CA1321494C - Applicator and tips for stain removal - Google Patents

Applicator and tips for stain removal

Info

Publication number
CA1321494C
CA1321494C CA000601014A CA601014A CA1321494C CA 1321494 C CA1321494 C CA 1321494C CA 000601014 A CA000601014 A CA 000601014A CA 601014 A CA601014 A CA 601014A CA 1321494 C CA1321494 C CA 1321494C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
collar
dowel
tip
shaft
generally
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
CA000601014A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Edward A. Weissenburger
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Dentsply Canada Ltd
Johnson and Johnson Consumer Inc
Original Assignee
Dentsply Canada Ltd
Johnson and Johnson Consumer Products Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dentsply Canada Ltd, Johnson and Johnson Consumer Products Inc filed Critical Dentsply Canada Ltd
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1321494C publication Critical patent/CA1321494C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61CDENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C17/00Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses; Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle

Abstract

ABSTRACT

APPLICATOR AND TIPS FOR STAIN REMOVAL

An applicator with attachable tips for tooth stain removal. The applicator can be used manually or in conjunction with the dentist's drill. The tips are generally disposable.

Description

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APPLICATO~ AND TIPS FOR STAIN REMOVAL

Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to an applicator for stain removal. More specifically, the present invention relates to an applicator for the rernoval of stains on teeth.

Backqround of the Invention Frequently teeth can become stained with poor dental care. That is, without proper dental care the teeth will take on a yellowish color. This is due, in large part, to reaction of teeth to such things as nicotine and tar in cigarettes, stains from food, tartar and plaque build-up, and the like. In later stages of discoloration, the teeth will go from a yellowish color to a more black color.
These stains can prove unsightly and also hygienically unfavorable. The more stained a tooth becomes, generally the more likely the tooth is to totally decay, necessitating removal from the mouth.

Oten, conventional techniques will work for stain removal. That is, a mildly abrasive material will be applied with the dentist's drill. This type of removal will suffice where the teeth are not stained to a more excessive e~tent. Also, this type of dental hygiene is aided where there is frequent brushing and cleaning with dental floss and the like. This type of cleaning will be most effective if done repeatedly over a six-month period of time. For longer stretches without this type of dental care, the cleaning procedures must necessarily be made more abrasive and can become quite painful to the patient.

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Unfortunately, in some cases the more conventional techniques are quite useless. That is, the teeth become so stained and blackened that removal of the stain is virtually impossible with~ut resorting to more drastic measures. A system must be created in or~er for the teeth to be cleaned with highly abrasive material and ~or long periods of time. This can cause excessive bleeding of the gums and abrasion of the enamel in the teeth. Such abrasive techniques are therefore not necessarily desirable, but have been followed as a type of last resort to combat stain.

On the other hand, many of the present techniques are simply ineffective for cleaning teeth that are excessively stained. Frequently, where there has been no dental care or an extreme lack in the amount of dental care, any o the present techniques will not remove the more permanent stains on the teeth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an applicator by which effective stain removal can be made in the worse cases of dental stain. One of the objects of the invention is to be able to clean teeth, either as a group or individuallyO It is also, of course, desirable to be able to clean between the teeth in the inter-dental spaces.

These and other objects of the present invention are accomplished in an applicator and its attachable tips or collars used for dental stain removal. The applicator will generally be a cylindrical shaft capable of being gripped by the operator. This ~haft may also be adapted to fit within a dentist's slow speed handpiece. On the J~C-164 ... .

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end of the applicator, there is provided a collar which holds a slurry-like material. This slurry is a highly concentrated stain remover. The applicator can be opera-ted to achieve a brushing action across the teeth either manually or by rotation of the dentist's handpiece~ On the other end of the applicator is a pointed tip for removal of stains between the teeth and near the gums. In addition, on the edge of the applicator when connected to the dentist's drill there are a plurality of pockets for buffing the teeth, again using the highly concentrated slurry stain remover.

According to a still further broad aspec-t of the present invention there is provided a device for cleaning -teeth and which comprises a shaft culminating in -two ends.
The first of the shaft ends culminates in a tip and is adapted for emplacement of a collar. A collar fits over the tip and extends beyond the tip wherein a space is created between the edge of the tip and the edge of the collar. The second of the shaft ends culminates in a point which surrounds a hollow. The hollow of the point and the space created between the tip and the edge of the collar are adapted for emplacement of a tooth cleanser. The collar is generally cylindrical and is formed -to be placed over the tip in an interference fit. The collar contains a notch on a first end and is generally formed to fit against the first shaft end. The first shaft end contains a key extending along the tip to accommodate the notch. The key and notch combination prevents rotation of the collar on the tip.

