A saliva collector comprises a reservoir, a bubble barrier, and a membrane, where the bubble barrier and membrane are arranged in tandem on a flow path from an inlet to an outlet on the reservoir. Air aspirated from a patient's oral cavity enters the reservoir through the inlet, passes through the bubble barrier to remove foam and bubbles, passes through the membrane to remove entrained liquid saliva, and passes out through the outlet.

A dental waste containment system having a treatment stage to reduce the contaminant levels of the stored fluid. The treatment stage may include a settling canister disposed before the fluid storage reservoir to remove and contain at least some solid contaminants from the fluid waste before the fluid waste is moved into storage. The system may include a bypass subcircuit to allow fluid waste to selectively bypass the treatment stage. The present invention also provides a method of collecting, containing and transporting dental waste that includes separate containment of solid and fluid dental waste. The method includes at least partial separation and containment of solid contaminants in the treatment stage before the fluid dental waste is moved into separate storage. The accumulated fluid dental waste and accumulated solid waste may be separately collected from the system and separately transported to a remote facility for treatment, reclamation and/or disposal.

A system and method for retaining a tissue specimen obtained via a collection tube is provided. Embodiments provide a system including a collection device removably and serially disposed between a collection tube and a suction tube so as to allow fluid communication therebetween via the collection device. The collection device includes a screen for retaining a tissue specimen drawn into the collection device by and towards the suction tube while allowing any fluid accompanying the tissue to be drawn through the collection device and into the suction tube. The system also includes one or more end caps for sealing the collection device such that the collection device may store and/or transport the retained tissue specimen in a preservation fluid. A system for identifying and organizing collection devices retaining tissue specimens from various anatomical regions is also provided.

A suction tool for connection to a dental suction system can include an elongate body, a tip portion, and a screen mechanism positioned within the elongate body. The tip portion can extend over at least a portion of the elongate body. The tip portion can include an upper portion and a lower portion integrally formed with the upper portion and at least partially spaced apart from the upper portion by a recessed portion.

A lip retractor includes a first curved portion having a recess running along an outer surface, a second curved portion having a recess running along an outer surface, the second curved portion opposing the first curved portion, an arm connecting the first curved portion to the second curved portion, an interior suction chamber configured at least partially through the first and second curved portions and the arm, and a first port on an inner surface of the first curved portion, a second port on an inner surface of the second curved portion, and an evacuation connection port connected to the arm, wherein the first port, the second port and the evacuation connection port are in fluid communication with the interior suction chamber.

An article of manufacture for providing a dental droplet extraction device is disclosed. The device is created around a large collection basin having a funnel-like opening at its top. An exit port is located at the bottom of the large collection basin. The exit port is connected to a high-volume dental line to provide negative pressure that suctions all of the aerosolized droplets created within the patient's mouth while receiving treatment. The removed particles may be trapped in a filter located in the dental suction lines.

Compositions for reducing/eliminating aerosolization during dental/surgical irrigation procedures are set forth. One or more of the compositions herein can be provided in substantially similar concentrations to reduce/eliminate aerosolization.

The present invention provides dental amalgam recycling systems, useful for recycling particles from a dental liquid effluent drawn, for example, from a suctioning device.

A disposable dental waste filter device has a body having a tube receiving end having an outlet and a cap receiving end, a cap portion having an inlet and an end for insertion into the cap receiving end, a valve insert assembly for insertion into the body and the cap portion, and a filter assembly positioned within the body.

A disposable dental waste filter device has a body having a receiving end, and a separable cap having a tip end, the body for receiving and capturing therein amalgam that enters into the body through the tip end and the separable cap. A disposable dental waste filter device also has a body having a receiving end, a central lumen for receiving and capturing amalgam, a filter, and a circular leg portion having an exterior channel, and a separable cap having a tip end, a circular outer rim having a circular end ridge portion with the ridge portion adapted to be inserted into the exterior channel of the body for a snap fit engagement between the cap and the body, the body for receiving and capturing therein amalgam that enters into the body through the tip end and the separable cap.