Abstract: The invention relates to a medical or dental-medical instrument (1) for the material-removing working of body tissue or a substitute material, having an elongate handpiece (2), a holding device (4) arranged in the forward end region of the handpiece (2), and a tool (5) having a tool shaft (5a) and a tool body (5b) connected therewith, which is releasably connected with the handpiece (2) by means of the holding device (4), there being arranged in the handpiece (2) a vibration drive (6) for the tool (5), which transfers to the tool (5) high frequency oscillating movements, back and forth in at least one plane or orbital or three-dimensional, the tool body (5b) having an abrasive working surface (5c), the tool body (5b) being formed by means of a lamina (B), and the working surface (5c) being arranged at a narrow edge (21) of the lamina (B).

Abstract: A disposable dental prophylaxis angle including an elongated housing which defines a longitudinal axis and has a central bore and a head portion in fluid communication with the central bore. A prophylaxis cup is rotatably supported by the head portion and in fluid communication with the central bore through the head portion. An actuator is movably supported by the housing and includes a piston cooperatively received and supported in the central bore. Together, the piston and the central bore define a fluid chamber of decreasable volume located therebetween. A flowable dentifrice material may be contained within this chamber.

Abstract: A transmission for changing rotary motion into angularly reciprocating motion and adapted to be mounted on the output end of a dental power unit of the type having a rotary drive output and used to drive a dental tool. The transmission is comprised of a support member, a driving resinous member supported by the support member for rotary motion, and a driven resinous member supported by the support member for reciprocating angular movement by the support member. The transmission subassembly is formed by the driving resinous member, driven resinous member and support member and adapted to be mounted on the output end of the dental power unit with a rotary drive output mechanically coupled to the driving resinous member. A driving cam surface is disposed on a portion of the driving resinous member. A driven cam surface is disposed on a portion of the driven resinous member.

Abstract: A dental prophy angle having a forwardly opening end formation and a closure which overlaps the end formation. The angle has a drive shaft having no lengthwise parting line, such that smoothness of operation is improved.

Abstract: A dental prophy angle adapted to be engaged with a dental handpiece having a nose cone and a low-speed rotary driver within the nose cone. The prophy angle has a proximal end adapted to releasably engage with said nose cone, and a distal end having an implement-mounting member rotatable therein. A flexible shaft extends from the nose cone through the angle to the mounting member and has a diameter which is substantially smaller than the interior wall of the prophy angle. The shaft has a coupling member with a free axial end adapted to engage the rotary driver in the nose cone to be rotated upon rotation of said driver, and an opposite captive end connected to said shaft with a shoulder surrounding said flexible shaft and facing away from said free end to confront an abutment limiting axial displacement of said coupling member within the prophy angle.

Abstract: The invented dental apparatus and method for its manufacture involves an integrally molded, polymeric, unitary, hand piece having fluid conduits formed therein during the molding process for conducting fluid, e.g. air, under pressure from a proximal end having an industry standard couple to a distal end including an integrally molded head piece for housing a rotary, preferably canister-type turbine to which a dental bur may be removably secured. Preferably, an integrally molded venturi chamber fluid-interconnects a pressurized one of the conduits and an inlet to the turbine's impeller and an outlet of the turbine's impeller is fluid-connected at an outlet of the canister to an exhaust one of the conduits. Optionally, one or more chip-air source conduits and a light valve may extend within the elongate interior of the hand piece to provide intra-oral, in-process cleaning, cooling and lighting functions. Preferably, the hand piece is injection molded via a lost-material, e.g.

Abstract: A disposable right angle dental handpiece comprising a plastic housing having a sleeve, a tapered neck, a head and a disposable prophy cup. The cup being removably coupled to a driven rotating member located in the head section for simultaneously cleansing the surface of the teeth as well as the surrounding tissue and gingival crevice. The sleeve having an elongated opening for receiving a power drive from a dental unit. A gear ratio mechanism located in the sleeve, rather than in the head section, for increasing the shaft speed by a factor of two to three times. A gear to gear arrangement in the head section for transferring the directional rotation from the drive shaft to the prophy cup. The prophy cup comprising a flexible body having a cavity therein with a plurality of concentric rings made of cloth or felt material for holding the cleansing paste and also to avoid splattering.

