Abstract: For easy washing and sterilizing of a holding tray for drill bits used in a dental implant operation, a holding tray X includes a tray main body 1 made of a hard material capable of autoclave sterilizing and holding members 2 made of an elastic material capable of autoclave sterilizing, the tray main body 1 includes holding plates 1b and holding member supporting plates 1c on a back surface of a substrate part 1a having rows of linearly aligned through holes 1aa for drill bits, the holding plates 1b include half circular cylindrical recessed parts 1ba at portions corresponding to the through holes 1aa, the supporting plates 1c have a fixed interval to a plane 1bb along the recessed part 1ba, and the holding members 2 are detachably held between the holding plates 1b and the supporting plates 1c to hold the drill bits together with the recessed parts 1ba.

Abstract: A container for holding endodontic instruments that may include a base, a foam pad, a retainer, and a lid. The base may include a well with a bottom and sidewalls extending upwardly from the bottom to an open-ended top. The foam pad may be configured to hold one or more endodontic instruments inserted through the pad, and dimensioned to cover the open-ended top of the well. The retainer may be configured to clamp the foam pad over the open-ended top of the well so that the pad is tautly maintained in a holding position, whereby the foam pad is configured to hold at least a portion of an endodontic instrument within the well. The lid may be coupled to the base, and movable between an open position and a closed position that covers the foam pad.

Abstract: An assembly for use in orthodontic treatment includes at least two articles, and each article includes an orthodontic appliance as well as an adhesive that extends across the base of each appliance. The adhesive of at least one article differs from the adhesive of at least one other article in terms of composition, properties or characteristics, such that the adhesive can be tailored to enhance the bond between the particular selected appliance and its intended tooth.

Abstract: A dental implant package includes a main body having a partition portion that is formed therein and separates a fixture accommodation space accommodating a fixture of a dental implant from an auxiliary accommodation space accommodating any of a healing abutment and a cover screw, wherein a first opening and a second opening are formed at both ends of the main body, a leveler accommodated in at least a part of the fixture accommodation space and supporting the fixture accommodated in the fixture accommodation space at a predetermined height, a first cover detachably coupled to the main body and blocking the first opening, and a second cover detachably coupled to the main body and blocking the second opening. The fixture and any of the healing abutment and the cover screw can be stored with a simple structure. Also, the fixture and the healing abutment or the cover screw can be easily pulled out during an implant operation.

Abstract: A packaged assembly includes a container with a chamber and an orthodontic appliance received in the chamber. The assembly also includes a quantity of orthodontic adhesive material that is received on a release surface in the chamber. The appliance is detachably mounted on a support and is relatively movable when desired in order to bring a base of the appliance into contact with the adhesive material for transfer of the adhesive material to the appliance.

Abstract: The present invention is a hygienic toothbrush holder. In several embodiments the invention is a hygienic toothbrush holder with enhanced drainage features comprising a sloped interior floor for drainage of fluids to an attached extended lip so that fluid can proceed into a sink or other drainage system. In several embodiments it is necessary to have a raised base so that the extended lip can clear a lip of a sink. Other surfaces of the toothbrush holder could be sloped as well to further aid in fluid drainage.

Abstract: A package for displaying a plurality of items where the package has first and second containers connectable between an open position and a closed position, each container having an outer surface having at least one elongated protrusion, the at least one protrusion having a head end and a tail end, the head end extending further outwardly from the package than the tail end, and an inner surface having at least one inner cavity aligned with the at least one protrusion, the cavity having a depth varying along the protrusion and configured to receive one of the plurality of items, wherein the head end of the at least one protrusion of the first container is proximate the tail end of the at least one protrusion of the second container in the closed position.

Abstract: A packaged orthodontic assembly includes a container with a chamber and an orthodontic appliance received in the chamber. A quantity of a first orthodontic adhesive material is applied by the manufacturer to the base of the orthodontic appliance. A second orthodontic adhesive material is also received in the chamber in initially spaced relationship to the first orthodontic adhesive material. The practitioner can elect to bring the first orthodontic adhesive material into contact with the second orthodontic adhesive material when desired.