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According to a still further broad aspec-t of the presen-t inven-tion there is provided a device for cleaning teeth. The device comprises a ~enerally cylindrical shaft culminating in two generally flat ends. The shaf-t is adapted for gripping. The first generally flat shaft end is ex-tended by a generally cylindrical dowel which is narrower in diameter than the shaft and which has a generally tapered end. The dowel is further adap-table for emplacement of a collar over the dowel. A generally cylindrical collar is emplaced over the dowel. The collar abuts the shaft end and extends beyond the tapered end of the dowel creating a hold-ing space within the collar. The collar contalns a notch adapted to fit over a key extending from the dowel, such that the key and notch combination prevents rotation of the collar on the dowel.

These and other objects of the present invention can be more readily understood by taking the following description of the drawings in conjunction with the follow-ing detailed description of the invention in which:

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the applicator of the present invention;

Figuxe 2 is an eleva-tional view par-tially in cross-section of an end of a preferred embodiment of the applicator oE the present invention;
Figure 3 is an elevational view o~ one of the ends of an applicator of the present invention as taken along lines 2-2 of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the applicator of the pre-sent invention as adapted to fit on a dentist's handpiece; and Figure 5 is an elevational view partially in cross-section -q . - . . . . .

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of the tip of the applicator of the present invention as seen in Figure 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to Figures 1 through 3, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown as the applicator 10.
This applicator 10 has a generally cylindrical shaft 12 which has a first shaft end 13. The shaft 12 is configured such that the overall length of the applicator 10 provides good balance to the dentist during use, and easy placement at the work station when not in use. At the end of the first shaft end 13 there is an extension tip or dowel 14. This tip or dowel 14 is connected as an extension to the first end shaft 13. The tip or dowel 14 is a part of the applicator 10 upon which a collar 16 can be attached. The attachment of the collar 16 is better seen in Figures 2 and 3.

As seen in Figure 1, the collar 16 is attached to the tip or dowel 14 so that the key 18 on the dowel 14 aligns with the notch 20 in the collar 16. The key 18 on the dowel 14 provides structural reinforcement to the generally smaller diameter of the dowel 14 from the larger diameter of the cylindrical shaft 12. An internal bead 19 on the collar 16 meshes with a notch 17 on the dowel 14 to lock the collar 16 in place on the dowel 14. These locking mechanisms allow the applicator to be used such that the collar 16 will not rotate around the dowel 14, and such that the hollow 25 created between the dowel 14 and the collar 16 will always be properly aligned for maximum placement of abrasive slurry.

As can be further seen in Figure 2, the dowel 14 has a wedge shaped end 22. This wedge shaped end 22 falls short ' ,~' ' :

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of the wedge shaped end 23 of the collar 16. This wedge shaped end 23 is rounded for safety at the gum line. The overlap of the wedge shaped edge 23 with the dowel 14 creates a hollow 25. It is to be noted that the generally flat wedge shaped end 22 can be slightly excavated to form a larger hollow 25. This hollow 25 can be filled with a cleaning solution or slurry 100, as best seen in ~igure 3.

As also can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the applicator has a tapered handle or gripping area 24. ~his allows the user to more easily manage the motion of the collar 16 containing slurry 100 on the teeth. The angular shape of the gripping area 24 provides good finger support for the dentist, so that hard pressure may be applied to the teeth during the cleaning procedure. The handle 2~ also will have rounded corners to ensure safety of the patient's gums during cleaning.

As also seen in Figure 1, the applicator 10 has a second shaft end 28. This second shat end 28 is also abutted b~
a tapered handle or gripping area 26, used for gripping and managing the second shaft end 28 and to apply pressure during cleaning. The second shaft end 28 generally tapers away ~rom the shaft 12, culminating in a point 30. At the end of this point 30 there is a hollow 32. Similar to the hollow 25, this hollo~ 32 can be rounded to provide a larger volume. In hollow 32 the slurry 100 can be placed.

In this particular embodiment of the present invention, the shaft 12 of the applicator 10 is generally formed from an autoclavable thermoplastic material with a high modulus of elasticity to give it good stiffness in addition to compatibility with the mouth and gums. On the other hand, the material of the collar 16 and point 30 provides elasticity and softness; some pliable plastic, such as , ~ , - 6 - ~ ~2~
Santoprene*, sold by the Monsanto Corporation, can be desirable. It is also desirable to make the collar 16 clear, to ensure visibility of the slurry 100. One other desirable feature is to make the collar 16 disposable, so that it will be replaced for each patient.

In addition, the collar 16 and dowel 14 both have wedge shaped ends 22 and 23 respectively, which preferably have angles of about 45 with the shaft axis. This allows the most easy application of the slurry 100 to the teeth. The slurry 100 will generally be formed from a hydrochloric acid solution or other extremely acidic, strongly abrasive paste. Generally, the hydrochloric acid is combined with distilled water and silicon carbide in order to form a compatible paste which can be applied individually or to groups of teeth and thereby clean each tooth as well as the interproximal areas.