Abstract: A dental prophy angle which includes a separate rib for securing each of the drive assembly and a workpiece by a friction lock. Preferably this rib is circumferential and present in both the shank end and the head end of the prophy angle. Each rib of the friction lock will permit the workpiece or the drive assembly to pass by the rib and be inserted into the housing. However, the ribs will not permit the inserted workpiece or drive assembly to pass backwards over the rib and be withdrawn from the housing.

Abstract: The dental handpiece attachment includes a housing defining a dental handpiece receiving portion and a central portion. A receiving opening in the receiving portion is in fluid communication with a cavity in the central portion to receive a drive mechanism responsive to a dental handpiece. A rotatable prophy cup assembly having a passageway therethrough is disposed at a prophy paste dispensing opening of the central portion cavity to enable a given amount of prophy paste sufficient for a single application, and stored within the housing, to be dispensed through the passageway and applied to the teeth. An actuator mechanism disposed within the receiving portion cooperates with a dental handpiece to urge the stored prophy paste out of the housing when the handpiece is received within the receiving portion.

Abstract: In the case of a medical or dental handpiece with a tool for the processing of body tissue or of a substitute material by machining, wherein the tool comprises an, in particular, elongated processing section extending from a base part connected to the handpiece by a detachable connecting device, the processing section having at least one abrasive working face extending in its longitudinal direction and/or transverse thereto, the handpiece has an oscillating drive for the tool, in particular for a frequency in the ultrasonic range, an articulation is assigned to the connecting device, and the axis of the articulation extends approximately in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal axis of the processing section, approximately at a right angle thereto or in an angular range lying in between.

Abstract: In a dental prophylaxis angle, an angle housing defines a main passageway and an ancillary passageway communicating therewith and extending at an substantial angle thereto. A drive shaft extends through the main passageway, while a cup holder is rotatably disposed in the ancillary passageway, the cup holder being drivingly coupled to the drive shaft. A flexible prophy cup is mounted to the cup holder, and a bearing is rotatably disposed in the main passageway about the drive shaft. The bearing has a snap-lock element projecting into a recess provided in the housing, thereby fixing a longitudinal position of the bearing with respect to the housing and holding the drive shaft in driving engagement with the cup holder. The prophy cup is coupled to the cup holder via a ball and socket joint and is provided in a region about the ball and socket joint with a flexible skirt defining an annular groove, the cup holder having an annular seat projecting into the groove.

Abstract: A maintenance-free dental prophylaxis angle includes a one-piece body including a sleeve and a head. The sleeve and head define intersecting bores. A one-piece drive gear including an enlarged bearing part and a forward gear end is journaled directly in the sleeve and held axially between a retaining ring engaging the rear of the enlarged bearing part and a ball engaging the forward gear end. A one-piece driven gear is journaled solely in a cap which is press fit in the head bore The driven gear is engaged and driven by the drive gear. The driven gear includes an upper bur tube and a lower gear part. The gear part of the driven gear rests on the ball, and is restrained from axial movement by the cap and the ball, which forms a thrust bearing for the driven gear. A dental tool is connected to the bur tube of the driven gear, and forms a seal with the cap.

Abstract: A dental tool assembly having a driving mechanism with interengaging camming surfaces shaped for continuous contact during use. The mechanism includes a drive shaft having a drive surface and a driven shaft having a driven surface. The cam surfaces are shaped and the shafts are transversely juxtaposed with respect to each other such that the drive surface and driven surface are in continuous contact during rotation of the drive shaft to impart oscillatory rotation to the drive shaft. Specifically, the drive surface is conical and preferably has a cone axis that is at an approximately 45.degree. angle with respect to the rotation axis of the drive shaft. The driven surface has alternating hills and valleys that are shaped for continuous engagement with the drive surface as the drive shaft rotates. Preferably a pair of juxtaposed valleys are provided with juxtaposed hills formed therebetween.

