Disclosed are applicators and methods injecting of a liquid anesthetic into a dental patient with no or minimal pain. In accordance with one embodiment the applicator is for intraligamentary injection and includes an elongated, thin member having an open distal free formed of a resilient and somewhat conformable material suitable for producing a substantially fluid-tight interface with the anatomic structures at the gingival sulcus to inject the anesthetic therein. In another embodiment the applicator includes a flexible skirt surrounding a sharpened cannula, with the cannula being movable with respect to the skirt. The skirt is arranged to receive the anesthetic to anesthetize the gum, whereupon the cannula can then pierce the gum to inject the anesthetic into the underlying anatomic structure.

Disclosed are applicators and methods injecting of a liquid anesthetic into a dental patient with no or minimal pain. In accordance with one embodiment the applicator is for intraligamentary injection and includes an elongated, thin member having an open distal free formed of a resilient and somewhat conformable material suitable for producing a substantially fluid-tight interface with the anatomic structures at the gingival sulcus to inject the anesthetic therein. In another embodiment the applicator includes a flexible skirt surrounding a sharpened cannula, with the cannula being movable with respect to the skirt. The skirt is arranged to receive the anesthetic to anesthetize the gum, whereupon the cannula can then pierce the gum to inject the anesthetic into the underlying anatomic structure.

The present invention provides a method of treating a condition affecting a tooth or periodontium in a subject, comprising administering to the subject's tooth or periodontium a composition comprising biocompatible magnetic, magnetizable, or magnetically responsive agents; and applying an external magnetic field, wherein the magnetic, magnetizable, or magnetically responsive agents migrate to a desired location in response to the externally applied magnetic field, thereby treating a condition affecting the tooth or periodontium in the subject.

Disclosed are applicators and methods for injecting a liquid, such as anesthetic, into a patient with no or minimal pain. The applicator includes a coupling and a blade rotatably mounted on the coupling. The coupling is arranged to receive a cartridge in which a cannula is mounted such that the cannula extends through a proximal channel of the coupling and into a distal channel of the blade. The coupling is further arranged to secure the applicator to a source of liquid such that the liquid can be selectively introduced into and through the cannula into the tissue of the patient. The blade is thin enough for atraumatic insertion into a gingival sulcus of the patient.

The invention features a pharmaceutical suspension containing drug particles, a drug delivery device anchored in the mouth for continuously administering the pharmaceutical suspension, and methods of their use.

Systems and methods for improving airway patency are disclosed. An oral device is positioned in in the oral cavity and applies a negative pressure to the oral cavity. The oral device has pressure delivery ports directed toward an anterior surface of the soft palate when positioned therein. The negative pressure generates an air flow out of the oral cavity. A pressure tube is coupled to the oral device to provide the applied negative pressure. A pressure source is coupled to the pressure tube to generate the applied negative pressure. A collector is coupled to the pressure tube and/or pressure source to collect liquid, typically saliva, from the air flow out of the oral cavity. The collector is disposed outside of the oral cavity and coupled to the oral device.

Apparatuses and methods for improving airway patency are provided. A medial surface of the patient's tongue is constrained with a tongue constraint of an oral device placed in the oral cavity to generate a clear region between the medial surface and the hard palate. The clear region is in fluid communication with the soft palate. The tongue constraint has superior surface and inferior surfaces configured to generate the clear region. Negative pressure is applied within the oral cavity to hold the soft palate in a position in which the airway is at least partially open. The negative pressure is applied through one or more ports of the oral device. The one or more ports remain unobstructed by the tongue when the negative pressure is applied. The applied negative pressure causes the soft palate and tongue form a seal whereby the patient's airway is substantially fluidly isolated from the clear region.

A fluid delivery system is provided including an elongated member with a lumen, a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, wherein the second portion is disposed between the first portion and the third portion. The elongated member is insertable into a patient's mouth such that the second portion is disposed entirely within the patient's mouth while the first portion and third portion extend from a point inside the patient's mouth to a point external the patient's mouth. The fluid delivery system also includes a locking system slidably engaged with the elongated member, the locking system removably engageable with the patient's teeth. Further, the second portion is configured to allow drainage of a fluid from within the lumen to a point external the elongated member.

An appliance for orthodontic hardware in the form of a cap sized to fit over a bracket and arch wire braces system. The cap includes a hollowed, mound shaped body with a bottom edge defining an opening on one side of the body. The cap also includes multiple tabs extending from the edge and partially over the opening. The bottom edge also defines two channels aligned opposite each other and extending from the bottom edge. With this arrangement, the cap can be positioned over a bracket with the tabs engaging the bracket and retaining the cap thereto while the channels defined in the body prevent the cap from engaging the arch wire.

An oral device for improving airway patency includes a tongue constraint and a negative pressure source. The tongue constraint engages the patient's tongue to maintain a clear region below the palate in an oral cavity and allow an anterior portion of the tongue to rise. By applying a negative pressure in the clear region, an airway behind the soft palate or tongue of the patient can be maintained. The tongue constraint is usually connected to an anchor. The anchor may be held between the patient's teeth or may engage the inferior surface of the palate. Another oral device for improving airway patency includes a lateral tongue structure and a negative pressure source.