Abstract: An apparatus for moving an elongate rod longitudinally and rotationally, and a method of moving the elongate rod longitudinally and rotationally, are provided. A translation member has a first translation member end held relatively stationary and a longitudinally spaced second translation member end which is selectively movable longitudinally with respect to the first translation member end via actuation of the translation member. The second translation member end is operatively connected to selectively impart longitudinal motion to the elongate rod. A rotation member has a first rotation member end held relatively stationary and a longitudinally spaced second rotation member end which is selectively rotatable with respect to the first rotation member end via actuation of the rotation member. The second rotation member end is operatively connected to selectively impart rotational motion to the elongate rod.

Abstract: In endodontic therapy, a probe tool is disclosed which enables the removal of a broken file or instrument fragment wedged in a root canal of a tooth. A shank portion of the probe tool is made at least in part from flexible planar sheet material such as stainless spring steel. In a preferred method of use, a dental handpiece transfers oscillations or other cyclical rapid motions through the inventive probe tool to the root canal wall at the juncture with the embedded fragment. A portion of the shank end of the probe tool may be coated with abrasive material. The rapid motions or oscillations imparted to the flexible probe abrade the area where the fragment is wedged and yet minimize collateral damage to adjacent dentinal surfaces. Other types of dental handpieces can be used to transfer vibrational, reciprocating, hammering or circulatory motion to the probe tool when necessary to enhance the effectiveness of the abrading process.

Abstract: A powered surgical instrument is provided. In some embodiments, the powered surgical instrument may include a housing; a receiver, at least a portion of the receiver is movably received within the housing, a distal end portion of the receiver being configured to receive an expander adapted to expand a tooth socket within a treatment area, wherein the receiver is configured to move between a first receiver position and a second receiver position; a bias assembly operatively connected to the receiver and configured to urge the receiver towards the second receiver position; and an actuator disposed within the housing and configured to move the receiver at least from the first receiver position to the second receiver position, wherein the receiver is configured to be selectively moved between the first and second receiver positions independent of the actuator.

Abstract: A tooth mobility measuring apparatus of this invention includes an impact mechanism which injects or sucks a fluid to apply an impact to a tooth, a sensor which detects the displacement state of the tooth which is moved by the impact force from the impact mechanism, and a tooth mobility calculation mechanism which calculates the tooth mobility of the tooth on the basis of the output signal from the sensor. The displacement state of the tooth is measured without touching the tooth.

Abstract: An electrically powered dental cleansing apparatus in which a cleansing implement is coupled to a drive sleeve and adapted to be rotated about a longitudinal axis. The coupling is effected by a resilient member, in particular a spring which includes a slip coupling and/or a buffer zone. Under normal conditions, the slip coupling provides a non-rotative connection between the drive sleeve and the cleansing implement. However, in the event of the cleansing implement seizing in an interproximal space, for example, the slip coupling will slip, thus avoiding potential damage. The buffer zone acts to prevent displacement of the cleansing implement--although intended by the user--in cases where, for example, the cleansing implement is positioned against a tooth surface rather than against an interproximal space.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated percussive dental extractor includes a main body having a central longitudinal chamber. A replaceable hook member is attached to the distal end of the main body. Mounted in the longitudinal chamber at a proximal end thereof is an anvil. Reciprocally mounted in the longitudinal chamber for movement from a distal end thereof to engagement with the anvil is a piston. A driving device selectively drives the piston pneumatically from the distal end of the chamber into percussive engagement with the anvil. A return device automatically returns the piston from engagement with the anvil to the distal end of the chamber. The driving device includes a coupling located at the proximal end of the main body for connecting the driving device to a source of pneumatic pressure and a trigger device for selectively connecting the source of pneumatic pressure to the distal end of the chamber.

Abstract: A polishing dental instrument includes a polisher, which is vibrated by a drive shaft connected to a motor-driven drive via an eccentric pin. The eccentric movements are elastically transferred to two arms via two compression springs. The arms are fixed to a displaceably guided bearing sleeve positioned in the casing. The polisher which is guided in the bearing has an end piece whose lateral edges are adapted to smooth or clean the tooth root surface. As a result of the elastically transferred reciprocating movements of the eccentric pin a very fine smoothing of the root surface is obtained.