Abstract: A retainer assembly for retaining a medical device in a container having a perforated wall includes a retainer with a rigid support portion having at least one leg and a flexible, resilient instrument holding portion intimately bonded to the support portion so that the retainer is devoid of cracks and crevices between said portions. Each leg has a free end and an axial passage extending into the leg from that end so that the retainer may be positioned on the container wall with each opening in register with a perforation therein. A fastener extends into the passage of each leg and the underlying perforation from below the wall to anchor each leg to the wall under pressure thereby providing a seal between each leg and the wall. Various retainer embodiments and a method for making same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for organizing and loading orthodontic appliances, for example orthodontic brackets, onto set-up trays. The system includes an organizer tray which holds a set-up tray in a fixed orientation, and also holds a plurality of packages of orthodontic brackets in predetermined relationships to bracket staging areas on the set-up tray. Bracket packages and the organizer tray are configured so that the brackets are presented in the same orientation, when in their packages held by the organizer tray, as they will have when transferred to the set-up tray. As a result, the brackets can be loaded onto the set-up tray from the packages without re-orientation. The organizer tray has a storage base that holds supplies of packages of the different brackets of a given set so that the organizer tray can be reloaded with packages. Preferred organizer tray and package configurations are also provided.

Abstract: A medical implant package including a vial and a cap connected by a hinge. The vial includes a cavity for housing at least a portion of a dental implant. To access the implant, the cap is rotated about the hinge from a closed position to an open position. The cap defines a second cavity, separate from the vial cavity, sized to contain a healing screw. In one embodiment, the cap includes two portions connected by a living hinge which define the second cavity. The two cap portions, when moved relative to each other via the living hinge, permit access to the healing screw. In an alternative embodiment, the cap includes two retention members sized and configured to grip the healing screw. To remove the healing screw from the cap, the two retention members are displaced apart from each other by engaging them with a wedge extending from the vial.

Abstract: A dental base and disposable tray includes a base with a plurality of disposable tip holders and a disposable tray mating portion. The disposable tray includes a work surface with mixing wells, an instrument holder and disposable tip holders. The disposable tray also includes a base mating portion. When the base and disposable tray are mated together, the disposable tray protects the base from being contaminated by materials or instruments held on or in the work surface.

Abstract: An interdental brush package comprises a plurality of interdental brushes, each having a handle and bristles connected to the handle; a container; the container including a pocket disposed at a bottom portion thereof; and the container including a backing extending from the pocket. The handles are disposed in the pocket and the bristles overlie the backing. A cover overlies the bristles and the backing, the cover having one end portion being receivable within the pocket.

Abstract: A unit is provided for holding instruments and components that are used in dental treatment. The unit can comprise sides, a bottom, and a top that can be modular or integrally formed. The unit can have a drawer-shaped construction and can be made of heat-resistant material. The sides and bottom can form a first rigid unit part, all or part of which can be provided externally with a covering or layer of a non-rigid or flexible material. The covering or layer is arranged to be easy to hold and to have good frictional characteristics. The top can form a rigid second unit part that preferably contains an organized holding arrangement for the instruments and components. Accordingly, the unit can be heat-resistant, robust and easy to hold, and have good frictional characteristics to prevent it sliding on an underlying surface upon which the unit is arranged placed.

Abstract: Packages for dispensing dental appliances of the type used in corrective orthodontic treatments, methods of using such packages, and methods of manufacturing such packages. The package generally includes a holder and drawers containing the dental appliances that are removable from the package. The characteristics of the dental appliances positioned in each individual drawer are appropriate for application to different quadrants of the patient's teeth. The drawers of the package may be color coded with regions on a setup card so that the dental appliances, while remaining positioned in the drawers, may be organized among the regions according to the intended quadrants for bracket application. Other color coding schemes are possible involving the drawers, the brackets held by the drawers, the setup card, and the brackets themselves.

Abstract: A tray for dispensing a material to be applied with an applicator having a plurality of applicator support openings. The applicator support openings have a depth and width sufficient so that when an applicator is placed therein, it is held substantially upright. The material and applicator support wells may be funnel shaped. The relatively deep narrow funnel shape protects the material placed therein from ambient light, contamination, evaporation, and spilling. The invention is particularly well suited to use in a dental procedure that may require the application of multiple different materials or materials that react with one another or that are light activated. The plurality of different material wells are readily identifiable and keep the different materials separate and ready for use.

