Abstract: A brush with a body portion, an outer surface, and bristle apertures extending from the outer surface into the body portion. Each bristle aperture has a sidewall with a first portion defining an inner portion and a second portion defining an outer portion. Opposing portions of the first portion of the sidewall are parallel. Opposing portions of the second portion of the sidewall extend outwardly from the body portion toward the outer surface. A tuft is anchored in each bristle aperture. During use, the inner portions of the bristle apertures maintain a proximal portion of the tuft in a substantially stationary position, and direct a distal portion of the tuft through the outer portion and beyond the outer surface. The outer portions of the bristle apertures are shaped to maintain a minimum bend radius and allow the distal portion of the tuft to deflect when lateral forces are applied thereto.

Abstract: A method of attaching a plurality of bristles each having a maximum strain that is less than 8% to a brush to form two spaced apart tufts. The method includes arranging the bristles adjacent and substantially parallel to one another to form a bristle grouping. The bristle grouping is divided longitudinally into an anchor portion flanked on both sides by a tuft portion. The anchor portion is bent in a manner that subjects the bent portion to less than about 8% strain. The bent anchor portion is inserted into and affixed to the bottom of a slot or aperture having an inside surface configured to receive the bent anchor portion of the bristle grouping and guide the tuft portions outwardly from the slot. The portion of the slot above the anchor portion and between the tuft portions may be filled with a material to separate the tuft portions.

Abstract: A dental brush with enhanced bristles has a body including a grip and a head. Attached to the head are at least some bristles made from a shape memory alloy with a composition that allows for superelastic attributes at the operational temperature ranges of the dental brush. These superelastic attributes allow metal bristles to be used and provide the dental brush with increased operational life. Other attributes of the shape memory alloy bristles include a hydrophobic nature that discourages growth of bacterial colonies on and near the dental bristles. The shape memory alloy dental bristles are individually supported allowing greater variety. in positioning the bristles on the dental brush head. The height, thickness, and shape of the shape memory alloy bristles can also be tailored to increase effectiveness of the dental brush. Further aspects of the shape memory alloy dental bristles include coatings on the bristles to modify color, lubricity, surface hardness, and abrasivity.

Abstract: A method of growing jaw bone and the related guided-tissue regeneration plate support and fixation system employed in the method where an isolated and protected space free from tissue impingement, occlusal loading, chewing forces or muscular pressure is created between the periosteum and the jaw bone. This space is created by first placing either a dental implant or a guided-tissue regeneration plate support and fixation system tenting-type support screw into the jaw bone. The plate portion of the guided-tissue regeneration plate support and fixation system, preferably made out of titanium, is a two-piece structure including a first support plate component having a peripheral region and a generally open central portion and a fine mesh screen juxtaposed over the central portion of the support plate and fixed to the peripheral region thereof.

Abstract: A sub-periosteally implantable prosthesis support structure for a fixed or detachable dental prosthesis includes a framework fitted to and generally conforming to the inner and outer contours of the bony ridge structures of a person. The framework is configured to provide a space extending generally normal to the bony ridge structure to an apex to provide space for subsequent bone growth. A plurality of denture support posts are distributed about the framework and depend outwardly from the apex in substantial alignment with the bony ridge structure. During the fabrication of the prosthesis support structure, a bio-compatible fine mesh screen is fixed to and spans, tent-like, the framework to substantially overlay the bone structure and the space provided for subsequent bone growth.

Abstract: An electromechanical dental flossing device is disclosed for flossing the area between a portion of the tooth and the gum tissue. The device comprises an elongated member coupled to a motor source to effect oscillation of the elongated member. The elongated member includes an intermediate portion and a tip which are capable of being received between the tooth and the gum tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the surface of teeth in a human mouth having a flexible, resilient central flossing filament and a plurality of flexible side flossing filaments fixedly attached to a central filament intermediate portion. The central filament intermediate and free end portions, with the side flossing filaments attached thereto, are sized to be received between adjacent teeth without traversing any contact areas between the adjacent teeth from at least the front of the mouth. The central filament has sufficient flexibility and resiliency to effect a first flossing action between the adjacent teeth by imparting a first flossing motion to the central filament, and the side filaments have sufficient flexibility to effect a second flossing action between the adjacent teeth and at the forward and rearward surfaces thereof to impart a second flossing motion to the side filaments.

Abstract: A method of growing jaw bone and the related guided-tissue regeneration plate support and fixation system employed in the method where an isolated and protected space free from tissue impingement, occlusal loading, chewing forces or muscular pressure is created between the periosteum and the jaw bone. This space is created by first placing either a dental implant or a guided-tissue regeneration plate support and fixation system tenting-type support screw into the jaw bone. The plate portion of the guided-tissue regeneration plate support and fixation system, preferably made out of Grade 1 commercially pure titanium, being thicker and more rigid in the center, more supportive area and thinner at the periphery is either snapped-down onto the head of the support screw or onto a specialized and modified healing screw of a dental implant which has a receiver cap or is screwed directly into a dental implant. The plate is then bent and molded into the proper shape.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical dental flossing device is disclosed for flossing the area between a portion of the tooth and the gum tissue. The device comprises an elongated member coupled to a motor source to effect oscillation of the elongated member. The elongated member includes an intermediate portion and a tip which are capable of being received between the tooth and the gum tissue.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical dental flossing device is disclosed for flossing the area between a portion of the tooth and the gum tissue. The device comprises an elongated member coupled to a motor source to effect oscillation of the elongated member. The elongated member includes an intermediate portion and a tip which are capable of being received between the tooth and the gum tissue.