Abstract: A constant pressure periodontal probe (1) has a probing portion (3) and is connected to a handle (2) through a flexing joint (10). A backing portion (4) extends from the handle adjacent to but spaced away from the probe tip such that a gap (17) exists between the probing portion and the backing portion. As the probing portion is inserted into a pocket between the tooth and gum, the amount of resistance causes the probe portion to be displaced about the flexible joint, closing the gap between the probing and backing portions. When the probing portion contacts the backing portion, a constant insertion pressure has been reached and a reading is taken to determine the depth of the pocket. Utilizing such a constant pressure periodontal probe assures that each reading is taken at a set pressure, preventing damage to the gum tissue and assuring accurate readings.

Abstract: A multi-measurement periodontal probe (5) has a probing portion (7) which utilizes a needle-like tip (8) to determine the depth of a periodontal pocket. The probe additionally has a measurement member (9) extending opposite to the needle-like tip. The measurement member has gradations or other markings for determining the distance between an occlusal tooth surface and the bottom of the periodontal pocket, at the same time that the depth of the periodontal pocket is determined from the gumline. The use of such a probe allows determining whether periodontal disease is progressing while eliminating the bias encountered with changes in the gumline which may occur as a consequence of periodontal disease. Utilizing such a probe assures that accurate readings are taken and improves the accuracy of the diagnosis of periodontal disease.

Abstract: A dental space and periodontal cavity measuring instrument for insertion in interdental or interproximal spaces between teeth and in periodontal cavities in both the upper and lower dental arches to determine the width of such spaces and the depth of the cavities, respectively, for appropriate treatment. The dental space and periodontal cavity measuring instrument is characterized by a centrally located handle provided with a pair of oppositely-extending single tips or multiple, elongated, graduated cylinders which terminate in graduated ends, for insertion in the interdental spaces and periodontal cavities. The calibrated cylinders and graduated ends may be extended in a straight line from the handle, or one or more cylinders in one or both of the calibrated and graduated tips may be angulated and the diameter of each cylinder may be indicated on the handle for size-identification purposes. The ends of the cylinder or stem tips may also be "waffled" with striations for ligature tucking purposes.

Abstract: An oral measuring device is presented which is formed from plastic or other lightweight substance for insertion in the mouth between the front teeth. The device includes a series of top and bottom arcuately shaped grooves from receiving the teeth. Once the insert has been positioned as far inwardly into the mouth as possible, indicia along the side of the measuring device provides a readily visible measurement of the oral opening.

Abstract: A periodontal probe which is structurally isolated from a recording device and which is touch-activated. The probe includes a tubular probe body and a semi-rigid fiber extending from a forward segment of the probe body for insertion into an anatomical pocket of a patient. A slider member within the probe body is connected to the fiber at one end and to an iron-nickel core at the opposite end. The fiber is inserted into an anatomical pocket in a fully extended position. After contact with the base of the pocket, the fiber begins to retract into the probe body. Thus, the fiber and the core move relative to the probe body. The probe body is brought into contact with the upper extent of the anatomical pocket, so that the portion of the fiber extending from the probe has a length equal to the depth of the pocket. The core is received within a coil winding, and the relative position of the core within the coil winding determines the inductance of a LC oscillator.

Abstract: A dental space measuring instrument for insertion in interdental or interproximal spaces between teeth in both the upper and lower dental arches to determine the width of such spaces for orthodontic treatment. The dental space measuring instrument is characterized by a centrally located handle provided with outwardly extending, graduated cylinders which define elongated, calibrated tips for insertion in the interdental spaces. The calibrated tips may be extended in a straight line from the handle or one or more cylinders in one or both of the calibrated tips may be angulated, and the diameter of each cylinder is indicated on the handle for size-identification purposes.

Abstract: A device for selectively providing precise incremental joint movement in a patient in either of two opposite directions with a tactile and audible feedback "click", includes first and second spaced disposable retractors for engaging respective parts of the patient adjacent the joint. One of the retractors is mounted on a fixed, inverted, U-shaped support member, and the other retractor is mounted on a movable actuating rod slidably mounted in the support member. The device is formed entirely of non-magnetic material and is readily operable by the patient, making the device especially useful in magnetic resonance imaging procedures. An operating mechanism for the actuating rod includes a pivoted operating handle having an integral drive pawl, and a retaining mechanism for the actuating rod includes a pair of resilient retaining or holding pawls pivoted on the support member adjacent opposite sides of the drive pawl.

Abstract: An automatically-resetting force-sensing probe for obtaining a standarized depth measurement of a periodontal pocket which automatically resets after the measurement, and which indicates the level of force exerted by the periodontal tissue at the floor of the pocket upon the probe while the depth measurement of the pocket is taken. A related method of operation is also described.