Abstract: The invention concerns two distinct components related to dental hygiene. The first is a dental hygiene carrying case that has been specially designed to hold various dental supplies. The second part of the invention is a holster unit that is used to support (hold) the carrying case.

Abstract: A sterilization system for dental and orthodontic tools is provided with a transport rack dimensionally sized to hold a plurality interchangeable cassettes. The interchangeable cassettes are designed and intended to hold kits of dental or orthodontic tools and are provided with top opening, double-hinged covers which lay flat on the surface when opened and used at a dental workstation.

Abstract: An orthodontic set-up tray includes at least two sections, and each section includes at least one receptacle for receiving an orthodontic appliance. A coupling movably connects the sections together to enable relative movement between the sections. The coupling advantageously permits the overall size of the set-up tray to be reduced or enlarged as may be desired by the practitioner. Optionally, the coupling is a releasable coupling that enables the sections to be detached from one another.

Abstract: A method and device for identification of surgical instruments, in particular of dental instruments, uses a stationary geometric arrangement of instrument holders and a suitable positional allocation of the instruments to these holders. The holders are provided in an arrangement of raster modules which cooperate with a base unit, only a single raster module being accessible in each case for removal and fitting of instruments.

Abstract: A dental kit for use in placing a dental post in a prepared recess (e.g., a root canal) of a person's tooth. The dental kit includes a finishing drill, a plurality of permanent dental posts, a dental post analog, and optionally, a starter drill. The kit also includes a container having an interior, means for suspending the kit components within the container, and a removable lid.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for applying orthodontic brackets to teeth. The apparatus includes a bracket container having a bracket housing defined therein and a bracket placer positioned relative to the bracket housing to receive a bracket from the bracket container. The bracket housing is configured to house a plurality of brackets. Furthermore, the bracket container includes biased means for biasing brackets in the bracket housing forwardly toward the bracket placer.

Abstract: A multilayer web article, including a first layer of a porous material, e.g., Tyvek® film, and a second layer overlying and sealed to the first layer. The second layer is non-porous to passage of gas therethrough and includes a peelable film, e.g., of polyethylene, in contact with the first layer of porous material. The peelable film permits peeling removal of the second layer from the first layer to expose the first layer of porous material for passage of gas therethrough. In a specific construction, the web article constitutes one of opposedly facing panels of a lay-flat bag article, in which the facing panels are bonded to one another along superposed edges thereof. After pressurization integrity testing of the bag, the peelable film is peeled away to enable steam - and/or ETO-sterilization of the bag and its contents to be carried out.

Abstract: A medical instrument holder assembly comprises a holder module base including first tubes defining first passages, each first passage having open upper and lower ends, at least one first web connecting and supporting those first tubes in parallel spaced-apart relation so that a fluid can circulate around and between the first tubes, and instrument supports underlying the first tubes for supporting medical instruments placed in the first passages while allowing a fluid to circulate through those passages. The holder assembly also includes a cover for seating on the base and covering the instruments supported thereby, the cover being formed by second tubes defining second instrument receiving passages, each second passage having upper and lower open ends, the lower ends having the same cross-sections as the upper ends of the first passages.

Abstract: A package construction for a device for applying dental fluids including a plurality of syringes, each syringe having a fluid chamber and an outlet, said chamber containing a fluid selected from the group consisting of carries detection, sodium hypochlorite and hemostatic agent; a plurality of disposable tips, each tip adapted to be attached to one of said syringes at said outlet; and a molded plastic tray, said tray having a plurality of receptacles formed therein for receiving and retaining said syringes and at least one receptacle formed therein for receiving said tips. A removable cover is also provided.

Abstract: A bracket assembly for supporting medical instruments and the like. The assembly includes a support member formed with lines of vent holes, the vent holes in each line being spaced apart a selected distance. The bracket includes a base strip having a plurality of feet extending down for the base strip, the feet having footprints larger than those of the vent holes and being spaced apart along the base strip a distance substantially equal to an intregal multiple of the selected distance. This allows the bracket to be aligned with a line of vent holes in the support member so that its feet overlie selected ones of the vent holes in that line. A plurality of anchors is provided for anchoring the plurality of feet to the support member at the selected vent holes so that any segment of the base strip between the feet is spaced above the support member so as not to obstruct any underlying vent holes in the support member.