Abstract: A tooth crown preparation system is provided including a handle and a tooth cover fixed to the handle and defining an interior space and an open bottom. A grinding assembly is rotatably mounted to the handle and situated within the tooth cover for rotating upon its actuation to grind a tooth situated within the interior space of the tooth cover. A plurality of tooth covers and grinding assemblies are included for affording a system which may accommodate various sized teeth. Also provided is a suction assembly for removing particles from within the grinding assembly.

Abstract: A prophy angle dental tool comprises a disposable attachment to an air turbine type of dental tool drive motor. The disposable attachment has a single section tubular body that extends from a direct drive coupling with the drive motor power shaft housing to the driven dental implement. A quick-coupling hub at one end of a medial drive shaft receives a lug drive mechanism in the motor drive shaft. Externally, the coupling hub is confined to coaxial rotation within the motor shaft housing. The medial drive shaft extends unrestrained from the motor coupling hub along an internal void within the tubular body into geared engagement with a short shaft. The short shaft is rotatively driven about an axis that is substantially transverse of the tubular body length. A pinion gear on the inner end of the short shaft is engaged by a gear at the end of the medial drive shaft thereby driving the short shaft while simultaneously holding the short shaft within a short shaft housing bore.

Abstract: A disposable prophylaxis angle with an adjustable head having a body with a head, a drive gear extending through the body, and a driven gear extending through the head. The prophylaxis angle includes a body which has a portion thereof formed from a plurality of accordion folds for selective angular adjustment of the body. The drive gear includes a gear portion and a shaft portion for journaled rotation within the body. The driven gear includes a shaft portion mounted for journaled rotation within the head bore, and a gear portion operatively connected to the gear portion of the drive gear. The plurality of annular accordion folds allow for adjustment of the body in any radial direction. The shaft portion of the drive gear accommodates the angular adjustment of the prophylaxis angle by maintaining the operative connection between the gear part of the drive gear and the gear part of the driven gear.

Abstract: A maintenance-free dental prophylaxis angle includes a one-piece body including a sleeve and a head. The sleeve and head define intersecting bores. A drive assembly, comprising a drive gear and a bushing, is force fitted in the sleeve. A one-piece driven gear is received in the head bore to be driven by the drive assembly. The driven gear includes an upper bur tube, a gear part, and a lower shaft. The gear part of the driven gear rests on an upper face of a boss in the head, the boss forming a thrust bearing for the driven gear. Intersecting bores in the boss form part of a lubricant circulating system. A metal cap is force fitted in the head bore to close the head bore and retain the driven gear in place in the head. A dental tool is connected to the bur tube of the driven gear, and forms a seal with the cap.

Abstract: The invention provides for the incorporation of dentifrice preparations, which are commonly accessed from a container on a tray during teeth cleaning, internally within the housing of a disposable prophy angle. Auger, baffle or piston members are used to move the preparations from the housing through passages in the head of the prophy angle to a moving prophy cup. If a reusable autoclavable prophy angle is being used, the invention provides for an annular chamber containing the dentifrice preparation that interfits as a sleeve over the prophy angle body. In such case, the prophy angle head is enlarged and includes an inlet connection with the annular chamber. Passageways in the head direct the dentifrice preparation to the prophy cup and a piston ring is used to move the dentifrice preparation from the chamber through the passageways. Alternatively, an external pressurized supply of the dentifrice preparation may be connected to a conduit which is attached to the body in place of the annular chamber.

Abstract: The cup to be used as a paste carrier for dental hygienic consists of a rubber elastic material and can be driven for rotation by a hand piece. The cup comprises a paste receiving part, the inner side enlarging towards its open edge as well as the outer side of the cup enlarging towards its open edge comprising spiraled ribs which are running in the opposite direction to the rotational direction of the hand piece. The structure on the inner side of the paste receiving part allows a continuous supply of paste and a cooling of the cup, and the structure of the outer side of the cup prevents a bale formation of the mucous and guarantees an effective cooling of the cup.

