, substantially non-distensible portion and a concentric tubular sleeve, and a proximal portion including a fluid reservoir, the latter being in fluid communication with the pump. The deflation valve mechanism is activated in accordance with pressure differential conditions within the valve and a movable or distensible partition capable of exerting an internal force within the valve to place the valve in an open mode, thereby effecting the deflation of the prosthesis or hydraulic system in which the valve mechanism is present. Apparatus for extending the length of the prosthesis are also provided.

Abstract: A method for restoring a tooth by endodontically preparing the tooth to accept a dental post. Polyacrylic acid solution is supplied to the prepared area afterwhich it is rinsed out and the area dried. A drying agent has been applied to the prepared area and, likewise, the area is dried out. The dental post is then secured in place through the use of a cement. Preferably, the cement is a filled resin cement with the filler material being approximately 15%-30% of the cement. The drying agent is preferably an ethyl-methyl ketone. The invention also includes a kit containing the materials for implementing the method.

Abstract: An adjustable transfer jig assembly interconnecting a face bow and a bitefork is positionally fixed after locating the bitefork relative to the face bow. Clamp blocks of plastic interconnecting plastic rods forming the jig assembly include slots for receiving and wicking about the encircled rods a fast setting adhesive to lockingly position the rods linearly and angularly with respect to one another and fix the transfer jig assembly. Subsequent detachment of the face bow will permit mounting of the bitefork upon an articulator in a predetermined relationship by attaching the transfer jig assembly to an articulator mounted index block.

Abstract: A screw-typed dental implant is featured having rounded threads for providing a controlled radial osteocompressive force against the threaded wall of bone tissue that was previously drilled and tapped. The thread profile provided by the tap is undercut below the external thread surface of the implant causing a compressive force to be exerted against the bone wall. The taps are designed to provide a given thread surface by varying the pitch angle. In this fashion, a greater undercut is provided for mandibular bone tissue as compared to maxillary bone tissue.

Abstract: In order to provide a surface in a gripping region of a dental handpiece that meets the requirements of being optimally smooth for hygienic reasons and also to provide an adequate non-slip surface, the dental handpiece has a plurality of thin lines arranged in line patterns having a roughened surface in the gripping portion. These lines or line patterns extend in a longitudinal direction and may have portions that extend at an angle to the longitudinal portion, and these patterns are arranged at least in two quadrants of the circumference of the grip part that preferably lie diametrically opposite one another.

Abstract: A business card is formed as a laminate comprising an information-carrying face sheet and a protective backing sheet which enhances the rigidity of the face sheet. The face sheet has a contact adhesive at its back surface which bonds the face sheet and backing sheet together, and is provided with a score cut about its edge portions which defines a lift-out panel whereon the information is printed and margin portions at the edges of the card. The backing sheet has a release surface engaging the lift-out panel permitting the lift-out panel to be removed and be affixed to other surfaces such as a file card while the marginal surfaces of the backing sheet engage the margin portions of the face sheet and are tightly and permanently adhered thereto. In the preferred embodiment, the release surface extends a short distance beyond the score cut to facilitate removal of the lift-out panel. The panel may be proportioned to properly fit the surface of file cards of standard sizes.

Abstract: The device makes use of at least one plenum for each instrument, connected to the water circuit immediately upstream of the relative handpiece. Best results are obtained by connecting two such plenums to the water circuit in parallel, the one charged by the spray air circuit, the other by the power air circuit, as independent operation ensures greater reliability.

Abstract: A dental articulator incorporates members which are models of the patient's upper jaw and mandible, and incorporates six servo motors connected to the mandible member, for movement of the same about three orthogonal translation axes, and three orthogonal axes of rotation.

Abstract: A dental coping in the form of an elongated tubular body has a base portion adapted at a first end of the body to mate with the gingival aspect of the patient's implant fixture, and a thin-walled tubular portion extending to the other end of the body supragingivally from the base portion when the base portion is so mated. The base portion is substantially rigid, having a thicker sidewall than the thin-walled tubular portion. A shoulder is provided within the base portion for cooperating with a bolt to fasten the coping to the implant fixture. A flange extends outwardly fropm the coping, preferably from the rigid base portion, for fixing in place a temporary restoration formed around the coping. A conical socket in the base portion mates with a conical post on the implant fixture. The fabrication and use of fixed provisional restorations in partially edentulous patients undergoing treatment with osseointegrated fixtures is described.

Abstract: A process for preparing and implanting endosteal implants, and the implant used for the process. A tooth is extracted leaving a socket wall behind, which remains suitably fresh for a sufficient period of time. Promptly after extraction, a model is made of at least the major portion of the tooth. A replica is made of titanium or of a material having the property of osseointegration. While the socket is still suitably fresh, the replica is inserted the socket in surface to surface contiguity with a substantial area of the socket wall so as to provide an osseointegrated implant.

Abstract: A color dental kit and method of specifying and illustrating coloring of synthetic dental elements such as individual teeth, crowns and the like to be made synthetically by imaging the individual teeth or crowns on a sheet of paper divided into light and dark incisal color tones. The color is effected with color pencils having a soft lead of the colors corresponding to gingival and incisal natural color shades. Some of the color pencils have leads for coloring specific color characteristics such as flaws including decalcification. The color pencils are provided in the color dental kit including therewith paper sheets on which imaging of the individual synthetic teeth and crowns is effected and the images are manually colored with the pencils as desired. These colored images provide positive dentition communication between and among dentists, patients and dental laboratory technicians.

Abstract: The periodontal pocket cleaner is a device for cleaning the deeper recesses of a periodontal pocket by the removal of debris material. The device can also be employed for ascertaining and monitoring bleeding and suppuration within such pocket so as to detect the onset of an inflamation or other pathology and for delivering medication to such pockets as a complement for the treatment of infections or inflammation. The device has a wooden composition and an elongated narrow shape with the grain of the wood running parallel to the direction of elongation. The device includes a tapered end which narrows to a functional point to facilitate the insertion of the device into the deeper recesses of the periodontal pocket. This tapered end of the device also serves for scooping material from the pocket, for scraping plaque from the tooth surfaces adjacent to the pocket, and for absorbing blood and other suspended components from the pocket.

Abstract: The device forms part of an automatic control facility by which the water-primed oral suction pump in dental surgery equipment is protected from the effects of low water pressure and power cuts; the efficiency of control is improved by the inclusion of timers (7, 9) that ensure continued operation of the pump and its inlet valve in the event that fluctuations in the water pressure and electrical power levels happen to be of a momentary order.

Abstract: An orthopedic appliance for correcting Class II malocclusions comprises a frontal portion configured to engage the mandibular and maxillary frontal arches and first and second side portions, posterior to the frontal portion, each configured to engage at least some of the maxillary molars. A universal screw assembly interconnects the frontal portions and the first and second side portions and operate to independently adjust the lateral spacing of the side portions from one another and the anterior-posterior spacing of the frontal portion from the side portions. The appliance is expanded in stages to maximize the utilization of corrective lower jaw movements which result from securing the appliance in the patient's upper mouth.

Abstract: A dental prosthesis comprises an element fixed in a mouth, a removable dental porsthesis component placed on the element, and a removable connection of the dental prosthesis component with the element and including vertical groove formed in an adjacent surface in each of the element and the component, the grooves being located immediately opposite to one another and open into one another, the connection further including a resilient friction element engaging in the grooves.