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.

Abstract: A flexible cutting tool includes a substantially cylindrically-shaped housing having a first end and a second end. The first end includes a hollowed region. A substantially cylindrically-shaped bushing, having a first face and second face and including a flexible material, is sized such that the first face and at least a portion of the bushing are secured inside the hollowed region of the housing. The bushing includes a bore extending through the first face, the second face, and an axis of the bushing. A cutting tool includes a cutting edge, a stop, and a shaft between the cutting edge and the stop. A diameter of the stop is larger than a diameter of the bore for allowing the stop to enter the second face of the bushing, frictionally pass through the bushing and exit the first face of the bushing. A diameter of the shaft is smaller than the diameter of the stop and larger than the diameter of the bore such that the bushing frictionally engages the shaft.

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.

Abstract: A tool for the tapping of a bone hole and installation of an implant in dentistry has a knob manually rotatable externally of a patient's mouth on one end of an arm and a bit, releasably secured on a sprocket, rotatable inside the patient's mouth in response to rotation of the knob. A chain connects the bit sprocket to a sprocket attached to the knob, so that the bit rotates about an axis parallel to, but laterally offset by the arm from, the axis of rotation of the knob. For bone tapping purposes, a tapping bit is used and a "T"-shaped handle attaches to the knob to increase the lever arm for torque application. For screwing implant components together or into the tapped bone, a screwing bit is used. A resilient elastomer sleeve is releasably stretched over the implant component and over the screwing bit for initial positioning. Multiple, interchangeable bits are provided to match different-sized implant components.

Abstract: An improved dental scaler or curette wherein the cutting blade is spaced from the handle of the instrument by an arcuately formed shank portion which extends outwardly from the lower portion of the handle in a generally continuous arc to a relatively straight portion that extends transversely at an obtuse angle with respect to the plane of the arcuate shank and from which the cutting blade of the instrument extends at an acute angle with respect to the plane of the arcuate shank. In a further embodiment, the cutting blade includes a concave or generally V-shaped portion extending inwardly of the cutting edge thereof so as to form an elongated trough or trap in which material may be retained for removal during scaling or scraping of a tooth surface.

Abstract: A dental curet adapted to remove calculus from the root surface of a person's teeth. The curet has a handle portion, a terminal shank, and a working end. A subgingival shank portion and the working end are arranged so that a working end lengthwise dimension from a rear surface of the lower part of the subgingival shank portion horizontally to the forward end of the toe portion is no greater than about 4 millimeters. The front toe portion of the working end extends in an upward and forward slant.

Abstract: A dental curette or scaler having a finger pad including a generally concave finger surface proximate a working head and complementary contoured to the shape of an extended middle finger urged thereupon. The finger pad is selectively rotatable about and removable from a tapered end closely proximate the working head of the instrument. The finger pad is comprised of a resilient material to adapt to individual finger variations and is textured to provide a comfortable feel and a friction grip to the dental hygienist or dentist. The finger pad is restricted from lateral sliding along a longitudinal axis of the instrument and, further, is sterilizable prior to use. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the finger pad has a plurality of finger surfaces for receiving a finger in more than one position.

Abstract: A dental curet and sharpening machine system has been developed for complete mechanical guidance of the instruments during the sharpening procedure. Double-ended dental curets comprising cutting blades, shanks, and a 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 points on the instrument handle. The sharpening machine comprises a base, an electrical motor with a rotating sharpening stone, and an instrument guide unit. The instrument guide unit can position the blade face of a curet of any rake angle in a horizontal plane with the arc center of the toe on the blade's face coincident with a vertical axis about which the guide unit is swung while the blade edge is engaged with the rotating stone during the cutting procedure.

Abstract: A periodontal implement in form of a scaler or curette having at least one blade mounted to one end thereof in which the body of the implement includes at least one fluid passageway through which a source of medicinal fluid supply including germicidals, anesthetics, soothing agents hemostatics and the like are released to the area of the blade during patient treatment by controlled flow such as by metering or capillary action.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dental endosteal implants with devices to aid in the placement of the implant, and procedures for placing the implant.

