Abstract: A method for transplanting human or animal teeth while eliminating the risk of ankylosis and root resorption. This method involves stimulating the periodontal ligament prior to transplanting the teeth by causing surgical trauma to the periodontal ligament by mobilization of the teeth (extraction and immediate replantation) and retaining them in a mobilized position to cause mechanical stimulation.

Abstract: A laser system and method are described that will improve dental treatments in small animals, particularly in situations where periodontal disease has progressed to the advanced stages of periodontitis and when dental pulp is exposed by fracture or disease. A laser system is employed to achieve enhanced precision by selectively ablating affected tissue without damaging the collateral tissue. The laser system is also capable of sealing the tubules and eradicating bacteria within the periodontium to significantly reduce the risk of infection. Additional pre-treatment methods may be employed to further enhance the laser therapy.

Abstract: An oral hygiene article adapted to be received as a whole within a mouth so that the article can thereby be manipulated with the tongue to dislodge foreign particles, promote salivary excretion, drag bacterial plaque, and massage the gums. The article includes at least a core portion and a plurality of protruding members extending from the core portion. The protruding members each have a proximal end connected to the core portion and a distal end portion opposing the proximal end and spaced from the core portion. One or more of the protruding members has a distal end that terminates in an associated substantially linear edge. One or more of the protruding members can have a polygon-shaped cross section that continuously decreases in area from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion to define the substantially linear edge.

Abstract: A dental rasp for animals (20) includes an elongated shaft (22) to which is attached a circular rasp (28). Dental rasp (20) is attached to a reciprocating mechanism (504) which causes rasp (28) to longitudinally oscillate. In a preferred embodiment rasp (28) has a diameter of about one inch. Rasp (28) has a plurality of teeth (32) which are oriented to file on the reverse stroke of the of the reciprocating mechanism (504). Rasp (28) is planar and defines an angle A with shaft (22). In a preferred embodiment angle A ranges between 135.degree. and 180.degree..

Abstract: A device for cleaning the teeth of a dog or other animal has a core element having a plurality of brushes extending therefrom and a compressible hollow outer shell having a plurality of holes, each of which is aligned with a respective one of the plurality of brushes, so that the brushes are exposed. When the animal bites against the shell, the shell is compressed, in turn causing the brushes to further protrude from the shell and exert a cleaning effect on the animal's teeth.

Abstract: A laser system and method are described that will effectively interrupt the progression of periodontal disease in felines, particularly in situations where the disease has progressed to advanced stages of periodontitis and feline lymphocytic-plasmacytic gingivitis stomatitis. A laser system is employed to achieve precision in surgical procedures where the working field is limited due to the anatomical structure of a feline's mouth. The laser system is also capable of effectively sealing tubules and of eradicating bacteria in the periodontium to significantly reduce the risk of infection. Additionally, the laser therapy can be preceded by pretreatment methods to effectively interrupt the progression of periodontal diseases.

Abstract: A air-powered dental tool (20) for animals such as the equine species includes a dental rasp (34) which reciprocates at at least 3,000 oscillations per minute, and has a stroke of approximately 10 millimeters. In a preferred embodiment, dental tool (20) further includes a noise abatement system which routes the exhaust compressed air to a remote location away from the animal and using veterinarian.

Abstract: An adapter for attaching an equine dental float with a rectangular cross section to a reciprocating saw. The adapter comprises a first and second end. The second end is adapted to be received in a slot of an attachment device of the reciprocating saw. The float is held so that its upper and lower surfaces are substantially horizontal when the saw is held in a preferred orientation.

Abstract: An equine dental float includes a handle with a head at one end, the head including a trough like structure with a plurality of individual teeth mounted in the trough. A pin mounted through an aperture in each of the plurality of teeth aligns the teeth and removably connects the teeth within the trough. Each tooth is polygonal in shape and has a plurality of cutting edges, with one of the cutting edges of each tooth projecting upwardly out of the trough to form a filing surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for compressing the symphyseal area of the mandibular or maxillary of a mammal. This apparatus utilizes an adjustable jaw screw that permits the normal mastication of a ruptured symphyseal joint. The jaw screw, inserted into the mouth of the mammalian patient, has mounting members that conform to the contour of the forward jaw teeth of the patient. Adjusting the jaw screw compresses the mounting members against the forward jaw teeth thereby allowing the healing of the ruptured symphyseal joint.

