Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the automated production of dental workpieces. A blank is inserted in a substantially slab-shaped support of the device, said support being dimensioned such that the blank does not extend beyond it in any direction. The blank is linked with corresponding inner walls of a recess provided in the support only on two opposite faces while a gap is left between the other inner walls of the recess and the corresponding faces of the blank. The inventive design allows to avoid tensions and microcracks of the blank material thereby caused. The gaps further make the blank directly accessible for a lateral working by the milling tool.

Abstract: A fixation plate system includes a plate with elongated slots, and first and second anchors for attaching the plate to vertebrae. The first and second anchors have different head configurations that are selected by the surgeon to control how settlement occurs at each fused segment. The head of the first fastener is insertable in any of the slots and resists translation. The head of the second fastener is insertable in any of the slots in free sliding engagement to allow translation of the head in that slot. In one method of use, the surgeon selects a segment where settling needs to be limited, and uses the first fastener to fix the plate near the segment and limit settling at that segment. The first and second fasteners have a built-in spring that assists in securing the fasteners in the plate.

Abstract: An ultrasonic dental insert having at least one light source. A first transducer generates ultrasonic vibrations. A connecting body has a proximal end and a distal end having a tip attached thereto. The proximal end is attached to the first transducer so as to receive the ultrasonic vibrations therefrom and to transmit the ultrasonic vibrations toward the tip attached to the distal end. A second transducer is disposed substantially proximate to the connecting body for generating a voltage signal in response to movement of a portion of the connecting body according to the ultrasonic vibrations. A magnetic material including a source of a magnetic field is present in close proximity to the insert. At least one light source substantially proximate to the tip is connected to and receives the voltage signal from the second transducer to generate light. The ultrasonic dental insert may be inserted into a handpiece for providing electromagnetic energy to the first transducer to generate the ultrasonic vibrations.

Abstract: A viewing system associated with a conventional otoscope enables a person to examine the interior of his or her own ear. The viewing system utilizes a box-like enclosure containing a first mirror that reflects an image of the ear forwardly of the user's face, and a remote mirror that reflects the image back to the user's face.

Abstract: An ultrasonic wave energy artificial nail remover in one aspect includes a handle, a body attached to the handle, an ultrasonic sound wave generator attached to the body, and a tip having the shape of a natural nail. The tip is made to vibrate by the ultrasonic sound wave generator. The shape of the tip allows for a quicker removal of the artificial nail and requires less skill to successfully remove an artificial nail without damaging the natural nail than removal with a narrow flat tip allows and requires. Ultrasonic energy is channeled through the natural nail shaped tip to facilitate removal of an artificial nail in a quick manner with little cleanup involved.

Abstract: A dental prosthesis comprises an implant, an abutment and a crown. The implant has distal and proximal portions with the implant proximal portion including distal and proximal segments. The implant proximal segment has an outer surface. The abutment has distal and proximal segments and defines an abutment shoulder therebetween. The abutment shoulder is configured to circumferentially engage the outer surface of the implant proximal segment such that an implant abutment joint is defined therebetween. The crown is configured to be positioned over the abutment and the implant such that the crown covers the implant abutment joint. The implant proximal segment has an annular concave cross-section such that the crown distal end has a rounded shape to reduce the potential for stress cracking of the crown.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is disclosed having three archwire retention channels in the mesial-distal directions, a central channel and two side channels. The two side channels each include a pair of spaced apart inverted archwire retaining regions having a recess that opens generally towards the bracket base. Each such recess is for grasping or holding an archwire therein. Each of the side channels has an archwire retaining ridge extending gingivally-occlusally along the adjacent side of the bracket base between the two retaining regions of the channel. For each channel, its retaining ridge exerts a force on a portion of an archwire facing away from the archwire portion residing in the recesses of the retaining regions of the channel. The force on the archwire is directed toward the interiors of the recesses of the retaining regions for assisting in seating the archwire in the recesses.

Abstract: Oscillating rasps for the surgical preparation of the bone prior to the implantation of a glenoid or acetabular component with complex geometry are disclosed. Surgical methods for the use of such oscillating rasps are also disclosed. The oscillating rasp includes an attachment head configured to be secured in a chuck of an oscillating tool, and a cutting head secured to the attachment head. The cutting head includes a cutting surface extending posteriorly from the longitudinal axis of the oscillating surgical rasp. The cutting surface has a plurality of cutting teeth arranged in a geometry that, when oscillated along a predetermined path in contact with the glenoid of the patient, corresponds with the geometry of the augmented glenoid prosthesis.

Abstract: A cosmetic applicator includes a handle, a drive coupled to the handle, an applicator head coupled to the drive, and a torque limiter. The torque limiter includes a magnetic coupling, the magnetic coupling being coupled to at least one of the drive and the applicator head such that the torque applied via the applicator head does not exceed a predetermined allowable torque.

Abstract: A head portion for a mouth cleaning device is disclosed. The head portion includes an electrical connecting element; cleaning elements for cleaning teeth; and a tongue cleaning electrode for enabling a current flow into a user's tongue during use. The cleaning elements and the tongue cleaning electrode are arranged on substantially opposing sides of the head portion. The electrical connecting element on the head portion is electrically coupled to the tongue cleaning electrode for establishing an electrical connection with a corresponding electrical connecting element located at a handle portion in a connected state.