Abstract: A plastic, disposable, easy-to-assemble dental angle is provided. The angle includes a one-piece hollow body having a head at its front end which is angled with respect to the body. Both the head and the body have a bore therethrough. The head has an aperture which is centered with respect to the bore of the body to allow insertion of a drive gear through the head of the angle. A driven gear is inserted in the head from above. A snap cap fits within the head over the driven gear to lock both the drive gear and the driven gear in the angle. A sheath on the cap covers the aperture. A latch on the cap is received in the aperture to lock the cap to the head to hold the angle together. An elongated slot in the body permits the body to be force-fit on a dental handpiece.

Abstract: A dental prophylaxis angle includes a body having a sleeve, a neck, and a one piece hollow head formed at the end of the neck. A drive member, including a drive gear and shaft is received in the body. A driven member, including a driven gear and shaft, is received in the head so that the driven and drive gears mesh with each other. A cap is received and secured in the head and snappingly receives the driven member. The cap locks the driven member in the head of the angle. The driven member includes a platform spaced above the driven gear having a diameter equal to the diameter of the head to close the opened head. The platform and driven gear define a channel. The cap has a side wall, a part of which is flexible. A finger extends inwardly from the flexible portion of the cap wall and into the channel between the driven gear and platform to snappingly secure the driven member in the cap. The cap includes a projection which interacts with the head to lock the cap in the head.

Abstract: The device presented herein is a Disposable Adjustable Flow Prophy Angle (DAFPA) attachment with an integral feed mechanism to expel a predetermined quantity of abrasive medium into a polish cup. During use, the high speed rotation of the drive shaft driving the angled attachment will propel the abrasive medium into the flow channel, via a propellant screw. A sealing ring is incorporated to protect against any backflow of the abrasive medium. A significant feature of the device is the ability to continually adjust the flow of abrasive medium deposited into the polish cup by a calibrated flow adjustment knob, providing the advantage of selecting a predetermined flow rate, to accommodate the needs of the health care professional. The current procedure is more time consuming and less sanitary. In the proposed system the abrasive medium is fed continuously or on demand from an internal reservoir. The invention would apply to both disposable and metallic right angle units.

Abstract: A prophylactic dental apparatus is designed to minimize splatter from rotation of a rotating resilient element with a diverter which substantially surrounds at least a portion of the resilient element while affording full visibility to the operator of the instrument.

Abstract: A maintenance-free dental prophylaxis angle includes a one-piece body including a sleeve and a head. The sleeve and head define intersecting bores. A drive assembly, comprising a drive gear and a bushing, is force fitted in the sleeve. A one-piece driven gear is received in the head bore to be driven by the drive assembly. The driven gear includes an upper bur robe, a gear part, and a lower shaft. The gear part of the driven gear rests on an upper face of a boss in the head, the boss forming a thrust beating for the driven gear. Intersecting bores in the boss form part of a lubricant circulating system. A metal cap is force fitted in the head bore to close the head bore and retain the driven gear in place in the head. A dental tool is connected to the bur tube of the driven gear, and forms a seal with the cap.

Abstract: A prophy angle having a single improved snap-in mounting shaft having an enlarged snap-through outer boss portion that is discontinuous in circumference for retaining the prophy cup rotor in permanent position and isolating the rotor from frictionally engaging other parts other than through the gearing except under stress, a press fit drive shaft retention locking sleeve that frictionally engages the housing when pressed into locking position, a reduction of the surface contact of the drive shaft with the inside of the housing by introducing vanes in contact with the housing wall rather than a continuous cylinder contact, and a closed vent hole with a hub on the drive shaft.

Abstract: A dental prophylaxis angle includes a body defining a sleeve and a head. A drive assembly is rotatably mounted in the sleeve. A driven gear is rotatably received in the head to be driven by the drive assembly. A cap is mounted in the head to close the head and retain the driven gear in place in the head. A threaded bur tube on the driven gear extends into a stem portion of the cap. The stem portion includes an externally beveled annular knife edge which forms a seal with a dental tool, such as a prophy cup, which is threaded into the bur tube. A protector ring on the cap surrounds the knife edge to prevent damage to the knife edge should the angle be dropped or otherwise contact a hard surface. The protector ring is spaced from the stem sufficiently to permit an elastomeric portion of the dental tool to extend between the stem and the ring.

