The addition of the Iodide ion by way of Potassium Iodide to a peroxide such as Hydrogen Peroxide in a basic medium yields Free Radical Oxygen and water; generating large amounts of heat and depleting the Hydrogen Peroxide in a matter of minutes. The Free Radical Oxygen generated in this reaction can be utilized to oxidize organic molecules that produce offending stains on select items, including teeth. Once the Free Radical Oxygen has oxidized the offending molecule the color is lost and the solubility changes allowing the colorless oxidized fragments of the offending molecule to be washed away in the solvent. The Iodide ion catalyzes the reaction allowing for precise control over the speed at which the stain is removed without the need for other expensive, cumbersome energy adding equipment such as lights, lasers, heat sources, etc.

The invention provides a unitary cordless dental drive apparatus with a cantilever arm extending outward and positioned to allow a dental nose cone to be connected. An activating switch is located at the free end of the cantilever arm in a position that is convenient for manipulation by a user. In a second embodiment, the switch is in the form of a contactor mounted below the cantilever arm to contact the nose cone when pressed. In a third embodiment, a foot pedal connected to a wireless transmitter is provided to send a signal to a receiver located within the handpiece for activating the handpiece.

A container, a toothbrush, or a device including at least one sacrificial electrode. In one aspect, the container may include a body adapted to contain an oral care solution and a cap selectively removable from the body. The cap may include a cavity configured to contain a fluid, a first electrode comprising a sacrificial metal, a second electrode spaced from the first electrode, and an electrical connection electrically connecting the first electrode and the second electrode to a power source. Activation of the power source may generate an electric field between the first and second electrodes, thereby causing the sacrificial metal of the first electrode to release ions into the fluid in the cavity of the cap.

A method of manufacturing a dental prophy angle with a wiper assembly is described. The prophy angle comprises a neck section and the neck section has an outer surface. The method comprises the steps of manufacturing a dental prophy angle, manufacturing a wiper assembly by molding a base, the base having an undersurface, the undersurface configured to match the outer surface of the neck section, molding a shield, the shield assembly comprising a carriage and a wiper, attaching the base to the shield assembly, and attaching the undersurface to the outer surface.

Rotating dental systems and related guards and methods are disclosed. In some instances, a guard may be configured to prevent material from building up on at least a portion of the dental system. The guard may be configured to prevent materials from being discharged from the dental system. In some embodiments, the guard may also be configured to direct the flow of material along a portion of the dental system. Some guards within the scope of this disclosure comprise bristles.

The invention provides a unitary cordless dental drive apparatus with a cantilever arm extending outward and positioned to allow a dental nose cone to be connected. An activating switch is located at the free end of the cantilever arm in a position that is convenient for manipulation by a user. In a second embodiment, the switch is in the form of a contactor mounted below the cantilever arm to contact the nose cone when pressed. In a third embodiment, a foot pedal connected to a wireless transmitter is provided to send a signal to a receiver located within the handpiece for activating the handpiece.

A dental tool for resurfacing thread forms of a dental implant is disclosed. The tool includes a main body having a cylindrical member with a slot. A blade having a head is inserted in the slot to orient the head to protrude from the interior surface of the cylindrical member of the main body. The main body may be rotated into traversing a thread form of the implant. A compression sleeve is inserted over the main body. The compression sleeve has an open position and a closed position to hold the blade in the slot.

A method and apparatus for the concurrent treatment of multiple oral diseases and defects while promoting general oral hygiene utilizing direct current electricity and methods for manufacturing the same. Electrodes are used to deliver a direct current to the gingival tissues of a mouth in order to achieve a number of therapeutic, prophylactic, and regenerative benefits. These benefits include killing oral microbes, increasing oral vasodilation, reducing oral biofilm, improving oral blood circulation, reversing oral bone resorption, promoting oral osteogenesis, treating gum recession, and fostering gingival regeneration. Other benefits include the treatment of gingivitis, periodontitis, and oral malodor, and other systemic diseases correlated with oral pathogens.

A disposable prophy angle with an accessible and replaceable internal collapsible prophylaxis bladder and a push button and plunger/paddle combination to force a metered amount of prophylaxis medium into the prophy angle while providing audible and/or tactile feedback.

An oral care implement includes a housing defining a cavity and configured for at least partial insertion into an oral cavity. An opening in the housing fluidly connects the cavity to an environment of the housing. First and second spaced electrodes are disposed in the cavity. An electrical connection electrically connects the first electrode and the second electrode to a power source. At least one of the first electrode or the second electrode is a sacrificial electrode and passing a current through the electrical connection causes the sacrificial electrode to oxidize.