Abstract: A cutting tool include a shank having a head, a groove which is formed on the outer face portion of the head only in the dextrally spiral form, and hard abrasive grains-attached section formed on the outer face portion of the head except for the groove. The total sum of the width of the groove in the section normal to the axis of the head of the shank is in a range of (1/50 to 2/5).times..pi.D, except for the endmost terminating portion of the head, wherein D is the diameter of the section normal to the axis of the head.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of dental instruments having their surfaces formed with abrasive coatings which are used for both cutting and polishing functions. In each of the instruments disclosed herein, the abrasive surface consists of a plurality of regions with each region having a distinct degree of coarseness or fineness different from the degree of abrasion of which other regions consist. In some of the instruments, the finer abrasiveness is on the end of the instrument whereas the coarser region is away therefrom, whereas in other instruments the coarser region is at the end. Other embodiments are disclosed which have alternating regions of coarseness and fineness. In some of the instruments, the interfaces between the regions define distinct changes in abrasiveness whereas in other instruments, these interfaces define gradual changes in abrasiveness.

Abstract: An applicator system for a powered dental handpiece enables the low RPM controlled application of abrasive tooth compound. The system comprises, in combination, a speed reducer and a mandrel which includes a grooved cylindrical sleeve. The mandrel is made from substantially rigid material so that pressure may be applied to the tooth without deformation of the mandrel and, hence, increased contact surface area between the applicator sleeve and the tooth is prevented. The mandrel further includes a central containment pocket for holding and applying the tooth compound so that both inner and outer portions of the applicator sleeve are operable. A ring-shaped end portion of the applicator sleeve is effective for spot application of the compound.

Abstract: A bristle shaft device for use in disinfecting subgingival parodontal pockets, parodontal pocket edges and tooth surfaces, the device having a rotationally symmetrical gingival edge cup having an axis and an external periphery and a plurality of coaxial bristle shafts arranged coaxially in a ring and held in position by the cup. The shafts project from the external periphery and are formed as individual radially adjacent layers. One of the layers extend beyond the other layers so as to have an exposed end and can penetrate into a subgingival parodontal pocket up to a ligamentum circulare. Another layer adjacent to the one layer resists a bending of the exposed layer. The remaining layers are formed as multiple stepped layers that drop off in steps from each other in a radially outward direction providing further reinforcement. The one layer is radially innermost of the rest of the layers. Both the one layer and the adjacent another layer project beyond the remaining layers.

Abstract: The invention is an improved dental instrument for scaling by ultrasonic operation. The scaler is coated with diamond particles to overcome the patient discomfort associated with the prior art chipping and dislodgement procedures. Four unique and novel scaler configurations are provided for various aspects of dental work, each is diamond coated and fitted for ultrasonic operation at lower power settings than present prior art instruments.

Abstract: A wear resistant dental burr coating is provided. The wear resistant coating comprises an external layer of disordered boron and carbon applied to the dental burr. In accordance with one embodiment, the disordered boron and carbon external coating is of a composition B.sub.x C.sub.1-x where x is from about 0.60 to about 0.90.

Abstract: The invention concerns a diamond-coated endodontic access bur which is coated at least 10 mm along the shaft. This significant amount of diamond coating along the shaft permits the bur to be used both for dentin removal and finishing the slope and sidewalls of the tooth's pulp chamber. The bur sphere, also diamond coated, has a diameter of 0.5 to 1.0 mm, approximately.

Abstract: A rotating tool for use in dentistry, has diamond powder coated areas separated by grooves for enhancing abrasive action, for an improved distribution of cooling and lubricating agent and for easier discharge of waste material.

Abstract: A polishing tip for use on a mandrel driven by a dental engine includes a cylindrical hollow interior which frictionally engages the mandrel. The cylindrical configuration of the tip interior and the mandrel allows relative slippage if a predetermined torque is exceeded.

Abstract: A dental tool for generating a relatively smooth surface on tooth enamel comprises an elongated shank with an operative end and an end adapted to engage a chuck of a dental handpiece. Any cross-section of the operative end perpendicular to the shank's longitudinal axis is circular with a diameter of less than 0.140 inch. Adjacent, continuous annular grooves extend around the operative end, each groove being defined by a pair of inwardly sloping side surfaces intersecting with each other at least about 0.010 inch from the shank's longitudinal axis and forming an included angle of 60.degree. to 150.degree. between the side surfaces. An abrasive material, such as diamond grit, having a particle size of less than 0.006 inch covers at least a portion of each surface.

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: This invention refers to a finisher comprising a rotation-symmetrical, conical body with a plurality of cutting edges at the generated surface of this body as well a stem extending from the base of this body, the axis of which stem is coaxial with the axis of symmetry of the conical body. Alternatively, the invention refers to a dental grinding and/or polishing tool comprising of a rotation-symmetrical, conical body with a generated surface formed as a grinding or polishing surface as well a stem extending from the base.