Abstract: A dental cleaning assembly including a disposable dental tool including a main body tubular portion and a head portion disposed at right angles to the main body. A prophy cup is secured to a shaft projecting from the head portion so that the cup may be rotated to perform a tooth cleaning operation. A series of flexible bristles are secured to the head of the dental tool and extend forwardly therefrom in surrounding relation to the prophy cup so as to provide an anti-splatter shield for the cup to preclude splatter of toothpaste, saliva and blood. The bristles form an effective circumferential barrier around the prophy cup but yet allow complete freedom of movement of the prophy cup to perform the cleaning function and further allow potentially impacting paste to escape outwardly from the annular space between the prophy cup and the bristles to avoid impairment of the cleaning operation of the assembly.

Abstract: Disposable prophy angles for use in combination with a reusable metal adapter on a contra-angle dental hand piece. The disposable prophy angles are assembled from three mass-produced components formed from plastic or other inexpensive material. Each disposable prophy angle is formed from a main body part having a nose portion and a barrel portion, a nose cap portion which with the nose portion forms an enclosed nose portion housing and an integral rotary part disposed in the enclosed nose portion housing which has a driven power input gear, bearing formations and a protruding prophy cup receiving button. Each reusable metal adapter has a shaft with gears mounted on opposite ends. One end of the adapter is inserted in the barrel portion with the gear on the inserted end in driving engagement with driven power input gear. The gear on the opposite end of the adapter is connected to the power output of a contra-angle dental hand piece.

Abstract: A plastic, disposable, easy-to-assemble dental angle is provided. The angle includes a one-piece hollow body having a head at its front end which is angled with respect to the body. Both the head and the body have a bore therethrough. The head has an aperture which is centered with respect to the bore of the body to allow insertion of a drive gear through the head of the angle. A driven gear is inserted in the head from above. A snap cap fits within the head over the driven gear to lock both the drive gear and the driven gear in the angle. A sheath on the cap covers the aperture. A latch on the cap is received in the aperture to lock the cap to the head to hold the angle together. An elongated slot in the body permits the body to be force-fit on a dental handpiece.

Abstract: An angle drive dental hand piece or prophy with a drive train including an essentially cylindrical spindle frictionally engaged by the turns of a spiral spring. The driving end of the spring which in turn rotates a tool holder carrying a dental tool such as a rubber scrubber. The drive spring is bent at an angle such as a right angle while being rotated and is of a diameter in relation to the housing bore through which it passes so that there is no engagement or consequent friction from any contact of the spring with the bore housing. Overload on the tool causes slippage between the spring and the spindle on which it is wound so that damage to the drive train components from overload is avoided.

Abstract: A dental implement designed to be retained for reciprocating-movement by the sleeve member of a dental handpiece. The dental implement is comprised of a flat dental tool having a flat blade portion and a flat shank portion. The flat blade portion can also be formed with a triangular or arcuate cross-section while retaining the flat shank portion and the blade edges can be straight or have a saw-tooth configuration. A removable tool holder has a slot to receive the dental tool and a outside cylindrical shape complementary with the bore of the sleeve member. Forces applied to the tool holder control the displacement of locking protrusions on the tool shank to selectively permit the tool to be driven in a reciprocating movement with or without rotation and to be removed entirely from the sleeve member.

Abstract: A plastic, disposable, easy-to-assemble dental angle is provided. The angle includes a one-piece hollow body having a head at its front end which is angled with respect to the body. Both the head and the body have a bore therethrough. The head has an aperture which is centered with respect to the bore of the body to allow insertion of a drive gear through the head of the angle. A driven gear is inserted in the head from above. A snap cap fits within the head over the driven gear to lock both the drive gear and the driven gear in the angle. A sheath on the cap covers the aperture. A latch on the cap is received in the aperture to lock the cap to the head to hold the angle together. An elongated slot in the body permits the body to be force-fit on a dental handpiece.