Abstract: The invention provides a package for a prepasted orthodontic bracket that includes a cover having a hollow projection thereon and a lateral flange extending from and surrounding an open end of the projection, and a base having a flat upper surface. An orthodontic bracket having a layer of light-curable paste thereon is placed with the paste layer in contact with a flat upper surface of the base. The bracket is surrounded by and spaced from the cover. Each of the cover and base are opaque to visible light and actinic radiation. The cover, or both cover and base, comprise a bilayered plastic structure including a first plastic layer containing particles of an opaque filler in an amount effective to render the first layer opaque to visible light, and a second plastic layer containing an effective amount of an actinic blocking agent.

Abstract: A system and method for managing dental burs includes a carrier that is customized to hold a selection of burs that a particular dentist prefers for a given procedure. Accordingly, each dentist will have a separately identifiable carrier for such procedures as amalgam and composite fillings, veneer, crown and bridge preparation, post and core procedures, endodontics, emergency treatments and other procedures, such as those that are attendant to removable prosthodontics. In addition, the carrier includes indicators for advising the dentist as to how many times each bur in the carrier has been used. By tracking use on a bur by bur basis, premature disposal of used burs as well as the incidence of bur changes in the midst of procedures will be minimized while helping to prevent the negative consequences of overusing burs (i.e. intra-oral separation, excessive heat generation).

Abstract: A package construction for a device for applying dental fluids including a plurality of syringes, each syringe having a fluid chamber and an outlet, said chamber containing a fluid selected from the group consisting of carries detection, sodium hypochlorite and hemostatic agent; a plurality of disposable tips, each tip adapted to be attached to one of said syringes at said outlet; and a molded plastic tray, said tray having a plurality of receptacles formed therein for receiving and retaining said syringes and at least one receptacle formed therein for receiving said tips. A removable cover is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for managing dental burs includes a carrier that is customized to hold a selection of burs that a particular dentist prefers for a given procedure. Accordingly, each dentist will have a separately identifiable carrier for such procedures as amalgam and composite fillings, veneer, crown and bridge preparation, post and core procedures, endodontics, emergency treatments and other procedures, such as those that are attendant to removable prosthodontics. In addition, the carrier includes indicators for advising the dentist as to how many times each bur in the carrier has been used. By tracking use on a bur by bur basis, premature disposal of used burs as well as the incidence of bur changes in the midst of procedures will be minimized while helping to prevent the negative consequences of overusing burs (i.e. intra-oral separation, excessive heat generation).

Abstract: A kit includes a group of predetermined components for enabling a dental hygienist or technician to perform non-invasive dental renewal procedures. The kit includes one or more abrasive devices, one or more restorative compositions, and one or more delivery tips for applying the restorative compositions. The abrasive device comprises one or more of a low-speed dental bur, a prophylaxis cup, brush, paste or jet. The kit may also include a delivery device, e.g., a syringe, or a storage device for storing the restorative composition.

Abstract: A medical implant or device comprising at least one component at least partially fabricated from an alloy having a composition represented by the general formula Xa Mb Alc, where X is Zr or Hf, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Ti and Cu, and a, b and c are, in atomic percentages, 25<a<85, 5<b<70 and 0<c<35, the alloy comprising an amorphous phase as a volume fraction of at least 50%.

Abstract: The rack for dental burrs includes a base (1) and a cover (5) and is provided with a plurality of passages (8) distributed over its surface, each adapted to receive a dental burr. Each of these passages (8) includes at least two piercings (9, 10) of different diameters corresponding to standard diameters of shanks of dental burrs.

Abstract: An open-ended container for holding dental instruments includes a body and a lid. The lid is configured to close the container when the lid is placed over the open end of the container. The lid is also configured for stabilizing the container in an upright position when the lid is placed over the bottom of the container. The lid is flared and generally provides greater support to the container for standing upright than does the bottom of the container. A piece of tape is used to seal and reseal the lid on the container. A foam material (e.g., open cell foam) housed within the container is used to hold dental instruments. A disinfecting solution contained within the container disinfects any dental instruments held therein.

