Abstract: For use in reducing atmospheric contamination by mercury vapor from an amalgam container, there is provided a rigid tube hooked over the rim of the container and open to the interior thereof. The duct is connected through a filter for taking out the noxious material to a vacuum source.

Abstract: Dental root canal-treating appliance usable for cleaning pulp cavity and/or for application of medicine in the treatment of the root canal, the appliance being in the form of a slender rod of the diameter larger than 0.3 mm and of the length about 30 mm with appropriate numbers of continuous slits or conduits for absorption of liquid and/or blood in the canal and/or for retention of the medicine, at least one end of the rod, over the length less than about 2 mm from the tip, a thinner end section of the diameter about 0.25 mm being formed so that a shoulder is formed, the shoulder acts as an engagement-edge or stop-edge against the bottom of the canal and apical foramen in the diseased teeth.

Abstract: The dental appliance of the present invention is to be used in combination with a saliva ejector having a flexible hollow suction tube and a terminal cap secured to one end of the suction tube for forming a saliva tip. The terminal cap includes a plurality of slotted grooves laterally spaced apart in substantial parallel alignment about the periphery of the cap. The dental appliance comprises a collar having a blade-like protrusion and a locking finger including means for engaging any preselected one of said slotted grooves.

Abstract: Apparatus for the determination and the digital display of the position in the tooth canal of a root treating device, comprises a saliva suction device in circuit with the root treating device to sense the variation of the impedance between the gum and the root treating device. That impedance varies inversely as the depth of the root treating device; and so the variations in impedance are amplified and converted into DC voltage levels which are applied to a series of light displays in such a way that one light display will be most brightly illuminated while its neighbors will be less brightly illuminated, the comparative illuminations of the adjacent light displays giving a quick visual indication of the position of the root treating device in the tooth canal. An audible signal can also be provided.

Abstract: The novel cleansing device comprises a suction pipe associated at outer and preferably concentric location with an air and/or liquid spraying tube opening adjacent the suction inlet of the suction pipe. Spraying and suction may occur at the same time.The device can be made for odontological use, industrial or artisan use, or also for domestic uses.

Abstract: A dental saliva ejector has a perforated wall provided at each side of a suction opening to prevent tongue and muceous membranes of the patient to be sucked into the opening. The ejector further has a portion intended to rest against a front tooth of the mandible and a securing means intended to contact the chin such that the ejector is held in place by a clamping action between chain and front tooth to prevent pressure against the mouth bottom.

Abstract: Apparatus for aspirating liquids and debris which collect near the working region of a dental dam. The apparatus includes a head adapted to extend removably and sealingly through a stretched aperture in such a dam, with the head having aspirating ports that open on opposite surfaces of the dam. These ports couple with an exhaust passage, which extends on the nonworking side of the dam, and which is adapted for coupling to a flexible suction conduit.

Abstract: A removable protective tip for placement over the outer end of a dental aspirator. The tip includes a cylindrical sleeve that frictionally fits over the walls of the aspirator end, and an integral open mesh screen extending across one end of the sleeve in a plane complementary to the outer edge of the aspirator. Side vents are provided immediately adjacent the screen. The tip prevents larger objects from being drawn into the aspirator assembly and also prevents the aspirator from grasping soft tissue in the mouth.

Abstract: An aspirating dental device. An elongated sleeve member extends along a dental instrument to define an airflow passage having an inlet, adjacent the working end of the dental instrument, and an outlet. A vacuum source is connected to the airflow passage to cause air to flow therethrough, drawing water and waste with it. The sleeve member can extend over the dental instrument to define the airflow passage between the exterior surface of the dental intrument and the interior surface of the sleeve member. In such case, the sleeve member can be cut to provide a hinged cover portion openable to permit access to the working end of the dental instrument, for example for installation or removal of a dental bur. Alternatively, the sleeve member can extend along and contact a portion of the exterior surface of the dental instrument to define the airflow passage therebetween. As another alternative, the sleeve member can be a tube extending along the dental instrument.

Abstract: A hollow U-shaped rubber dam device which eliminates the need for a dental assistant to handle a suction tube to maintain a dry field of work and prevent water from a dental drill from running uncontrollably over the patient by providing a structure which by itself maintains a dry field for dental work. The device is constructed so as to provide a suction path through the hollow interior for connection to the standard suction coupling of a dental stand, and to accept the standard dental suction tube fitting as an easily attachable and detachable part. The hollow interior suction path includes means for cleaning out and sterilizing the interior passages formed within a portion of the body of the device. The device is suitably made of radio-transparent material, such as molded plastic, and may remain in place while X-rays are taken without producing shadows on the exposed X-ray film.

Abstract: An elongate, generally cylindrical, hollow cotton roll for use with metal or plastic aspirators or suction tubes for keeping an area dry in medicine and dentistry. The roll has an inner layer of an open mesh fabric which receives the end of the aspirator, a layer of cotton or synthetic roving surrounding the fabric layer, and a layer of braided yarn surrounding the roving to retain same. Also disclosed is a machine for manufacturing such a cotton roll in a continuous length.

Abstract: Dental suction apparatus is a modular construction, made up of a plurality of modules joined fluid-tight side-by side. A main suction duct extends through all of the modules. At least two of the modules have connection for suction hoses each having a suction nozzle, holders being provided on the modules for holding the suction nozzles when not in use. At least one module has a filter chamber connected between a suction tube and the main suction duct. A removable filter unit in the filter chamber has a basket-shaped filter on a stem by means of which the filter can be removed through on opening closed by a hinged cover. A cap on the stem provides a seal for the filter chamber. Flow of air from the suction tube of each suction tube module to the main suction duct is controlled by a valve in the form of a bellows provided with a telescopic guide and with a control valve for controlling the expansion and contraction of the bellows by differential pressure.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dental drill which includes a built in fluid conveying tube to supply a fluid in the form of water which becomes a mist when it strikes a rotating burr.The drill also includes a built in suction apparatus which can aspirate fluid and air from the area around the burr during the course of the drilling operation. The burr is usually driven by means of an air turbine, but the aspirated fluid-air mixture can be made to pass transversely across the turbine becoming the driving force for rotating the burr.