Scaler Patents (Class 433/143)
  • Patent number: 10470850
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sleeve (1) for providing a dental implant (2) with a disinfectable surface (100b), wherein the sleeve (1) is configured to be attached to an end or coronal region (20) of a dental implant (2), wherein the sleeve (1) comprises a through hole (101) encompassed by the sleeve (2) which through hole (101) is adapted to receive said end region (20) of the dental implant (2), wherein said through hole (101) is delimited by an inside (100a) of the sleeve which faces said through hole (101), and wherein the sleeve (1) comprises an outside (100b) facing away from said inside (100a), which outside (100b) forms said disinfectable or sterilizable surface (100b). Further, the invention relates to an arrangement of the sleeve on a dental implant as well as to a method for arranging the sleeve on a dental implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: UNIVERSITAT ZURICH
    Inventor: Patrick Schmidlin
  • Patent number: 9968429
    Abstract: In a general aspect, a delivery device for delivering a medical implant can include a handle, a shaft having a first curved portion and terminating in a conical tip at a distal end and a transitional portion coupling the shaft with the handle. The transitional portion can include a first substantially straight section, a second substantially straight section and an angled section disposed between the first and second substantially straight sections. The angled section can define an angle between the first substantially straight section and the second substantially straight section. The first substantially straight section can extend from the distal end of the handle and have an outside diameter greater than an outside diameter of a distal end of the second substantially straight section. The second substantially straight section can have a distal end axially adjacent to the proximal end of the shaft and have a diameter that decreases distally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. H. Chu, Alfred P. Intoccia, Jr., Tim Moore
  • Patent number: 9226805
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an abutment for securing a dental prosthesis to a dental implant. The multi-member abutment corrects for angular misalignment between the dental prosthesis and implant by way of thirty or greater discrete orientations about a central vertical axis and, an external ball that protrudes from the upper surface of the abutment to externally constrain the prosthesis from the side. Exchangeable members are available for variability in height and offset angle beyond a specified range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Inventor: Eliezer Bar Shalom
  • Patent number: 9072574
    Abstract: A periosteal elevator has a shaft and a head portion connected to the shaft. The head portion has a blade at a distal end for elevating periosteum from a bone during surgery. The head portion has a distal section, a central section and a proximal section, the distal section being wider than the proximal section and the central section being narrower than both the distal section and the proximal section. Measurement markings are placed on each of the distal section, the central section and the proximal section, the markings measuring the width of each of the sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Inventor: Mike E. Calderón
  • Patent number: 8887740
    Abstract: An inter dental device which is a tooth cleaner and gum massager which cleans the area between anterior and posterior teeth, comprising a handle and a stem and flanges and a tip which is grooved or twisted in a spiral pattern, and the flanges extending from a central stem are arranged in a spiral pattern which is continuous with the spiral pattern of the grooves of the tip. This device also may serve as a delivery device which holds and delivers substances to the area between teeth, and does not remove said substances as the device is withdrawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventor: Allan Coopersmith
  • Patent number: 8414294
    Abstract: The present application discloses a method and apparatus for disguising a dental probe from a patient for use, for example, in the field of pediatric dentistry, or special needs dentistry, the apparatus and method of using the apparatus having a first section and a second section. In a preferred embodiment, the first section is a hard probe that is configured for probing a patient's teeth for carious lesions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Robert D. McWhorter
  • Publication number: 20120244486
    Abstract: A dental tool may include a head that may include a working portion and a neck. The neck may include a first end and a second end, and the working portion may extend from the first end. A handle may include a clamp and a socket. The socket may be configured to receive the second end of the neck. The second end may pivot within the socket to move the working portion and the neck relative to the handle. The clamp is may be adapted to selectively fix the second end relative to the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. SOLOMON
  • Publication number: 20120231411
    Abstract: There is described a hand-held dental instrument for detection of carious lesions which includes a handle portion defining a longitudinal axis therethrough and at least a first working end, mounted on the handle portion, which includes a probe body extending from the handle portion and a probe tip disposed at a remote end. The probe tip is configured for exploring teeth and/or periodontal pockets. The probe body is curved and has a curette portion disposed on the probe body between the handle portion and the probe tip, the curette portion having at least two scraping fins each defining a curved blade for removing at least one of biofilm, plaque and tartar from a curved tooth surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: The Royal Institution For The Advancement of Learning / McGill University
    Inventor: Jacques Verronneau
  • Publication number: 20120231416
    Abstract: Provided is a periodontal instrument adapted for use in debridement of a root surface of a tooth having an axially elongated shaft and a shank. The shank is disposed at an end of the shaft and has a body extending distally relative to the shaft. The body includes a plurality of blades adapted for use in debridement of a root surface. Each blade is configured for scaling and/or planning of a root surface and the shaft is dimensioned and configured to facilitate manual manipulation of the shank. Also provided is a removable tip periodontal instrument adapted for use in debridement of a root surface of a tooth and a kit including a device and a plurality of tips that may be color coded for easy reference by the clinician.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC.
