IL123160A - Dental oscillating cleaning implement and method of using same - Google Patents

Description

13 ϋπτΓϋΛ πΒΊαη τπτυη "pun wrm ^nrf? TOJDTD DENTAL OSCILLATING CLEANING IMPLEMENT AND METHOD OF USING SAME Zeev Ram DENTAL OSCILLATING CLEANING IMPLEMENT AND METHOD OF USING SAME FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention concerns with an implement adapted for use in prophylaxis and periodontal treatments. In particularly, the present invention relates to a dental oscillating cleaning device, and to a method of using it.

BACKROUND OF THE INVENTION One type of dental cleaning implement now widely used in prophylaxis treatments, periodontia, and other areas of operative dentistry, includes a handpiece having an oscillating drive and a metal tip which is used in cooperation with a water spray for dislodging calculus and stain.

The oscillating drive is operated at ultrasonic frequencies to produce extremely rapid microscopic strokes that are transmitted to the metal tip. At the same time water spray is applied to flush away the dislodge calculus, soft tissue, debris, and stains, and also to cool the region. An example for such cleaning implement is the "Dentsply/Cavitron"®, Model 3000 manufactured by the Cavitron Division of CooperCare Inc., Palo AJto, USA.

Another type of dental cleaning implement is described in my prior patent US 5,393,229. The implement described in that patent, includes an electrical oscillating drive for oscillating the handpiece of the implement at a relatively high frequency, a head with a toothpick and a water spray nozzle for cooling the toothpick from the heat dissipated due to the oscillations. Due to the fact that the oscillating drive operates at a relatively high frequency, e.g. at the ultrasonic range, considerable amount of heat is discharged at the user/patient treated area, such as the gums, which naturally results in a very unpleasant feeling. To overcome this problem, US 5,393,229 discloses the use of a water spray nozzle which is used to cool the tip of the implement as well as the treated area.

US 5,593,304 describes another type of dental cleaning implement. This implement comprises a head that includes one pair of nozzles, connectable to a source of a liquid, a gas, and/or powder. A manual fluid selecting device allows the user to select the liquid, and/or gas, and/or powder for discharge at the tip area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION it is the object of the present invention to provide an efficient and comfortable-to-use implement that is adapted for use while cleaning teeth.

It is another object of the invention to provide a method for cleaning teeth, using the implement of the invention.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the description of the invention proceeds.

According to the present invention, there is provided a dental cleaning implement comprising: a handpiece graspable at one end by a user, an oscillating drive within the handpiece adapted to provide oscillations in frequencies between 1 to 5,000 strokes per second, a head located at the opposite end of the handpiece, which includes attaching means for releasably attaching a toothpick or an interdental toothbrush thereto, and optionally a selector for varying the frequency of oscillation.

In accordance with the present invention, the toothpick to be releasably attached to the attaching means can be made from wood, plastic, metal coated with plastic material, nylon, composite material or any other material which is known in the art per se.

The oscillating drive of the present invention can be operated electrically, electromagnetically, mechanically, piezoelectrically, pneumatically, or according to any other method which is known in the art per se.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the toothpick or the interdental toothbrush stem is releasably attached by the attaching means of the implement so as to from about 90° with the axis of the implement's head.

An example of releasably attaching means of the invention are such that comprise a screw mounted on the head for attaching the toothpick or the interdental toothbrush thereto. However, it should be understood that any other releasably attaching means that are known in the art per se and can be used with such an implement, are encompassed by the present invention.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, tl releasably attaching couplers includes a stem comprising a transverse bore f receiving a toothpick, and a sleeve moveable with respect to the stamp to clamp the toothpick or the interdental toothbrush stalk within the transverse bore. The head of the implement according to this embodiment may be coaxial with the stem. According to this embodiment the angle formed between the axis of the toothpick and the axis of the stem is preferably in the range of from about 10° to about 25°, most preferably from about 15° to about 20°.

By a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided an implement which releasably attaching means include a stem that is screwable to the head to clamp the toothpick or the interdental toothbrush stalk to the head. Preferably, for such embodiment the head is coaxial with the stem, and by another aspect of this embodiment the axis of the toothpick or the interdental toothbrush forms an angle of from about 10° to about 20°, most preferably from about 13° to about 16°, with the axis of the head.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided an implement wherein the toothpick may be attached by the releasably attaching means substantially coaxially with respect to the implement head. By this embodiment, the releasable attaching means comprise a socket formed at the end of the head for snuggly receiving one end of the toothpick.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a kit comprising a dental cleaning implement of the invention and at least one toothpick and/or at least one interdental toothbrush adapted to be releasably attached to the attaching means of the implement Toothpicks within the scope of this embodiment can be made of wood, plastic, metal coated with plastic material, nylon, composite material or any other material which is known in the art per se.

