55 results about "Dental Prophylaxis" patented technology

A new biofeedback modality for the treatment of bruxism. A mildly aversive, safe, liquid is inserted into, and sealed in, small, bilaterally-sleeved, polyethylene capsules. Two capsules are attached to a specially-constructed dental appliance which comfortably and securely places them between the lower and upper teeth. The appliance and capsules are worn at night or at other times when bruxism is suspected to occur. Whenever a sleeping or an awake patient attempts to brux, the capsules rupture and the liquid is released into the mouth. The liquid then draws the patient's conscious attention to, and forestalls, any attempt of teeth clenching or grinding. Variations of the method and device can be used to diagnose bruxism and to sustainably release medications and odor-masking substances into the mouth,.

Dental bleaching compositions, for example in the form of liquids, gels, creams, pastes and ointments, comprising a peroxide releasing compound and from 1% to 35% by weight of a potassium-containing compound such as potassium nitrate, wherein the potassium nitrate is present in a safe and effective amount to prevent tooth hypersensitivity in the patient during the bleaching process. The potassium nitrate contemplated by the invention is compatible with peroxide yielding bleaching compounds such as peroxide, carbamide peroxide, calcium peroxide, zinc peroxide, magnesium peroxide and sodium perborate. Potassium nitrate is complimentary and synergistic with the peroxide bleaching agents contemplated by the invention and enhances the release of oxygen to the tooth enamel. Also contemplated are methods of bleaching teeth comprising application of the dental bleaching compositions of the invention.

A cleaner apparatus for use in a dental prophylaxis process includes an applicator defining a curved occlusal wall, a buccal wall, a lingual wall, and a distal wall, each of the buccal wall, the lingual wall and distal walls extending outwardly from the occlusal wall and forming a curved applicator configured to receive a patient's teeth in one of the maxillary arch and mandibular arch of the patient. The applicator being configured to receive and contain a cleaning agent in the cavity during a teeth cleaning process. An ultrasonic transducer is embedded within each of the buccal wall and the lingual wall of the applicator. A controller is electrically coupled to the transducers for powering the transducers and controlling the operation thereof, and the cleaner apparatus for cleaning a full arch of a patients teeth via cavitation of the cleaning agent resulting from ultrasonic radiation transmitted from the transducers.

The present invention is directed to dental prophylaxis devices that improve portability, maneuverability and aid in retaining clean conditions for use on dental patients, particularly to dental handpieces. The present invention is also directed prophylaxis or prophy angles for use with such handpieces. In general, a dental prophylaxis device includes a handpiece and a prophy angle which includes a driven shaft and a prophy cup attached for rotation thereto. The handpiece generally includes a body which houses a rotational source coupled to an output shaft which couples to the driven shaft in the prophy angle via angled gear interfaces on the output shaft and the driven shaft.

The invention belongs to the scientific and technical field of oral medicine and oral health, and particularly relates to an oral health-care agent capable of clearing away heat and toxic materials, and a preparation method thereof. The oral health-care agent contains a food-grade heat-clearing and detoxicating prescription, an anti-ulcer agent, a caries-prevention agent, a cell adhesion moisturizer, a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent and an oral health-care agent, preferably, the preparation further contains a preservative, more preferably, the preparation further contains apreparation-acceptable safety carrier or excipients; and all the ingredients are scientifically prepared and optimized to obtain a group of safety and multi-effect compositions which not only can clear away heat and toxic materials and is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, but also can prevent tooth and periodontium and other oral diseases, and then a convenient and practical oral health-care agent is prepared by adopting a mild technological method. The oral health-care agent capable of clearing away heat and toxic materials not only has medicine efficacy, but also has the safety of health-care food, and is convenient to use, good in efficacy and fast in effect.

A dental prophylaxis angle includes a body, a drive gear and a driven gear. The body has a sleeve with an open rear end, a neck, a head, a first axial bore, and a second axial bore. The first axial bore is located in the neck, and the second axial bore is located in the head. The first and second axial bores communicate with each other at an intersection. A channel extends through the body from the base of the neck to the open rear end. The drive gear is adapted to be inserted into said body through said head. The drive gear includes a gear, an intermediate portion and a shaft. The shaft extends rotatably from the open rear end of the sleeve, through the first bore, and into the second bore. The intermediate portion further includes an angled leading edge. The drive gear defines a circumferential groove between said gear and said intermediate portion. The driven gear is rotatably mounted in the head and operatively connected to the drive gear. The body further includes a lip extending into the channel. The lip is adapted to be received by the groove when the drive gear is inserted through said head.

