Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a system and method for measuring the structural characteristics of an object. The object is subjected to an energy application processes and provides an objective, quantitative measurement of structural characteristics of an object. The system may include a device, for example, a percussion instrument, capable of being reproducibly placed against the object undergoing such measurement for reproducible positioning. The system does not include an external on/off switch or any remote on/off switching mechanism. The system also includes a disposable feature or assembly for minimizing cross-contamination between tests. The structural characteristics as defined herein may include vibration damping capacities, acoustic damping capacities, structural integrity or structural stability.

Abstract: A tooth extraction device is provided that uses a clamp assembly to clamp a tooth to be extracted, and a handle for positioning the clamp assembly within a patient's mouth. A cable and an actuator for moving the cable are provided for moving the clamp assembly. The clamp assembly includes a pair of clamp links pivotally connected to a carrier block. The carrier block is slidably movable relative to the handle to extract the tooth after the clamp links are rotated into engagement with opposite sides of the tooth. A base tooth support engages a first neighboring tooth on a proximal side of the clamp assembly, and a removable tooth support engages a second neighboring tooth on a distal side of the clamp assembly. The tooth supports distribute the force of extracting a tooth over the neighboring teeth, thereby allowing more control in manipulating the device during a tooth extraction.

Abstract: A dental instrument (10) having a tool (12) with a tip (56) capable of being rapidly adjusted and fixed in a variety of orientations relative to an instrument body (14). The instrument comprises opposing jaws (16, 22) having concave surfaces (18, 24). One jaw (16) is attached to one end of the instrument body, while the other jaw (22) is attached to the end of a lever arm (20). The lever arm is pivotally attached to the instrument body and is pivotal between a first (closed) position (P1), a second (intermediate) position (P2) and a third (open) position (P3). The lever arm includes a latch (26) having first and second catches (34, 36) that each releasably engage a rim (42) of an aperture (40) in the instrument body so as to retain the lever arm in the first (closed) position and the second (intermediate) position, respectively.

Abstract: This application relates to the field of Dentistry, and in more particular to the use of root canal excavating implements such as files, broaches, reamers, or probes employed for the use of clearing tissue and removing dentin from the nerve canal of teeth. An introduced bent tip of 45 degrees to the angle of the implement, at a distance as close as a half of one millimeter from the leading tip, is cited as an improved means to get the tip of the implement to the desired working length.

Abstract: Surgical device (1) for use in a surgical procedure comprising a plurality of surgical instruments (3a, 3b, 3c) for performing predetermined steps of the surgical procedure with at least one of the surgical instruments being movable relative to the other surgical instruments of the device.

Abstract: The current invention provides a device for holding dental abutments such as healing caps, healing screws, contoured healing abutments, PME (precision margin esthetics) abutments, PME impression pins, hexed transfer assemblies, straight and angled fixed system components, hexed coping screws or any dental implant parts when the object is being inserted or otherwise located into a patient's mouth. The device is tweezer-like and is designed to hold a dental abutment having a central axis. The device includes a pair of substantially identical members that are joined together at one of the ends and each have a free end. The members are disposed in the V-like configuration with the joined ends interconnected and the free end spaced apart so that when the members are squeezed towards one another, the free ends are brought into contact. Each of the members has a handle portion including the joined end, and an offset gripping portion.

Abstract: An implement for extraction of bridges from the mouth of dental patients has a flexible wire engageable with a bridge at a distance from the edge of the bridge and at a distance from the gums of the patient, and a force applying unit which can pull the wire in a direction to lift the bridge off the respective teeth. The wire can engage the connector or connectors between neighboring crowns of a bridge and then be locked in the force applying unit.

Abstract: A dental instrument comprising a grasping device in the form of a tweezer member having a finger receiving ring detachably connected to one of the legs of the tweezer member is disclosed. The instrument is used for holding and inserting a Cerec inlay, manufactured by a dental Cerec machine, in a tooth undergoing a restorative procedure. The instrument may further include a threaded axle which coacts with each leg of the tweezers and protrudes from one of the legs. The instrument may also further include a plunger mechanism which facilitates the insertion of an inlay in a prepared tooth cavity.

