Abstract: The present invention relates to an instrument for subgingival scaling, root planing and maintenance of periodontal health. The instrument has an elongated body with a handle portion, a terminal shank portion, a working end, and a gauge. The terminal shank portion includes a base having a first portion, which is coaxial with the handle portion, and a second portion, which is angled from the first portion. The working end has a rear heel portion adjacent to the second portion and a front toe portion. Between the heel and toe there is a blade edge extending lengthwise. The gauge is arranged along the annular surface of the second portion of the terminal shank. In order to measure the periodontal health of the patient on whom the instrument is being used, the instrument is inserted into the periodontal space between the tooth and the gum. The depth of the periodontal space is determined by reading the marking on the gauge which meets the gumline.

Abstract: A handle for use in implanting a prothesis has an elongate body portion and a post-retaining structure at the end of the body portion. The post-retaining portion or structure includes a core member which has a bore formed therein to receive a post connected, for example, to a broach or rasp. The core member also includes a channel formed therein in communication with the bore and a pin movable within the channel between a locked position at the distal end of the channel in communication with the bore and a released position. A spring and a collar are provided where the collar is adapted to slide over the core member, move the pin within the channel and retain the pin in the locked position while the spring is adapted to bias and/or move the collar toward the front end of the core to retain the pin. A movable sleeve fits over the collar and spring and is provided with a shoulder to engage and move the collar to release the pin within the channel.

Abstract: A device for cleaning the vestibule of the mouth. The device includes a rounded tapered end having a bend or curve with respect to a longitudinal axis of the device. The rounded end may be rotatable with respect to a handle portion of the device. The device may be used alone or in combination with a fabric sleeve to sweep matter from the vestibule.

Abstract: A dental cleansing device includes an elongated hand grip member with an internal space that has a closed end and an open end, an elongated cover member with an insert end that can be connected detachably to the open end of the hand grip member, a holding end that is located opposite to the insert end, and a brush unit. The brush unit is provided on the holding end of the cover member and includes a brush seat which is fastened detachably to the holding end, a brush body integrally formed with the brush seat, and a plurality of hard and soft threads mixed together and wound along the brush body.

Abstract: An interdental toothbrush has a hinged locking retainer on the end of an elongated handle for capturing the stem of a twisted wire brush. The locking retainer has a hole which is adapted to receive the stem of a twisted wire brush. A land is formed in the handle adjacent the groove so that the wire brush stem is captured between that land area and a land area on the retainer. A latch on the locking retainer has a top end with a double cam surface thereon. One of the cam surfaces guides the latch into a locking position as the retainer is closed. The other of the cam surfaces releases the locking retainer when pushed.

Abstract: An interdental toothbrush has a hinged locking retainer on the end of an elongated handle. The locking retainer has a hole which is positioned relative to a groove in the handle so that a twisted wire brush may be locked into place simply by inserting it and closing the retainer. A latch on the locking retainer has a top end with a double cam surface thereon. One of the cam surfaces guides the latch into a locking position as the retainer is closed. The other of the cam surfaces releases the locking retainer when pushed.

Abstract: A dental tool device includes a rod, a pair of stops disposed in the rod, two protrusions formed on each of the stops, a tool having a stub engaged in the rod, and a block fixed to the stub of the tool, two cusps formed on the block, the cusps of the block are engaged between the protrusions of the stops when the block passes the stops and is rotated relative to the stops, the tool is disposable when it is disengaged from the rod.

Abstract: A kit for assembling a variety of dental devices using a plurality of delivery tips that differ from one another as to either size or type. The kit also includes a plurality of differently sized syringes each being releasably attachable to any one of the plurality of delivery tips. An organizer displays the syringes and delivery tips in such way that the size and type of syringe and delivery tip desired is easily identifiable. The kit may include adapters which connect any of the plurality of delivery tips to either a vacuum source or to an air bulb. The delivery tips may be color coded such that the size and type of delivery tip is indicated by the color code of the delivery tip.