    Inventors: Susan J. Drapeau, Kelly Brook Emerton, Daniel Andrew Shimko
  • Publication number: 20120164596
    Abstract: A periodontal scaler is provided, comprising an arcuate shank and an arcuate blade. The arcuate blade being designed to conform to the roughly cylindrical surfaces found on the roots of teeth. This conforming feature of the instrument's blade increases its cleaning efficiency by maximizing contact between the blade's surface and the root, and guiding the instrument along the root by holding its convex edges within the concave shape of the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Tamara Beach
  • Publication number: 20120107770
    Abstract: An area-specific dental instrument is provided, which comprises an arcuate S-shaped shank and an arcuate blade further comprising a sharpened convex surface. This instrument can be capable of cleaning plaque and calculus from the lingual surfaces of anterior teeth and concave surfaces between teeth at the cemento-enamel junction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Tamara Beach
  • Patent number: 8167616
    Abstract: A dental hand piece with replaceable tips at either end of a tubular handle, each of the replaceable tips including a tip assembly having an instrument working tip end at a distal end of a main tip body and a shank extending from the instrument working tip end to a proximal end of the main tip body. The tip assembly may be provided with a flat-blade extension end at the proximal end of the main tip body. The flat-blade extension end passes through a keyway-shaped slot provided in a locking component, and engages locking structure provided on a cylindrical barrel member. Replaceable tips at the ends of the tubular handle may be secured in 180° orientation to one another. A spring arm member may additionally or alternatively engage notches along an interior wall of the cylindrical barrel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Ali Jamnia, Neville Hammond, Howard Wax, Ronald Saslow
  • Publication number: 20120077148
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hand instrument for manual use in dental care, which comprises a substantially elongated handle (2), to at least one end of which is arranged a construction for detachably connecting a head part (3) extending substantially from the central axis of the handle (2) and possibly comprising at least one bending. The construction by which the handle (2) and the head part (3) is arranged detachably connected includes a tightening element (4) axially positioning itself between the handle (2) and the head part (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: Toni Luoto
  • Publication number: 20120058445
    Abstract: A dental instrument for use in removing unremineralizable carious dentin from a tooth while generally maintaining remineralizable carious dentin. The instrument comprises an instrument body and an instrument head having scraping elements made of plastic. Also, a method of removing unremineralizable carious dentine from a tooth while generally maintaining remineralizable carious dentin, wherein the method comprises the use of the dental instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Oliver Kappler, Arno Hohmann, Eva-Maria Popp
  • Publication number: 20120021379
    Abstract: A periodontal scaler is provided, comprising an arcuate shank and an arcuate blade. The arcuate blade being designed to conform to the roughly cylindrical surfaces found on the roots of teeth. This conforming feature of the instrument's blade increases its cleaning efficiency by maximizing contact between the blade's surface and the root, and guiding the instrument along the root by holding its convex edges within the concave shape of the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Tamara L. Beach
  • Publication number: 20120021380
    Abstract: An area-specific dental instrument is provided, which comprises an arcuate S-shaped shank and an arcuate blade further comprising a sharpened convex surface. This instrument can be capable of cleaning plaque and calculus from the lingual surfaces of anterior teeth and concave surfaces between teeth at the cemento-enamel junction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Tamara L. Beach
  • Publication number: 20110223559
    Abstract: A dental hand piece with replaceable tips at either end of a tubular handle, each of the replaceable tips including a tip assembly having an instrument working tip end at a distal end of a main tip body and a shank extending from the instrument working tip end to a proximal end of the main tip body. The tip assembly may be provided with a flat-blade extension end at the proximal end of the main tip body. The flat-blade extension end passes through a keyway-shaped slot provided in a locking component, and engages locking structure provided on a cylindrical barrel member. Replaceable tips at the ends of the tubular handle may be secured in 180° orientation to one another. A spring arm member may additionally or alternatively engage notches along an interior wall of the cylindrical barrel member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: HU-FRIEDY MFG. CO., INC.