Furthermore, the at least one toothpick may coated or soaked with various compositions, particularly suitable for dental cleaning, tergenetics or diagnostic purposes. In accordance with this embodiment, the toothpick to be used is coated (soaked or impregnated) with one or more of the following reagents: a topical anesthetic agent, such a ethyl aminobenzoate or benzalkonium chloride; olive oil or other oil which enhances the removal of bacterial plaque from the teeth, from the space between the teeth, and from the space between the teeth and gums; a fluoride to increase the resistance of teeth to decay; a color-changing pH indicator, such as phenol phthalein, which is useful in indicating the acidic or basic condition in the gum being frequently aid in determining the subject's health condition; an antibiotic agent, such as tetracycline; an anti-inflammatory agent such as indometacine; a sensitivity-reducing agent, such as amine fluoride; or an anti-calculus agent, such as anti-formic/citric acid or pyrophosphate, and the like, or any other composition known in the art per se for such a use.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the implement further comprising drive means which provide the toothpick being oscillated with a movement relative to the longitudinal axis of the toothpick. Typical such movement may be forth and back movement, annular movement or any other suitable type of movement or a combination of movements that will enhance the performance of the implement in cleaning teeth.

As was described hereinbefore, the implement of the present invention can be used for cleaning the space between the teeth as well as the space between the teeth and the gums, the suclus. It may also be used for cleaning implants, porcelain crowns, bridges and the like.

By another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of cleaning teeth using the implement of the invention, which method comprises: (i) grasping a dental implement which comprises a handpiece graspable one end, an oscillating drive within the handpiece, a head located at the opposite end of the handpiece, which comprises attaching means for releasably attaching a toothpick or an interdental toothbrush thereto, by the graspable end of the handpiece; (ii) attaching a toothpick or an interdental toothbrush to the head of the dental implement by the attaching means thereof; (iii) operating the oscillating drive within the handpiece; and (iv) applying the toothpick or the interdental toothbrush to the space between the teeth and to the space between the teeth and the gums, while the toothpick or the interdental toothbrush is oscillated at a frequency in the range 1 to 5,000 strokes per second.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the method of cleaning the teeth further comprises applying a liquid or paste onto the toothpick or the interdental brush for using same in cleaning the teem.

Some important advantages were found while using a dental implement of the present invention. A dental cleaning implement so constructed can be used not only for cleaning the space between teeth, but also the sulcus, the space existing between the teeth and the gums. Such a cleaning implement allows a highly efficient cleaning of the teeth by the patient himself and the space between the teeth and gums. Such cleaning is not painful, and presents a low risk of self-injury, thereby obviating the need to make frequent visits to the dentist for this purpose. A dental cleaning implement of the invention may also be used for cleaning implants, porcelain crowns, bridges, and the like, with reduced risk of damage.

As was previously explained, the implement of the invention may be used either by releasably attaching a toothpick thereto or alternatively, by reieasably attaching thereto an interdental tooth brush, allowing the brushing between teeth.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 illustrates one type of the dental cleaning implement of the present invention and a toothpick attached thereto; FIG.2a is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the head of the dental implement of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 2b is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating another head of a dental implement of the invention; FIG.3 illustrates another type of the dental cleaning implement of the present invention and a toothpick attached thereto; FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the head of the dental implement of FIG. 3; FIG.5 illustrates a head of a dental implement of the invention adapted to receive an interdental toothbrush, and a spiral interdental toothbrush attached thereto; FIG.6 illustrates an exploded view of another type of a dental cleaning implement of the present invention and a toothpick attached thereto; and FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the head of the dental implement of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERED EMBODIMENTS The invention will now be illustrated by the following non-limiting examples demonstrating a number of embodiments of the dental implement of the invention.

