Abstract: An orthdontic/facial orthopedic appliance for use in applying a pulling force to select teeth, the associated arch, and or jaw component(s) for moving/modifying and positioning the same. The appliance includes a frame supported primarily on the forward cranial portions of the patient's head and shaped to outline the area of the patient's face lateral to the forehead, eyes, nose and mouth, doe not apply force to the temporo-mandibular joint and is stationary against the face during lower jaw movement. The pulling force is in the form of elastic elements connected at one end to a member fixed to the frame and extending therefrom in a manner to be forward of the patient's mouth when the appliance is in a position of use, and at the other end thereof to selected teeth of the patient such that the pulling force pulls the selected teeth, associated arch, and/or upper jaw component(s) in a direction toward the frame.

Abstract: Dental mandrels, circular in cross-section, and detachable abrasive disks useful in confined areas of the mouth, in which the disk can be mounted on and demounted from the mandrel using finger pressure, and the disk can optionally be rotated relative to the mandrel when the mandrel is at rest, but the disk is gripped sufficiently firmly when the mandrel is spinning that no slippage of the disk is apparent under dental grinding conditions.

Abstract: A fixture intended for implanting and anchoring in bone tissue, particularly in bone tissue of the jaw, to support a prosthesis such as the crown of a tooth. The fixture has at least a surface layer of material compatible with the tissue, such as titanium. The fixture comprises a lower shaft portion with external threading and an upper, smooth, neck portion. The lower portion is arranged to be screwed into a hole drilled in the bone tissue. The diameter of the hole is substantially in agreement with the core diameter of the shaft portion. The diameter of the neck portion lies within the interval between the outer diameter of the thread on the shaft portion and the core diameter of the shaft portion. The neck portion has an axial length exceeding the settlement in bone level which normally occurs upon use of the fixture.

Abstract: An appliance for use by medical and dental practitioners utilizes a latex glove as a platform for attachment of supplies. After donning a pair of latex gloves, the practitioner may load a measured portion of dentifrice into a suitable receptacle. The receptacle may then be detachably affixed to the glove surface in a location permitting convenient access to the dentifrice retained therein. After completion of the procedure the gloves and affixed receptacle may be removed and disposed of as a unit. In a simple embodiment of the appliance a pouch or depression formed on the glove surface serve as dentifrice receptacles.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance is provided to prevent overbite or overjet from developing in a child. The appliance is U-shaped in plan view and has tooth receiving troughs for the upper and lower teeth to correctly position the jaws antero-posteriorly. Uses of the appliance preferably should begin when the child is in the age range of 12 to 18 months, before all of the deciduous teeth have erupted so that improper development of the jaw can be avoided. The appliance has a non-working portion being a shield and handle portion to cause the appliance to have the appearance of a pacifier as well as to prevent the child from gagging on the appliance and to assist in the proper positioning of the appliance by the child.

Abstract: A nozzle for the simultaneous discharge of first and second fluids through a distal end thereof and for attachment to the hand piece of a dental tool comprising sources of the first and second fluids. The nozzle comprises first and second conduits and coupling means for removably coupling the nozzle to the hand piece. The first and second conduits have coaxial intake ports for fluid communication with the sources of the first and second fluids and coaxial discharge ports at the distal end of the nozzle for discharging the first and second fluids. The first conduit is contained at least partially within the second conduit and the discharge ports are proximately located with respect to one another. Upon coupling of the nozzle to the hand piece, the first conduit is automatically aligned with and connected to the source of the first fluid to enable quick connection and disconnection of the nozzle to the hand piece.

Abstract: A motor driven dental instrument for peeling away a layer of a tooth is provided. The rotational movement of the driving shaft is transformed into an axially oscillating, not rotatable movement of a tool support of a working tool. The working tool is able to be placed in an angular position in relation to the tool support chosen by the dentist.

Abstract: A method and system for augmenting penile erection in a human male is disclosed. An inflatable cuff is placed circumferentially around the corpora carvernosa, the deep dorsal vein, and the cavernous veins, adjacent to the hilum of the penis. Selective compression of the cuff will function to restrict venous drainage to augment penile erection. The cuff is adapted to have opposite ends thereof attached together and at least one inflatable vesicle is formed on the inner side of the cuff. A pump, including an attandant control system, is sized for implantation in a scrotum whereby the pump can be selectively squeezed to inflate and fluid pressurize the vesicle to compress the cuff around the penis. A control circuit, connected between the cuff and the pump, functions to automatically deflate the cuff after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

Abstract: A method for constructing dentures which completely accommodate a patient's mandibular movements is provided. The method includes the steps of mounting a three dimensional recording device to the patient's jaws and forming intra-oral tracings of the patient's mandibular excursions and a Gothic arch tracing of the patient's mandibular excursions. The recordings and the tracing are utilized to mount upper and lower denture bases in a dental articulator, which also forms a part of the present invention, and to calibrate the articulator to precisely duplicate the patient's mandibular movements. Teeth are mounted on the upper and lower denture bases and ground to provide dentures which completely accommodate the patient's mandibular movements.

