Abstract: A dental preparation delivery system includes a soft malleable wax sealing strip bonded to a wax base strip. The peripheral outline of a model dentition extends into the thickness of the sealing strip to form a receptacle. A border of the sealing strip completely surrounds the outline. The receptacle is filled with a dental preparation to be administered and the sealing strip is overlaid with a film. In use, the film is removed, the system is bent to an arch shape and the outline is registered with the user's buccal dentition. Lateral force is applied in a lingual direction against the base strip to reshape the sealing strip for sealing contact of the border against the periphery of the user's buccal dentition, while leaving the preparation in contact with remaining buccal surfaces.

Abstract: An oral prosthesis fitment system includes a wax sheet having at least one face coated with a contact or pressure sensitive adhesive. A water activated adhesive is overlaid on the contact or pressure sensitive adhesive and the sheet is contoured by modeling over and around contact surfaces of a denture plate, with the adhesive coated surface facing outward. The denture is then placed in the oral cavity and the water activated adhesive composition is either premoistened or moistened by saliva. Compressive force is then applied to assure a proper fit.

Abstract: A tooth whitening appliance includes an applicator having a soft moldable core covered by a plastic film membrane. The contours of buccal surfaces of target teeth to be whitened are impressed into the applicator by applying lateral pressure. A layer of tooth whitening preparation is deposited on the impressions formed in the applicator and the applicator is repositioned against the buccal tooth surfaces for the administration of the tooth whitening preparation. The applicator core is soft and moldable preferably at or below body temperature. The membranes support the applicator in reduced thickness impression areas. The applicator core may be optionally preloaded with tooth whitening preparation.

Abstract: An applicator for oral treatment preparations comprises a membrane covered core having an arched vertical panel and a lateral panel with a generally “L” shaped transverse cross section. The core is formed of a modeling material such as wax, which is soft and pliable and which conforms to the contours of oral surfaces against which it manipulated. The vertical panel is pressed against buccal dentition surfaces to be treated. The lateral panel is then manually bent around occlusal surfaces and pressed against lingual dentition surfaces. The oral treatment preparation for administration may be coated on the membrane prior to fitting or microencapsulated within the core to pass through the membrane for administration. Alternately the applicator is removed after initial shaping or fitting, the oral treatment preparation is applied to the membrane and the applicator is then reinserted.

Abstract: An appliance for the application of a tooth whitening preparation comprises an applicator configured as a partial dentition arch. The applicator includes an outer casing panel, to which is adhered a formative inner liner having a relatively low softening temperature. The applicator is user fitted by immersion in hot water to soften the liner which is then impressed against buccal tooth surfaces. A tooth whitening preparation is deposited upon the buccal impressions formed in a fitted liner or is directly applied to buccal tooth surfaces. Thereafter, the appliance is worn for prescribed treatment duration, precluding dilution of the tooth whitening preparation as well as assuring against gingival contact with such preparation.

Abstract: A dental implement includes an elongate body having a dental tool at one or both ends and a comfit grip which is attached to the body and employed for manipulating the tools. The comfit grip includes an oral hygiene enhancement constituent carried in an electuary. The comfit grip may be removed from the implement body and placed in the user's oral cavity for release of the oral hygiene enhancement constituent through contact with saliva and/or by chewing. The oral hygiene enhancement constituent may comprise an anticaries agent, a malodor inhibitor, a tooth whitener, a plaque inhibitor or other constituents known to have oral hygiene enhancement properties.

Abstract: A breath system appliance includes a planar thin elongate body having an applicator head at one end and a scraper head at the other end. The applicator head carries a troche having an oral hygiene and/or breath freshening active constituent. The active constituent may include an antibacterial agent, an antiseptic agent, a flavoring agent, an oxidizing agent and an anesthetizing agent. The active constituent is applied as a coating to dorsal surfaces of a user. The scraper head is applied against dorsal surfaces of the user to dislodge food debris and other odor generating matter from the dorsum of the user after application of the troche, before application of the troche, or both before and after. The appliance may be packaged in a sealed packet.

Abstract: An oral burnisher includes a “U” shaped head at one end of the handle. The head includes a pair of substantially parallel side panels and a back panel covered by a thermoplastic elastomer sheath. The side panels include inwardly facing arrays of thermoplastic elastomer projections which extend from the sheath and the back panel includes an array of thermoplastic elastomer projections which extend from the sheath on its inner face. The outer face of the back panel is also provided with an array of thermoplastic elastomer projections which extend from the sheath. The thermoplastic elastomer sheath may be molded over the surface of the panels which are formed in one piece with the handle of a suitable plastic such as polypropylene. The projections of each array extend in the order of 1-2 mm. and have generally hemispherical tips such that the transverse dimension of the head is relatively small and can easily be accommodated in the oral cavity.