In use, the applicator 10 is applied to the surface of the tooth manually by use of the collar 16 and dowel 14 combination. The dentist is able to rub the tooth with the slurry 100 in order to most efficiently clean the badly stained tooth. When the dentist is satisfied with the results of this more general cleaning process, the dentist can turn the applicator to its other side and use the hollow area 32 at the end of the point 30 in order to clean excessively tough spots or hard-to-get places such as the interproximal areas. In total, about one micron thickness of enamel is removed. This enamel is then reabsorbed by the teeth to give them both a clean appearance and a safe, hygenic surface. After use, the disposable collar 16 is simply thrown away while the remainder of the applicator 10 is autoclaved and then ready for use on another patient.

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In addition, this device can be used in conjunction with a dentist's handpiece. As seen in Figures 4 and 5, the applicator 50 contains a mandrel 52. ~enerally, the mandrel 58 is formed from autoclavable stainless steel.
This mandrel 52 contains a first mandrel end 5~ which is adaptable for emplacement in a typical dentist's handpiece. The second mandrel end 56 is capable of maintaining a collar or cleaning bit 58 in a ~riction fit. This is accomplished on the knurled surface 59 of the generally cylindrical second mandrel end 56.

This collar 58 is symmetrical for good balance during rotation, and is generally formed from the same disposable thermoplastic as the collar 16 of the original embodiment. It can also be molded from a clear material if visibility is necessary. As seen in Figure 4, the collar 58 contains ridges 60 which generally can extend the entire length of the collar 58. These ridges 60 form pockets 62. In addition, there is a countersunk pocket 64 as the top of the collar 58. Both the pockets 62 and the countersunk pocket 64 hold slurry 100.

Other features of the collar or cleaning bit 58 are evident in Fig. 5. There is a thickness 66 of material between the end 56 of the mandrel 52 and the counter sunk pocket 64. This provides a soft base for the application of slurry, and prevents premature breakthrough of the mandrel 52. As well there is an internal bead 68 on the collar 58 which meshes with a notch 53 on the mandrel 52, to provide locking of the mandrel 52 with the collar 58.
This also allows the collar 58 to extend o~er the knurled surface 59 of the mandrel 58, in order to further protect the mouth of the patient from contacting the mandrel 52.

In use therefore~ the dentist will attach the applicator J~C-164 : . ; ~: ,, ~ ~ 2 ~
50 to the handpiece. The teeth can be buffed along the pockets 62 while the handpiece is spinning, usually at an extremely slow (less than 150 rpm) rate. Individual teeth can be more aggressively attacked by use of the countersunk pocket 64. In addition, of course, the hand-held applicator lO can be used for more particular cleaning.

The present invention has been disclosed in connection with the present preferred embodiment. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changed and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

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Claims (8)

1. A device for cleaning teeth comprising:
a shaft culminating in two ends, the first of said shaft ends culminating in a tip, said end adapted for emplacement of a collar;
a collar fitting over said tip and extending beyond said tip wherein a space is created between the edge of said tip and the edge of said collar;
the second of said shaft ends culminating in a point, said point surrounding a hollow;
wherein said hollow of said point and said space created between said tip and the edge of said collar are adapted for emplacement of a tooth cleanser; and wherein said collar is generally cylindrical and formed to be placed over said tip in an interference fit, said collar containing a notch on a first end and generally formed to fit against said first shaft end, said first shaft end containing a key extending along said tip to accommodate said notch, said key and notch combination preventing rotation of said collar on said tip.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said collar and said tip each contain a wedge-shaped end such that when said collar is placed over said tip said collar wedge-shaped end extends beyond said tip wedge-shaped end such that said space created between said collar and said tip is generally wedge-shaped.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein said hollow is generally wedge-shaped.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein said shaft ends each contain outwardly tapered handles for gripping said device.
5. A device for cleaning teeth comprising:
a generally cylindrical shaft culminating in two generally flat ends, said shaft adapted for gripping;
said first generally flat shaft end extended by a generally cylindrical dowel, said cylindrical dowel narrower in diameter than said shaft, said dowel having a generally tapered end, said dowel further adaptable for emplacement of a collar over said dowel; a generally cylindrical collar emplaced over said dowel, said collar abutting said shaft end, and extending beyond said tapered end of said dowel.
creating a holding space within said collar; and wherein said collar contains a notch adapted to fit over a key extendi from said dowel, such that said key and notch combination preventing rotation of said collar on said dowel.
6. The device of claim 5 wherein said holding space is generally wedge-shaped to conform to the outer edge of said collar extending beyond said dowel.
7. The device of claim 6 wherein said collar further comprises an internal bead and said dowel further comprises a notch such that said internal bead locks said collar on said notch.
8. The device of claim 6 wherein said shaft, said point and said collar are formed from thermoplastic material.
CA000601014A 1988-05-31 1989-05-29 Applicator and tips for stain removal Expired - Fee Related CA1321494C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US200,812 1988-05-31
US07/200,812 US4946389A (en) 1988-05-31 1988-05-31 Applicator and tips for stain removal

