DENTAL APPARATUS

Abstract

A dental apparatus for tooth stain removal comprising an elongate body formed of a single piece of plastic. The dental apparatus comprising a distal portion of the body having a distal end for contacting a tooth, wherein the distal portion is pointed and angled relative to an axial direction of the body for contacting and removing stains from a tooth. The dental apparatus further comprising a proximal portion of the body configured to attach onto an electric toothbrush drive mechanism such that driving of the electric toothbrush drive mechanism causes the distal portion of the body to vibrate.

Claims

1. A dental apparatus for tooth stain removal comprising: an elongate body formed of a single piece of plastic, and comprising: a distal portion of the body having a distal end for contacting a tooth, wherein the distal portion is pointed and angled relative to an axial direction of the body for contacting and removing stains from a tooth; and a proximal portion of the body configured to attach onto an electric toothbrush drive mechanism such that driving of the electric toothbrush drive mechanism causes the distal portion of the body to vibrate.

2. The dental apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plastic is a polycarbonate.

3. The dental apparatus of claim 2 wherein the polycarbonate comprises between around 10% and 40% glass fibre by weight.

4. The dental apparatus according to claim 1 wherein, in use, vibrations of the dental apparatus from the toothbrush drive mechanism are suitable for cleaning or polishing tooth staining.

5. (canceled)

6. The dental apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface area of the distal end is between 0.05 mm.sup.2 and 2 mm.sup.2.

7. The dental apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface area of the distal end is greater than 0.3 mm.sup.2.

8. The dental apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface area of the distal end is less than 2 mm.sup.2.

9. The dental apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distal portion has a generally frustoconical shape.

10. The dental apparatus according claim 1, configured such that driving of the electric toothbrush drive mechanism causes the distal end of the body to vibrate with a frequency of between 100 Hz and 500 Hz.

11. (canceled)

12. The dental apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the proximal portion of the body comprises a cavity configured to receive the electric toothbrush drive mechanism.

13. The dental apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an internal cavity for transporting a fluid within the body; and an aperture at the distal pointed end for expelling the fluid.

14. The dental apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the aperture at the distal pointed end for expelling has a length of between around 0.5 mm and 1 mm.

15. (canceled)

16. The dental apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a reservoir for holding the fluid.

17. The dental apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a coupling mechanism to attach the body to the toothbrush drive mechanism and wherein the coupling mechanism is a click-fit or a snap-fit.

18. (canceled)

19. A scaler tip for a dental scaler comprising: an elongate body formed of a single piece of plastic comprising: a distal portion of the body having a distal end for contacting a tooth, wherein the distal portion is pointed and angled relative to an axial direction of the body for contacting and scaling a tooth; and a proximal portion of the body configured to couple to a drive mechanism such that driving of the drive mechanism causes the distal portion of the body to vibrate.

20. The scaler tip of claim 19 wherein the plastic is a polycarbonate.

21. The scaler tip of claim 20 wherein the polycarbonate comprises between around 10% and 40% glass fibre by weight.

22. The scaler tip according to claim 19, wherein the distal end is configured to vibrate with a frequency of 20 KHz or over.

23. The scaler tip according to claim 19, further comprising: an internal cavity for transporting a fluid within the body; and an aperture in the distal end for expelling the fluid.

24. (canceled)

25. The dental apparatus of claim 3 wherein the polycarbonate comprises between around 20% and 30% glass fibre by weight.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying figures in which:

[0041] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary dental apparatus.

[0042] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary dental apparatus attached to an electric toothbrush.

[0043] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an exemplary top view of an exemplary dental apparatus.

[0044] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary bottom view of an exemplary dental apparatus.

[0045] FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 illustrate an exemplary dental apparatus from perspective, front, side and sectional views.

[0046] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary base unit of a dental apparatus.

[0047] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary sleeve of a dental apparatus.

[0048] FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary connector unit of a dental apparatus.

[0049] FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary cap of a dental apparatus.