Abstract: A dental appliance includes a cylindrical barrel. Fitted at one end of the barrel is a cylindrical carrier plug having a dedicated dental implement, e.g. a pick or scaler, projecting axially. The other end of the carrier includes a universal affixment post for a further dental implement which is selected from a variety of attachments such as an interdental stimulator, a toothbrush head, a burnishing head, an abrasive stain removing head, a prophy cup, an interproximal brush, etc. Either the universal affixment post and the selected dental attachment project from the end of the barrel or, the dental implement projects from the end of the barrel. The end of the barrel and the implement may be covered with a cap having a pocket clip, for example in simulation of a writing implement. Optionally, both ends of the barrel are open, a carrier is inserted in each end such that two dental implements are available at the same time, without removal of the carriers or attachments.

Abstract: An oral hygiene appliance for cleansing the dorsum by both scraping and irrigation includes an irrigational applicator having a bored stem, the proximal end of which is connected to the mouth of a container filled with an irrigating medium. The distal end of the stem includes an open head configured with a transverse blade supported by a pair of diverging struts. A surface of the blade is roughened for scraping the dorsum. The distal end of the stem includes a nozzle with irrigating medium being discharged onto the dorsum surface on the labial side of the blade when the container is squeezed.

Abstract: A breath system appliance includes a planar thin elongate body having an applicator head at one end and a scraper head at the other end. The applicator head includes a sponge impregnated with a dorsal conditioning medium. The medium may include an antibacterial agent, an antiseptic agent, a flavoring agent, an oxidizing agent and an anesthetizing agent. The conditioning medium is applied as a coating to dorsal surfaces of a user. The scraper head is thereafter applied against dorsal surfaces of the user to dislodge food debris and other odor generating matter from the dorsum of the user. The appliance may be carried in a liquid impervious sealed packet.

Abstract: A delivery system for a liquid oral hygiene preparation suitable for tooth whitening, tooth cleansing and the treatment of. The delivery system includes an elongate barrel shaped body. A supply of the hygiene preparation saturates a fibrous wadding carried in a hollow chamber of the body. At an end of the body, an applicator formed of felt or synthetic fibers is seated. The applicator includes a broad tip and a stem wick which is received in the wadding and draws the preparation to the tip by capillary action. The preparation is applied to tooth surfaces, oral lesions, and the like by pressing the tip against the surface to receive the preparation and, where appropriate, wiping the tip along the surface. In an alternate embodiment, ball applicator is provided and the hygienic preparation may be carried in the chamber without the wadding.

Abstract: A conventional toothpaste is dispensed on a toothbrush along with a quantity of an abrasive free dentifrice containing a peroxide compound as an active constituent. Abrasion constituents of the conventional toothpaste interact with the peroxide compound constituent of the dentifrice to accelerate the breakdown of the peroxide compound constituent and the release of active oxygen. The employment of an abrasive free base in the peroxide compound dentifrice also results in a significant reduction in dentin abrasion levels as compared with the conventional toothpaste alone.

Abstract: A molded mouthguard is shaped in the configuration of a maxillary arch. The mouthguard includes a trough which is channel shaped in transverse cross section and a moldable upper fill which extends higher than the channel at least at the front, rear and buccal walls of the trough. The fill comprises a low softening temperature thermoplastic such as a suitable EVA and the trough is formed of a higher softening temperature thermoplastic. The mouthguard is suitable for do-it-yourself custom molding and is heated by emersion in water to a glass transition temperature which is below boiling temperature, e.g. within a range of 140.degree. F. to 180.degree. F., for approximately two minutes. The mouthguard is then inserted into the mouth, and centered against the teeth of the maxillary arch. The user then bites, causing the fill to extrude over the labial and buccal front, sides and rear of the trough as the fill conforms to the impression of the upper teeth.

Abstract: An ansate oral prophylaxis device includes a hand engageable shaft having a bristle carrying head at one end. The head is configured for oral anti-carries and periodontal prophylaxis with simultaneous bristle contact against all accessible tooth and adjacent gingival surfaces on each reciprocal stroke. The head is configured with a spine and pair of generally planar side panels, each lying in a plane approximately 45.degree. from the plane of the spine. Bristles project perpendicularly from the spine for engagement against occlusal tooth surfaces, while bristles project perpendicularly from the side panels for engagement against buccal and lingual tooth side walls, gingival surfaces and tooth surfaces beneath the gum line. To assure softer bristle contact with gingival surfaces, the bristles of the side panels are progressively tapered in length with the longest bristles being furthest from the spine and the shortest bristles being adjacent the spine.

Abstract: A conventional toothpaste is dispensed on a toothbrush along with a quantity of an abrasive free dentifrice containing hydrogen peroxide as an active constituent. Abrasion constituents of the conventional toothpaste interact with the hydrogen peroxide constituent of the dentifrice to accelerate the breakdown of the hydrogen peroxide constituent and the release of active oxygen. The employment of corn starch as a base for the hydrogen peroxide dentifrice also results in a significant reduction in dentin abrasion levels as compared with the conventional toothpaste alone.