A portable dental prophylaxis and bleaching system is provided for simultaneous tooth polishing and bleaching. It includes an oscillatory driving handpiece, a dental angle with a disposable rubber cup assembly, a dual-component dispenser, and a disposable mouthpiece. The battery-powered handpiece transforms a continuous rotation through a driving cam into a rotary oscillation which is then transferred through the attached dental angle to the rubber cup with an obtuse angle at its distal output end. The dispenser is operated manually to correctly apportion and mix the dual treatment materials into the rubber cup. In order to provide longer shelf life and effective bleaching action, the treatment materials are maintained at optimal pH values in separate compartments within the dispenser before use. The disposable mouthpiece is shaped for easy access to the user's teeth while protecting the gum surfaces. The system can be used both in dental clinics and at home.

A dental prophylaxis angle and handpiece assembly for cleaning and polishing teeth is provided. The dental prophylaxis angle is removably attached to the dental handpiece by an interlocking mechanism that includes extension locking tabs, a locking annular member, and an interlocking drive member in the handpiece. The prophy angle is securely snap-fitted onto the handpiece and locked in place so that it has minimal lateral movement. After the prophy angle has been used to treat a patient, it can be removed easily from the handpiece and disposed thereof.

The present invention provides a dental prophylaxis angle that includes a singular housing, a drive shaft, a rotor, and a collar. The housing may define a first bore, a second bore in communication with the first bore at a substantial angle thereto, and a third bore coaxial with the second bore. The drive shaft is positionable in the first bore, and the drive shaft may include a post, which may define a spherical depression. The rotor is positionable in the second bore, and may define a spherical bearing and a spherical tip. The collar defines an axial bore where the collar is positionable in the first bore such that a portion of the drive shaft is disposed within the axial bore.

The present invention discloses a self-contained dental prophylaxis angle with an offset rotational axis and methods for its use in cleaning, polishing, bleaching, bonding, etching, abrading, desensitizing, or otherwise treating teeth. Therapeutic content, such as dentifrice, is contained within the inventive prophylaxis angle, and is dispensed subject to operator control during use of the prophylaxis angle. An offset drive system is provided to power rotation of the dental tip in a system that can be physically separated from the storage and dispensing system for therapeutic content. A self-contained dental prophylaxis angle with an offset rotational axis according to the present invention may be used with a variety of shaped dental tips of varying degrees of rigidity, according the needs of a given clinical application.

A dental prophylaxis angle and handpiece assembly for cleaning and polishing teeth is provided. The dental prophylaxis angle is removably attached to the dental handpiece by an interlocking mechanism that includes extension locking tabs, a locking annular member, and an interlocking drive member in the handpiece. The prophy angle is securely snap-fitted onto the handpiece and locked in place so that it has minimal lateral movement. After the prophy angle has been used to treat a patient, it can be removed easily from the handpiece and disposed thereof.

A disposable dental angle with a one-piece hollow housing, having the axis of its head section angled obtusely with respect to the axis of its tail section, is provided. The obtusely angled front aperture of the head section of the housing allows insertion of a driven rotor such that the driven rotor is positioned with an obtuse angle to the driving shaft in the end aperture of the tail section of the housing. The obtuse angle structure facilitates teeth cleaning operations by allowing the dental angle to easily reach all areas of the mouth and making practitioners feel more comfortable by allowing to maintain an ergonomically correct neutral wrist position and therefore reducing hand fatigue. A horseshoe-like snap retainer fits within the head section of the housing over the driven rotor to retain the rotor from coming out. A similar horseshoe-like snap retainer fits within the tail section of the housing over the driving shaft to retain the shaft firmly such that the gear of the driven rotor is always properly coupled to the matching gear of the driving shaft. The driving shaft transfers the rotation from a dental tool to the driven rotor for the purpose of tooth prophy using a cleaning cup.

The present invention relates to a hand tool used by dental professionals to polish a patient's tooth. The hand tool can be connected to a hand motor used to rotate a wheel cup with a plurality of grinding wings that rub against the patient's tooth as a predetermined amount of dentifrice material is discharged directly on the patient's tooth through a drain hole within the wheel cup. The dentifrice material is discharged from a tube that is assembled in the housing of the hand tool. The tube has a plurality of folds formed on the tube body in such a manner as to be folded by a given distance while being compressed to discharge the dentifrice material therefrom. The tube is compressed by a link with a push button that is guided in the forward direction as it is pushed by a finger.

