Abstract: Provided is a jaw tool formed from two separable units and which includes a fastening device that attaches the two units together when the jaw tool is in use and which may automatically separate the units after the device performs its function such as clamping and/or cutting. Also provided is a jaw tool having a cutting blade wherein the contours of the device are shaped so that force is concentrated on the cutting bade when the device is closed. The jaw tool may be manufactured from a single injection molded-component that is used in duplicate to form the jaw tool. The jaw tool may be used in various applications in which it may be beneficial to simultaneously clamp and cut an object, such as various medical applications including vascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and placental.

Abstract: A dental appliance comprising at least two plies of thermoformable material, wherein a first ply of a first material, having a first set of characteristics properties, provides a first primary surface of the dental appliance and wherein a second ply of a material different from the first ply, having a second set of characteristic properties, provides an opposing second primary surface of the dental appliance.

Abstract: Provided is a jaw tool formed from two separable units and which includes a fastening device that attaches the two units together when the jaw tool is in use and which may automatically separate the units after the device performs its function such as clamping and/or cutting. Also provided is a jaw tool having a cutting blade wherein the contours of the device are shaped so that force is concentrated on the cutting bade when the device is closed. The jaw tool may be manufactured from a single injection molded-component that is used in duplicate to form the jaw tool. The jaw tool may be used in various applications in which it may be beneficial to simultaneously clamp and cut an object, such as various medical applications including vascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and placental.

Abstract: A pontic having a prefabricated notch, channel or slot to physically engage and ensure a secure mechanical lock with the dental appliance. The invention also pertains to a method of fabricating a dental appliance and a kit for facilitating the same. The invention has particular application to thermoformed, removable appliances.

Abstract: A pontic (10) having a prefabricated notch, channel or slot (11) to physically engage and ensure a secure mechanical lock with the dental appliance (30). The invention also pertains to a method of fabricating a dental appliance (30) and a kit for facilitating the same. The invention has particular application to thermoformed, removable appliances.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus and method for cleaning dental and/or medical implements, and in particular to a system for quickly and thoroughly cleaning dental and/or orthodontic retainers, dental/orthodontic aligners, dental appliances, dentures, bridges, and the like. The preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates a cleaning system utilizing a vibrating sonic wave bath comprising a vibration means to oscillate a container having at least some fluid therein engaging the item to be cleaned, coupled with the utilization of a preferably flavored tablet containing a non-toxic cleaning material, the tablet preferably also formulated to effervesce upon contact with water, generating bubbles and foam. It has been found that the sonic bath substantially enhances the cleaning and flavoring ability of the effervescent cleaning tablet, while reducing the amount of time to clean the dental appliance.

Abstract: A dental appliance comprising at least two plies of thermoformable material, wherein a first ply of a first material, having a first set of characteristics properties, provides a first primary surface of the dental appliance and wherein a second ply of a material different from the first ply, having a second set of characteristic properties, provides an opposing second primary surface of the dental appliance.

Abstract: A pontic (10) having a prefabricated notch, channel or slot (11) to physically engage and ensure a secure mechanical lock with the dental appliance (30). The invention also pertains to a method of fabricating a dental appliance (30) and a kit for facilitating the same. The invention has particular application to thermoformed, removable appliances.

Abstract: A novel system for discerning pressure points in mouthpieces, namely orthodontic aligners. The system includes the steps of applying a colored gel to a light transmissive or clear mouthpiece-type aligner, mounting the aligner to the upper and/or lower teeth of the patient, and observing through the mouthpiece color variations generated by variations in gel density, wherein pressure points are indicated as lighter colors due to less gel density and spaces are indicated as deeper color, due to higher density of the colored gel. In an alternative embodiment a second gel incorporating rupturable spheres incorporating a second composition is utilized in the present system such that pressure upon the gel releases the second composition, which would be formulated to combine with the first gel and result in a color change, either due to a chemical reaction, or due to a mixing of two colors to produce an identifying color.