[0050] FIG. 14 illustrates an assembly of the elements of an exemplary dental apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] An attachable tooth stain removal and/or polishing/scaling tip comprises a distal end having a pointed end 15 and a proximal end 30 suitable to be attached to, for example, an electric toothbrush or a purpose built scaling or polishing dental tool. Typically the tip is around 3 mm wide by between 50 mm and 85 mm, for example 65 mm long.

[0052] The pointed end of the tip is angled at approximately 40 degrees from the axial direction main body such that it can contact the surface of a tooth. The dental apparatus tip has been made with a specific material and shape such that a user can use it at home with ease. The tip has been designed primarily for home use and is more suitable than conventional dental scaling apparatuses being used in dental clinics. Dental clinic scalers have very sharp metallic tips, with which an untrained user may cause damage to their teeth and gums. The non-metallic (generally plastic) material selected here reduces the possibility of damage. In addition, the tooth contacting surface of the distal end is generally larger than that of a conventional dental scaler.

[0053] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary dental apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The dental apparatus 10 comprises a main body having a pointed end 15 which narrows to a point at one end of the body, and a base 30 at the other end of the body. The body is substantially cylindrical on the outside until it narrows and angles away from the substantially axial directions at the shoulder 28, which is a point along the main body towards the distal pointed end 15. There are small edges around the outside of the tip which helps in locking with the outer sleeve (described later).

[0054] The pointed end 15 is configured with a surface area of the point between 0.1 mm.sup.2 and 1.8 mm.sup.2 When in contact with a tooth, polishing and/or stain removal is performed at the site of contact between the tooth and the point. The design of the dental apparatus as shown in FIG. 1 differs to a typical, metal scaler, with the end surface having a greater surface area that covers a larger area of the tooth. The surface of the pointed end that contacts the tooth can be circular, or may be elliptical or rectangular. In the case that it is not circular, the pointed end 15 may have a width and a length, wherein one of the width or the length is a longest dimension and is substantially longer than the other. The longest dimension may be an edge, for example. For example, the tooth contacting surface may have a length (or longest dimension) of between 0.5 mm and 10.0 mm and a width (at the widest point) of between 0.1 mm and 1.0 mm.

[0055] In one embodiment the tooth contacting surface has a length of at least 3.0 mm, or at least 3.1 mm. Generally the length (or longest dimension) of the tooth contacting surface is less than 10.0 mm, or less than 8.0 mm. The width of the surface at the widest point may be between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm.

[0056] The pointed end 15 is angled away from the axial direction of the main body at the point 20. The angle made at point 20 is approximately 40 degrees relative to the axial direction of the main body.

[0057] The main body has an extrusion 25 disposed below the angled point 20 and the pointed end 15 and is configured to provide support to the more delicate and thinner pointed end 15 of the dental apparatus. A shoulder 28 is disposed between the angled pointed end 15 of the main body and the base 30 and also helps provide stability to the pointed end 15.

[0058] The main body, at the end opposite to the pointed end 15, comprises a base 30 at which an electric toothbrush drive system, or other appropriate drive mechanism, can be attached. The base 30 may be configured to comprise a cavity 40 to receive a driving mechanism of, for example, any electric toothbrush. As is shown in FIGS. 8-9, the cavity 40 has a length of 30 mm. The cavity 40 is rectangular in cross-section and has a width of 3.20 mm in one direction and a width of 1.79 mm in a perpendicular direction. Although cavity 40 is shown as straight, in some embodiments the cavity may be curved to accommodate a curved fitting for a toothbrush (or other) drive mechanism.

[0059] A further cavity 45 may be used for expelling a fluid at an aperture 17 at or near the pointed end 15. The cavity 45 may be connected to an aperture 18 on the opposite side of the tip, from which point a fluid, such as water, may enter the tip and travel in a direction along the cavity and towards the aperture 17. The aperture 17 may be positioned near the tip, for example as shown in FIG. 1 at the shoulder 25 so that a fluid directed through the aperture can flush the surrounding area to get rid of debris and/or to cool the tip.