Abstract: An improved dental tool coupling apparatus for coupling disposable tool heads to drive housings. A tubular nose of the housing receives a tool head shaft, which extends within a tubular output shaft coupled to a drive means. The output shaft includes a plurality of radially disposed sockets containing balls, the balls being biased into an interior space of the tubular output shaft. Upon axial coupling of the disposable tool head to the housing, the tool head shaft inserts within the tubular output shaft so that the balls create a series of axial grooves in the tool head shaft. A circular spring retainer surrounding the output shaft biases the balls into the axial grooves to maintain a certain level of rotational coupling therebetween.

Abstract: A coupling for the drive shaft of prophy angles includes an upper drive shaft with a finger-type clutch, and a lower drive shaft having a main drive shaft with a clutch receptacle, and having a drive shaft clamp. The main drive shaft has an expansion slot extending from side to side through the center of the main drive shaft and substantially along the length of the clutch receptacle. The drive shaft clamp also has an expansion slot extending from side to side through the center and substantially along the length of the drive shaft clamp. The drive shaft clamp fits over the clutch receptacle end of the main drive shaft with the expansion slots oriented perpendicular to each other allowing the finger-type clutch of the upper drive shaft assembly to be pressure fitted into the clutch receptacle.

Abstract: A prophylaxis cup is provided to be used with a dental prophylaxis angle. The cup includes an elastomeric body having an upper section and a lower section and a threaded shaft extending axially from the lower section. The shaft has a head embedded in the body's lower section. The lower section has a deformable annular ring concentric with, and adjacent to, the shaft head. The ring is deformable outwardly into an adjacent annular groove radially outboard of the ring. A peripheral slinger or skirt outboard of the groove extends downwardly and away from the groove. The cup's body upper section defines a pocket which receives cleaning abrasives. When the cup's shaft is threaded into a rotatable driven gear on the dental prophylaxis angle, a stationary edge of a hollow cap stem on the angle engages the cup's ring, to form a rotational ring seal. The structure of the cup ensures that the seal is maintained even when the cup is bent or deformed during use.

Abstract: A dental prophylaxis angle of the snap-on variety comprising two interlocking external parts and 2 internal parts, wherein the base for the mandrel or button formation resembling a knob which arises from the rotary bearing, known as a slinger ring or disk or annular stop, designed to receive the conventional snap-on rubber-like prophylaxis cup, has a plurality of sharp pointed projections or prongs to safely grip and stabilize the engagement of a snap-on prophylaxis cup.

Abstract: An adjustable, disposable dental prophy tool includes an elongated cylindrical grip end body component and an elongated cylindrical cup end body component. The cup end body component is mounted on the grip end body component so that their major longitudinal axes are offset in non-parallel alignment. A housing for a cleaning and polishing cup drive element is mounted at the outer end of the cup end body component. A drive element is mounted in the housing for rotation about an axis which extends laterally of the longitudinal axis of the elongated cup end body component. The cup end body component is fully rotatable for 360.degree. about its own longitudinal axis relative to the grip end body component. The tool also includes axial locking structure holding the body components together to prevent relative axial movement thereof. The tool also includes releasable angular locking structure selectively inhibiting relative rotation of the body components.

Abstract: A plastic, disposable, easy-to-assemble dental angle is provided. The angle includes a one-piece hollow body having a head at its front end which is angled with respect to the body. Both the head and the body have a bore therethrough. The head has an aperture which is centered with respect to the bore of the body to allow insertion of a drive gear through the head of the angle. A driven gear is inserted in the head from the above. A snap cap fits within the head over the driven gear to lock both the drive gear and the driven gear in the angle. A sheath on the cap covers the aperture. A latch on the cap is received in the aperture to lock the cap to the head to hold the angle together. An elongated slot in the body permits the body to be force-fit on a dental handpiece.

