Abstract: A high-speed medical/dental handpiece includes a handle, which carries air, water, and light to a disposable cartridge which is received on the sleeve. The cartridge includes a head portion and a sleeve portion. The cartridge head defines a chamber having an upper and lower portions each of which receives a bobbin shaped sleeve bearing, and a central portion which receives a turbine. The bearings each form annular channels with their respective chambers. The cartridge includes water and air passages which direct water to the turbine so that the turbine is driven by an air/water mixture. Water is also directed to the upper bearing and grooves in the lower bearing chamber allow water to enter the annular channel around the lower bearing. Axial passages in the bearings enable water to pass from the annular chamber to the bit to contact the bit shaft. The air and water in the chamber are exhausted through the bit opening in the bottom of the head as well as through a plurality of exhaust ports in the head.

Abstract: A high-speed medical/dental handpiece includes a handle, which carries air, water, and light to a disposable cartridge which is received on the sleeve. The cartridge includes a head portion and a sleeve portion. The cartridge head defines a chamber having an upper and lower portions each of which receives a bobbin shaped sleeve bearing, and a central portion which receives a turbine. The bearings each form annular channels with their respective chambers. The cartridge includes water and air passages which direct water to the turbine so that the turbine is driven by an air/water mixture. Water is also directed to the upper bearing and grooves in the lower bearing chamber allow water to enter the annular channel around the lower bearing. Axial passages in the bearings enable water to pass from the annular chamber to the bit to contact the bit shaft. The air and water in the chamber are exhausted through the bit opening in the bottom of the head as well as through a plurality of exhaust ports in the head.

Abstract: A dental applicator of the present invention is provided for applying a dental compound to a tooth surface. The applicator includes an applicator body having a handle and a neck extending forwardly from the handle. The neck has a forwardly facing socket or socket is formed at the end of the neck to receive an absorbent sponge. The sponge is slidingly received in the socket so that its position in the socket can be selectively changed. The sponge, when prepared for insertion into the socket, has an overall cross-sectional dimension greater than the diameter of the socket. The sponge thus has to be compressed when it is inserted in the socket. Thus, when the sponge is inserted in the socket, the sponge forms an enlarged, ball-shaped or bulbous tip. By selectively altering the amount the sponge extends from the end of the neck, the enlarged sponge tip can be made larger or smaller, to hold larger or smaller amounts of liquid.

Abstract: A dental tray of the present invention includes a body made from a generally fluid impervious material (preferably a closed cell foam) having a bottom and side walls to define an arched channel sized and shaped to fit over a patient's teeth. A deformable, arched gasket is fixed to the body along an upper edge of the body wall. The gasket extends inwardly from the tray body wall and defines an arched slot. The gasket inner edge contacts and seals against the patient's gums and teeth when the tray is applied to the patient's teeth to substantially prevent compounds from leaking from the sides or back of the tray during use of the tray. Preferably, two identical trays are connected together by a connector. The connector is adhered to the base of the trays, generally at a front of the trays. The connector is folded over upon itself when the two trays are inserted in a patient's mouth and define a handle. The handle extends through the patient's lips from a position generally between the patient's teeth.

Abstract: An applicator device for applying a dental compound to the surface of a tooth and its root. The applicator has an elongated handle formable or bendable to hold a desired shape. A shield extends from an end of the handle. The shield is shaped to facilitate application of the compound to the tooth surface. A thin, absorbent pad is affixed to a concave side of the shield. The pad is sufficiently thin that compound on the pad can be applied to the tooth and root surfaces without introducing the compound into the gingival margin.