The invention provides a unitary cordless dental drive apparatus in a first embodiment having a handpiece with a cantilever arm 18 extending outward and positioned to allow a dental nose cone 26 to be connected. An activating switch 20 is located at the free end of the cantilever arm 18 in a position that is convenient for manipulation by a user. In a second embodiment, a contactor 22 is mounted below the cantilever arm 18 to contact the nose cone 26 when pressed. In a third embodiment, a standard dental office foot pedal 90 is connected to a wireless transmitter 80 for sending a signal to a receiver 92 located within the handpiece 70 for activating the handpiece 70.

The invention provides a unitary cordless dental drive apparatus in a first embodiment having a handpiece with a cantilever arm 18 extending outward and positioned to allow a dental nose cone 26 to be connected. An activating switch 20 is located at the free end of the cantilever arm 18 in a position that is convenient for manipulation by a user. In a second embodiment, a contactor 22 is mounted below the cantilever arm 18 to contact the nose cone 26 when pressed. In a third embodiment, a standard dental office foot pedal 90 is connected to a wireless transmitter 80 for sending a signal to a receiver 92 located within the handpiece 70 for activating the handpiece 70.

A vibration-side housing is attached to a tip of a handle-side housing, and a motor in which a plate cam is attached to a rotating shaft is housed. A vibration tube mounting opening opens at distal end part of the vibration-side housing, and a vibration tube is mounted thereon. The vibration tube is provided to vibrate in a forward-backward direction while urged in the plate cam direction via a spring with respect to the vibration-side housing. The vibration tube contacts with the plate cam via a roller at a rear end part. A reamer mounting opening opens at a tip of the vibration tube, and receives and tightly holds an insertion part of the reamer. The reamer including the bendable needle part is attachable/detachable to the vibration-side housing.

A vibration-side housing is attached to a tip of a handle-side housing, and a motor in which a plate cam is attached to a rotating shaft is housed. A vibration tube mounting opening opens at distal end part of the vibration-side housing, and a vibration tube is mounted thereon. The vibration tube is provided to vibrate in a forward-backward direction while urged in the plate cam direction via a spring with respect to the vibration-side housing. The vibration tube contacts with the plate cam via a roller at a rear end part. A reamer mounting opening opens at a tip of the vibration tube, and receives and tightly holds an insertion part of the reamer. The reamer including the bendable needle part is attachable/detachable to the vibration-side housing.

A dental treatment apparatus includes a handpiece holding a cutting tool in its head, a drive portion driving the cutting tool held by the head, and a control portion controlling the drive portion in accordance with a drive sequence. The drive sequence includes at least one forward rotation drive for rotating the cutting tool in a cutting direction to cut a treatment portion and at least one reverse rotation drive for rotating the cutting tool in a non-cutting direction. Under the control of the drive portion in accordance with the drive sequence, a cumulative amount of rotation which is an accumulation of an amount of rotation in forward rotation drive and an amount of rotation in reverse rotation drive does not exceed a set value at any time point.

A dental treatment apparatus includes a handpiece holding a cutting tool in its head, a drive portion driving the cutting tool held by the head, and a control portion controlling the drive portion in accordance with a drive sequence. The drive sequence includes at least one forward rotation drive for rotating the cutting tool in a cutting direction to cut a treatment portion and at least one reverse rotation drive for rotating the cutting tool in a non-cutting direction. Under the control of the drive portion in accordance with the drive sequence, a cumulative amount of rotation which is an accumulation of an amount of rotation in forward rotation drive and an amount of rotation in reverse rotation drive does not exceed a set value at any time point.

An apparatus for tooth stain removal is presented. The invention comprises a powered device with a chisel tip at its distal end, a body at its proximal end and an electric motor housed within the body for driving the chisel tip. The chisel tip has a proximal end removably coupled to the body and an exposed distal end along a generally longitudinal axis. The chisel tip comprises a pointed end on a first side for cleaning area between teeth and a broad cleaning surface on a second side for cleaning the main surface of each tooth. The chisel tip operates in a reciprocating motion driven by the electric motor. The reciprocating motion repeatedly moves the chisel tip in a back and forth direction by a finite displacement along the chisel tip's longitudinal axis.

An apparatus for tooth stain removal is presented. The invention comprises a powered device with a chisel tip at its distal end, a body at its proximal end and an electric motor housed within the body for driving the chisel tip. The chisel tip has a proximal end removably coupled to the body and an exposed distal end along a generally longitudinal axis. The chisel tip comprises a pointed end on a first side for cleaning area between teeth and a broad cleaning surface on a second side for cleaning the main surface of each tooth. The chisel tip operates in a reciprocating motion driven by the electric motor. The reciprocating motion repeatedly moves the chisel tip in a back and forth direction by a finite displacement along the chisel tip's longitudinal axis.

A method and a device for controlling an electric motor (9), in particular for moving an endodontic instrument. The device has a first sensor (8) and a control unit (2). The control unit (2) has a drive unit (4), a second sensor (6) and a processing unit (3). The processing unit (3) is configured to cause the endodontic instrument (7) to perform a sequence of movements (M1, M2). The sequence of movements (M1, M2) includes a continuous forward movement (M1) and at least one alternating movement (M2). The sequence may include an additional alternating movement (M3) and/or a reverse movement (M4). The number and order of movements to be performed in a sequence depends on a set of predefined threshold values reflecting the torque load applied to the instrument, as measured by one of the sensors.

A method and a device for controlling an electric motor (9), in particular for moving an endodontic instrument. The device has a first sensor (8) and a control unit (2). The control unit (2) has a drive unit (4), a second sensor (6) and a processing unit (3). The processing unit (3) is configured to cause the endodontic instrument (7) to perform a sequence of movements (M1, M2). The sequence of movements (M1, M2) includes a continuous forward movement (M1) and at least one alternating movement (M2). The sequence may include an additional alternating movement (M3) and/or a reverse movement (M4). The number and order of movements to be performed in a sequence depends on a set of predefined threshold values reflecting the torque load applied to the instrument, as measured by one of the sensors.