Abstract: A container for packaging a plurality of endodontic instruments, and for laying out the endodontic instruments to indicate the preferred sequential use of the instruments by a practitioner, includes a case having a bottom, and a lid for enclosing the bottom of the container. The bottom includes a tray for receiving the endodontic instruments and a plurality of sequence markings which illustrate (for example, by color) progressive operating procedures for using sequences of the endodontic instruments. The lid is removed by the practitioner at the start of a treatment, and includes at least one counter which can be used to indicate the number of times a particular sequence of endodontic instruments has been used.

Abstract: A sterilizable, surgical instrument tray that can deliver, in an instant nearly, 100 ringed surgical instruments held and displayed in a perpendicular fashion in a space and manner similar to that used by surgical scrub nurses on their operating room back tables, as well as hold and display with easy access, a number of forceps, knife handles and retractors. A surgical instrument tray, capable of retaining all the general/major/trauma instruments and arranging these instruments in such a way that said tray may be placed in the operating room in sterile manner, being ready for operational usage. Due to the design and construction of the tray, with recessed sections of applicable shape and size to accommodate certain instruments, upon extraction of the instruments from the tray, the instruments are in ready position to be relayed to the person performing the operation, with no further manipulation of the instruments.

Abstract: An emergency kit of orthodontic tools and components comprising a portable and foldable case which contains a pliers-like wire cutting tool, an elongated plastic rod to effect movement of cut wire ends away from the user's gums, a small container of dental wax, a mouth mirror, and at least one sanitizing wiping cloth. The kit facilitates a user thereof to make minor corrections to braces to relieve discomfort associated with loose or broken wires.

Abstract: The rack for dental burrs includes a base (1) and a cover (5) and is provided with a plurality of passages (8) distributed over its surface, each adapted to receive a dental burr. Each of these passages (8) includes at least two piercings (9, 10) of different diameters corresponding to standard diameters of shanks of dental burrs.

Abstract: A disposable waterless tooth brushing assembly, and a method for its manufacture, comprising a diminutive toothbrush; a non-foaming saliva-activated teeth-cleaning agent pre-applied to the toothbrush bristles; a small moistened disposable towel for use after teeth cleaning; and a compact, lightweight, two-layer, heat-sealed packaging container for pre-use sanitary storage of the toothbrush and towel. For efficiency and reduced cost, several assemblies would be attached together during manufacture, and made readily separable for individual use.

Abstract: A sterilization system for dental and orthodontic tools is provided with a transport rack dimensionally sized to hold a plurality interchangeable cassettes. The interchangeable cassettes are designed and intended to hold kits of dental or orthodontic tools and are provided with top opening, double-hinged covers which lay flat on the surface when opened and used at a dental workstation.

Abstract: A flosser tip holding cartridge including one or two internal storage rails having a base for supporting the rails upright on a support surface. A housing surrounding and protecting the storage rails and a slot in the front portion of the housing for accessing each rail. A tip removal slot on the top side for facilitating the removal of a flossing tip from the flossing device. Each rail includes a longitudinally-oriented recess having side walls that define a shape that closely receives individual flosser tips for storage and access.

Abstract: Individual doses of dental adhesive are dispensed onto a flat conformable card and enclosed under a cover sealed to the card. The cover is peeled off at chairside and individual doses of the adhesive are picked up by a wiping action of a dental tool or of an object to be bonded, such as, for example, by wiping action of an orthodontic bracket base over the adhesive bearing surface of the card. The card deforms to conform to the curvature of the edge of the appliance or object to cleanly transfer all of the adhesive of a dose from the card to the appliance base.

Abstract: A bur block adapted for identifying and training dental personnel employs a block and a cover. The block has a surface having a number of holes sized to retain a number of dental burs. Each hole has indicia representing characteristics of the bur situated in the hole. The characteristics include sizes and shapes of the bur, colors, grits, part numbers, and the like. By putting the characteristics of each bur in proximity to the bur itself, persons can readily learn and/or become accustomed to the bur characteristics so that bur identification in the future is made easier.

