Abstract: Device for make-up by transfer of colored substances to the skin from a relatively soft support applied to the skin and removed after transfer, characterized in that said support (1) is in cut-out form, that the pigments or colored powder type lacquers of the cosmetic type are deposited thereon in order to form a pigmented area (regions 2 to 7) having the contour of a predetermined region of the skin, with a distribution of the various colored substances and of their density in said zone which are such as to produce the effect of the final make-up, the adherence of the pigments to one another and to the support being, in the surface layer, weaker than their adherence to the skin so that their transfer to the skin is effected by simple application of the support to the section of skin to be made up.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a positive dental model having an impression plane comprises the step of first projecting a small beam of light of predetermined cross section on individual teeth of the model generally perpendicular to the impression plane, that is the plane perpendicular to which the impression fork was fitted to and removed from the patient's jaw. Thus the beam forms on each tooth a spot having a shape dependent on the contours of the respective tooth and the inclination of the respective tooth surface to the beam. The spot is moved from tooth to tooth on the model and the shapes of the spots of the beam on adjacent teeth are compared. If the shape changes, the teeth are not parallel and if there is a shadow or interruption of the teeth there is an undercut, and both conditions have to be corrected by regrinding the patient's tooth stumps. Similarly as the spot is moved, it can be used to measure the height and width of the teeth, the space between them, and even the overall arch length.

Abstract: Atomizing process and device for dentistry handpieces or angle pieces, characterized in that it involves generating, in the region of the receptacle of the tool in the handpiece or angle piece, a suction effect putting the vicinity of the cutter receptacle under a slight vacuum under the effect of an air cone of which the apex is situated at the point where the tool is working, the other function of this air cone being to direct the cooling fluid by means of an effect of the COANDA type, thereby reducing the consequences of turbulences attributable to the rotation of the tool or instrument.

Abstract: A dental implant anchor includes a body portion having a first external wall portion carrying one or more circumferential projections separated by circumferential grooves and, below, a second external wall portion carrying threads. The implant can include a head portion with a smooth external wall; a through-hole and an apical hole passing through the bottom of the implant; and internal structure for engaging a tool for inserting the implant in a passage formed in bone tissue. This internal structure can be in a top portion, or in an internal passage in the body portion of the implant. The method for forming a passage in bone tissue to receive the implant includes forming a passage having a base with a diameter suited to self-tapping of the threaded part of the implant, and, above the base, a larger-diameter section to engage frictionally the circumferential projections.

Abstract: A dental shade guide has a tooth-shaped first portion and an elongated second portion which is integrally connected to the first portion. The second portion varies in thickness in stepped fashion along its length. Both portions are made of a material having substantially the same color, thereby enabling the user to compare the color of the shade guide in differing degrees of opacity with the color of tooth structure adjacent the intended restoration, in order to increase the likelihood that the finished restoration will appear as aesthetic as possible.

Abstract: A closure (10) for a container, which closure houses a supply of dental floss (20). The closure (10) is adapted for dispensing the dental floss, and may include a tab (40) extending downwardly from the closure (10) for diverting the dental floss (20) towards the interior of the container. In this manner, the diverted dental floss (20) may be wetted by the contents of the container.

Abstract: A screw implant for a jawbone has a conical threaded implant body with an implant neck and a conical implant post to accept a replacement tooth or a substructure. The thread of the implant body is a compression thread with concave thread turns.The implant neck preferably defines a bending zone wherein the ratio of the diameter D.sub.B to the length L.sub.B of the bending zone is in the range of 1:1.5 to 1:3. The bending angle is up to 30 degrees and the number of bendings of the bending zone is 3 to 4, when the implant post is bent back and forth. The implant neck has broadening transition sections.

Abstract: A decorative frame for a picture utilizing a flat piece of plate glass of generally uniform thickness having a front face and a rear face. A translucent band is etched on the front face of the piece of glass to define a picture viewing area. An ornamental design is etched on the rear face of the piece of glass outwardly of the translucent band. u-shaped plastic channels are adhered to the rear face of the piece of glass directly behind the translucent band so as not to be visible from the front face of the piece of glass. A picture backing board is snuggly received in the channels to hold the picture against the rear surface of the glass with the viewing area defined by the translucent band. A backing board support leg is attached to the rear of the backing board.

Abstract: A dental post for securely retaining a dental restoration in a prepared tooth stub. The dental post is formed of an elongated cylindrical rod having an active threaded portion and a passive portion. The dental post is threadedly engaged with a sleeve secured in the tooth stub, which sleeve has at least an active threaded portion.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket having a base portion for attachment to a tooth. The base portion is provided with a substantially monolayer of substantially uniform sized particles. The particles may have a size in the range of 5 to 200 micron.