The present invention provides a dental prophylaxis angle that includes a singular housing, a drive shaft, a rotor, and a collar. The housing may define a first bore, a second bore in communication with the first bore at a substantial angle thereto, and a third bore coaxial with the second bore. The drive shaft is positionable in the first bore, and the drive shaft may include a post, which may define a spherical depression. The rotor is positionable in the second bore, and may define a spherical bearing and a spherical tip. The collar defines an axial bore where the collar is positionable in the first bore such that a portion of the drive shaft is disposed within the axial bore.

The present invention discloses a self-contained dental prophylaxis angle with an offset rotational axis and methods for its use in cleaning, polishing, bleaching, bonding, etching, abrading, desensitizing, or otherwise treating teeth. Therapeutic content, such as dentifrice, is contained within the inventive prophylaxis angle, and is dispensed subject to operator control during use of the prophylaxis angle. An offset drive system is provided to power rotation of the dental tip in a system that can be physically separated from the storage and dispensing system for therapeutic content. A self-contained dental prophylaxis angle with an offset rotational axis according to the present invention may be used with a variety of shaped dental tips of varying degrees of rigidity, according the needs of a given clinical application.

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for inhibiting, treating, and preventing dental diseases in human and non-human animals, particularly domesticated companion animals. More particularly, the present invention relates to the unexpected discovery that the combination of micron-sized particulate bioactive glass and a topical bisphosphonate yields a composition that is capable of treating and / or preventing dental problems such as periodontal disease, tooth decay and tooth resorption in animals, particularly small mammals such as cats.

A dental balm composition prevents damage to teeth which are prone to prolonged exposure to air or other drying conditions and which are therefore susceptible to tooth decay. The dental balm composition is comprised of an active decay preventing agent such as fluoride ion dispersed in a water insoluble adhesive and protective balm base such as petrolatum along with optional thickeners, flavorants and the like. The method of damage prevention requires the application of the balm, such as by swab or finger, to the outer surfaces of the subject's front teeth prior to vigorous physical activity, exercise, prolonged episodes of mouth breathing, or other drying conditions such as after tooth whitening procedures.

A dental prophylaxis angle includes a body, a drive gear and a driven gear. The body has a sleeve with an open rear end, a neck, a head, a first axial bore, and a second axial bore. The first axial bore is located in the neck, and the second axial bore is located in the head. The first and second axial bores communicate with each other at an intersection. A channel extends through the body from the base of the neck to the open rear end. The drive gear is adapted to be inserted into said body through said head. The drive gear includes a gear, an intermediate portion and a shaft. The shaft extends rotatably from the open rear end of the sleeve, through the first bore, and into the second bore. The intermediate portion further includes an angled leading edge. The drive gear defines a circumferential groove between said gear and said intermediate portion. The driven gear is rotatably mounted in the head and operatively connected to the drive gear. The body further includes a lip extending into the channel. The lip is adapted to be received by the groove when the drive gear is inserted through said head.

The present invention relates to a disposable dental prophylaxis apparatus capable of discharging a predetermined amount of dentifrice material therefrom, including: a housing having a drain hole adapted for discharging a dentifrice material therefrom, a tube room adapted for mounting a dentifrice material-charging tube therein, and a link room having a plurality of teeth formed along the both inner wall surfaces for adjustably discharging the dentifrice material in predetermined amounts from the tube; a wheel gear having a drain hole adapted for inducing the dentifrice material flowing from the drain hole of the housing to a wheel cup adapted for rubbing against a patient's tooth; the wheel cup having a drain hole formed for receiving the dentifrice material induced from the drain hole of the wheel gear; the tube adapted to be charged with the dentifrice material and having a plurality of folds adapted to be compressed gradually as the dentifrice material is discharged therefrom in the predetermined amounts; and a link adapted for compressing the tube such that the dentifrice material is discharged from the tube.

Comparative effectiveness of various oral care products such as dentifrices on preventing dental erosion may be demonstrated using simulated enamel. A substrate is prepared. A mineral layer to simulate dental enamel is nucleated by solution growth on the substrate surface. Alternatively, the mineral layer may be nucleated on a template comprising a self-assembled monolayer formed on a gold layer deposited on the substrate surface. The mineral layer may comprise a homogeneous layer of hydroxyapatite or a thin veneer of hydroxyapatite on a layer of amorphous calcium phosphate. The simulated enamel is then optionally treated with an oral care product and subjected to an acid challenge. The amount of mineral layer remaining after the acid challenge dramatically illustrates the effectiveness or non-effectiveness of the oral care product at preventing dental erosion.

