Abstract: A dental marking product for gauging and marking occlusal clearance between a prepared tooth or teeth and an opposing tooth or teeth or dental restoration to facilitate fabrication and installation of a dental element. The product includes flexible tapes, strips, or paper which include a marking agent. Each strip has a narrow portion at a first end of the strip and a wide portion at a second end of the strip. Each strip has a thickness corresponding to a determined occlusal clearance between the prepared tooth or teeth and the opposing tooth or teeth or dental restoration. The occlusal clearance is determined based on characteristics of the dental element to be fabricated and installed, and the material of which it is formed, on the prepared tooth or teeth. The marking agent marks at least portions of the prepared tooth or teeth or the opposing tooth or teeth or dental restoration which protrude into a gap defined by the determined occlusal clearance.

Abstract: A wrap-around absorbent shield forms a semi-tight seal with the flesh of a subject, where at least a part of the shield at the semi-tight seal is made of an absorbent material. The combination of the absorbent material and the semi-tight seal substantially prevents the flow of material past the semi-tight seal without causing discomfort to the subject.

Abstract: A wrap-around absorbent shield forms a semi-tight seal with the flesh of a subject, where at least a part of the shield at the semi-tight seal is made of an absorbent material. The combination of the absorbent material and the semi-tight seal substantially prevents the flow of material past the semi-tight seal without causing discomfort to the subject.

Abstract: A prosthetic dental implant (10) comprises a body (26) having a depression (12) in the upper portion thereof, en enlarged space (16) beneath the depression (12), at least one additional opening (14) therein, and a neck (18) joined to the body (26) substantially at the nadir (30) of the depression (12). A prosthetic dental implant (10) having entirely rounded surfaces beneath the gum line is also disclosed.