Dental viewing apparatus and method

Apparatus for dental viewing comprising:

• dental instrument assembly means;
• said dental instrument assembly means including an elongated handle and an elongated tool having a tool base and tool tip;
• said elongated handle having a longitudinal axis, the length of the elongated handle along the longitudinal axis being between 6 centimeters and 25 centimeters long;
• said dental instrument assembly including means for guiding light through said elongated tool to said tool tip and means for providing fluid flow toward the tool tip;
• said elongated tool having a longitudinal axis substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said handle and having a length sufficient and a diameter of the elongated tool adjacent to the tool tip small enough to enter dental access openings;
• said elongated handle being tubular and adapted to be connected to a source of light, fluid and air;
• said means for providing fluid flow toward the tool tip including fluid outlet means for selectively applying air alone, liquid alone, both air and liquid and neither air nor liquid through said tubular handle in the direction of said tool tip;
• said outlet means being less than 5 centimeters from the base of the tool and focused at the tool tip;
• said means for guiding light including a light conductor and source of light having an intensity of at least 3.5 milliwatts per square millimeter positioned to transmit light through the light conductor whereby the light when emitted has an intensity at least sufficient for transillumination;
• said tool tip being a cylindrical probe having a diameter of less than 3.5 and more than 0.25 millimeters.

A method of tooth scaling comprising the steps of:

• applying local anesthesia at least to papillary areas;
• surgically freeing gingival papillae;
• reflecting the papillae with a dental instrument assembly means having an elongated handle of between 6 and 25 centimeters long and a diameter of between 3 and 20 millimeters and having an elongated retractor tool with a retractor base, a retractor edge and a retractor blade with a thickness of between 0.25 millimeters and 2 millimeters, a width of between 0.50 and 10 millimeters, and a length of between three and 30 millimeters until interproximal root surfaces are exposed;
• applying a spray of air and water together and air alone toward said retractor edge from outlet means spaced less than 5 centimeters from the retractor base and focused upon the retractor edge to rinse and to dry the dental roots;
• applying light through the elongated retractor tool to the retractor edge to permit transillumination and illumination of accretions on the root surface during air drying;
• scaling the root surface;
• reevaluating root surface cleanliness with water spray, air drying and light application from the retractor edge;
• replacing the papillae and holding under pressure;
• the step of reflecting including the step of reflecting with the retractor blade attached at a right angle to the handle which receives through it and supplies the retractor blade with light to be transmitted through the blade edge.