    Inventors: Mohammad A. Jamnia, Neville Hammond, Howard Wax, Ronald Saslow
  • Publication number: 20110183284
    Abstract: A dental clinical apparatus having a function which conventional instruments for dental treatment have not had and having a novel constitution. The dental clinical apparatus includes a syringe which has a fluid jetting system for dental treatment and a plasma jet applying means for producing a plasma jet from the end by allowing a low-frequency high-voltage power supply to apply a low-frequency high voltage between electrodes on the outer peripheral surface of a rare gas tube through which a rare gas having a low dielectric breakdown voltage under the atmospheric pressure is flowed, and thereby causing electrical discharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Michizo Yamanaka, Tsuneo Kawahara, Katsuhisa Kitano, Satoshi Ikawa
  • Patent number: 7875237
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a dental scaler tip using a powder injection molding process, a mould, and a scaler tip that is excellent in shape-reliability and injects fluid to a front end thereof along a curved section of the tip. The method comprises the steps of preparing feedstock and injecting the feed stock into a mould to form a molding body, wherein, the mould comprises an operating section to which cylindrical core pins having multi steps and an eccentric end formed at a front end thereof for forming the fluid passage is mounted; and a pair of slide cores disposed for supporting the eccentric ends of the core pins such that the slide cores face each other and are slid in the direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the core pins to form a cavity corresponding to a shape of an article to be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Industrial Technology
    Inventors: Chul Jin Hwang, Hyung Pil Park, Young Bae Ko, Young Moo Heo, Jong Sun Kim
  • Publication number: 20100291506
    Abstract: A device (10) for debridement of dental implants, which are arranged into bone tissue and are surrounded by gingiva of a jaw of a human being, has a debriding element (11) and an axle (12) with a fastener (13) for attachment to a rotational apparatus The debriding element (11) has at least one cleaning leg (20) with at least one cutting edge for engagement with the implant, the gingiva and/or the bone tissue According to a second embodiment the debriding element has several portions each having said cleaning leg (20) and the portions are connected to each other Said cleaning leg (20) has a free end (21) shaped as a hook (30) with a point (31), which is provided with said cutting edge The device (10) may have several cleaning legs (20), each provided with several cutting edges A method for cleaning and abrasion of dental implants and implant sites are provided, which uses the device (10) for abrasion and cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Lennart Olsson, Anders Lindberg, Olof Bange
  • Publication number: 20100240006
    Abstract: Disclosed are a scaler tip for a dental implant using a Powder Injection Molding (PIM) of silver, copper, a silver alloy, or a copper alloy, and a method for manufacturing the scaler tip. The scaler tip includes a shank portion, and a work portion extendedly formed from an end of the shank portion and including a curved portion. Here, the scaler tip is formed by performing the PIM on at least one metal powder of silver, copper, the silver alloy, and the copper alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicants: CetaTech. Inc., B&L BIOTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young Sam Kwon, In Hwan Lee
  • Publication number: 20100184001
    Abstract: An area-specific dental instrument is provided, which comprises an arcuate S-shaped shank and an arcuate blade further comprising a sharpened convex surface. This instrument can be capable of cleaning plaque and calculus from the lingual surfaces of anterior teeth and concave surfaces between teeth at the cemento-enamel junction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventor: Tamara L. Beach
  • Publication number: 20100184000
    Abstract: A periodontal scaler is provided, comprising an arcuate shank and an arcuate blade. The arcuate blade being designed to conform to the roughly cylindrical surfaces found on the roots of teeth. This conforming feature of the instrument's blade increases its cleaning efficiency by maximizing contact between the blades surface and the root, and guiding the instrument along the root by holding its convex edges within the concave shape of the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventor: Tamara L. Beach
  • Patent number: 7604479
