Abstract: An apparatus for oral hygiene having a dental handpiece supporting a replaceable dental bit. The dental bit is operated by a fluid actuated driving mechanism in the handpiece causing reciprocation of the dental bit to cause a mechanical cleaning action on contact with dental surfaces. The dental bit has fluid outlet ports associated with it. A source of pressurized fluid is provided for supplying fluid to the interior of the handpiece which serves both to actuate the driving mechanism as well as for providing a supply of fluid to the dental bit for discharge through the outlet ports. The fluid thereby simultaneously imparts a fluid cleaning action to the dental surfaces in addition to the mechanical cleaning action.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for use by dental practitioners to enable the restoration of decayed or damaged teeth. The method comprises preparing the tooth for installation of the disclosed apparatus, which will be referred to herein as a pillar cusp, by removing decay, old restorations and damaged tooth structure, and then preparing a horizontally disposed, flat circular area or niche on the dentin for each cusp to be restored. The flat circular area should be approximately centered on an axis located through that of the removed cusp. A vertically disposed channel is then drilled at the center of the niche and a self-threading dental anchoring device or screw is inserted into the channel. The pillar cusp, which, in effect, is an artificial or man-made dentin, is then threaded onto the screw.

Abstract: A method for controlling gagging in a patient susceptible to such reflexes in response to an oral procedure. The method is by administering to the patient prior to the onset of the gagging, a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one of the electrolytes normally found in the human blood stream and/or gastric secretions. Preferably, the electrolytes should be provided in the same proportions as they are found in the blood stream and/or gastric secretions.

Abstract: A removal dental crown adapted to be secured by a layer of bonding material to a tooth. The crown has a removable key threadedly secured in a channel formed directly in the crown. The key includes a recess for receiving a tool for removal of the key thereby leaving a threaded channel in the crown. An extractor tool can then be inserted into the threaded channel for engagingly breaking the bonding layer and forcing the crown away from the tooth.