Abstract: An adjustable orthodontic bracket assembly includes a plurality of brackets. Each bracket is attachable to a front face of a tooth such that the bracket is positionable in series relation to one or more other of the brackets. Each bracket is continuously adjustable in at least three planes and, preferably, in six planes of motion without a need to replace any parts thereof. The adjustment of each bracket in one of the planes of motion can be accomplished without affecting the adjustment of the bracket in any of the other planes of motion. Specifically, each bracket is capable of adjustment in at least three and, preferably, all of vertical, lateral and mesio/distal translational planes of motion and tip, torque and circular rotational planes of motion. Also, the assembly includes an arch wire extending between and retained on the brackets.

Abstract: The present invention is a dental implant inserted into the jaw bone for anchoring an artificial tooth in the bone. It has been designed to overcome the difficulties and complexities of prior art implants. The inventive implant consists of three simple components: An elongate body which has an neck portion and a root portion; an abutment which is mounted to the neck portion of the body and which receives the temporary or permanent replacement tooth; and a screw which secures the abutment to the body. The root portion of the body consists of multiple legs and is formed from a shape memory alloy. Use of shape memory alloy allows the root portion to assume a closed, elongate shape at cool temperatures and to assume an open, fanned shape at temperatures typical of the human body. The inventive implant is maintained at cool temperatures until and during insertion into the body allowing an easy and non-traumatic placement of the implant.

Abstract: A dental treatment apparatus having a sterilized water producing unit placed in a water circuit of a dental chair unit. The sterilized water producing unit electrolyzes water mixed with sodium chloride and hydrochloric acid in a diaphragmless electrolytic cell to produce sterilized water having a residual free chlorine concentration adjusted in the range of from 1.0 ppm to 200 ppm and a pH adjusted in the range of from 3 to 7. The dental treatment apparatus further has a water circuit switching controller that alternately switches between raw water and feed water from the sterilized water producing unit.

Abstract: An occlusal registration coping (10) having a base member (11) adapted to be attached by an integral screw (13) to an implant within the jaw or to an implant abutment, and a head member (12). The base member and the head member being detachably connected together, by ridges or ribs (19) which interlock with grooves or indentations (16) and formed around a projection (15) on the base member and around the inside of a matching socket (18) in the head member. The end of the base member remote from the implant or abutment to which it is adapted to be attached contains a socket (17) of hexagonal cross-sectional shape and adapted to receive a tool of matching cross-section whereby the base member can be screwed into the implant or abutment to form a screw connection therebetween. A set of copings may be provided comprising a plurality of different base members and a plurality of color coded head members of different lengths.

Abstract: A medical or dental drill bit with one or more colored bands to indicate the drilling depth. The colored bands include groove portions filled with a color material. The invention also relates to a method of making such a drill bit.

Abstract: Coupled artificial teeth which minimize the shaping work of gum when manufacturing a denture model and eliminates residues in the plaster mold are disclosed. A coupled artificial tooth assembly includes a plurality of teeth coupled together only by wax. On the front side of the gum, the wax covers a base portion of each of the artificial teeth and fills the interdental papillae, while exposing the tooth crowns. On the backside of the gum, the wax fills the space around the bottom portion of each of the artificial teeth so that the bottom portion is almost completely exposed. The backside of the gum is substantially flush with the bottom portions of the artificial teeth and forms a bow-shaped curved surface similar in shape to a real human gum.

Abstract: A dental instrument includes a handpiece having a nozzle from which is ejected a stream of abrasive particles, and valves operated under the control of a microprocessor which regulate, as selected by a user, the stream of abrasive particles either as a continuous flowing stream or a pulsed flowing stream. The microprocessor enables the valves to be operated at a plurality of different pulse durations. A remote control unit, small enough to fit into the palm of a hand of a user, provides control of the basic parameters of the instrument, allowing the instrument to be conveniently placed and allowing fingertip control of the instrument without having to move away from the patient. The handpiece is integrated with a main dental unit foot control for a dental drill, so that the main dental unit foot control operates both the dental drill and the handpiece.