The dental cleaning implement 1 illustrated in Fig. 1 , comprises a handpiece 2 graspable at one end by a user, a stem 3 attached to the opposite end of handpiece 2 and head 10 attached to stem 3. Handpiece 2 comprises an oscillating drive 4, schematically shown in broken lines. Oscillating drive 4 provides oscillations to handpiece 2 at a frequency of between 1 to 5,000 strokes per second. As was previously explained, the oscillating drive 4 may be motivated electromagnetically, piezoelectricaiiy, mechanically, pneumatically or by a magnetrostrictive stack which converts electrical power supplied to the handpiece into mechanical oscillations at the required frequency. Head 10 comprises attaching means 5 for attaching toothpick 7 thereto.

An enlarged view of heads 10* and 10" of the implement of the invention shown in Fig. 1 are illustrated in Figs. 2a and 2b. In these two Figures, stems 13 and 13* comprise transverse bores 14 and 14*, respectively, extending therethrough for receiving toothpicks 12 and 12*, respectively. Head 10* illustrated in Fig. 2a, further comprises a sleeve 15 which is moveable with respect to the stem 13 in one direction to clamp toothpick 12 within bore 14, and in the opposite direction to release the toothpick from the bore and thereby to permit its removal and replacement by another toothpick. Toothpick 12* of Fig. 2b is clamped to the head 10** by the stem of the handpiece (not shown in this Fig.). In the example illustrated in Fig.1 , the axis of the head 10 (or 10* as illustrated in Fig. 2a) is at an angle of about 15 ° with the axis of the handpiece 2, and the axis of the toothpick 7 is substantially perpendicular to the axis of head 10. In the variation illustrated in Fig 2b. head 10** is coaxial with the axis of the handpiece (not shown in this figure) and the axis of the toothpick 12* is at an angle of about 20° with the axis of the head 10*\ In the example illustrated in Fig. 2a, sieeve 15 ib retained in either its clamping position or releasing position by a friction fit with respect to stem 13. It will be appreciated, however, that other types of retaining means could be used, e.g., screw threads, ball-and-detent retainers, and the like.

Fig. 3 illustrates a variation of the implement of the invention, wherein the axis of head 20, is inclined with respect to the axis of the handpiece 22, and toothpick 26 is coaxial with the axis of head 20. An enlarged view of head 20 is presented in Fig. 4 wherein head 20' comprises a socket 34 that frictionaliy receives one end of the toothpick 32.

The cleaning implement illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 is otherwise of the same construction as described above with respect to Figs. 1 and 2. The toothpicks presented in all these figures may be made of wood, plastic material, composite material, nylon, coated metal with plastic or of any other material known in the art.

As was previously explained, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the toothpick to be used is coated (soaked or impregnated) with one or more of the following reagents: a topical anesthetic, such a ethyl aminobenzoate or benzalkonium chloride; olive oil or other oil which enhances the removal of bacterial plaque from the teeth, from the space between the teeth, and from the space between the teeth and gums; a fluoride, to increase the resistance of teeth to decay; a color-change pH indicator, such as phenol phthalein, io indicate an acidic or basic condition in the gum and can frequently aid in determining the subject's health antibiotic, such as tetracycline; an anti-inflammatory such as indometacine; a sensitivity-reducing agent, such as amine fluoride; or an anti-calculus agent, such as anti-formic/citric acid or pyrophosphate. The illustrated implements of the invention were also found useful in cleaning implants, porcelain crown, bridges, etc., present reduced danger of damage as compared to with conventional implements. Also, by using toothpicks coated, soaked or impregnated with one o* the reagents described above, the efficiency of the teeth treatment can be further enhanced, and if required the toothpick can be used for diagnosing the medical condition of the patient.

Fig. 5 illustrates the head of dental implement similar to that described above concerning the implements presented in Figs. 1 and 3. By the variation illustrated in this figure, instead of attaching a toothpick to head 38, a spiral toothbrush 35 is attached by the attaching means thereto, allowing the dental implement to be used for brushing teeth. In this Fig., the implement stem is designated by 39, while the toothbrush stem by 36. Stem 36 is attached to head 38 in the same manner as for example toothpick 12 in Fig. 2a. As illustrated in Fig. 5, toothbrush 35 comprises a conical array of bristles.

In Fig. 6 which presents another variation of the dental implement of the invention, toothpick 42 is clamped to head 45 by a screw 41, which is screwed to the head by using a screw driver 43 adapted for that use. In this example, screw 41 is coaxial with stem 23. The transverse bore 49 that receives toothpick is at about 15° with the axis of head 45. To enhance the efficacv of the implement » container ά( fnr a liquid or paste, can be attached to handpiece 48. The discharge of the material within the container can be done by applying pressure thereon or by any other suitable way. and container 46 may preferably be designed with an egress means allowing the material to be released on toothpick 42.