Abstract: An integrally formed disposable dental hand piece drive mechanism and prophylaxis fitting which renders less likely cross-contamination of patients by providing an economic, sterile prophy angle which can be discarded after only one use. An output shaft is supported for rotation within a housing. The shaft has an output end which is configured to couple with any of a variety of working tools such as a dentifrice holding cup, a brush, or other dental instrumentality. The output shaft is stimulated into rotation by means of an air stream which is directed on a surface of the output shaft which is within the housing which supports the output shaft. Thus, air, directed to the output shaft via an inlet passage, impinges against the shaft causing rotation. Thereafter the air exits through an outlet passage. An end of the housing remote from the output shaft removably attaches to both a source of air and a duct to receive exiting air.

Abstract: A dental prophy angle handpiece used for teeth cleaning with its components made of plastic so as to be disposable after use including a front casing which comprises: foldable two sections to make a receptacle when folded, each one of the sections including a front cell, a shaft support and a cone portion formed in succession; a rotary member with a driven pinion at the middle and a metal ball at one end and installed in the front cells of the front casing; a drive shaft with a drive pinion that engages with the driven pinion of the rotary member and installed in the shaft supports of the front casing; a front cover covering the front casing to combine the front casing, the rotary member and the drive shaft into a single unit; and a cleaning cap attached to the rotary member. When the rotary member is rotated by the drive shaft that is connected to the rotary member via the pinion, the cleaning cap is rotated so as to clean the teeth.

Abstract: A disposable attachment for reciprocably mounting a dental tool and being mounted to a conventional handpiece which provides the drive for the tool. The attachment includes a plastic housing having a neck and sleeve to rotatably mount a shaft which is driven by a dental handpiece and a head which mounts a plastic socket to be reciprocated by a shaft eccentric extended into an annular groove in the socket. A rotational restrainer is provided in the socket groove to permit rotation of the tool which is friction fitted in the socket while a force external to the attachment is exerted on the tool but otherwise retain the tool in a fixed angular relationship relative to the head as the socket is reciprocated. The attachment housing, socket and rotational restrainer are made of plastic while in one embodiment the attachment shaft is also made of plastic.

Abstract: An improved prophylaxis cup (10) formed of a silicone elastomer incorporated with a pumice material (17) uniformly incorporated throughout the cup and mounted on a mounting button (11) in a non-disposable dental handpiece (110 ) is described. After a teeth cleaning procedure, the prophylaxis cup is disposed of and the mounting button and the dental handpiece are sterilized for reuse. The mounting button is comprised of a bulbous mounting head (23) having a circular cross-section that mates with a similarly shaped cavity (19) in a mounting section (13) of the cup. The cavity is preferably about 5 to 15 percent smaller in cross-sectional diameter than the mounting head so that the cup must be stretched over the mounted head for mounting the cup on the mounting button. A working section (15) of the cup is provided with a conical recess (15c) that wears down as the teeth are being cleaned to provide continuous application of fresh abrasive to the tooth surface.

Abstract: A plastic, disposable, easy-to-assemble dental angle is provided. The angle includes a one-piece hollow body having a head at its front end which is angled with respect to the body. Both the head and the body have a bore therethrough. The head has an aperture which is centered with respect to the bore of the body to allow insertion of a drive gear through the head of the angle. A driven gear is inserted in the head from above. A snap cap fits within the head over the driven gear to lock both the drive gear and the driven gear in the angle. A sheath on the cap covers the aperture. A latch on the cap is received in the aperture to lock the cap to the head to hold the angle together. An elongated slot in the body permits the body to be force-fit on a dental handpiece.

Abstract: A disposable right angle dental handpiece comprises a disposable plastic outer housing having an elongated opening therein for receiving a drive shaft mechanism which is preferably made of metal. The drive shaft mechanism is connected to the disposable outer plastic housing by means of a quick connect-quick disconnect mechanism. The outer housing also contains a gear which is engaged with a gear at the end of the drive shaft mechanism, a working member being connected to the gear for being driven by the drive shaft member. The drive shaft member is connectable to the dental tool for being driven thereby. Also disclosed are embodiments wherein the drive shaft mechanism is connected to the dental drive tool, and wherein the outer housing is independently connected to the dental drive tool by means of a quick connect-quick disconnect mechanism, which locks the outer housing relative to the dental drive tool in both the longitudinal and circumferential directions.

