The invention relates to a suction root elevator and a suction dental curette each of which comprises a handle and a working part both of which are provided with a canal system which extends through both the handle and working part. The canal system terminates in an opening at the tip of the working part on one side while the opposite end of the canal is by means of a flexible connection attached to a suction unit. In addition to the integrated canal system an external pipe system may be attached running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the instrument terminating in an opening next to or distally of the working part's tip, while its opposite end is attached by means of a flexible connection to a rinsing device. The working end of the suction root elevator as well as the suction dental curette may be detachably secured to the handle thus permitting to be replaced by another similarly or differently shaped working part.

A device for manipulating dental restorations, such as thin, ceramic tooth veneer of the type used in cosmetic bonding to teeth comprises an elongated, pencil-like handle structure having a tip which is releasably attachable to a surface of a veneer, affording convenient means for manipulating the veneer, as for example when bonding the veneer to a patient's tooth. A basic embodiment of the device includes a thin, small flexible circular plate attached transversely to one end of the pencil-like structure and forming the tip of the device. The outer tranverse of the tip plate, which may be flat or concave, is coated with a tacky substance providing sufficient adherence to the surface of a ceramic veneer to permit the veneer to be picked up when the plate is gently placed in contact with the surface of the veneer. The adhesion force of the tacky substance is sufficiently small to permit the tip to be disengaged from the veneer with a slight pulling force, when desired. Another embodiment of the device employs a plastically deformable tip made of a resilient, lenticular shaped body with a generally flat, adhesive-coated lower surface. The tip is adapted to conform to the irregular biting surface of a crown or bridge. Upon placement of the crown or bridge in the mouth of the patient, the handle may at the dentist's option be pulled out of the tip, the latter remaining to serve as a bite plate or seating fixture while the restoration is being bonded to existing teeth.

A dental instrument for use in filling cavities in teeth with a light activated filling compound which includes a condensing tip constructed from a plastic or glass fiber optic material. A source of light, either external to the instrument, or contained therewithin, can be selectively energized to enable controlled activation of the activator in the filling compound as the compound is being packed and shaped within the cavity by the condenser tip of the instrument. The dental instrument includes a suction cup removably connected to the tip for releasably gripping a dental overlay.

A method of stimulating bone regeneration in a local area of a bone in a subject requiring same, comprising the step of applying to said local area of said bone an effective vacuum for an effective length of time.

A light shield is provided for dental apparatus which shines light onto light curable material used to repair teeth. The shield is formed of a plastic material which substantially attenuates light in the blue range, and can be mounted onto the guide tube of the light gun utilizing engagement members defined between slits cut in the plastic sheet forming the body of the shield. The engagement members between the slits are displaced as the light shield is pressed onto the tip of the guide tube, with the engagement members then resiliently pressing against the periphery of the guide tube to firmly hold the shield in place. The shield can be easily removed by the dentist after the procedure with the patient is completed, and is economical so that it may be disposed of after one use.