[0060] The tip uses the sonic movement of the vibrations of an electric toothbrush drive mechanism to help clean stains on teeth. The pointed end 15 is placed onto the surface of the tooth, for example, where there is a stain or blemish. The vibrations cause material that has been built up on the exterior of the tooth surface, for example plaque, to loosen and/or be scratched off the exterior surface of the tooth. Depending on the electric unit of the electric toothbrush, the vibrations may occur, for example, linearly and in-line with or perpendicular to the longest dimension of the contacting surface. In other examples, vibrations will be in a circular or in a rotational direction.

[0061] The cavity 45 that is connected by apertures 17 and 18 may be further connected (from aperture 18) to a reservoir of a fluid and/or a motor. The motor can be configured to pump water, or other suitable fluids, through the cavity 45 to the aperture 17 and onto or around the tooth and/or mouth. This can help to flush the area around the tooth at which the stain removal and/or polishing process is taking place; removing debris that has been dislocated from the surface of the tooth during the stain removal and/or polishing process. Water, or other cooling fluids, may also be provided to cool the apparatus if it gets too hot, for example, as a result of extended exposure to vibrations.

[0062] A mechanism similar to a commercially available water flosser may be combined with the sonic vibrations provided by an electric toothbrush drive mechanism to create a dental apparatus that can both expel water at the distal end and vibrate to remove plaque and other debris on the surface of a tooth.

[0063] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary dental apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to an electric toothbrush 50.

[0064] The attachable stain removal head/tip 10 of FIG. 1 may be attached to a sleeve 12 having a length of around 50 mm, for example 52 mm. The tip and sleeve ensemble are then capable of being attached to the head of an electric toothbrush 50.

[0065] In some embodiments the sleeve 12 may be detachable from the tip 10, however, the tip and sleeve 12 may be fabricated using a single piece of material such that the ensemble of the tip 10 and the sleeve 12 comprise a single unit. In other embodiments, the sleeve may be a separate component to which the tip may be attached or fit. The sleeve does not need to be made from the same material as the tip itself, for instance if the sleeve is a separate component it may be made from any material.

[0066] In use, the power button 55 of the electric toothbrush 50, when pressed, initiates the drive mechanism and provides vibrations for the dental apparatus tip/head to act to remove stains from teeth. The sonic and/or rotating vibrations agitate stains and/or plaque on the enamel (the outer layer of the tooth) that may build up over time from consumption of food and drinks, and/or from smoking. Although in FIG. 2 the pointed distal end of the tip is angled outwards from the toothbrush handle on the opposite side to the button 55 of the toothbrush, in other embodiments the distal end of the tip is angled outwards on the same side and the button of the electric toothbrush.

[0067] A material that the dental apparatus 10 (and/or sleeve 12) can be made from is polycarbonate. Glass fibre can reinforce polycarbonate to further improve the strength of the tip, which may also help with stain removal and reduce grinding and/or wear of the pointed end as it polishes the tooth. The weight percentage of glass fibre added to polycarbonate is typically between 10% to 30% glass fibre. In general, the material is not limited to being polycarbonate; other plastics may be suitable.

[0068] Polycarbonate provides high impact resistance and is safe to use in and around the mouth. Additional coatings can be used to prevent scratching. Its thermoplastic properties also mean in it can be easily manufactured, using a number of techniques. For example: extrusion, injection moulding, 3D printing and cutting, for example, on a lathe. It is also possible to use BPA free polycarbonate.

[0069] The tip can be made using transparent plastics as well as those which can be opaque and coloured using any desired colour, which is gives an aesthetic appearance that is appealing to a user.

[0070] Tests using different types of plastics were performed on Acrylonitrate butadiene styrene, Polyoxymethylene, Polyporpylene and Polyacetyl. However, polycarbonate plastic provided the best results for home use. Benefits of this material include the degree of hardness/rigidity suitable to provide a sharp enough edge/point without being too sharp such that it is unsafe or difficult to use and shows resilience to deformation over repeated use. Other benefits include most effective stain removal, break resistance, reduced cost and ease of manufacturability compared to other materials.