Abstract: A plastic looped handle has a front ring with two parallel members connected by a front brush head member. Bristles in curved rows extend from one side of the brush head for brushing of teeth, while convex protrusions extend from the other side of the brush head for tongue cleaning. A center bar extends across the front ring, and a rear ring extends rearwardly from the center bar. A front opening is defined between the front ring and the center bar and a rear opening is defined between the rear ring and the center bar. Both openings are sufficiently large to receive at least two human fingers therethrough. The center bar defines an angle with one of the front members of less than 90 degrees, to thereby define a wedge space, into which the hand of a user may be inserted and wedged to thereby retain control of the toothbrush.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for use by a person to clean the teeth of a domestic animal. The device generally comprises an elongated member having first and second ends and a median portion. The device further comprises a brushing head disposed at the second end and a shield mounted at the median portion which substantially encloses the first end.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making either upper or lower dental impression of teeth for a mammalian patient by utilizing an impression tray having upstanding walls that are laterally and longitudinally adjustable. Those walls conform to the mouth of the patient but spaced from the exterior of the upper or lower teeth of the mammalian patient.

Abstract: A hand-held and operated instrument suitable for removal of a molar or premolar tooth of an animal, in this particular application, a horse. The device includes the combination of a unique forcep design which articulates via a threaded communication with a drive unit contained within a housing, by which the operator, from outside the mouth, may cause with substantial increase in advantage, the forcep to move in a direction opposite that of the drive housing unit which will then act as a counter-bearing surface upon the teeth or other aspects of the mouth immediately adjacent to the tooth to be extracted. Thus removing or lifting the tooth grasped by the forceps vertically from its socket.

Abstract: A portable instrument having an angular elongated handle with a free end and a distal end, with abrasive composition mounted on a lateral face of the distal end. The abrasive composition includes microscopic abrasive mineral embodied in phenolic resin encasing nylon fibrous strands mounted on a resilient synthetic sponge secured to the lateral face. The elongated handle closer to the distal end has an enlargement as a finger support. The distal end narrows to a thin thickness adapted to fit into narrow gaps adjacent a pet's teeth.

Abstract: A bone-shaped therapeutic chew toy device for a dog consisting of a hard and tough material molded in a form having sharp conically shaped spikes distributed over its surface. As the dog chews on the device, the spikes contact the various surfaces of the dog's teeth and gums and are of sufficient hardness to scrape off accumulated tartar and plaque.

Abstract: A portable instrument having a handle with a distal end with a flattened face having mounted thereon an elongated flexible pad having an abrasion-resistent upper face and having a mid-portion and opposite end portions, with the opposite end portions turned-under the mid-portion and with the turned-under portions mounted on the flattened face, the turned-under portions resulting in leaving exposed the upper remaining exposed upper mid-portion and convoluted convex opposite outer side faces or surfaces, the exposed mid-portion and convoluted convex opposite side faces embodying abrasive composition mounted thereon including microscopic abrasive mineral particles embedded in phenolic resin and/or abrasive(s) embedded in or adhered to nylon fibrous strands.

Abstract: Sheep skin (12) with wool (14) attached, is cut into the shape of an animate object to form a toy-like article (10) for a pet or similar animal. The sheep skin (12) is decorated with features of the animate object, such as an eye (16), to help simulate the animate object. The animate objects simulated are objects which animals, such as canine and feline pets, are prone to chase, such as, a fish, cat, mouse or rabbit.

Abstract: A veterinary mouth prop is molded from a single piece of radiolucent material and has two external surfaces adapted to engage the occlusal surfaces of the molars on one side of the patient's mouth.

Abstract: A therapeutic chew toy particularly adapted for dogs includes a shaft portion formed of a length of a soft rope material and a pair of plastic end members secured to the ends of the shaft portion such that upon being chewed by an animal, the shaft portion provides teeth cleaning and gum massage and the plastic end members provide teeth and jaw development.