Abstract: A dental burr storage system for storing of dental burrs in a polymer, such as a polysulfone structure for storage as well as for sterilization. With the concern over AIDS, patients are now requiring dentists to store their personal dental burrs in their own storage container. The container provides for storage of the dental burrs, as well as sterilization of the dental burrs. The storage system includes a dental burr base and a dental burr cap, which threads onto the base in either a storage position for the dental burrs or a support position for the dental burrs. The base includes a plurality of holes on a cylindrical member for passage of gases during sterilization procedures. A threaded cap also includes a plurality of holes for passage of gases during a sterilization procedure.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to an automatic dental flosser having a housing which includes a handle and an operating head. The operating head includes a pair of hollow tines which extend in a first plane. A flossing assembly is operably associated with the operating head for removing debris from between and around teeth. The flossing assembly includes a support member for supporting a flossing material. A first portion of the support member is disposed in the hollow tines while a second portion of the support member is removed therefrom. A drive member is operably associated with the first portion of the flossing assembly for linearly displacing the support member. A stop is provided intermediate the upper and lower surfaces of the hollow tines for regulating the proximity of the flossing material to the oral tissues of an individual. Further, an adjustable protective cover encases the second portion of the support member which is removed from the hollow tines.

Abstract: A fluid aspiration needle assembly comprising a linearly elongated, tubular needle having a first end to be positioned at or proximate a patient's body, and an opposite end portion; a hub integral with the opposite end portion of the needle and providing a reservoir, the hub having a first duct in linear communication with the needle via the reservoir, and there being a second duct in communication with the reservoir and branching relatively away from the first duct, the second duct connected to the hub; the first duct, reservoir and needle being in linear alignment to receive an elongated stylet having a sharp end, and manipulable to cause the sharp end to penetrate the patient's body, and to be withdrawn so that body fluid can pass through the needle and enter the reservoir; and flexible, coupler tubing operatively connected to the second duct for passing fluid between the reservoir and a syringe operatively connected to the reservoir via the flexible tubing, whereby the syringe may be bodily manipulated in

Abstract: A holding device allows for tightening of a screw joint in a bone-anchored dental implant without imposing stress upon the tissue surrounding the implant. The device includes a first part which is rotationally locked in relation to the implant and a second part in the form of an arm which is rigidly connected to the first part, extends substantially perpendicularly thereto and is provided with a holding portion which interacts with the stationary part of the tightening tool to prevent undesirable rotary movements.

Abstract: An articulator, for use in making dentures or parts thereof. It has an upper principal member and a lower principal member. An upper support is provided for holding a maxillary cast fixedly mounted on the side of the upper member facing the lower principal member. A lower support holds a mandibular cast. This support is mounted on the lower principal member and faces the upper principal member. The lower support has a releasing/locking arrangement making it possible for an operator to move the lower support freely in several directions when the arrangement is in its released mode and to lock it in a desired position requiring only a slight holding in place of the casts in relation to each other by the operator during a locking procedure.

Abstract: A cap for frictional retention on an existing dental flossing tool to enhance protection of the dental flossing material when the tool is not in use and which can be removed, when desired, and which includes means for retaining one end of a strand of dental flossing material to enable the cap to function as an auxiliary handle for cooperation with the dental flossing tool to permit the flossing operation to be performed without having the user's hands contacting the flossing material.

Abstract: A dental implant anchor includes a body portion having a first external wall portion carrying one or more circumferential projections separated by circumferential grooves and, below, a second external wall portion carrying threads. In some forms, the anchor also includes one or more longitudinally-oriented grooves on its exterior wall. The grooves extend across, and through the circumferential projections. The implant can include a head portion with a smooth external wall; a through-hole and an apical hole passing through the bottom of the implant; and internal structure for engaging a tool for inserting the implant in a passage formed in bone tissue. This internal structure can be in a top portion, or in an internal passage in the body portion of the implant.

Abstract: A root canal filler assembly including a single use obturator and a multiple use elongate inserter tool is disclosed. The oburator includes a metallic core and a plasticizable coating, preferably formed of gutta percha. One end of the metallic core extends beyond the plasticizable coating to support a connector assembly. The multiple use inserter tool is removably connectable to the oburator to insert, remove, adjust, and reposition the obturator in a root canal. The inserter tool includes at one end a connector assembly which engages the obturator and at the other end a handle to facilitate manipulation of the assembly by the dentist. The elongate inserter tool may be reused as required, both to remove or reposition a previously inserted obturator and to insert additional obturators in other root canals.A method of filling and sealing a root canal employing the disclosed root canal filler assembly is also provided.

Abstract: An implantable valve accumulator pump for the delivery of medication is disclosed. The implantable pump comprises a drug reservoir maintained at constant pressure vapor. The medication metering assembly comprises a fixed volume accumulator positioned between a pair of valves. The valves alternately open and close to admit medication from the reservoir into the accumulator and to dispense a precise volume spike to an outlet catheter. In order to minimize dead volume and insure complete discharge, the accumulator employs a titanium diaphragm seated in one position by a recessed stop and in the discharge position by a spacer plate having a concentric groove pattern. The grooves are in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet. Also, a wide groove extending between inlet and outlet provides fluid communication between the grooves. The unit is externally programmed.

Abstract: A continuous-length orthodontic coil spring is made from a shape-memory alloy wire wound into a coil. The coil defines a plurality of open coil sections defining spaces between the turns thereof, and closed coil sections formed between the open coil sections. The closed coil sections are tightly wound with insubstantial spacing between the turns thereof. The coil spring is made of a Ni-Ti alloy wire, and is heat treated to impart a predetermined range of spring force within a superelastic zone of deflection. The continuous-length coil spring is cut through the closed coil sections to form several shorter-length coil springs therefrom. The closed coil sections on either end of the shorter-length coil springs are thus adapted to engage the orthodontic brackets mounted to a patient's teeth, to accurately impart the force of the spring to the brackets.