Abstract: The oral cleansing device assembly is an oral hygiene tool which relies upon weak strength and small sized magnets in order to effect a change in the resonance and/or polarity of the water molecules such that the water is effective for cleaning debris, scale, and plaque from the teeth, gums, tongue, and oral cavity in general. The oral cleansing device assembly has a non-metallic housing which contains the magnets and tubing through which water passes when the device is in operation; the housing also doubles as a handle. The oral cleansing device assembly has jet-tips for discharging the water into an oral cavity; the jet-tips are attachable to a quick-connector within the housing of the oral cleansing device assembly. The oral cleansing device assembly is ideal and safe to use for any adult or child who seeks to avoid exposure to electromagnetic fields and who wishes to avoid use of high water pressure in their mouth care routine.

Abstract: An inexpensive, time-efficient, and effective protective barrier device which provides protection against the transfer of contaminants such as infectious agents from one dental patient to another dental patient is provided. In particular, a barrier device is provided for attachment to a dental instrument. Dental instruments which can be directly protected include saliva ejector instruments and air/water supply instruments. Because the hands of the dental care provider or other user are protected from exposure to contaminating infectious agents, all dental instruments and accessories are indirectly protected. The barrier device includes a disposable sheath which can be positioned to shroud the instrument without encumbering its functionality. The device further includes a disposable probe which is integrally formed with the sheath and which is attached to the instrument along with the sheath.

Abstract: Holding device for use with a tool for mechanical tightening of a screw connection in a bone-anchored dental implant without the tissue which surrounds the implant being stressed, the holding device having a first part which rotationally locks to the implant, an arm rigidly connected to the first part, and extending at essentially right angles from the first part, and an additional part engaging a stationary part of a tightening tool so that undesirable rotation movements are prevented during tightening of the screw connection. The additional part which engages the stationary part of the tightening tool during tightening of a screw connection is mounted pivotably on arm and additional part is pivoted relative to arm to allow release of the tightening tool from the holding device after tightening the screw connection.

Abstract: A sample of artificial teeth and gums of a display unit for dental surgeons arranges plural artificial tooth samples forming the anterior teeth along the natural arch of the teeth. The artificial tooth samples are fixed and arranged on an artificial gum sample tinted with a determined color. The artificial gum sample has an inner face designed with a contact face curved to a form allowing it to be aligned close to the gum of the anterior teeth of the patient. A handle allowing the artificial gum samples to be aligned with the gum of the patient is fixed to the artificial tooth samples or to the artificial gum sample. With samples of the artificial tooth and gum, the artificial tooth samples and artificial gum samples are both aligned along the anterior teeth of the patient by holding the handles, allowing the patient to decide the color, shape and teeth arrangement of the artificial teeth and the artificial gum.

Abstract: Briefly stated, the present invention provides a kit which facilitates the removal of obstructions, such as broken files, from the root canal of a patient during an endodontic or root canal procedure. The kit includes a trephine sized to be inserted in the root canal and adapted to widen the root canal around the obstruction to expose the obstruction and an obstruction removal tool adapted to engage and mechanically grasp the obstruction to remove the obstruction from the root canal. The obstruction removal tool includes a hollow tube and a plunger slideable within the tube. The hollow tube is sized to be inserted into the root canal a distance sufficient to receive the obstruction within its lumen. A cutout is spaced from the end of the hollow tube, and the hollow tube is slid over the obstruction a distance sufficient to generally align the top of the obstruction with the cutout. A plunger having a beveled end is slid through the hollow tube.

Abstract: An orthodontic dental distractor was invented for rapid orthodontic tooth movement into a fresh extraction socket. It is derived from the concept of distraction osteogenesis. The device includes a distractor head, a movable joint and a screw. The distractor head has one end engageable with a molar band mounted on a molar and another end connecting with a sliding bar on which a screw seat is fixedly mounted. The movable joint is engageable with a canine band mounted on the canine. The screw has a screw head and is engageable with the screw seat and the movable joint. By turning the screw head, the screw can drive the movable joint moving toward the screw seat and consequently moving tooth rapidly.