    Abstract: A dental instrument comprising a handpiece with a threaded extension and a working tool for attachment to the extension includes a wrench mounted on the distal end of the handpiece for use in attaching the tool to the extension. The wrench comprises a nose piece mounted on the front end of the handpiece, said nose piece rotateable radially about the front end of the handpiece as well as longitudinally slidable forward of the distal end of the handpiece so that an opening in a front end of the nose piece extends over the hub of the tool. Rotating the extended nose piece radially around the front end of the handpiece causes the hub of the tool to rotate, attaching the tool to the threaded extension. The nose piece is then retracted to a storage position during use of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Inventor: L. Stephen Buchanan
  • Publication number: 20090136897
    Abstract: A dental instrument (1) for use in removing unremineralizable carious dentin from a tooth while generally maintaining remineralizable carious dentin. The instrument comprises an instrument body (4) and an instrument head (3) having scraping elements (5) made of plastic. Also, a method of removing unremineralizable carious dentine from a tooth while generally maintaining remineralizable carious dentin, wherein the method comprises the use of the dental instrument (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Oliver Kappler, Arno Hohmann, Eva-Maria Popp
  • Publication number: 20090011383
    Abstract: An extrasonic scaler includes a triangulate straight scaler, a leftward bent arc-shaped triangulate scaler, a rightward bent arc-shaped triangulate scaler, a leftward bent distal-hoe semi-triangulate scaler, a rightward bent distal-hoe semi-triangulate scaler, a leftward bent mesial-hoe semi-triangulate scaler, and a rightward bent mesial-hoe semi-triangulate scaler. Thus, the extrasonic scaler is designed according to the tooth pattern of the human body so that the extrasonic scaler can reach the deeper surface of the tooth root from various different directions to remedy the oral and periodontal diseases, thereby enhancing the working efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: Tien-Ping Chen
  • Publication number: 20080254409
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a dental scaler tip using a powder injection molding process which can produce the article in large quantities to save the manufacturing cost and forms an eccentric discharge port of a scaler tip to operate the mould using only one core pin, a mould used for the same that is provided with slide cores having the various shapes machined according to the article to enable the uniform article to be manufactured rapidly to enhance a characteristic and design of the article, and a scaler tip manufactured by the same that is more excellent in shape-reliability and injects fluid to a front end thereof along a curved section of the tip section to perform effectively an operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Chul Jin Hwang, Hyung Pil Park, Young Bae Ko, Young Moo Heo, Jong Sun Kim
  • Publication number: 20080216257
    Abstract: A toothbrush has a plurality of replaceable cleaning heads configured to clean a plurality of teeth surfaces simultaneously. The cleaning heads may be configured to clean one row of teeth at a time or bottom and top teeth simultaneously. In a configuration for cleaning bottom and top teeth simultaneously, the cleaning heads for the top teeth are movably offset from the cleaning heads for the bottom teeth to accommodate occlusion. The toothbrush may be manual or electrical. Accessories such as a tongue and cheek scraper and tooth pick are available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Mitra Ahadpour, Farhad Bagheri
  • Publication number: 20080076089
    Abstract: A disposable, double-ended, non-metallic dental scaler for personal use made of plastic, resin or another resilient material, comprising a handle and two dental picks projecting axially from either end of the handle. The dental pick includes a stem and an intermediate section projecting from the stem, terminating in a tapered tip. The tips are resilient and softer than conventional metallic tips used by professional dental practitioners. The two tips on the either ends of the handle are equally and oppositely angled with respect to the intermediate sections connected thereto. Due to this angled construction, one of the tips is used for cleaning on the right side of inter-proximal spaces between adjacent teeth while the other tip on the opposite end of the handle is used for cleaning on the left side of inter-proximal spaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventor: Kevin Vu
  • Patent number: 7255560
    Abstract: An instrument is provided to enables a dental professional to subject a surgical site simultaneously to (1) mechanical cutting, scraping and grinding, and (2) laser trimming and cauterization. As a result, simultaneous removal of diseased tissue and destruction of residual bacteria is enabled. The instrument comprises a hollow shank having, a rearward fitting, and a forward contact head. Within shank extends a fiber optic bundle. As shown, laser energy is delivered from a laser through the fitting and the laser bundle to the contact head. In the contact head are a surgical blade and an exit window for the laser energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Nomir Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Bornstein
