Abstract: A clear thermally deformable surgical or diagnostic stent which can be fitted to a fully or partially edentulous ridge and the surrounding tissue surfaces and a method of producing and fitting stents using their thermally deformable characteristics. A kit comprising a matched pair of a clear thermally deformable surgical or diagnostic stent and an identical thermally deformable interim or temporary denture and a method of producing and fitting the stent and denture using their thermally deformable characteristics. The stent and denture are formed from a doughy mixture of a plasticized liquid monomer and a methyl methacrylate polymer in a ratio of 1:3-3.5 parts by weight. When heated to a temperature above 120.degree. F. (49.degree. C.) the stent and denture are malleable and may be molded in the mouth or on a model of the patient to attain an approximation of the tissue surfaces.

Abstract: A thermally deformable denture base adapted to be fitted to an edentulous ridge and the surrounding tissue surfaces and a method of producing and fitting complete dentures incorporating the thermally deformable denture base. The denture base has an inner surface and an outer surface and is formed by a molding process from a doughy mixture of a plasticized liquid monomer and a methyl methacrylate polymer powder in a 1:3-3.5 ratio. When heated to a temperature above about 135.degree. F., the denture base is malleable and may be molded in the mouth of a patient to attain an approximation of the tissue surfaces. The denture base may be incorporated into a complete denture by curing an unpolymerized resin material denture liner to the inner surface of the denture base and affixing teeth to the outer surface of the denture base.

Abstract: A thermally deformable denture base adapted to be fitted to an edentulous ridge and the surrounding tissue surfaces and a method of producing and fitting complete dentures incorporating the thermally deformable denture base. The denture base has an inner surface and an outer surface and is formed by a molding process from a doughy mixture of a plasticized liquid monomer and a methyl methacrylate polymer powder in a 1:3-3.5 ratio. When heated to a temperature above about 135.degree. F., the denture base is malleable and may be molded in the mouth of a patient to attain an approximation of the tissue surfaces. The denture base may be incorporated into a complete denture by curing an unpolymerized resin material denture liner to the inner surface of the denture base and affixing teeth to the outer surface of the denture base.

Abstract: An oral hygiene device comprising a detachable head and a handle into which the detachable head can be inserted. A plurality of detachable heads each having a different oral hygiene means thereon is also provided. The detachable heads and the handle form a system for complete oral hygiene home care unit.

Abstract: A preform consisting of a planar section of a thermoplastic having a glass transition temperature a few degrees above body temperature and a softening point below about 160.degree. F. is used to form custom, quadrant, dental impression trays. The preform is of uniform thickness except for a raised ridge, extending across both sides of the sheet, terminating in an elongated handle at one end, and dividing the preform into a pair of asymmetrical sections shaped to fit the buccal and the lingual musculature along a dental arch. The tray may be heated above its softening point and the side sections bent in a common direction about the central ridge so that their ends extend substantially parallel with one another to form a trough having a U-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: A toothbrush system is provided wherein a plurality of disposable heads may be inserted onto a disposable stem, allowing the use of a wide variety of specialized heads on both manually operated and power toothbrush handles. The system permits the head and stem designs to be custom tailored to the individual patients' needs in terms of mouth size, brushing comfort, dental and periodontal needs, as well as convenience both at home and away from home. The modular system also permits the patient to clean his teeth in a more aseptic manner than would otherwise be possible.

Abstract: A method of making a thermoplastic dental impression tray which can be heated, placed into the patient's mouth where it can be intimately molded to approximate the patient's tissues and characterized in that the tray will maintain its molded structure to a high degree of accuracy. Methyl methacrylate monomer liquid and polymer powder are mixed together and the mixture is allowed to reach a doughy state. The mixture is placed into a mold conforming to the desired structure of the tray. The mold is then heated for a sufficient time under pressure to polymerize the monomer to provide a tray characterized in that when heated to above 135.degree. F. it wil become soft enough so that it can be placed into the patient's mouth for intimate molding therein and which will become so hard when cooled in the mouth that it will exhibit a recovery rate of less than 2% after removal from the mouth so that the precision of the impression is accurately maintained.

Abstract: A toothbrush having a handle formed of a thermoplastic material with a glass transition temperature in the range of about 110.degree.-140.degree. F. The handle is heated to soften the plastic shaped to a desired configuration while pliable, then allowed to cool so as to retain the desired configuration when it hardens. The brush bristles may be detached from the handle when worn and replaced by a fresh set.