Abstract: An interdental toothbrush has a hinged locking retainer on the end of an elongated handle. The locking retainer has a hole which is positioned relative to a groove in the handle so that a twisted wire brush may be locked into place simply by inserting it and closing the retainer. A latch on the locking retainer has a top end with a double cam surface thereon. One of the cam surfaces guides the latch into a locking position as the retainer is closed. The other of the cam surfaces releases the locking retainer when pushed.

Abstract: A periodontal probe tip for attachment to an elongate handle includes a disposable, non-metallic probe tip device having a measuring tine with markings thereon for measurement. The tip device includes a smooth, cylindrical connecting shaft to which the handle can be detachachably attached for use of the probe. The tip device is preferably made from strong, flexible nylon such as nylon 6. The preferred measuring tine has color bands for measuring distances. The preferred bands are 2 to 3 mm across. The probe tips can be individually packaged and sterilized in a package having a paperboard backer and a transparent plastics cover sealingly attached to the backer.

Abstract: A tool for the installation of an abutment or screw in implant 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. A resilient elastomer sleeve is releasably stretched over the abutment or screw and over the bit for initial positioning. Mutliple, interchangeable bits are provided to match different sized abutment or screw heads. The bit shank is recessed intermediate cylindrical portions, for receiving a set screw.

Abstract: A measuring handle for treating dental root canals comprises a handle in which an instrument slides longitudinally. The guide hook of the instrument engages in a helical screw rotatably mounted in the handle and is guided longitudinally in a longitudinal slot in the handle. The handle is expanded at its rotating end to form a gripping head in which is arranged a cylindrical mounting space for a rotary body of a rotary handle which actuates the helical screw. A section of the longitudinal slot expands through the rotary handle into the gripping head and is covered in the region of said slot, so that, in a development of the handle having an additional gripping head at the end nearer the instrument, the head can be firmly gripped when gloves are worn or the handle is wet with water or saliva.

Abstract: A multi-purpose dental applicator including a handle and an interchangeable removable member which can be a yoke supporting a length of dental floss, a toothbrush, a spiral wound wire tooth cleaning brush, a rubber tip gum massager, or a length of abrasive tape. The handle has an elongated stem for gripping purposes and a head piece having a receiving cavity for receiving the stem of the interchangeable removable member. The handle further incorporates threads on the outer surface of the head surrounding the receiving cavity. In the preferred embodiment, the receiving cavity is an opening extending into the body of the head in a generally inverted frustum shaped configuration which then extends into a spherical shaped cavity and thereafter extends into an arcuate section having the circumferential length of approximately twenty degrees to either side of the vertical or longitudinal axis of the head.

Abstract: An instrument for removing deposits and stains on teeth is provided with a handle having an end-piece which carries a working tool, the tip of which is intended to be applied on the teeth to be treated. The tool consists of an eraser formed by a body of molded synthetic resin such as polyvinyl chloride, polyamide or silicone, within which are incorporated abrasive or polishing elements of greater hardness such that their Rockwell hardness number is higher than 25 mPa but lower than 200 mPa. These abrasive or polishing elements consist either of glass fibers with a fiber content on the order of 20 to 30% or of micrograins of a synthetic resin such as methyl polymethacrylate or a polyamide resin with a concentration within the range of 5 to 90% by weight, with a preference for a range of 20 to 50%, the particle diameter of these micrograins being approximately 10 to 400 microns.

Abstract: A dental apparatus for cleaning teeth includes a metallic scaling element formed to receive a slender, rigid, smooth plastic sheath. The scaling element is vibrated by a sonic generator, causing its outer sheath to vibrate as well. The sheath or tip is composed of a material such as polysulfone having good thermal stability for covering the tip of the metallic scaling element. The small diameter free end of the sheath is especially useful in the removal of plaque from an individual's teeth or titanium implants while preventing damage to the surface of the teeth or implants.