Abstract: Dental instruments including metallic curettes and scalers are provided with one or more annular rings which are formed in the handle of such instruments with the number of annular rings and their positioning with respect to the end of the handle indicating the appropriate instrument for use in treating the anterior and posterior, upper and lower, left and right, lingual and buccal tooth surface areas and also which reflect which block of an instrument is for use on distal and mesial surfaces.

Abstract: A scalpel is provided including a chuck shaft having a diametric slot at its front end into which the rear end of a blade is inserted. The blade is provided with a cylindrical collar intermediate its ends which abuts against the front end of the chuck shaft. Over the blade and integral collar is threadedly mounted a retaining sleeve which engages with the exterior surface of the chuck shaft. As the retaining sleeve is threaded onto the chuck shaft, it radially compresses the front end of the chuck shaft so that the surfaces of the slot engage firmly and securely with the rear end of the blade, having previously been inserted therein.

Abstract: A cutting instrument for nasal surgery has an elongated portion, such as a handle, extending along a first direction and a first end which is intended to be pointed into a nostril during nasal surgery. A cutting extension extends from the elongated portion at approximately ninety degrees from the first direction. The cutting extension has first and second cutting edges which point in opposite directions parallel to the first direction and which extend in the second direction. In a preferred embodiment the cutting extension is placed approximately at the first end of the elongated portion and it has a non-cutting end which extends beyond the first and second cutting edges away from the elongated portion in the second direction.

Abstract: A dental instrument having an elongated handle with blades mounted on opposite ends. Each blade is comprised of three cutting edges and a finely honed tip which may be used to carve, clean and restore teeth and refine dental casts. A uniquely configured shank joins said blade to said handle and provides an improved means for manipulating the blades so that improved surgical and laboratory restorations can be effected.

Abstract: A dental instrument is provided for the mechanical removal of plaque and/or other material from or adjacent to a patient's teeth, both above and below the gum line, which instrument includes a hollow plastic handle with an angularly related shank extending therefrom, which carried an integral single or double sided blade for removal of material, and which instrument is intended for single patient use and to be discarded thereafter.

Abstract: A tool with a gripping handle and a forwardly extending shank on the handle having a cross sectional dimension of height and thickness capable of being received in a primary recess in the ramus portion of a mandible. A reduced thickness extension is provided on the forward end of the shank which is arranged to form a reduced width secondary recess by manually forcing the extension into the bone area at an end of the primary recess. The shank has an upwardly angled forward portion and the handle has a rearward angled end forming a lateral gripping area for the tool. The free end of the extension is rounded and sharpened for piercing bone.

Abstract: A grinding instrument, especially adapted to permit wearer adjustment of dentures, comprises an S-shaped handle, a straight shaft and a blade, the handle, shaft and blade all being integral sequential members of a unitary, elongated cylindrical wire. In a preferred embodiment the wire is made of a seven and one-half inch length of four millimeter diameter carbon steel wire in a novel process comprising the steps of:cutting a carbon steel wire to a selected straight length,bending about one-half of said length of wire to form a handle,stamping the terminal portion of the unbent half of said length of wire to form a shaft terminating in a blade, andgrinding at least one surface of said blade at a selected angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said shaft to form a grinding edge.

Abstract: An attachment component is provided to allow a vibratory-type dental tool to use low cost, disposable surgical blades. The attachment component includes a collet member having a slot into which the shank of the blade is inserted and a sleeve member for being attached to the handle of the dental tool and having a cavity for receiving the collet member to cause the blade to be wedged within the slot.

Abstract: The tool is designed for use by a denture wearer after the chemical cleaning of the denture or partial denture in the home. The tool is a double ended instrument with two blades mounted on opposite ends of an elongated handle, which handle preferably has a square cross-section and is made of plastic. One blade is spear-shaped and sharpened to a knife edge along its leading edges and at its apex. The second blade has a convex concave configuration and a rounded tip with all edges of this blade including its rounded tip sharpened to a knife edge.

