Abstract: A carrier, for a dental implant kit, for reliably and releasably holding the dental implant. The carrier incorporates a plurality of flexible fingers for engaging a screw of the dental implant kit in which the screw is threadably engaged with the implant. The fingers latch on to the screw by providing a mechanical lock in a groove of the screw. The fingers can further grip the screw by applying a generally radial compressive force on the screw. Advantageously, the resiliency and structure of the carrier fingers not only provides a reliable long-term grip on the screw, and hence the implant, but also permit the screw, and hence the implant, to be conveniently attached and detached from the carrier.

Abstract: A method of taking dental impressions for various types of dental work which is a two step process with only one tray insertion. The impression materials are selected and have durometer measurements which permit a technique without the use of a retraction cord, and the materials are highly thixotropic providing accurate results with a minimum of patient discomfort.

Abstract: A dental tube and post combination is disclosed, wherein the dental tube and post have, respectively, a mating projection and indentation so that when the mating portions are fitted together, it is unlikely that the tube and post will be inadvertently separated from one another. However, the combined tube and post combination of the present invention can be readily separated by a dental technician using conventional dental tools. Moreover, each of the tube and post portions of the present invention can be used with conventional posts and tubes without compatibility concerns.

Abstract: The orthodontic appliance is metal injection molded as a unitary bracket, and is a made of a Stellite cobalt chromium alloy composition formulated to be substantially nickel-free, containing less than 1% nickel, in order to alleviate nickel allergic reactions experienced by a small fraction of the population to nickel. While nickel improved hardness of the bracket, the elements of chromium and molybdenum in the proposed alloy for the bracket also contribute to hardness of the alloy. The orthodontic bracket comprises a unitary metal injection molded body including a bonding base adapted to adhere to a tooth surface, and an archwire slot adapted for receiving an archwire. The preferred composition consists essentially of 59-69% by weight cobalt, 26-30% by weight chromium, 4-8% by weight molybdenum, and 2% or less by weight trace elements. The bonding base has a bottom base pattern in the form of a plurality of rectangular or square pockets that are approximately 0.005 to 0.015 inch in size.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and systems for whitening teeth. A whitening composition is applied to off-white or yellowish teeth in order to hide or mask the inherent underlying natural tooth color to yield whiter looking teeth. The whitening composition includes a complementary dye that, when absorbed by a tooth, will cause the tooth to reflect a color of light that is whiter than the natural or initial color reflected by the tooth. The tooth whitening composition may comprise a toothpaste that is applied like any conventional toothpaste in order to achieve whitening without significant alteration of a person's daily routine. Alternatively, the tooth whitening composition may be adapted for direct application onto the teeth in a more concentrated form, such as by means of a syringe, tooth cleaning paste, or cotton swab.

Abstract: A dental attachment assembly has an abutment member for attachment to a tooth root, implant, or adjacent tooth, and a male member for hinged engagement in a cap secured in a dental appliance. The male and abutment members are designed for releasable snap engagement to secure the members together. A skirt projects from the upper end of the male retention member and engages an outer locating surface of the abutment member as the members are secured together, acting to align the male member with the abutment members.

Abstract: A method for treating periodontal disease in the periodontal pocket and for rendering the periodontal pocket resistant to future bacterial infection. After necrotic soft tissue and plaque is removed from the periodontal pocket by debridement, an optical fiber is inserted into the periodontal pocket. Laser emission is transmitted through the optical fiber into the periodontal pocket to substantially eradicate any remaining bacteria in the periodontal pocket and to also render the periodontal pocket resistant to subsequent bacterial infection. Optionally, the optical fiber is inserted into the periodontal pocket prior to debridement and laser radiation is transmitted through the optical fiber into the periodontal pocket and against both the soft and hard tissue. Such laser radiation not only kills bacteria in the periodontal pocket but also loosens the plaque which is typically present on the tooth and desensitizes the area surrounding the periodontal pocket.

Abstract: A dental handpiece (10) is provided with a drive motor (13), a drive shaft (12) operatively affixed to the drive motor (13) at one end of the drive shaft (12). A dental tool (11) is operatively affixed at the other end of the drive shaft (12). The drive shaft (12) is journaled within a axial displacement bearing (60), such that manipulated rotation of the dental tool (11) causes a first drive shaft section (61) to be axially displaced from and relative to a second drive shaft section (62). The axial displacement bearing (60) is caused to contact a bearing (51) thereby causing the drive shaft (12) to bind due to the frictional forces generated by that contact. This allows sufficient force such that the dental tool 11 can be disengaged from the handpiece (10).

Abstract: A medicine dispenser adapted to administer liquid medicine via a retromolar pad area including a liquid collecting cylinder body and a soft plastic protective cover. The liquid collecting cylinder body includes a liquid discharge tube extending centrally from a top face thereof. The cylinder body is integrally formed with the liquid discharge tube, the latter having an open end at a top end. The protective tube has an internal hole matching the shape of the liquid discharge tube so that the latter can be fitted entirely into the internal hole of the protective tube. The deepest part of the internal hole of the protective tube is formed with a liquid discharge hole that is substantially at a right angle to the protective tube body so that liquid medicine flowing from the liquid discharge tube can bend at the rear section of the internal hole of the protective tube and out laterally from the liquid discharge hole.

Abstract: A denture retaining unit comprises a ball and socket structure, the socket being adapted for incorporation into a denture. The ball is a truncated sphere providing a flat face for magnetic engagement with a flat face of a magnetizable keeper, which keeper is adapted to be secured to a support member extending from the jaw. The unit permits lateral and/or angular movement between the denture in which the socket is embedded and the keeper, while the flat faces of the keeper and the sphere remain fully magnetically engaged. The sphere and the keeper have interengaging portions for limiting lateral movement therebetween and for preventing disengagement of the flat faces of the keeper and the sphere.