Abstract: Tensioning handle for a root-canalling instrument and comprising a grip (1) with an outside-threaded shank (2) at one end, an inside-threaded cap (3) that screws onto the shank, a bore (4) that extends axially through the shank and the cap, and a tensioner that surrounds a tool inserted in the bore and tightens around the shaft of the tool when the cap is screwed tight, characterized in that the tensioner comprises sleeves (10) that loosely surround the shaft (5) of the tool (6) and have opposing sloping surfaces (15 & 16) that displace them laterally when the cap is screwed on.

Abstract: A dental appliance in which an elongated handle has a rectangular aperture at one end for removably receiving an insert with a rectangular cross section hub that has at least one elongated detent channel which is engageable with a complementary elongated protuberance within the aperture. The channel and protuberance may be perpendicular or parallel with respect to the major axis of the hub insert. The hub is rigid and protrudes from the opposite side of the handle aperture so that the insert may be expelled from the handle by applying pressure to the protrusion. Once removed, the insert may be replaced or readied for reverse installation on the handle, particularly where the portion of the handle containing the aperture is angled.

Abstract: An interdental toothbrush has a hinged cap on the end of an elongated handle. The cap has a hole which is positioned relative to a groove so that a twisted wire brush may be locked into place simply by inserting it and closing the cap.

Abstract: A dental tool providing a sure grip handle connected at one end or both ends to a head for inserting tool parts such as brushes, the head and brushes disposed at an angle from the longitudinal axis of the handle, the head accepting tool parts into an aperture formed through the head. The centerline axis of the aperture being disposed at an angle from the longitudinal axis of the handle causes the axis of the tool part to be disposed at either an acute or obtuse angle from the longitudinal axis of the handle depending on which side of the aperture is used for tool part insertion. The aperture is formed in a manner to securely hold the tool part while allowing removability, either by opposing tapered ports through the head, or by a restricted orifice interior of the aperture.

Abstract: An interproximal brush handle including a grip portion and an end portion and a transverse hole for accommodating a stem of an interproximal brush. The brush stem is retained securely in a longitudinal groove on closure of a cap which is pivotally attached to the end portion.

Abstract: A hand held abrasive dental instrument for use in cutting the proximal aspect of a tooth's surface to create an interproximal space between abutting tooth surfaces. The instrument features a thin circular disc shaped abrasive cutting member provided with a coating of abrasive material over one of the circular surfaces of the disc which is rotatably mounted between abutting handle portions. The handle portions serve to provide means for convenient grasping of the instrument by the user in a manner which permits facile manipulation of the cutting disc between abutting teeth. The handle portions are constructed to automatically lock the disc against rotation when grasped in the normal operational mode so that effective cutting can be accomplished. However, upon releasing the grasping pressure, the disc may be rotated to position an unused portion of the abrasive coating for operative use.

Abstract: A central hub for a rotatable tool which can be easily a) mounted on a polygonal seat at one end of a rotatable mandrel for rotation of the tool with the mandrel and b) subsequently removed with the tool from the seat of the mandrel. A central opening extending through the hub has a complex shape which includes a plurality of corners and a plurality of concave arcuate lines connecting the corners. The hub can be formed from a ductile preform having a generally cylindrical central opening extending through it by forcing, through the cylindrical opening in the preform, a polygonal punch having, in cross-section, substantially the same shape as, and a slightly larger size than, the polygonal cross-section of the seat of the mandrel which is to be inserted in the central opening in the hub of the tool.

Abstract: A dental condensing instrument having an elastomeric tip of sufficient size to surround the margins of a prepared cavity, which will yieldably urge the flow of soft restorative materials inside prepared cavities to improve their adaptation to cavity walls and margins without the introduction of deleterious air voids therein. When hand pressure is applied, the tip will not only seal said margins, but also apply a steady, isostatic condensing force upon said materials.

Abstract: In a compression handle for securing a dental root-canal instrument, a helical spring (10) is positioned between the threaded end (2) of the grip (1) and the screw-on cap (3) and loosely surrounds the shaft (5) of the instrument with its coils extending in the opposite direction from that of the threading and with its ends accommodated stationary in bores (12 & 13) in the threaded mechanisms (2 & 3) in such a way that it is screwed in and compresses the shaft of the instrument when the cap is screwed on.