The invention relates to an oral care composition containing hydroxyapatite, a polycarboxylic compound, soluble calcium and an orally acceptable carrier, an aqueous mixed liquid containing hydroxyapatite, the polycarboxylic compound and soluble calcium, and a use of the aqueous mixed liquid in alleviation and prevention of tooth sensitivity. Hydroxyapatite in the oral care composition can plug openings of dentinal tubules, and also can deeply enter dozens-of-micrometers deep positions in the dentinal tubules. The oral care composition is prepared through mixing the aqueous mixed liquid with the orally acceptable carrier. The aqueous mixed liquid is prepared through mixing the polycarboxylic compound hydroxyapatite and soluble calcium in an aqueous solution.

The present invention relates to a composition for prevention of tooth hypersensitivity, and more particularly to a composition for prevention of tooth hypersensitivity, which comprises an adhesive polymer for coating teeth, an active ingredient for prevention of hypersensitivity, a substance for promoting the penetration of the active ingredient for prevention of hypersensitivity, a desensitizing active ingredient, and a pH-adjusting agent. The composition for prevention of tooth hypersensitivity according to the invention can rapidly show the effect of preventing tooth hypersensitivity while maintaining the sensory feel of conventional tooth desensitizers, and it can maintain the tooth hypersensitivity-preventing effect for a long time.

An improved low cost dental hygiene handpiece with high reliability coupling mechanism for disposable prophy angles and doriot type dental tool heads. The disposable prophy angles and dental tool heads are designed with non circular input shaft endings, engaging a matching non circular power output driver of the handpiece. The invention prevents the application of any axial force on the drive train and the driving motor both during the installation of the prophy angle and during the operation of the device, thereby eliminating the need for any axial trust bearings in the handpiece.

A pneumatic dental care device for in-home use that is particularly suited for cleaning and providing prophylaxis of teeth, gingiva, and other oral tissue wherein pressurized air is directed into a user's oral cavity to clean teeth, remove oral debris and to both stimulate and massage gum line tissue. The compressed air, by means of a length of flexible tube, is delivered from a pressurized air source to a hand piece having both a nozzle tip and only one hand piece conduit. A control button disposed on the hand piece operably opens and closes a valve located within the hand piece, thereby allowing or stopping the outflow of compressed air from the nozzle tip of the hand piece. Additionally, a method of installing such a pneumatic dental care device for in-home use is disclosed.

A dental prophylaxis device (10) has a drive unit (11) a removable connecting cable (12) and a removable handpiece (13) which can be employed with an air polishing insert (15) or alternatively, an ultrasonic scaling insert (14). By removing the handpiece (13) from its insert (14, 15) and it cable (12), handpiece 13 can be sterilized in a conventional manner.

The present invention is directed to dental prophylaxis devices that improve portability, maneuverability and aid in retaining clean conditions for use on dental patients, particularly to dental handpieces. The present invention is also directed prophylaxis or prophy angles for use with such handpieces. In general, a dental prophylaxis device includes a handpiece and a prophy angle which includes a driven shaft and a prophy cup attached for rotation thereto. The handpiece generally includes a body which houses a rotational source coupled to an output shaft which couples to the driven shaft in the prophy angle via angled gear interfaces on the output shaft and the driven shaft.

The invention encompasses compositions and methods for treating and modifying surfaces of teeth, which compositions include calcium and magnesium containing silicates or silica, cationic polymer modified silica or combinations thereof. The composition when applied to the teeth or a tooth surface deposit on such surfaces to repair acid damaged enamel and prevent further erosion of a tooth surface.

Disclosed are embodiments of a dental prophylaxis angle. One dental prophylaxis angle includes a body having a neck that defines a first axial bore and a head that defines a second axial bore, the first and second axial bores communicating at an intersection and being angularly-offset from each other, a drive gear rotatably mounted in the first axial bore and having a drive gear head and a locking flange axially-offset from the drive gear head, an annular locking groove being defined between the drive gear head and the locking flange, a driven gear rotatably mounted in the second axial bore and operatively coupled to the drive gear, and a gear retainer having an annular body configured to extend about an outer surface of the head, a heel extending from the annular body, an arm extending from the heel, and a wedge extending from the arm.