Fig. 7 which is an enlarged view of the head of the implement illustrated in Fig. 6 presents a variation wherein the axis of head 45' is coaxial with the axis of the handpiece (not shown in Fig. 7), and the axis of toothpick 42* is at an angle of about 20° with the axis of the head 45*.

While the invention has been described with respect to several preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that these are set forth merely for purpose of example, and that many other variations modifications and applications of the invention which are encompassed thereby, may be made.

Claims (1)

1. 23160/2 Claima: . A dental cleaning implement comprising: a handpiece graspable at one end by a user, an oscillating drive within the handpiece adapted to oscillate said handpiece at a frequency of between 1 to 5,000 strokes per second, a head 10 located at the opposite end of the handpiece, which includes attaching means J* for reteasabiy attaching a toothpick or an interdental toothbrush thereto, and optionally a selector for varying the frequency of oscillation. The implement according to Claim 1 , wherein the oscillating drive is operated electrically or electromagnetically, or mechanically, or piezoelectrically or pneumatically. The implement according to Claim 1, wherein said releasably attaching means comprise a stem comprising a transverse bore for receiving a toothpick or an interdental toothbrush, and a sleeve moveable with respect to said stem to clamp said toothpick or interdental toothbrush within said transverse bore. The implement according to Claim 3, wherein said head is coaxial with said stem. The implement according to Claim 4, wherein the angle formed between the axis of said toothpick or interdental toothbrush and the axis of said stem is in the range of from about 10° to about 25°, preferably from about 15° to about 20°. The implement according to any one of Claims 3 to 5, wherein said stem is screwable to said head so as to clamp said toothpick or interdental toothbrush to the head. The implement according to Claim 6, wherein said head is coaxial with said stem. The implement according to Claim 6, wherein the axis of said toothpick or interdental toothbrush forms an angle of from about 10° to about 20°, preferably from about 13° to about 16°, with the axis of said head. The implement according to Claim 1 , wherein said toothpick or interdental toothbrush is attached substantially coaxially to the implement head. 123160/2 10. The implement according to Claim 9, wherein said releasable attaching means comprise a socket formed at the end of said head for receiving one end of said toothpick or interdental toothbrush. 11. The implement according to any one of the preceding Claims, further comprising a container for a liquid or paste attached to said handpiece. 12. The implement according to Claim 1 1 , wherein the material is discharged from said container via egress means that allow its release on said toothpick or interdental brush. 13. The implement according to Claim 1 1 or 12, wherein the material in said container is a member selected from the group consisting of a topical anesthetic agent, an agent effective for the removal of bacterial plaque, a fluoride, a color-changing pH indicator, an antibiotic agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, a sensitivity-reducing agent, and an anti-calculus agent. 14. The implement according to any one of the preceding Claims, further comprising drive means to provide said oscillating toothpick with a movement relative to the longitudinal axis of said toothpick. 15. A kit comprising a dental cleaning implement of any one of the preceding Claims, and at least one interdental toothbrush. 16. A Kit comprising a dental cleaning implement of any one of Claims 1 to 14, and at least one toothpick. 17. The kit according to Claim 16, wherein said at least one toothpick is coated or soaked with an agent which is a member selected from the group consisting of a topical anesthetic agent, an agent effective for the removal of bacterial plaque, a fluoride, a color-changing pH indicator, an antibiotic agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, a sensitivity-reducing agent, and an anti-calculus agent. 18. A method of cleaning teeth using the implement of any one of Claims 1 to 14, which comprises: (i) grasping a dental implement which comprises a handpiece graspable one end, an oscillating drive within the handpiece, a head located at the opposite end of the handpiece, which comprises attaching means for 123160/2 releasably attaching a toothpick or a interdental toothbrush thereto, by the graspable end of the handpiece; (ϋ) attaching a toothpick or an interdental toothbrush to the head of the dental implement by the attaching means thereof; (iii) operating the oscillating drive within the handpiece: and (iv) applying the toothpick or the interdental toothbrush to the space between the teeth and to the space between the teeth and the gums, while the toothpick or the interdental toothbrush is oscillated at a frequency in the range 1 to 5.000 strokes per second. The method according to Claim 18. further comprising applying a liquid or paste onto said toothpick or interdental toothbrush for using same in cleaning the teeth. Dr. Zeev Ram