Abstract: A polishing dental instrument includes a polisher, which is vibrated by a drive shaft connected to a motor-driven drive via an eccentric pin. The eccentric movements are elastically transferred to two arms via two compression springs. The arms are fixed to a displaceably guided bearing sleeve positioned in a casing. The polisher which is guided in the bearing has an end piece whose lateral edges are adapted to smooth or clean the tooth root surface. As a result of the elastically transferred reciprocating movements of the eccentric pin a very fine smoothing of the root surface is obtained.

Abstract: The scaler includes a housing which is an angle piece and includes a grip housing and an instrument housing positioned at an angle to the grip housing. A scraper is inserted in a bearing sleeve mounted in bearings in the instrument housing and can be moved into different angular positions relative to the circumference of the bearing sleeve and can be fixed by rotating a coupling ring. A drive shaft is mounted in the grip housing. The drive shaft at its end face is provided with an eccentrically positioned driving pin and a coaxial bearing pin. An eccentric member is pivotable within an angular range on the bearing pin. This range is determined by the size of a recess formed in the eccentric member. A spring-loaded rocker cooperates with the eccentric member to perform a rapid jerky movement of the scraper relative to the instrument housing when the eccentric surface formed in the eccentric member faces the rocker.

Abstract: A dental percussion instrument, which has a instrument housing fashioned as a handpiece, a ram with a test head at one end being mounted in the housing for movement between a retracted and an extended position and an electromagnetic drive for shifting the ram between said positions, characterized by the ram having essentially a constant cross-section over its entire length, a permanent magnet being secured to the other end of the ram opposite the test head and the magnetic coil of the drive being rigidly situated in the instrument housing in a portion spaced axially from the other end of the ram and the permanent magnet.

Abstract: A percussion instrument suitable for use in dental practice for determining the degree of looseness of a tooth has a ram displacably seated in the handpiece and a means for accelerating the ram from an initial position to a defined velocity, the ram subsequently moving toward a test object in free flight with a constant velocity. The ram is returned to its initial position with the assistance of a magnetic field. The ram is in the form of an elongated oscillating lever having a pivot axis located at its center of gravity, the axis being disposed at a right angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the instrument. The ram has a test head at one end thereof which is disposed at an angle, such as a right angle, with respect to the lever portion of the ram.

Abstract: A surgical dental or dental technician's angled vibration member consisting of a gripping sleeve portion having a drive shaft supported therein, and an end or head sleeve portion which is arranged at one end of the gripping sleeve portion, whose axis extends at an angle to the axis of the gripping sleeve portion and within which an impact piston is axially reciprocable for a return stroke through the intermediary of an eccentric located on the end of the drive shaft. The impact piston, for the engagement of the eccentric, includes a side recess with a stop, which is provided along its edge and wherein, after passing beyond the stop, has associated therewith an operating spring for effecting the operating stroke, the spring being stressed prior to reaching the stop whereby the impact piston will during its operating stroke impart an impact to an axially movably supported tamping-type vibration tool located at the end inserted in the interior of the head sleeve portion.

Abstract: An ophthalmic handpiece is disclosed. The handpiece includes coaxial irrigation and aspiration needles, with passageways through the body of the handpiece for connection to conventional equipment for supplying irrigation and aspiration. Within the aspiration needle, there is a reciprocating cutting device for cutting tissue, that extends into the aspiration needle. The cutting device is moved by a driving device that rotates as it moves, to rotate the cutting device during the cutting motion. The aspiration passageway is also provided with a supply for reflux irrigation to assist in removal of tissue from the aspiration port.

Abstract: A percussive dental crown extractor comprises a hook 16 attached by an arm 14 to the front end of a tube 12 which encloses a cylindrical, notched hammer 44 and a spring 50 urging the hammer to the rear end of the tube, remote from the hook. The tube is telescoped into an outer cylinder 10. The tube and cylinder are held together by an axial post 38, one end of which is attached to the bottom 32 of the cylinder, the other end of which extends through an opening in the rear 36 of the tube and has a captivating cap 40 inside the tube. A spring 42 around the post urges the tube and cylinder apart. A sear 52 mounted in a boss 20 in the side of the tube, engages a notch 46 on the hammer when the hammer is moved to the front end 34 of the tube by compressing the cylinder and tube. When the cylinder and tube are relaxed, the hammer and its spring are held cocked by the sear.