Abstract: A dental flosser unit for flossing teeth includes a filament of high tensile strength terminating in thickened portions at its opposite ends. In the same described embodiments, each thickened end portion includes a ferrule enclosing and crimped to the respective filament end, and a plastic body enclosing the ferrule and the respective filament end. The filament preferably includes a plurality of threads of high tensile strength coated with a low-friction material. In another described embodiment, a plastic material is injection-molded onto each end of the filament at a temperature greater than 280.degree. C. to melt the coating and to bond directly to the threads. A further embodiment is described in which the thickened end portion is constituted of a two-part bead having complementary socket and plug formations for firmly clamping the filament.

Abstract: A device for detecting dental caries has an illumination device which emits radiation of a pre-determined wavelength towards a tooth. A filter accepts radiation returned by the tooth in a pre-determined spectral range. The accepted radiation is evaluated for caries detection. The illumination device has at least one light guide, by means of which the radiation can be supplied to the tooth. The illumination device emits radiation in the spectral range from 360 to 580 nm. The filter accepts the returned radiation in the spectral range above 620 nm. The device can be used in a flexible manner and enables a low level of caries to be identified.

Abstract: A cutout or dimple is provided in an orthodontic bracket and is sized to receive a projection of a measuring instrument to facilitate positioning of the bracket on a tooth. Preferably, the cutout is a conical dimple sized to receive the tip of a Boone gauge or other measuring instrument.

Abstract: A thermally deformable denture base adapted to be fitted to an edentulous ridge and the surrounding tissue surfaces and a method of producing and fitting complete dentures incorporating the thermally deformable denture base. The denture base has an inner surface and an outer surface and is formed by a molding process from a doughy mixture of a plasticized liquid monomer and a methyl methacrylate polymer powder in a 1:3-3.5 ratio. When heated to a temperature above about 135.degree. F., the denture base is malleable and may be molded in the mouth of a patient to attain an approximation of the tissue surfaces. The denture base may be incorporated into a complete denture by curing an unpolymerized resin material denture liner to the inner surface of the denture base and affixing teeth to the outer surface of the denture base.

Abstract: An educational game that aids in the development of the fundamentals of freehand drawing and assists players of the game in learning the relationship between all of the parts that comprise a whole. According to the present invention, there is provided a drawing area, such as a sheet of paper, erasable form board, etc., having imprinted thereon a single image which, when combined with several other images drawn by a player, results in a fully completed picture. In conjunction with the drawing area, a die or other selectiion device is used to determine each players' opportunity to complete the picture. Each side of the die presents the player with a different option for proceeding.

Abstract: The apparatus is adapted for maintaining air/gas operated dental drills, mechanical scalers or other tools by blowing air/gas through the handpiece to purge it from excess substances in order to enhance the life of the toll and meet the requirements of health and safety regulations. The apparatus has an absorbant filter sleeve that will serve to surround the instruments to be purged and an internal filter. It uses a rigidly anchored coupling that can be replaced, as desired. It also uses pneumatic tubing and shuttle valves to direct the air/gas flow along with switches that control the power and operation of the apparatus. A pressure gauge is mounted on the housing to allow the user to observe the pounds per square inch pressure being used in the purging operation. A timer controlling the amount of time the instruments are being purged is also incorporated. A number of ports are used to allow connection air, water and fiber optic lines to the apparatus and exhaust ports are also available.

Abstract: A coil-less wire-form orthodontic appliance for use with orthodontic brackets and archwire, installed in the mouth of a patient, for uprighting teeth.

Abstract: A disposable sterile sleeve is provided which is removably attachable to a video camera of an arthroscope. The sleeve comprises a flexible elongate tubular shroud and a rigid annular mounting collar. The shroud is open ended with the collar rotatably attached to one open end by a connector member providing independent rotation of the collar relative to the shroud. A pull tab is attached to the opposite open end of the shroud to facilitate extension of the shroud over the camera. The sleeve may be compacted for storage prior to use by tightly scrunching the shroud together, thereby folding it onto itself. To attach the sleeve to the camera, the video camera is inserted through the compacted shroud until it engages the collar. A male thread provided on the camera is threaded into a female thread provided on the collar and the shroud is then extended over the camera by pulling on the tab to draw out the folds in the shroud.

Abstract: A teeth straightening bracket comprises a base plate, a wire support disposed on the base plate, and a wire passage groove formed in the wire support for causing a correcting wire to pass therethrough under sliding movement. At least one of pair of engaging fingers for a binding wire is disposed on both sides of the wire support excepting for both longitudinal ends thereof. Further engaging fingers are preferably disposed on both longitudinal ends of the wire support in perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An educational device having a chamber with a plurality of holes extending through the chamber. A plurality of ropes are selectively configured in the chamber and portions of the ropes are exposed outside the chamber. The ends of the exposed ropes are connected to knobs that allow a user to pull on a selected rope end thereby causing a movement of another rope end through another hole. The device encourages and permits a mental determination of the configuration of ropes within the chamber.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a tube for inserting into an egg having one hole in the shell. The tube extends into the shell through the egg yoke and egg white until one end contacts the inside surface of the shell opposite the hole. The tube is connected to a squeeze bulb air supply. A chute is positioned below the hole around the tube. When the squeeze bulb is squeezed air is supplied to exit the one end inside the shell. The air causes the content of the egg yoke and egg white to flow out the hole around the tube into the chute. In the alternative embodiment the end of the tube is formed with an air relief to facilitate air flow into the shell when the end of the tube is in contact with the inside surface of the shell. The empty egg shell is then used for "Egg Art".

