Abstract: A dental irrigating and aspirating instrument utilizes a cannula with a reduced diameter extended member shaped to occlude the apical foramen while conducting irrigating fluid into the apical terminations of root canal preparations. The extended member also serves to occlude the apical foramen while conducting fluid and debris out of the apical regions during aspiration. The extended member can be shaped with a cutting surface to prepare a base for the root canal preparation and root canal filling. Use and fabrication of the instrument for irrigation and aspiration of the fullest depths of the gingival sulci and periodontal pockets in periodontic practice is also described. A handpiece is described that retains the instrument allowing manipulation of the instrument and control of fluids to and from the instrument.

Abstract: A dental irrigating and aspirating instrument utilizes a cannula with a reduced diameter extended member shaped to occlude the apical foramen while conducting irrigating fluid into the apical terminations of root canal preparations. The extended member also serves to occlude the apical foramen while conducting fluid and debris out of the apical regions during aspiration. The extended member can be shaped with a cutting surface to prepare a base for the root canal preparation and root canal filling. Use and fabrication of the instrument for irrigation and aspiration of the fullest depths of the gingival sulci and periodontal pockets in periodontic practice is also described. A handpiece is described that retains the instrument allowing manipulation of the instrument and control of fluids to and from the instrument.

Abstract: A pressurized fluid dispensing apparatus for use with a precision-controlled fluid placement device is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a reservoir fillable through a circular port closeable by a removable cap. The reservoir is adapted to receive a plunger and communicates with a first check valve to provide compressed air to dispense fluid from the reservoir through a discharge channel into the fluid placement device. A control is provided on the fluid placement device to regulate the flow of the liquid.

Abstract: A dental irrigating and aspirating instrument utilizes a cannula with a reduced diameter extended member shaped to occlude the apical foramen while conducting irrigating fluid into the apical terminations of root canal preparations. The extended member also serves to occlude the apical foramen while conducting fluid and debris out of the apical regions during aspiration. The extended member can be shaped with a cutting surface to prepare a base for the root canal preparation and root canal filling. Use and fabrication of the instrument for irrigation and aspiration of the fullest depths of the gingival sulci and periodontal pockets in periodontic practice is also described. A handpiece is described that retains the instrument allowing manipulation of the instrument and control of fluids to and from the instrument.

Abstract: A preformed dental barrier drape contoured to conform to the normal human oral cavity, including indices for cutting perforations to expose either one or a plurality of teeth at the crown, to include the sides and/or neckline and adjacent gingival tissue is provided. When positioned in a pateint's mouth, the dental barrier drape is draped over the teeth and other structures and features of the oral cavity with sufficient barrier material removed at required locations to expose the teeth and gum areas to be operated on. The barrier drape device may include an integral formable perimeter support structure and integral support structures along the alveolar arches. Various barrier drape retaining devices to retain the barrier device in position and seal the barrier drape material to the teeth at the neckline of a tooth are described.

Abstract: A method of treating baldness by inserting strands of natural or synthetic hair into the scalp by suitable penetration means is disclosed. The method essentially involves passing a U-shaped loop of hair through the tissue beneath the scalp so that the base of the U protrudes therefrom and engaging the base of a second U-shaped strand with the first strand following which the first strand is pulled in the reverse direction so that the interengaged portions are disposed beneath the scalp in the insertion pathway. The method also includes the alternative of performing a unit of two interlocking strands whose true ends have been joined chemically, thermally, mechanically or electronically and inserting the units beneath the scalp with their opposed ends projecting from the penetration openings.

Abstract: A method of treating baldness is disclosed which includes the implantation of strands of natural or artificial hair beneath the scalp and into the subcutaneous tissue. The method contemplates pre-forming the strands of hair into a U-shaped loop which can be implaced beneath the scalp by means of a penetration instrument in an arcuate or concave configuration with respect to the scalp for improved retention properties. Apparatus is also disclosed for carrying out the method which will facilitate engaging and implanting the hair in the manner just described and which is also capable of readily disengaging the hair from the penetration instrument for removal of the instrument and which is further capable of injecting tissue adhesives and hemostatic agents into the tissue surrounding the hair to stabilize it and assist the healing and anchoring process.

Abstract: A method of treating baldness by inserting strands of natural or synthetic hair into the scalp by suitable penetration instrument is disclosed. The method essentially involves passing a U-shaped loop of hair through the tissue beneath the scalp so that the base of the U protrudes therefrom and engaging the base of a second U-shaped strand with the first strand following which the first strand is pulled in the reverse direction so that the interengaged portions are disposed beneath the scalp in the insertion pathway. The method also includes the alternative of preforming a unit of two interlocking strands whose true ends have been joined chemically, thermally, mechanically, or electronically and inserting the units beneath the scalp with their opposed ends projecting from the penetration openings.

Abstract: A method of treating baldness by inserting strands of natural or synthetic hair into the scalp by suitable penetration means is disclosed. The method essentially involves passing a U-shaped loop of hair through the tissue beneath the scalp so that the base of the U protrudes therefrom and engaging the base of a second U-shaped strand with the first strand following which the first strand is pulled in the reverse direction so that the interengaged portions are disposed beneath the scalp in the insertion pathway. The method also includes the alternative of performing a unit of two interlocking strands whose true ends have been joined chemically, thermally, mechanically or electronically and inserting the units beneath the scalp with their opposed ends projecting from the penetration openings.