Abstract: A disposable dental prophy angle designed to be coupled with a conventional dental tool power source, the angle being used in dental prophylaxis. The dental prophy angle is fabricated from synthetic resin material and comprises a housing presenting a head end and a shank end with a passageway extending between said ends, a drive shaft extending along the passageway, a plurality of sealing rings integrally formed as part of the housing and extending inwardly therefrom into sealing engagement with the drive shaft, and a pair of auger flights integrally formed as part of the shaft for propelling buccal matter along the passageway for ejection through the head end.

Abstract: This invention provides a self-powered dental hygiene device having an outer housing with three sections, a battery section at one end, an intermediate electric motor section and at the second end a transmission section with a head end section at the distal end. The head end section includes an aperture extending fully therethrough so as to be open at both ends, transverse to the transmission section and designed to hold from either end a replaceable dental bit designed for reciprocating longitudinal motion. The casing is shaped such that the first battery section extends at an angle of between 7 and 12 degrees relative to the transmission section, and the aperture is preferably perpendicular to the axis of the transmission section. The dental tool bit held within either end of the aperture has a hollow plenum for containing a fluid to be administered during use and a pressurizing means is secured to the tool to provide for the expression of the fluid through openings in the tool blade.

Abstract: A hand-held sand blasting device, which is particularly useful for treating mall surface areas, such as tooth faces in situ, includes a sand cartridge 20 adapted to be placed in a handle portion 10 of the device and rewardly sealed by a piston 34 which is adapted to be advanced by pressurized air. Part of the pressurized air flows along a longitudinal groove 25 formed in a wall of the handle portion 10 externally of the cartridge 20 and enters the cartridge through an opening 27 provided at a front portion thereof, where the relatively large cross-section of the main portion of the cartridge converges to the substantially smaller cross-section of a feed channel 28. The fine sand 21 is thus fluidized in this area and maintained flowable. Through the feed channel 28, the sand is supplied to a mixing chamber 30 where it is mixed with pressurized air and discharged through a nozzle pipe 33.

Abstract: An improved prophylactic cup device (10, 100) comprised of a prophylactic cup (12, 102) mounted on a mounting screw (14, 104) is described. In the preferred embodiment, the prophylactic cup is molded from a silicone polymer containing a dental cleaning and polishing agent such as pumice and is mounted onto a circular cross-sectioned mounting screw comprised of a shaft (14a) with a threaded portion (14c) and a head (14b). The head provides for cylindrical inlet or channel portions (14g) and (14h), and retaining slots (14i) and (14j). Since silicone polymers are poorly adherent to any surface and because the strength of silicone polymers is greatly reduced by the addition of pumice, the channels and retaining slots increase the contact surface area between the prophylactic cup and the mounting screw. This allows the prophylactic cup device to be mounted on a dental handpiece and to be used to clean teeth and gingival crevices without a dental paste.

Abstract: A disposable right angle dental handpiece comprises a disposable plastic outer housing having an elongated opening therein for receiving a drive shaft mechanism which is preferably made of metal. The drive shaft mechanism is connected to the disposable outer plastic housing by means of a quick connect-quick disconnect mechanism. The outer housing also contains a gear which is engaged with a gear at the end of the drive shaft mechanism, a working member being connected to the gear for being driven by the drive shaft member. The drive shaft member is connectable to the dental tool for being driven thereby.

Abstract: A plastic, disposable, easy-to-assemble dental angle is provided. The angle includes a one-piece hollow body having a head at its front end which is angled with respect to the body. Both the head and the body have a bore therethrough. The head has an aperture which is centered with respect to the bore of the body to allow insertion of a drive gear through the head of the angle. A driven gear is inserted in the head from above. A snap cap fits within the head over the driven gear to lock both the drive gear and the driven gear in the angle. A sheath on the cap covers the aperture. A latch on the cap is received in the aperture to lock the cap to the head to hold the angle together. An elongated slot in the body permits the body to be force-fit on a dental handpiece.