  • Patent number: 7249948
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for ergonomic dental instruments for dental professionals with small hands. In one embodiment, a dental instrument includes an elongated metal handle having a length in the range of about 3- 7/16 inches to about 3- 15/16 inches and a diameter in the range of about ¼ inches to about ¾ inches. A working end may be operably coupled to one or both ends of the handle via a sweated fit. The length and knurling of the elongated metal shaft and terminal shaft facilitate optimum performance for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Chapin Hill Instrument Company, LLC
    Inventor: Elizabeth J. Hill
  • Patent number: 7077653
    Abstract: A dental scaler for cleaning teeth having an orthodontic appliance. The scaler includes a handle with at least one scaling portion having a scaling element. The scaling portion of the device consists of a plurality of sections connected by a plurality of angles and is designed to permit the scaling element to fit between a brace wire and a tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Inventor: Debra M Haab
  • Publication number: 20040265778
    Abstract: A method of forming a hand tool by providing a mold having at least two sections injecting a material for forming the hand tool into the mold, and forming a sharpened edge surface on the hand tool along a surface formed by the parting line of the mold. The hand tool may be a dental tool having a working surface for contacting a patient's teeth. The working surface is formed of a substantially a flat curved section extending from a distal end of the dental tool. The distal end of the curved section having a facet extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the dental tool and having a sharpened surface formed on a proximal edge surface of the facet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Howard Kliff, Jordan Mittler, Peter Scheck, Adam Wiggitt
  • Publication number: 20040202982
    Abstract: An instrument is provided to enables a dental professional to subject a surgical site simultaneously to (1) mechanical cutting, scraping and grinding, and (2) laser trimming and cauterization. As a result, simultaneous removal of diseased tissue and destruction of residual bacteria is enabled. The instrument comprises a hollow shank having, a rearward fitting, and a forward contact head. Within shank extends a fiber optic bundle. As shown, laser energy is delivered from a laser through the fitting and the laser bundle to the contact head. In the contact head are a surgical blade and an exit window for the laser energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventor: Eric S. Bornstein
  • Publication number: 20020119422
    Abstract: An ergonomic grip for an instrument or tool handle is provide which reduces upper extremity musculoskeletal disorder (MSDs) by increasing the grip cross-sectional area, reducing the grip force necessary to manipulate the instrument and increasing the grip comfort using an elastomeric gripping surface. Vibrations from the instrument or tool are reduced or eliminated to further reduce MSDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Melanie L. Beck, Theresa A. Forgy
  • Patent number: 6322362
    Abstract: An apparatus for a dental instrument and specifically for a dental curette. The dental instrument comprises a handle having a first end and a second end. The handle has a substantially elongate form, and is molded from a composite of nonmetallic components. The handle also includes a first tip and a second tip that are received into the first end and the second end of the handle, respectively. The first tip and the second tip include metal tools, preferably formed from a stainless steel. The handle includes a core component comprising of a substantially rigid material, and a grip component comprising of a substantially elastic material. Selected thermosetting or thermoplastic polymeric casting resins, which are autoclaveable and chemclaveable, provide the desired tactile and structural qualities for the core component and the grip component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventor: Allan G. Holms
  • Patent number: 6257887
    Abstract: A dental hand instrument comprises an elongated handle formed of a thermosetting plastic and a metal working tip inserted into an end of the handle. The handle may be a multi-part assembly with replaceable working tip end sections. The handle has a bore provided in the end to accommodate a shank end of the tip. The handle and the tip are subjected to heat treatment to partially melt a portion of the thermosetting plastic adjacent to the shank end to bind the shank in solid plastic-to-metal contact along the shank end. The shank end of the tip is provided with a non slip surface that is encompassed and embedded in the thermosetting plastic so that the tip will not turn during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: American Eagle Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad B. Heckerman, Russ Jenkins, Dennis Meuchels, Jeff Smithers