Abstract: A system for maintaining in the head of a vibratable dental tool holder a dental tool releasably held axially in fixed position in a transverse passage oblique to the longitudinal axis of the dental tool holder. The system comprises a first sleeve axially of the dental tool holder having a leading edge bearing against the dental tool. A second sleeve is threaded on the dental tool holder and it keeps the first sleeve in close contact with the dental tool keeping it from moving axially away from the dental tool in response to vibration of the dental tool holder during operation.

Abstract: The invention is an improved dental instrument for root canal dental treatment. The improved instrument is a combined root canal condenser and spreader instrument which makes it possible for the dentist to do the treatment work with one instrument instead of constantly changing back and forth between two instruments. In addition, the combined instrument uses a common handle with removable and replaceable working ends of the instrument when different sizes of instruments are required for the tooth being treated or for the stage at which the tooth is being treated. The removable and replaceable working ends of the instrument are gauged marked so that the dentist can gauge the depth at which the dental work must be done and at which the following stages of the work are being done in order to assure a fully spread and condensed dental material in the tooth.

Abstract: A dental tool having a head with an output spindle to which are coupled dental treating devices such as a dental massaging brush. The output spindle is driven with a reciprocatory rotary motion imparted to it from a rotationally driven drive shaft coupled to the output spindle by a drive coupling device which converts the rotational motion of the drive shaft to reciprocatory rotary output of the output spindle. An O-ring effects a seal about the output spindle where it extends outwardly of the head. The drive coupling device has an eccentric stud fixed eccentrically to the drive shaft extending therefrom from one side to the other of a projection of the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft and making an angle with the projection of the axis. The eccentric stud is received in an axial slit in the output spindle for effecting the motion conversion.

Abstract: An overhandle for enclosing the handle or the shank of a tool, such as a dental tool. The overhandle is formed of two mating semi-cylindrical sections having respective forward end faces which are confrontingly opposed in the opened condition and are in a single plane in the assembled closed condition. Laterally spaced apart hinges interlock the sections at their forward end faces. An elongated channel is respectively formed in each of the sections and extends through the forward end face of the respective section. The channels matingly confront in the assembled closed condition to define an internal chamber with an open forward end so that the chamber receives the end of the tool with the remaining tool portion axially extending through the open forward end. A coupling mechanism is provided for retaining the sections in the assembled closed condition. In modified embodiments, the same overhandle can enclose either the handle of one tool or the shank of another tool.

Abstract: A peridontal probe comprising a handle portion and a pin member rotatably mounted thereon about an axis of rotation, the pin member having a free end portion which is straight and flat, lies wholly to one side of and in the same plane as the axis of rotation, the spacing between the free end portion and the axis either being constant or decreasing in a direction towards the free end of the free end portion.

Abstract: A clamping handle for holding a tooth root canal instrument is of the kind with a screw head formed thereon and an axial bore through the handle body and the screw head for the accommodation of an instrument shaft, a screw element screwable onto the screw head and also provided with a bore aligned with the axial bore, and a clamping element which can be pressed against the instrument shaft by screwing the screw element onto the screw head. The improvement is that a clamping disk is inserted between a pressing surface of the screw head and an approximately parallel pressing surface of the screw element, the clamping disk having a through-bore, to receive an instrument shaft, which is inclined with respect to the plane of the disk but is aligned with the axial bore of the handle body.

Abstract: A centrally-bored cylindrical abutment member is fitted over the shank of a root canal instrument and held against the instrument handle or head by elastic clipping means acting on the instrument handle, or on a handpiece carrying the instrument. The thickness of the abutment member may be adjustable, e.g. by screwing, or several interchangeable devices with abutment members of different thicknesses can be provided to accurately set the effective penetrable length of the instrument.

Abstract: A hand-held implement with a specially contoured, flexible tip covered by a physically strong but absorbent fabric securely but removable held in place over such tip permits cleansing of the gums of denture wearers on a safe and sanitary basis.