Abstract: A dental plier-type tool is provided for removing debris that is trapped or lodged between teeth without applying pressure to the adjacent teeth or crown itself and thus avoiding loosening the teeth (or crown). The current method for removing debris that is lodged between the teeth is usually accomplished by either of the following methods . . . manual flossing, a flossing type tool, a dental scaler, or a dental explorer. The problem with the current methods is that they all transfer unnecessary up and down, side to side pressure to the adjacent teeth or crown as pressure is being applied to the debris being dislodged, thus risking the chance of loosening the teeth (or crown). The uniqueness and advantage of the present invention is that, when used in conjunction with floss that has been properly mounted on the tool and under the debris, it transfers all it's “plier-type” power only to the debris being removed while holding the adjacent teeth or crown firmly in place.

Abstract: A heated hairstyling clip, optionally with heat-transfer accessories, is provided for rapid informal (“scrunch”-type) hair styling. (To “scrunch” is to crumple, crush or squeeze something tightly together; for example, a handful of hair.) In one embodiment the clip is a pair of concave jaws, optionally with interlocking fingers, held together by a spring mechanism. The hair is set and secured within the heated hairstyling clip, optionally with accessories supplying additional heat, and the clip is then allowed to cool before being removed. The clip is heated by a device, which may be a microwave oven, a conventional oven, a heated bath, or a resistive heating element. Heating of the clip may be supplemented or replaced by a heatable clip liner, held between the clip and the hair being treated, or a heatable clip pad supplying heat to the clip and the hair, or a reservoir within the clip, or a styling element in contact with the hair.

Abstract: A dental implant system has an implant member, an abutment member and a transfer key with cooperatively engaging structures for aligning and orienting an abutment assembled on the implant member and for preparing a dental impression and mold which represents the implantation site and its relationship to adjacent teeth structures. The dental implant system includes an O-ring type abutment assembly with a reduced footprint, a surgical screw and bone screw insertion tool, a healing abutment that need not be removed during an impression taking procedure, and an implant coding system for selecting and identifying dental implants and implant analogs.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket mountable on a tooth for use in retraction mechanics to facilitate movement of teeth along an arch, which includes an archwire-receiving member rotatably mounted on a base and structured to freely rotate when tipping a tooth during sliding of the bracket along an archwire thereby minimizing friction between the archwire and bracket to significantly decrease the required retraction force, and treatment time, thereby minimizing the possibility of root resorption and maintaining the integrity of the root and surrounding bone. A locking pin for locking the member against rotation is employed when uprighting the tooth from a tipped position.

Abstract: A cosmetic compact includes a twistable lid assembly that spins relative to a base assembly about a hinge to change between an open and a closed position. The hinge is disposed in the cosmetic compact at an oblique angle that positions a top surface of the cosmetic compact to face a user after twisting open. The lid assembly is twistable by about 180 degrees relative to the base assembly of the cosmetic compact. By virtue of having the twistable lid assembly, the cosmetic compact is capable of simple and reliable opening. The twistable lid assembly also allows a mirror placed on the top surface of the compact to be useful in both a closed position and an open position.

Abstract: The original butterfly eyelash guard use in the cosmetic field as a skin, eyes, and eyelash disposable shield in the application of eye makeup and/or as a protector during eye makeup removal, eyelash tinting, artificial eyelash extension, permanent makeup tattooing. The eyelash guard molds firmly around the bridge of the nose, fits perfectly under any size of eyes, and secures to both sides of the face, thereby freeing the hands to apply makeup or to perform other procedures as described. Also, it can be used over eyelids. The eyelash guard is for everyone who wants to look the best, raise job standards and bring enjoyment to the makeup application routine. The original butterfly eyelash guard is for everyone who wants to save a lot of time, money and have a tool that may help to prevent premature aging and damage to eyelashes and skin.

Abstract: A spine shaver designed with increased tissue removing efficiency is described. The shaver comprises a cylindrical shaver blade, an elongated body, and a pulley and belt drive mechanism. The shaver blade further comprises a tissue cutting surface that extends along the longitudinal axis of the shaver. The shaver is further designed with the shaver blade positioned perpendicularly to the elongated body. The increased surface area of the shaver blade and perpendicular blade orientation provide an efficient means of removing spinal tissue and debulking the area between two vertebrae.

Abstract: A dental system comprises a dental prophy angle and an adapter. The prophy angle includes a housing and a latch mechanism. The adapter is configured to drive the prophy angle. The latch mechanism includes a lever and a first latch element, which are both defined by a pair of opposing U-shaped slots within the housing, such that free ends of one of the pair of opposing U-shaped slots are disposed between free ends of the other of the pair of opposing U-shaped slots. The adapter includes a nose having a second latch element and a depression proximate to the second latch element. Upon the first latch element mating with the second latch element, the depression is positioned adjacent the lever.

Abstract: A pinless dental articulator includes a work tray, a retention pocket, and a monorail formed by a plurality of upwardly tapering cylinders which allow jelly or stone to slide out of the retention pocket when the work tray is turned upside down. The work tray has a ledge which stabilizes a rotatable arm that retains the jelly or stone in the retention pocket. A method of using the articulator includes the steps of installing the locking arm onto the stabilizing ledge of the work tray, rotating the locking arm into a closed position on the stabilizing ledge, pouring jelly into the retention pocket, installing a height-adjusting post in the work tray, tightening a fastener against the post in order to keep the post in an upright position, and placing a small tray with at least one negative tooth impression on top of the jelly.

Abstract: An apparatus for hair care comprising an elongate foam body having tapered ends. A flexible core embedded within the foam body. Clips attached to the foam body, clips haying an open position and a closed position. Wherein the foam body is configured to be placed underneath a user's existing natural hair and to be covered by the user's existing natural hair when secured in position by the plurality of clips. Wherein the flexible core is configured to be adapted to a contour of the user's head.