  • Patent number: 6149431
    Abstract: A dental curet and sharpening machine system has been developed for convenient, accurate, and rapid sharpening of dental curets. Curets comprising a cutting blade, shank, and handle have been designed so that, regardless of the instrument's rake angle, the arc center of the toe on the face of the cutting blade which is to be sharpened lies on the longitudinal center axis of the instrument and at a constant distance from reference means on the instrument handle. The sharpening machine comprises a base, a sharpening element, and an instrument guide unit. The instrument guide unit can position the blade face of a curet of any rake angle in a plane with the arc center of the toe on the blade's face coincident with an axis about which the guide unit can be swung while the blade is engaged with the sharpening element during the cutting procedure. The invention comprises three aspects: (1) the curets; (2) the sharpening machine; and (3) the method of sharpening the curets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Gunnar K. Svanberg
  • Patent number: 6099310
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dental instrument for removing carious dentine in connection with chemical-mechanical treatment of caries by means of a caries-dissolving solution applied to the caries for loosening the carious tissue. The instrument comprises at least one non-rotating tool-head (4, 5) for manually scraping away the loosened carious dental material. The tool head is star-shaped with a number of scraping edges (6) having a curved outer contour (periphery) for excavating loosened carious dental material in connection with said treatment method. The scraping edges (6) are designed to scrape in different directions, the bottom parts as well as the sides (peripheral parts) of a tooth cavity. The open spaces (9) formed between the scraping edges (6) admit transport by the instrument of drops of the solution used for the chemical-mechanical treatment method up to the carious tooth site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: MediTeam Dentalutveckling I Goteborg AB
    Inventors: Rolf Bornstein, Dan Ericson
  • Patent number: 6007333
    Abstract: An improved endoscopic system for visualizing subgingival dental procedures. The device comprises a dilator projection incorporated into or onto the body of a dental instrument utilized to remove plaque and calculus from subgingival tooth surfaces. The projection preferably comprises a thin, flat shield portion having an arcuate shank portion extending therefrom. In use, the shield portion of the dilator projection is operative to dilate or spread the gingiva away from the adjacent tooth surfaces upon which the dental instrument is utilized to remove plaque and calculus. Formed within the shank portion of the dilator projection is at least one lumen for receiving an endoscopic viewing apparatus, that receives and transmits an optical image from the interior of the gingival sulcus or periodontal pocket to an image displaying device positioned outside the patient's body. Additional lumens may be formed within the shank portion of the dilator projection for the infusion of fluid or suction/aspiration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: International Bioview, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald P. Callan, Wendell Victor Ebling, Ronald Bruce Beckman, James Charles Elmore, Craig Gordon Edwards
  • Patent number: 5944033
    Abstract: An electromechanical dental flossing device is disclosed for flossing the area between a portion of the tooth and the gum tissue. The device comprises an elongated member coupled to a motor source to effect oscillation of the elongated member. The elongated member includes an intermediate portion and a tip which are capable of being received between the tooth and the gum tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventor: Dane Q. Robinson
  • Patent number: 5927300
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a dental cleansing implement (101) having a thin, elongate shaft (102) comprising a free end portion (105) suitable in particular for insertion in the interproximal spaces and connected with a mounting portion (6) or the like. The mounting portion (6) is adapted to be coupled to an electric motor drive means of a handle member, and the cleansing implement is adapted to be rotated or oscillated about a shaft longitudinal center line (135). The free end portion (105) of the shaft (102) is made of a flexible material bent in the shape of a crescent (130), approximately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Boland, Werner Haczek