Abstract: A device for providing precise incremental joint movement in a patient, includes first and second spaced retractors for engaging respective parts of the patient adjacent the joint. One of the retractors is mounted on a fixed support assembly and the other retractor is mounted on a movable actuation rod slidably mounted in the support assembly. The device is formed entirely on non-magnetic material and is readily operable by the patient, making the device especially useful in magnetic resonance imaging procedures. The retractors are of a construction such that they can be snapped onto the support assembly and the actuating rod, respectively, and then ruptured upon being removed therefrom, so as to prevent inadvertent use of the retractors on another patient.

Abstract: A periodontal probe system for measurement, storage, and display of periodontal pocket depth, gingival level and periodontal attachment level of the teeth. In the system, a periodontal probe instrument includes an elongate tip with a measurement arrangement that simultaneously measures periodontal pocket depth, gingival level, and periodontal attachment level at each of a plurality of probe sites around a tooth. The measurement arrangement provides depth signals indicative of the pocket depth and attachment level measured. Gingival level is computed as the arithmetic difference between the attachment level and the pocket depth. A pressure sensor in the probe provides a pressure signal indicative of the pressure acting on the tip of the probe. A signal processing apparatus is connected to receive the pressure signal and the depth signals. A periodontal measurement is made by inserting the tip of the probe into the gum pocket and gradually increasing the pressure on the probe tip after insertion.

Abstract: A measuring tool for the selection of artificial teeth includes a substrate on which at least the full-scale mesiodistal highest position of contour of artificial teeth is indicated with the product classification mark thereof. The substrate is provided on the predetermined positions with a scale for determining the average condyle head at an interval of 13 mm and a scale for judging an angle that the occlusal surface makes with the interalveolar ridge line.

Abstract: An instrument particularly adapted for use in dentistry but capable of a wide variety of other applications and including a divider-caliper type instrument typically having two members of equal length and substantially corresponding configuration pivotally secured to one another wherein opposite ends of each member is defined by different sized points. A scale format is formed on an exposed surface on at least one of the members and is based on the golden proportion of 1 to 0.618. Accordingly, a plurality of scale settings are disposed in predetermined spaced apart relation to one another based upon formulized calculations resulting in use of the caliper instrument in dental applications including direct oral procedures, dental laboratory techniques, cephalometric analyses as well as aiding in the establishment of arch form, tooth size and outline form as well as cusp-fossa proportions and the accurate and simple placement of developmental grooves.

Abstract: Periodontal analysis apparatus includes a probe member having a tip, a probe housing having a guide channel in which the probe member is disposed for reciprocating movement with the tip of the probe member extending from the channel, force applying means for reciprocating the probe member in the housing, and transducer means in the housing for monitoring motion of the probe member and sensing perturbations in probe motion caused by the CEJ and providing output signals indicative thereof.

Abstract: A hand-operated dental measuring instrument used particularly by orthodontists, dentists, and technicians for rapidly indicating and/or monitoring the incisor tooth labial inclination, which is the inclination of the incisor crown to occlusal plane, of a patient's natural teeth or the plaster cast reproductions of a patient's mouth. The procedure can be carried out before, during, and after orthodontic treatment. A dial indicator is fitted with a custom designed indicator arm tip and a dial face, which comprises the active portion of components which are mounted on a rigid injection molded base, which is the passive portion. When the base is brought into contact with the biting surfaces of a patient's natural teeth or reproductions of the teeth, known as dental casts, the indicator arm tip is adjusted to contact the anterior surface of an incisor tooth.

Abstract: A measuring instrument comprising a pair of probe elements moveable relative to one another to vary the spacing between sensing areas of each probe, means for producing a signal representing the spacing of said sensing areas, means for monitoring the rate of change of said signal, and means for recording and/or displaying a value representative of said signal upon the rate of change of said signal reaching a predetermined value. Preferably there is a probe including a probe element and a sheath, the probe element being slideable within the sheath and protruding therefrom by a variable amount, means for producing a depth signal representing the amount of protrusion of the probe element from the sheath, means for monitoring the rate of change of said depth signal, and means for recording and/or displaying a value representative of said depth signal upon the rate of change of said depth signal reaching a predetermined value.

Abstract: A novel face bow and method of its use for accurately transferring gnathological relationship data from a patient to an articulator, the face bow including radioluscent arm pieces with radiopaque markers or indicators for locating critical points, the method of use comprising the mounting of the face bow on a patient in generally conventional fashion and then producing a cephalometric head x-ray of the patient with the improved face bow in place, the radioluscent arm pieces permitting anatomical features of the patient to be clearly viewed with precise correlation to reference planes. Radiopaque markers are located at various selected points on the face bow to accurately reflect the position of points of interest, such as an articulator's axis of rotation, such that these points become superimposed with the patient's anatomical features on the cephalometric head film.