Abstract: An improved orthodontic accessory for transmitting corrective forces from a corrective force generation device to an orthodontic bracket securable on a tooth generally includes a pin interconnected at one end with a channel defining member. The pin is insertable in a pin receiving slot of an orthodontic bracket also having a primary arch wire slot for receiving an arch wire therethrough. The bracket may be an Edgewise orthodontic bracket and the pin receiving slot may extend vertically. The channel defining member defines a channel, which extends laterally in at least one of a mesial and a distal direction and which may be closed, for receiving a corrective force generation device therethrough. Corrective forces applied by the corrective force generation device to the channel defining member are transmittable to the orthodontic bracket by the pin.

Abstract: A two-piece abutment system is disclosed. The first part includes a tapering inner surface which is part of a bore extending entirely through the first part. The first part includes a socket for mating with a boss or post on a dental implant. The elongated second part includes a threaded stem for engaging a threaded bore with a dental implant and a post which extends above the first part. The second part extends through the bore of the first part and is screwed into the implant. As the second part is screwed into the implant, a tapering external surface on the post of the second part frictionally locks with the tapering inner surface of the first part. The first part has a metallic core which is surrounded by a ceramic outer portion.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated, simplified valve actuating device for dental equipment, the valve being capable of avoiding an undesirable dripping of dental instruments at the end of the work. The device includes a valve actuating element identified in a four-way valve, whose body includes a housing for a piston connected to a bobbin, wherein said casing is on one side connected to a selector unit and on the other side to a one-way retention valve, capable of receiving pressurized air from a reducer unit and passing it from said selector unit to a constantly pressurized air line coming directly from said reducer unit and to at least one dental instrument.

Abstract: A dental prosthodontic apparatus including an abutment which is implanted into the jaw of a patient and which is provided with a slot which accepts fitted risers of different lengths. The end of the riser is substantially flat and forms a shelf and the length of the riser is selected so that when the riser is inserted into the slot, the end is approximately level with the gum line of the patient. When a prostheses is mounted to the abutment, the proximal margin of the prosthesis forms a gap between the margin of the prosthesis and the shelf formed by the inserted riser. The gap provides opposed surfaces against which a prying instrument can be worked in the event the prosthesis needs to be removed from the abutment.

Abstract: A dental implant having an external thread configuration and/or a structure which facilitates a single step, immediate load dental implant/prosthesis installation, which significantly reduces healing time between surgeries and which comprises a threaded implant shaft having a core to thread ratio of about 0.45 to about 0.70. The invention also relates to a method for installing such a dental implant.

Abstract: A set of components are set forth which efficiently deliver a dental implant to a site at which the implant is to be installed in living jawbone. The implant has a gingival end with a manipulating fitting and a threaded bore extending inwardly from the gingival end. The set of components include a carrier device having an upper end, a lower end, a through-bore extending between the lower and upper ends, and a fitting for mating with the manipulating fitting of the implant. The through-bore in the region adjacent to the upper end includes a non-circular socket for receiving an implant-insertion tool that imparts movement to the carrier device and the implant. The set of components further includes a screw for attaching said carrier device to said implant. The screw has a lower threaded portion for engaging the threaded bore of the implant and a head for stopping on a shoulder within the through-bore of the carrier device.

Abstract: A dental implant delivery system comprising a vial having two cavities. One cavity in the body of the vial houses an implant and a driver mount, and the other cavity in the lid of the vial houses a healing screw.

Abstract: A dental model articulator includes two hinge-jointed arms, each arm having segments connected at a hinge joint having mating elements, one integral to each segment of an arm. One element includes two cymbals that are coaxial on a major hinge axis and concave facing which resiliently capture between them a node of the mating element on the other segment which has the form of opposed, outwardly facing convexities. Multiaxial motion between the segments of each arm is accommodated by the rotation of the convexities of the node within detents at the apices of the cymbals. The extremities of each arm terminate in cylindrical rod-like elements that are parallel to the major hinge axis. The rods engage with transverse, cylindrical channels either cut-in, molded-in or affixed to the models. With the models positioned in centric occlusal relationship and the arms adjacently positioned and engaged, the four rods are adhesively fixed in the channels.

Abstract: An incisor block for mounting on the lingual surface of an incisor to produce separation between the upper and lower posterior teeth in deep bite patients. The incisor block has a block body and a positioning cap. The block body has a mounting surface designed to closely abut the lingual surface of the incisor, a biting surface and a thickness. Proximate to the incisor and extending toward the incisal surface when the block is mounted on the incisor is a positioning cap having a notch and a facial extension. Ferromagnetic recovery fragments may be positioned within the block body and positioning cap. The block is installed on the incisor by the method of first etching the tooth before placing an adhesive bonding agent on the etched tooth surface and the mounting surface of the incisor block. The incisor block is placed into position by placing the positioning cap against the incisal edge and pressing the mounting surface against the incisor's lingual surface.

Abstract: A twister for orthodontic ligature wires which easily enable a twisting operation of the wire with one hand, and is capable of clamping the wire with certainty, and simple in construction. The twister for passing the ligature wire in a nipping cylinder and a gripping cylinder to nip the wire, comprises a guide hole provided in the nipping cylinder to enable inserting the wire in a direction along a central axis of the nipping cylinder, an insertion port provided at a tip end of the guide hole, a compartment pin for inhibition of twisting provided on the insertion port, or an engagement piece provided on an extension of the insertion port, and a locking mechanism mounted in the nipping cylinder and the gripping cylinder to allow engagement and disengagement of the wire with one hand.