  • Patent number: 5913682
    Abstract: A dental instrument for removing plaque from teeth. The instrument comprises an elongated handle having a straight pick fixed to one end and a curved pick fixed to the other end. The curved pick is useful for cleaning the back teeth and behind the front teeth, while the straight pick is useful for cleaning the front of the front teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Inventor: Kris Shirell Strate
  • Patent number: 5787908
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical dental flossing device is disclosed for flossing the area between a portion of the tooth and the gum tissue. The device comprises an elongated member coupled to a motor source to effect oscillation of the elongated member. The elongated member includes an intermediate portion and a tip which are capable of being received between the tooth and the gum tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Dane Q. Robinson
  • Patent number: 5782635
    Abstract: A device is proposed for cleaning the surface of inserted oral implants and/or the abutments placed thereon. The device is distinguished by the provision of a cleaning curette (31, 131) which at least partially covers the surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventor: Axel Altvater
  • Patent number: 5709233
    Abstract: A dental cleansing implement having a thin, elongate shaft. The shaft includes a free end portion suitable in particular for insertion in the interproximal spaces and connected with a mounting portion or the like. The mounting portion is adapted to be coupled to an electric motor drive means of a handle member, and the cleansing implement is adapted to be rotated or oscillated about a shaft longitudinal center line. The free end portion of the shaft is made of a flexible material bent in the shape of a crescent, approximately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Boland, Werner Haczek
  • Patent number: 5682665
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a dental curette having a handle, a shank disposed on one end of the handle, and a cutting blade on the shank, includes the steps of: providing a curette mold having at least a shank portion and a cutting blade portion, injection molding a feedstock into the curette mold to form a molded shank and a molded cutting blade, and attaching a handle to the molded shank. There is likewise disclosed an injection molded dental curette. A coating of extreme hardness may be provided on the cutting edge of the curette to extend the useable life thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Inventor: Gunnar K. Svanberg
  • Patent number: 5584691
    Abstract: A dental instrument sharpening system includes an instrument arm for holding a chiral bladed dental instrument and for facilitating movement of at least one of the chiral blades of the dental instrument to a rotatable sharpening stone. A positioning mechanism, coupled to the instrument arm, positions at least one of the chiral blades of the dental instrument in a desired predetermined position. The positioning mechanism includes a clamping mechanism and indexed slotted member. The indexed slotted member has index protrusions, such as protruding nubs, that matingly engage with indentations in the handle of the dental instrument. The handle of the dental instrument includes at least one index indentation such as a conical indentation. The index indentation and the corresponding index protrusion mate to properly position the blade of the dental instrument in a predetermined longitudinal and axial position in the clamping mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Inventor: David D. Domenella
  • Patent number: 5573020
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical dental flossing device is disclosed for flossing the area between a portion of the tooth and the gum tissue. The device comprises an elongated member coupled to a motor source to effect oscillation of the elongated member. The elongated member includes an intermediate portion and a tip which are capable of being received between the tooth and the gum tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventor: Dane Q. Robinson
  • Patent number: 5388989
    Abstract: An occlusal sculpting tool (10) includes a grip portion (11) having a generally central axis and supporting an occlusal sculpting portion (12) at one end thereof. The occlusal sculpting portion (12) has an extension bar (30) affixed at one end thereof to the grip portion (11) and an occlusal tip (31 ) affixed to the other end of the extension bar (30). The extension bar (30) has a plurality of angles therein such that the occlusal tip (31) is spaced from the grip portion (11 ) and generally aligned with the generally central axis of the grip portion (11 ).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Inventor: Demetrios A. Kountis