Abstract: A dental implement for abrasion, comprising a steel spatula coated on its opposite broad surfaces with an abrasive coating of tungsten applied to the steel surfaces with the aid of an electric arc. The implement is particularly useful for dentistry, because the tungsten has very little effect on the relatively hard tooth enamel but is quite abrasive on such dental materials as gold, amalgam, and dentine. Thus the implement is especially suited to smoothing tooth fillings of various types where the tooth enamel is to be left intact but the foreign material is to be evened out to make as smooth a transition as possible to the surrounding tooth enamel.

Abstract: An ultrasonic endodontic file that is resistant to failure from fracturing and breaking during operation by having an ideal length, which if increased or decreased by more than 1 mm, will result in increased file breakage.

Abstract: A dental burr to be used in a clockwise-rotating chuck of a drilling machine has a generally cylindrical or conical working surface, coated with abrasive particles (diamonds), which forms a flat helicoidal strip of left-handed pitch whose width substantially equals that of an intervening continuous groove.

Abstract: An improved dental polishing tool, which is attached to a rotating mandrel and used for polishing a tooth or teeth, and which is soft and resilient and can polish the tooth or teeth readily and safely without injuring gingiva and mucous membrane.

Abstract: A dental tool for reducing tooth structure includes a shaft adaptable to be carried by rotating means at one end thereof and a shank extending axially from the other end of the shaft. In one group of embodiments thereof, the shank has a plurality of non-intersecting grooves forming a plurality of reducing elements spaced along the length of the shank. Each of the grooves in axial cross-section of the shank has a rounded bottom wall while the reducing elements may have one of various configurations. In another group of embodiments thereof, the shank is helically grooved to define a reducing element with the crest thereof centered on the shank axis.

Abstract: The following disclosure discloses a pressurized irrigating oral scrubber for the removal of bacterial plaque and deleterious residue and food particles on a user's teeth. The irrigator incorporates a pressurized source of fluid, such as a liquid in the form of tap water or a solution of water and oral hygienic material. The source of fluid can be provided by fluid under pressure that has been reduced, such as from a tap, or a pumping unit which pressurizes the fluid for irrigation purposes. The fluid which is pressurized is delivered through a nozzle or opening to the areas to be irrigated in adjacent relationship to a concave scrubbing cup. The scrubbing cup has a concave or depressed area therein with a relieved surface within the cup in the form of ribs or protuberances to allow for a scrubbing function of the teeth in the area between the gums and the teeth as well as the teeth, while at the same time irrigating and rinsing the residue as it is scrubbed and removed by the scrubbing cup.

Abstract: Various surfaces are polished by buffing with compositions comprising a foamed polymeric material and a finely divided abrasive material. The abrasive material has a particle size number and a valley abrasion number the product of which falls within a predetermined range sufficient to provide good polishing upon buffing. Such compositions can be fashioned into articles of manufacture which are capable of buffing various surfaces.

Abstract: A dental tool device and method is disclosed by which a smooth beveled surface may be formed on a shoulder of a tooth for receiving a crown fitting so that the joint therebetween is concealed as lying substantially below the gum-line and a solid seal is formed between the tooth and crown. The device includes a vibrating tool A having a shank 44 and contoured portion 46 which includes a contoured surface 48. Surface 48 is contoured and includes a coating 50 of diamond grit so as to form a smooth beveled surface 18 during vibration to finish a previously ground shoulder 14 in accordance with the invention. Tool A is adapted for attachment as an insert 34 into the handle 32 of a conventional ultrasonic dental instrument 30.

Abstract: A dental tool for reducing tooth structure includes a shaft adaptable to be carried by rotating means at one end thereof and a shank extending axially from the other end of the shaft. The shank has a plurality of non-intersecting grooves forming a plurality of reducing elements spaced along the length of the shank. Each of the grooves in axial cross-section of the shank has a rounded bottom wall while the reducing elements may have one of various configurations.

Abstract: A dental polishing cup for use with a rotary dental hand piece. The cup has a truncated conical shaped body member with a similar truncated conical shaped cavity in the large open end thereof, the opposite smaller end of the cup being attachable to the rotary hand piece. The inside wall of the cavity is provided with spiral ridges or grooves, the direction of the spiral being such that when the cup containing polishing compound is pressed against the teeth and rotated, the spirals will tend to force the compound inwardly toward the center of the cup.

Abstract: Honing and polishing instrument especially intended for dental use and being provided with a rotatable shaft. A replaceable honing or polishing unit made of a flexible elastic material can be attached to the free end of the shaft. An undercut indent in the unit embraces a radial sleeve at the free end of the shaft. The shaft also has an end portion extending axially beyond the sleeve which is inserted in a corresponding bore at the bottom of the indent in the unit.

Abstract: This application describes a dental burr including a cutting surface having one or more grooves therein, each of the grooves being defined by a plane which encircles the cutting surface at a skewed angle with respect to the axis of rotation of the burr. Such groove(s) provide an oscillatory chip clearing action as the burr rotates to give edge cutting and fast chip clearance. The cutting surface has abrasive particles coated thereon.