Abstract: A container for packaging a plurality of endodontic instruments, and for laying out the endodontic instruments to indicate the preferred sequential use of the instruments by a practitioner, includes a case having a bottom, and a lid for enclosing the bottom of the container. The bottom includes a tray for receiving the endodontic instruments and a plurality of sequence markings which illustrate (for example, by color) progressive operating procedures for using sequences of the endodontic instruments. The lid is removed by the practitioner at the start of a treatment, and includes at least one counter which can be used to indicate the number of times a particular sequence of endodontic instruments has been used.

Abstract: The present invention provides a kit system comprising a plurality of disposable kits, each kit being adapted for post-extraction dental implantation on a particular dental area. Each kit includes a dental implant of specified dimensions for a particular dental area of the mouth, a transfer coping attachable to the dental implant for creating an impression for making a model to produce a prosthetic tooth, bone graft material for filling the void area around a portion of the implant after implantation, burrs and bone expanders, and a portable housing for storing the dental implant, the transfer coping, the bone graft material, wound dressing and burrs and bone expanders. Each disposable kit includes indicia which uniquely identifies it with the particular dental area of use. The kit system may include a non-disposable instrument kit including a plurality of reusable and sterilizable tools such as insertion instruments, a scissor, and a suture holder, etc.

Abstract: Individual orthodontic bracket doses of bracket adhesive are dispensed onto a flat resilient card and enclosed under a vapor proof cover sealed to the card. The cover is peeled off at chairside and individual orthodontic brackets pick up the individual doses of adhesive by a wiping of the adhesive doses by the orthodontist as the brackets are mounted on a patient's teeth. The card deforms to conform to the curvature of the edge of the appliance to cleanly transfer all of the adhesive of a dose from the card to the appliance base. On dose of adhesive is preferably provided for each tooth of a patient receiving a full set of orthodontic appliances. The individual doses are preferably divided into a bead of a basic dose with two small fractional supplemental dose beads to provide the orthodontist with the option of increasing the amount of adhesive on a given appliance.

Abstract: A kit for the emergency treatment of dental conditions. The kit includes a container and a plurality of dental treatment components positioned within the container, the dental treatment components being selected from the group consisting of dental cement or components thereof, an anesthetic, an antiseptic, sorbent material for wrapping around teeth to be treated or for packing into apertures of the teeth to be treated such as resulting from broken teeth, missing teeth, missing or broken fillings, or crowns or bridges, and tools for manipulating the dental cement and the sorbent material.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards a handpiece assembly for use with air abrasion apparatuses used in a wide spectrum of applications and industries. This handpiece assembly comprises the following components: (1) a handle comprising a proximal end and a distal end; the distal end also comprising an attachment means for attaching the handle of the handpiece assembly to the air abrasion apparatus; (2) a quick-releasing and quick-connecting socket comprising a male portion and a female portion; and (3) a nozzle comprising a proximal end and a distal end; the distal end of the nozzle provides the male portion of the socket and the proximal end of the handle provides the female portion of the socket. The distal end of the nozzle also fits into the proximal end of the handle to form the quick-releasing and quick connecting socket. This novel handpiece assembly may further comprise an articulating socket located towards the proximal end of the nozzle.

Abstract: A release substrate is releasably placed across a layer of adhesive that has been coated onto the base of an orthodontic appliance such as an orthodontic bracket. The release substrate enhances separation from the adhesive coated on the appliance such that the shape of the adhesive is essentially undisturbed and preferably substantially all of the adhesive remains on the base of the appliance when the substrate is detached from the adhesive. The release substrate is particularly suitable for use with adhesives that have a relatively low viscosity, adhesives that are more tacky and/or adhesives that have less cohesive strength than adhesives conventionally used with precoated orthodontic appliances.

Abstract: A container for sterilization of medical devices. A container of modular construction is described comprising separable sides, separable corner pieces, and a separable bottom panel. Two opposing sides are of a modular length, and thus by substituting sides of a different length the interior volume of the container may be changed. The container also includes a removeable lid with latching mechanisms on opposing ends. The lid and latching mechanisms are generally flush with the exterior surface of the container.