Abstract: A perio-dontal surgical instrument is disclosed which includes a handle, shank and a cutting head. The cutting head possesses two interior surgical blades each possessing terminus points having their confluence at a substantial V-shape to form an apex. At least one exterior surgical blade is positioned on the cutting head with its beginning at a first point substantially equal to the terminus of one of the adjacent blades. A method of use is also described for this perio-dontal surgical instrument for Gingivectomy and Gingivoplasty operations.

Abstract: A saw blade is disclosed for sawing a working model of a dental arch used in fixed crown and bridge work wherein the blade includes a first number of linear aligned saw teeth and a second number of laterally offset saw teeth which may be pulled or pushed into a cut initiated in the dental stone by the straight teeth for faster and straighter sawing.

Abstract: A surgical scissors for excising tissue in areas of limited access where straight scissors cannot reach. The scissors has a hook-shaped end with cutting blades on a cutting axis which is generally perpendicular to the axis along which handle members of the scissors extend. The hook-shaped end may carry a second pair of cutting blades in a cutting plane which is generally parallel to the axis along which the handle members extend.

Abstract: A blade locking mechanism formed integrally on the end of an elongated instrument handle permitting available slot mounted disposable surgical blades to be attached perpendicular to the axis of the handle service end for use as a knife in applications such as oral surgery. A cleat formed in the service end of the handle projects therefrom in line with the axis of the handle end. The base of the cleat has a rectangular cross-section sized to have a sliding fit within the minimum slot dimension of the disposable blade, and of a length greater than the thickness of the blade. The horns of the cleat lie in a plane perpendicular to the handle service end and are sized to pass easily through the maximum blade slot dimension when in line therewith, but prevent removal of the blade from under the cleat horns when the blade is turned 90.degree. to the axis of the cleat horns and the blade slot is fitted about the cleat base.

Abstract: A claw having a sharp edged tip is disposed at the extremity of a handle supported shank. The configuration of the tip provides a cutting edge adapted for removing denture material in confined as well as open areas of a denture. The surfaces of the shank, including at least a side surface of the claw, are abrasive for grinding and smoothing surfaces of the denture.

Abstract: The finishing of dental restorations is disclosed with use of dental instruments of the present invention including instruments having concave surfaces shaped to conform to external convex tooth anatomy. External carving and contouring is accomplished by first carving the distal, mesial, lingual and facial convex surfaces using an interproximal carving instrument of the present invention, followed by carving of adjacent marginal ridges and contact areas, and embrasures with an intermarginal carver. Internal carving and contouring is accomplished by first making the areas of fossae and basic occlusal grooves with the ball end of the intermarginal carver, followed by carving and contouring tooth cusps and cuspal inclines, and then supplemental or developmental grooves with an occlusal-incisal carver.

Abstract: The hand tool is used as a cosmetic dental trimmer for restorative material of the composite resin type to remove any excess of such material to more perfectly contour the restorative material to match the natural contour of the original tooth surface. The tool includes an elongated handle connected by a tapering shank to the trimming (shaving) blade which has a hard metal layer, such as tunsten carbide, having the property that it will not discolor the composite resin material. The blade is preferably formed, in one embodiment, by a very slightly concaved face defining the blade along an arcuate (concave) edge thereof. Preferably, a pair of tools are used with oppositely arranged blades. Alternate embodiments include a tool having an excavator blade and one constructed as a composite shaver or shaper.

Abstract: An improved dental instrument is provided to more easily carry the liquid stage of a self-hardening dental base material into place within a tooth cavity and to subsequently trim any hardened excess material. The combination dental applicator and carver instrument includes an enlarged, flat-faced, sharp-edged working tip at the end of a relatively narrow shank which is sharply and smoothly tapered from its sharp-edged circumference down to the narrow shank. The flat face allows the working tip to more efficiently coat tooth surfaces which are essentially parallel to it. The tapered configuration of the working tip inhibits undesired capillary action when the dental base material is applied into the tooth cavity. The sharp-edged tip also allows the hardened excess dental base material to be readily trimmed away.