Abstract: An improved cannula for utilization with and attachment to a dental instrument capable of selectively and alternatively injecting liquid under pressure and providing a vacuum for aspirating purposes and a process for utilizing the cannula. The improved cannula has a through central bore opening into the first end of the cannula body and has a second end that is either open to said bore or closed. Opposed slots or openings are provided in the cannula body adjacent the second end of the cannula and provide communication between the exterior of the cannula and the central bore, and also means for attaching the cannula to an instrument such as described above are provided on the body thereof. A modified form of the invention has a fully closed second end and a single elongate radiused "window" opening closely adjacent the closed end.

Abstract: A method of treating baldness is disclosed which includes the implantation of strands of natural or artificial hair beneath the scalp and into the subcutaneous tissue. The method contemplates pre-forming the strands of hair into a U-shaped loop which can be implaced beneath the scalp by means of a penetration instrument in an arcuate or concave configuration with respect to the scalp for improved retention properties. Apparatus is also disclosed for carrying out the method which will facilitate implanting the hair in the manner just described and which is also capable of disengaging the hair from the penetration instrument for removal of the instrument and which is further capable of injecting tissue adhesives and hemostatic agents into the tissue surrounding the hair to stabilize it and assist the healing and anchoring process. It is also possible to perform the method of this invention without pre-forming the strand except to the extent that it is formed when placed on the penetration instrument.

Abstract: An improved cartridge for use in hypodermic syringes is disclosed in which the hollow tubular cartridge body has a first end which has a resilient seal thereon and which engages both the end of the cartridge and a portion of the periphery thereof adjacent the end. The first seal member is also capable of engaging the internal nozzle of the syringe, if one exists, as well as engaging the inner surface of the barrel of the syringe. The opposed end of the cartridge body, which is normally contacted by a plunger to eject the contents, has a second seal member or plug, at least a portion of which is partially received internally of the cartridge and has annular ribs which perform as O-rings and contact the inner surface thereof for sealing purposes. A lip fits over the second end of the cartridge body to achieve a three-way seal at that point and also seals against the inner surface of the barrel of the syringe per se.

Abstract: An endodontic operating instrument is disclosed for utilization in the preparation of root canals, either manually or in conjunction with ultrasonic or other instrumentation. The instrument per se includes an elongate shank of virtually any cross section desired and a handle or attachment means on one end so that the instrument may be operated manually by simply grasping the handle; operated by means of a conventional dental handpiece by simply attaching the attachment means thereto; or operated by means of an ultrasonic instrument. The instruments have a coating of abrasive material applied to at least a portion of their exterior surfaces to facilitate the preparation of the root canal by the action of the abrasive on the tooth.

Abstract: An improved cartridge for use in hypodermic syringes is disclosed in which the hollow tubular cartridge body has a first end which has a resilient seal thereon and which engages both the end of the cartridge and a portion of the periphery thereof adjacent the end. The first seal member is also capable of engaging the internal nozzle of the syringe, if one exists, as well as engaging the inner surface of the barrel of the syringe. The opposed end of the cartridge body, which is normally contacted by a plunger to eject the contents, has a second seal member or plug, at least a portion of which is partially received internally of the cartridge and has annular ribs which perform as O-rings and contact the inner surface thereof for sealing purposes. A lip fits over the second end of the cartridge body to achieve a three-way seal at that point and also seals against the inner surface of the barrel of the syringe per se.

Abstract: An endodontic operating and sealing or obturating method and apparatus for performing the various steps of said method are disclosed. Means for preparing a root canal for filling are disclosed which include instruments for cleaning out the root canal and preparing the interior of the canal so that it includes a series of staged steps which grow progressively larger from the apical end of the tooth to the crown. Unique finishing instruments are provided with a cross-sectional configuration such that they will provide the progressively larger steps. Also disclosed is a method and apparatus for sealing the root canal thus prepared, which includes provision of the gutta percha cones of particular configuration adapted to substantially conform to the internal stepped configuration within the root canal. Also disclosed is a combination cone which in itself is composed of a series of cones having progressively increasing diameters so as to be capable of sealing a plurality of steps in the canal.

Abstract: An improved cartridge type syringe capable of being utilized as an anesthetic injector, root canal irrigator, and periodontal pocket irrigator is disclosed which has an aspirating capability as well as a metering capability to measure and control the amount of material injected. The syringe includes means for locating the cartridge within the barrel of the syringe to provide a sealed area adjacent the needle for aspiration purposes. It also includes a means for controlling the amount and rate of flow of the material being injected by utilizing a spring-loaded plunger, a detent carrying drive shaft, and gripping means which are capable of gripping the detents on the drive shaft. The device is constructed so that upon depression of the spring-loaded plunger, the rear seal of the cartridge will be pushed forward a predetermined distance by the drive shaft so as to inject a measured amount of fluid.