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1321494C true CA1321494C (en) 1993-08-24

Family

ID=22743310

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000601014A Expired - Fee Related CA1321494C (en) 1988-05-31 1989-05-29 Applicator and tips for stain removal

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US4946389A (en)
EP (1) EP0352886A3 (en)
AU (1) AU608979B2 (en)
CA (1) CA1321494C (en)
DK (1) DK263489A (en)
FI (1) FI892618A (en)
GR (1) GR1000782B (en)
NO (1) NO892166L (en)
PT (1) PT90705A (en)

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US5100321A (en) * 1990-04-30 1992-03-31 Coss Ronald G Dental tool
US5611687A (en) * 1995-11-06 1997-03-18 Dental Concepts Inc. Oral hygiene delivery system
US6860738B2 (en) * 1999-11-26 2005-03-01 Marc William Bachmann Hygiene instrument for cleaning and polishing the surface of the teeth and the composite materials of dental fillings
US6247477B1 (en) 2000-02-02 2001-06-19 Eugene C. Wagner Multifunction dental appliance
US20050130099A1 (en) * 2003-12-15 2005-06-16 Kerrhawe Sa Instrument for distributing restorative material on a tooth surface
US20060072958A1 (en) * 2004-10-01 2006-04-06 Garry Tsaur Tooth cleaner and applicator
US20050111900A1 (en) * 2004-11-30 2005-05-26 Francesca Fazzolari Ampoule and method of use
US7581899B2 (en) 2004-11-30 2009-09-01 James Alexander Corporation Dispenser and process
US7976234B2 (en) * 2006-04-28 2011-07-12 James Alexander Corporation Multi-chambered dispenser and process
US8795197B2 (en) 2007-07-17 2014-08-05 Histologics, LLC Frictional trans-epithelial tissue disruption collection apparatus and method of inducing an immune response
EP2166965B1 (en) 2007-07-17 2017-05-17 Neal Marc Lonky Frictional trans-epithelial tissue disruption and collection apparatus
US8910830B2 (en) 2007-12-18 2014-12-16 James Alexander Corporation Container assembly
US8100294B2 (en) * 2007-12-18 2012-01-24 James Alexander Corporation Container assembly
US8403178B2 (en) * 2007-12-18 2013-03-26 James Alexander Corporation Container assembly
ATE548285T1 (en) 2008-01-29 2012-03-15 James Alexander Corp DONOR
US9044213B1 (en) 2010-03-26 2015-06-02 Histologics, LLC Frictional tissue sampling and collection method and device
US10201332B1 (en) 2012-12-03 2019-02-12 Healoe Llc Device and method of orienting a biopsy device on epithelial tissue
USD787835S1 (en) * 2015-03-18 2017-05-30 HCT Group Holdings Limited Multi-head dual end cosmetic applicator
US11013466B2 (en) 2016-01-28 2021-05-25 Healoe, Llc Device and method to control and manipulate a catheter
USD819340S1 (en) 2016-12-15 2018-06-05 Paris Presents Incorporated Makeup brush
USD827308S1 (en) 2017-03-07 2018-09-04 Paris Presents Incorporated Makeup brush
USD827309S1 (en) 2017-03-07 2018-09-04 Paris Presents Incorporated Makeup brush
US11304491B2 (en) * 2017-05-01 2022-04-19 Gomes Concepts LLC Efficient cuticle buffering tool
USD866986S1 (en) 2018-02-08 2019-11-19 Paris Presents Incorporated Brush
USD907928S1 (en) 2018-05-15 2021-01-19 Paris Presents Incorporated Makeup brush

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FI892618A0 (en) 1989-05-30
EP0352886A2 (en) 1990-01-31
PT90705A (en) 1989-12-29
GR890100361A (en) 1990-03-12
FI892618A (en) 1989-12-01
EP0352886A3 (en) 1990-07-18
AU3496889A (en) 1989-12-07
AU608979B2 (en) 1991-04-18
DK263489D0 (en) 1989-05-30
US4946389A (en) 1990-08-07
DK263489A (en) 1989-12-01
NO892166L (en) 1989-12-01
GR1000782B (en) 1992-12-30
NO892166D0 (en) 1989-05-30

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