Abstract: A dental absorbent pad (10) has a moisture permeable outer layer (11) which is folded upon itself to form a top side (12), a bottom side (13), and a peripheral margin area (15). The folded outer layer forms a cavity between the top side and the bottom side which is filled with a mass of unsupported, free-flowing granular superabsorbent material (16). The mass of granular superabsorbent material may be grains of sodium salt of cross linked polyacrylic acid with a grain size or diameter of 1 to 850 microns.

Abstract: A dental bur (10) is disclosed having an elongated shank (11) which extends to a cutting head (12). The shank includes a gripping portion (14), a tapered transition portion (15), and a neck portion (16). The diameter of the neck portion (D1) is generally the same as the diameter of the cutting head (D2). The cutting head includes six helical cutting flutes (20) extending from the neck portion (16) to a tip (18). Each cutting flute has a top cutting edge (21) and a series of generally rectangular shaped cross-cut notches. The rectangular shaped cutting notches are formed by a generally flat floor (25) and two oppositely disposed sidewalls (26). The floor forms a floor cutting edge (28) while the sidewalls form sidewall cutting edges (29). The intersection of the floor cutting edge with the sidewall cutting edges form two interior cutting corners (30).

Abstract: A dental absorbent pad (10) is disclosed having a moisture permeable, outer layer (11), a moisture absorbent layer (12), a stiffening plate (13), and a moisture impermeable backing (14). The moisture absorbent layer and stiffening plate are smaller in size than the overlying outer layer and backing so that a margin (17) is formed thereby which surrounds the moisture absorbent layer and stiffening plate. The margin is very flexible and therefor comfortable to a patient undergoing a dental procedure.