[0071] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a top view of the dental apparatus. The shape of the tip can be seen to be frustoconical from the top view. The tip extends outwards from the axial direction of the body.

[0072] FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of the dental apparatus. The cavity 40 provides a cavity for any electric toothbrush mechanism to fit into.

[0073] FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 illustrate exemplary dental apparatus, where the internal features, such as the cavity 40, or features that cannot be viewed from the angle at which the tip is positioned, are marked in dashed lines. For example, the cavity 40 may be between around 2 cm to around 5 cm in length.

[0074] Depending on the make and model of the electric unit, for example of the toothbrush or dental scaler equipment used, the dimensions of the cavity may be altered to ensure a connection can be made.

[0075] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary base unit 100. The base unit 100 acts as an interface between the dental tip 10 and the drive unit. It may be attached to a toothbrush (or other) drive mechanism. In some embodiments, the base unit may comprise a drive mechanism for driving the dental tip 10. In other embodiments the base unit 100 may also comprise a reservoir and/or a pump connected to a reservoir to drive water through the dental apparatus up towards the aperture 17 near the top of the pointed end 15 of the tip 10. In some embodiments, the base unit 100 is hollow, comprising a cavity suitable for the dental tip 10 to fit through. The base unit has a height of around 18 mm and a diameter of around 12 mm at a widest point.

[0076] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary sleeve 110. The sleeve 110 may be connected to the base unit 100 at one end (for example covering or surrounding the base unit) and may be configured to receive the dental tip 10 through a hollow cavity running the length of the sleeve. In other embodiments, the sleeve 110 may connect directly with a toothbrush or other drive unit instead of the base unit 100. The length of the sleeve 110 is around 52 mm, which corresponds to substantially the length of the dental tip 10 which fits in the cavity of the sleeve 110. The sleeve 110 has an outer diameter of around 12 at a widest point where it is in contact with the base unit, and an outer diameter of around 9 mm at the thinnest point. The inner diameter is around 6 mm or may have a diameter just wider than the dental tip 10 to accommodate the dental tip 10. The tip 10 may have a diameter at the proximal end of around 6 mm or slightly less than the sleeve 110. For example, the tip may have an outer diameter of 6 mm, as shown in FIG. 7, and the sleeve may have an inner diameter of 6.3 mm. This allows the tip 10 to be inserted into the cavity and for the fitting to not be too loose or too tight.

[0077] FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary connector unit 120 that secures the sleeve 110 to the tip 10. The connector unit 120 has a widest diameter of around 9 mm and comprises a hollow centre having a diameter suitable to fit a distal portion of the elongate body of the dental tip 10 through, which might be, for example, around 4 mm in diameter. The sleeve 110 fits into the connector unit 120 at one end, and the dental tip 10 is configured to extend through a hollow centre. The connector unit 120 helps construction of the dental apparatus by securing the tip 10 to the sleeve 110, for example by a click fit connection.

[0078] The use of the connector unit 120 and the sleeve 110 allows the distal end of the dental tip 10 to vibrate, whilst providing a secure connection to the drive mechanism.

[0079] FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary cap 130 that may cover the combined elements of the base unit 100, the sleeve 110, the connector unit 120 and the tip 10. In other embodiments, the cap 130 may cover: only the tip 10, the tip 10 and the sleeve 110 combined, the tip 10, the sleeve 110 and the connector 120. The cap 130 may be used to protect the dental apparatus and/or to cover it whilst not in use. The cap 130 may be arranged to connect to the sleeve 100.

[0080] FIG. 14 illustrates an assembly of the elements of the dental apparatus including a base unit 100, a sleeve 110, a connector unit 120, a dental tip 10 and a cap 130. As can be seen, the distal portion of the dental tip 10 extends from the sleeve 110, above the connector unit 120.

[0081] The above embodiments and examples are to be understood as illustrative examples. Further embodiments, aspects or examples are envisaged. It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment, aspect or example may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, aspects or examples, or any combination of any other of the embodiments, aspects or examples. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the accompanying claims.