Abstract: A pontic (10) having a prefabricated notch, channel or slot (11) to physically engage and ensure a secure mechanical lock with the dental appliance (30). The invention also pertains to a method of fabricating a dental appliance (30) and a kit for facilitating the same. The invention has particular application to thermoformed, removable appliances.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus and method for cleaning dental and/or medical implements, and in particular to a system for quickly and thoroughly cleaning dental and/or orthodontic retainers, dental/orthodontic aligners, dental appliances, dentures, bridges, and the like. The preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates a cleaning system utilizing a vibrating sonic wave bath comprising a vibration means to oscillate a container having at least some fluid therein engaging the item to be cleaned, coupled with the utilization of a preferably flavored tablet containing a non-toxic cleaning material, the tablet preferably also formulated to effervesce upon contact with water, generating bubbles and foam. It has been found that the sonic bath substantially enhances the cleaning and flavoring ability of the effervescent cleaning tablet, while reducing the amount of time to clean the dental appliance.

Abstract: A glow-in-the-dark plastic dental appliance typically for pediatric dental patients, and method of constructing the appliance. According to a preferred method of the invention, the dental appliance is constructed by first forming an impression of a patient's upper or lower dentition and constructing a cast from the impression. The appliance is thermoformed over the cast, typically using a vacuum or pressure thermoforming machine and a sheet, plate or disc of thermoformable plastic impregnated or coated with a phosphorescent material. The appliance is capable of glowing in the dark for a limited period of time after exposure to a light source and as the appliance is worn on the patient's dentition, and is capable of repeated phosphorescence throughout the dental treatment period.

Abstract: A thermoformed plastic dental retainer and method of construction including rapid cooling of the retainer, typically using a refrigerant coolant, as the retainer sets on a dental impression cast. The dental retainer is constructed by first forming an impression of a patient's upper or lower dentition and constructing the cast from the impression The retainer is vacuum-thermoformed over the cast using a sheet, plate or disc of thermoformable plastic and a vacuum or pressure thermoforming machine. As the thermoformed plastic retainer sets on the cast, the retainer is rapidly cooled typically by spraying a refrigerant coolant on the retainer.

Abstract: Low-density polyethylene dental whitening or bleaching trays are molded to a dental impression cast of a patient, typically by vacuum or pressure thermoforming techniques. In a typical application, a low-density polyethylene plate or sheet is molded on a dental impression cast by operation of a vacuum or pressure thermoforming machine to produce bleaching trays of high quality and extended use for whitening the teeth of patients. The low-density polyethylene material so molded has superior memory for repetitive clinging fit on the teeth and is comfortable and virtually transparent while in place.

Abstract: A gasket for vacuum thermoforming machines, which gasket is designed to be positioned on the perforated base plate of the thermoforming machine to cover selected ones of the vacuum openings in the base plate. An opening is provided in the center of the gasket for concentrating the vacuum in this area and increasing the vacuum applied to a heated plastic sheet or plate positioned above a dental impression cast located on the base plate in the gasket vacuum opening. The vacuum applied by the vacuum thermoforming machine is thus concentrated within the confines of the vacuum opening of the gasket to more efficiently mold the soft plastic plate over the dental impression cast and form a plastic retainer for straightening teeth.

Abstract: A thermoformed plastic dental retainer and method of selectively straightening crooked or maloccluded teeth and retaining the straightened teeth using the retainer. The dental retainer is constructed by first forming an impression of a patient's upper or lower dentition and constructing a cast from the impression. The retainer is vacuum thermoformed over the cast using a sheet, plate or disc of thermoformable plastic and a vacuum or pressure thermoforming machine. A protrusion or divot is formed in the retainer on the labial or lingual side of each tooth which is to be repositioned lingually or labially, respectively, and a gap, opening or window is formed in the retainer on the opposite side of the divot to accommodate unhindered tooth repositioning movement. As the retainer is worn on the patient's dentition over a period of days or weeks, the projecting divots apply pressure to the respective teeth and push the teeth into the gap or window of the retainer to a straightened position.