Abstract: A tooth color shade guide which has a body (20) constructed from photographic paper, thermoplastic, or cardboard, having a number of fingers (22) distending from a base portion (28). A specimen (32) of a color shade is located on the end of each finger, each having a different hue and alpha-numeric designations (34) adjacent thereunto allow natural tooth color to be matched and identified. The attaching end (26) of the fingers are perforated (30), permitting them to be individually torn-off for comparison and then the entire color shade guide may be disposed of after use. A visual indicating surface (38) may be added to the fingers that is light sensitive and changes color in a few minutes after exposure. This surface (38) has a message imprinted in writing indicating the guide has been used preventing cross-contamination with other patients.

Abstract: A dental tray handle protective covering, shield or prophylactic comprised of a thin, tear-resistant, semi-rigid but elastic material which is disposable for providing a covering or barrier for the entirety of each of several different types of dental tray which will significantly reduce and/or prevent the spread of disease through the continued touching of the dental tray handle by non-sterile gloved or ungloved hands of dental practitioners and others.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a new form of sign or graphic display which simulates a neon sign. The same comprises a hollow tube or tubes which are formed into desired shapes, such as letters, graphics and the like. These tubes are lit along the side edge by directing illumination to the side thereof, preferably through colored material, paint or dye to provide a colored display. Several arrangements for illuminating the sides of the tubes are disclosed. In the case of flexible vinyl tubing, a method is disclosed for forming the same into the desired shapes by inserting a solid Teflon rod in the tube prior to bending, bending the tube to the desired form, and applying suitable heat in order that the tube will assume the desired shape, then cooling the tubing and removing the solid rod.

Abstract: A cast dental implant abutment comprising a footpiece at the bottom end of the abutment, the footpiece having screw threads on the outer circumference thereof, and a castable cuff piece on the bottom thereof attached to the footpiece, the cuff piece on the top thereof having an indentation to accept the point of a screwdriver, the cuff piece capable of being severed at the top surface thereof at an angle other than 180.degree..

Abstract: A device for the placement, seating and cementation of a restorative element having a top surface, onto a tooth comprises a flexible strip portion having a top surface, a bottom surface and a bite element for allowing the patient to apply dynamic biting pressure to the restorative element to position and hold the restorative element in its proper seated position on the tooth. Adhesive is provided on the bottom surface of the flexible strip portion for removably securing the strip portion to the restorative element and for positioning the bite element adjacent to the top surface of the restorative element.

Abstract: An orthodontic instrument is described having a generally elongated handle of large diameter and non-circular cross-section, having a serrated surface, having generally thin end of circular cross-section, having a rounded fluke at the thin end, and having an oppositely disposed fluke which faces toward the large diameter end of the handle. The rounded fluke defines a relatively short and wide aperture, while the opposite fluke defines a relatively long and narrow aperture.

Abstract: An orthodontic applicance for preventing unwanted rotation of a tooth during its translational movement along a main guide-wire. The appliance is adapted to be held by at least one bracket affixed to a tooth. The appliance includes a main spring assembly for causing, when activated, translational movement of a tooth along the main guide-wire to reduce space between the tooth and another tooth. An auxiliary spring assembly, which is separate and spaced from the main spring assembly, includes a spring and a mesial leg extending from the spring. The auxiliary spring assembly is used to substantially prevent unwanted rotation of the tooth being moved in a lateral direction. Orthodontic wire, which includes an anchoring end, interconnects the auxiliary spring assembly and the main spring assembly.

Abstract: An extracoronal precise attachment comprising a male component, which is to be secured to the natural tooth or implant, and a female component, which is securable thereto and is to be connected to the tooth substitute. The female component has a plastic insert which is formed from a friction member, which encloses a portion of the male component, and a securing member, which connects thereto and is inserted in the female component.To adjust the friction between the male and female components, that is to say to activate the female component, the latter has a bore which traverses therethrough and through the securing member of the plastics insert, a screw being screwable into the bore and having a threaded pin portion and a threadless cylindrical portion, the head of the screw being supported on the female component in such a manner that, when the screw is being rotated in position, a pressure is exerted upon the plastics insert.This arrangement permits the friction to be very easily and accurately adjusted.

Abstract: The pulp canal of a tooth requiring filling is hollowed out using boring bits fitted to and driven by a vibrating instrument; the bits are organized in sets, with a number of discrete sets making up the full range. The abrasive tine of the bits of each set is tapered; its length and tip diameter remain the same throughout the set, whereas the diameter at the point where it joins with the shank increases progressively from the smallest to the largest size.

Abstract: An integral molded plastic panel (20) includes a substantially vertical, forwardly facing mounting surface (22). The surface (22) is dimensioned to receive a plurality of license plates (16) and extends downwardly at least substantially to the bottom of the bumper (4) of a vehicle (2). The bumper (4) has a contoured downwardly and rearwardly sloping outer surface. Opposite sidewalls (34) extend substantially rearwardly from opposite side edge portions of the mounting surface (22) and terminate in rear edges (36) shaped to conform to the outer surface of the bumper (4) to facilitate airflow around the panel (20). A bottom wall (46) extends between the sidewalls (34) and rearwardly from the bottom of the mounting surface (22). The top of the panel (20) is attached to the bumper (4) by bolts (12) which attach the bumper (4) to a frame portion (14) of the vehicle (2). The bottom wall (46) carries mounting lugs (48) for attaching the bottom of the panel (20) to the bumper (4).

Abstract: A container for a stack of a variable number of pictures is disclosed. The container comprises at least two members movable relative to each other, one of which members holds the stack at at least one but not all of its edges, permitting the stack to be removed in the direction of one of the non-embraced edges.