Abstract: A device for use in removing food debris from between the teeth includes a rigid body having a fluid passage in it extending between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, means for connecting the inlet to a source of fluid under pressure, a valve in the passage for controlling fluid flow through the passage, manual means for operating the valve, a rigid tube extending from the fluid outlet to a fluid exit orifice, and pressure relief means between that outlet and the exit orifice.

Abstract: A mathematical and spatial toy apparatus is arranged to include a grooved rack board arranged to receive individual block components to teach children the mathematical cumulative effect of such boards to provide rudimentary teaching in mathematical and spatial relationships.

Abstract: The invention concerns a dental crown, with a facing for example on the visible side for example, and a rigid connector for receiving the crown. The respective cooperating walls telescope for securing the removable prosthesis. The crown is secured to a stump left in the jaw. It has a lingual functional surface with a supragingival cervical offset, a supporting surface adjacent to the prosthesis saddle, and an intracoronal channel extending across the crown more or less parallel to the lingual functional surface. The rigid connector has three friction cylinders, a lingual outer wall which is between the first and second friction cylinder, a supporting telescope wall with the saddle for the prosthesis secured to it, and a patrix web which is inserted in the intracoronal channel. The outer telescope wall, supporting telescope wall, and patrix web of the connector completely surround a web on the crown.

Abstract: A dental mirror including means for providing suction and rinsing service to the mouth cavity and the like including a substantially annular inlet port formed at the edge of the mirror housing interconnecting longitudinal passages formed in the dental mirror handle and a self-locking swivel coupling connecting the proximal end of the dental mirror handle and a hose or tube connected to a liquid or air and vacuum remotely mounted source. In one embodiment the area of the inlet port progressively increases and in another embodiment the upper and lower plates of the mirror housing are supported by aerodynamically clean struts and the mirror may form the upper plate.

Abstract: A water supply device for dental apparatuses which is provided with an arrangement to prevent backflow of contaminated water from any one of the dental apparatuses into the fresh water supply is characterized by providing a separate container for receiving water from the water system and a pump for pumping water from the container through lines to each of the discharge locations for the dental apparatus. In one embodiment, the pump is driven by an electrical motor and in another embodiment the pump is formed by two air-actuated piston pumps that work asynchronously. The arrangement can include a second container for disinfectant, which is discharged into the first container as fluid is added to the first container.

Abstract: Orthodontic appliances having improved bonding characteristics and methods of making such orthodontic appliances are disclosed. The appliances to which the present invention is applicable have a metal bonding base and tooth contact surface. Primary mechanical interlock retention means or surface is applied to the tooth contact surfaces. The primary retention surface may be 1) a mesh, 2) a layer of metallic or non-metallic particles (such as spheres, rods, shards, etc.), or 3) grooves, including undercuts, formed in the tooth contact surface. The appliances preferably further comprise secondary mechanical bond strength enhancement means or treatment. Suitable secondary enhancement treatments include 1) surface roughening (e.g., ion bombardment or other etching processes), 2) particles on the order of 5-200.mu. flame spray coated on the primary retention surface, and 3) a chemically activatable material, such as SiO.sub.2 deposited on the primary retention surface.

Abstract: A dental floss device with a guide post for removing food debris and dental plaque during orthodontic treatment. The guide post includes a guide post of a uniform small diameter and a floss bonded thereto. The guide post has a semi-spherical tip for sensing position to ease insertion of the guide post between the clearance which is formed by teeth and the orthodontic appliance. The dental floss device is formed by injection molding.

Abstract: The optical light guide of the present invention is composed of a solid, transparent material selected from the class consisting of glass, acrylic, polystyrene, and polycarbonate. The light guide has a head, a tapered section and a curved section. The head has a light-receiving, concave surface geometry at the proximal end of the light guide.

Abstract: This invention consists of a device for composing, decomposing, retransposing and retranscribing all chords and scales contained in music. The device in question comprises two superimposed disks of different diameters, joined at their center by a pin enabling the disks to rotate independently. The twelve musical notes of the diatonic scale are written on the lower disk with the larger diameter. Intervals, interval qualifications, degrees of intervals and various indexed scales are written on the upper disk with the smaller diameter. Whatever the composition, decomposition, retransposition and retranscription information required for a given chord or scale, the user, by rotating the disks, matches the chosen note with the "FUNDAMENTAL" interval, on which all chord or scale building is based. This allows him to see the position, degree, interval and qualification of the other notes of the chord or scale. This device may be used for all diatonic, monophonic and polyphonic instruments.