Abstract: A veterinary orthodontic fixture useful in correcting lingual displacement of the mandibular canine teeth of an animal. When the fixture is in place, inclined biting planes coupled to the maxillary cannies cause a buccal displacement of the mandibular cannies so as to move the mandibular cannies into their normal position where they will not traumatically interfere with the gingival tissue of the maxilla. A telescoping rod bridging the fixture from one canine tooth to the other provides a torque resistent element which prevents undue stress from being exerted on the maxillary canine onto which the fixture is attached. Because this rod is telescoping, no inhibiting restraints are placed on the normal growth development of the animal's jaw while the fixture is in place.

Abstract: An annealed Nylon rope formed with one or more knots held by a dog, or by a human, to enable an untwisted tassel portion of the rope to be pulled between a dog's teeth in the manner of dental floss.

Abstract: A tartar remover, particularly useful for removing gross tartar deposits from the teeth of dogs and cats, includes first and second elongate members mounted to another at a central pivot. The elongate members include handles on one side of the pivot and jaws on the other side of the pivot. The first jaw tip has a transversely oriented cutting edge with sharp corners to engage the gross tartar deposits. The length of the second jaw, measured from the pivot to the tip of the jaw, is about 3 mm longer than the length of the first jaw. The tartar remover is used by first placing the inner surface of the second jaw against the tip of a tooth. The cutting edge of the first jaw is then positioned under the gross tartar deposit so that when the handles are squeezed, the tartar is cracked off the tooth.

Abstract: A dental tool for grinding spikes formed on the molar teeth of horses. An elongated hollow tube is fixed to the tool grip, and the grinding bur is removably attached at the other end of the tube to a rotary flexible connector that passes along inside the tube. The length of the tube is approximately the mean depth of a horse's mouth, to enable the tool to access teeth lying well back in the mouth. A detachable cover is provided for the bur, having an opening for exposing the bur to the tooth under treatment and protecting the tongue and cheek tissue from possible injury.

Abstract: A slide fastener bottom end stop comprises three members combinable into a functionally integral body upon being threaded through a slider. A first member which is mounted on a first bead and substantially identical in shape and size with a fastener element engages a lowermost element on a second bead. A second member which is mounted on the first bead a given distance below the first member has protuberances extending obliquely upwardly towards the second bead. A third member which is mounted on the second bead one interelement distance below the lowermost element has tongues extending obliquely downwardly towards the first bead for smooth engagement with the protuberances of the second member.

Abstract: The economic value of an animal (e.g. a sheep) is enhanced by bonding the incisor teeth together in a group, when the teeth are fully matured, but before trauma of the teeth has occurred, with an apertured brace which is bonded to the group of teeth by means of a hardened bonding composition to leave the incisal edges of the group of teeth exposed. The invention also relates to a splint for stabilizing animal teeth to reduce the risk of trauma.

Abstract: A mouthplate is disclosed which includes a support member having a depending flange for insertion into the mouth of a horse or the like during such times as a bridle with bit is worn by the horse. As pressure is applied to the bit the interior cheeks of the horse are prevented from being abraded by the rough edges of the outer vertical walls of the teeth by the depending flanges.

Abstract: The device is a matrix comprising a pair of metal bands interconnected to form an elongated, adjustable loop to fit over the lower teeth of an animal. A clamp device is attached to the bands for engagement with the animal's chin. The method includes holding the animal's mouth open, inserting the matrix and filling the matrix with a putty-like substance which is allowed to harden forming one continuous denture over the animal's worn teeth.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dental hygienic pet toy for dental prophylaxis on the teeth of a dog or other .[.carnivore.]. .Iadd.animal .Iaddend.as the toy is chewed by the carnivore. The toy includes an elastomeric body having an outer surface and at least one groove which opens onto the outer surface. The groove is sized and configured so that a functional prophylaxis lip will scrap plaque and other debris from a tooth and gingiva of a carnivore which is repeatedly inserted into and at least partially withdrawn from the groove as the toy is chewed by the .[.carnivore.]. .Iadd.animal.Iaddend.. An oral hygiene substance may be provided along the lip to enhance the benefit to the teeth and gingiva.