Abstract: An orthodontic's hand instrument for installing a lingual bar on the lower arch of a patient's teeth. The hand instrument includes a handle having a first end and a second end with a clamp connected to the second end of the handle. A portion of the clamp extends a distance downwardly from the handle and another portion of the clamp extends a distance back toward the first end of the handle terminating with a clamp end. The clamp is movable to an opened position whereby a portion of the clamp near the clamp end is insertable over a portion of the lingual bar and the clamp is movable to a closed position whereby a portion of the clamp near the clamp end is clampingly closed over a portion of the lingual bar for clampingly holding the lingual bar. The clamp holding the lingual bar is movable into the patient's mouth and lowerable to position the lingual bar near the lingual side of the patient's lower teeth for connecting opposite ends of the lingual bar to the patient's lower teeth.

Abstract: A tool for crimping a substantially straight filing shaft of an endodontic file comprising a device having a first and a second jaw for being urged toward nesting engagement and for forming the bends of the shaft inserted between the jaws, the first jaw having a first crimp forming surface having a convex arch-shaped ridge and the second jaw having a concave arch-shaped cavity opposite the ridge.

Abstract: An implement for extraction of crowns or bridges from the mouths of dental patients has one or more pairs of jaws and/or one or more hooks or a flexible wire engageable with a crown or bridge at a distance from the edge of the crown or bridge and at a distance from the gums of the patient, and a force applying unit which can pull the jaws and/or the hook or hooks or the wire in a direction to lift the crown or the bridge off the respective tooth or teeth. The jaws can engage spaced-apart portions of external surfaces of crowns, and the hook or hooks or the wire can engage the connector or connectors between neighboring crowns of a bridge.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an articulating paper holder which has an elongated handle and an elongated holding arm. The holding arm is securely attached to and extends from the handle. The holding arm includes a holding means for securely holding a piece of articulating paper for imprinting occlusion contact patterns. Specifically, in a preferred embodiment, the elongated handle and arm are composed of plastic material whereby the articulating paper holder can be inexpensively mass produced and is therefore disposable.

Abstract: A tool for use in bending root canal files is disclosed which grips a file between an upper jaw with a plastic insert to protect the surface of the file and a lower jaw having a file bending anvil thereon. The file bending anvil has ten specific bending diameters thereon, and the file is bent by gripping it in the jaws and wrapping it around the desired specific bending curve. A template having circles thereon corresponding to the specific bending diameters on the file bending anvil may be used with an X-ray of the root canal to select the appropriate bending diameter for the file.

Abstract: A dental crown (cap) remover with unique crown separating and removing means is adaptable to a wide variety of crown sizes and configurations and does not place compressive or axial forces on the underlying tooth or its supporting processes (alvoelar bone and periodontal fibers). The crown remover has a grasping and tightening mechanism that allows the dentist operator to firmly seat the crown remover on the crown to be removed, and has an elliptical separating mechanism that inserts in a precut groove in the crown and forces separation of the halves of the crown, increasing the circumferential dimension breaking the cementing medium and loosening the crown from the underlying tooth, providing for ease of separation of the crown from the tooth.

Abstract: A dentistry kit for tooth extraction consisting of a vise-type grip member having a joint member engaged by a forked end of a lever whose convexly curved fulcrum surface rests against a planar base plate located on teeth adjacent to the extracted tooth. The connection between the grip member and the lever is thus of the type generally resembling an angularly loose swivel joint. The grip member has two hemispherical tips, for engaging correspondingly shaped indentations drilled in the buccal and lingual side of the tooth. The tool set combines a virtually ultimate simplicity of the elements, resulting in an easy cleaning and disinfection, with an improved operation mainly due to the fact that the extreme pull force can be delicately gauged, while the direction of the force can also be changed by displacing the point of contact between the fulcrum and the base plate.