Dentistry – Apparatus – Having motor or means to transmit motion from motor to tool
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-28
2003-01-28
Wilson, John J. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Apparatus
Having motor or means to transmit motion from motor to tool
C433S125000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06511319
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to an apparatus for use in the improvement of oral health especially in dental hygiene and more particularly to a device which may be used by dentists, hygienists and other personnel in relation to the prevention and treatment of dental diseases.
BACKGROUND ART
Dental diseases include both dental caries (tooth decay) and a group of gum diseases, collectively referred to as “periodontal diseases”. The most common aetiological factor or causative agent in both tooth decay and gum diseases is the presence of dental plaque.
Historically, tooth decay was the most common of all human diseases effecting man throughout the world. Tooth decay is the result of demineralisation of firstly, the outer layer of tooth enamel and then, subsequently, by a similar demineralisation of the inner body of dentine within the tooth. This demineralisation is brought about by an acid attack on the tooth surface. This acid is most commonly derived from acidogenic activity of the microbiological flora within the plaque mass, as the flora metabolise the carbohydrate content of that same plaque mass, or other sugar compounds within the diet of the host.
However, since the introduction of fluoride into water supplies, toothpastes, drinks, foods, tablets, special solutions and gels applied by the dental professional and through other avenues, the fluoride content of human tooth enamel has increased to the point where many teeth are now much more resistant to acid attack and so dental caries (tooth decay) has declined in significance and incidence throughout the world.
Nevertheless, this relative “strengthening” of human tooth enamel has not addressed the main cause of dental caries, namely that of the presence of dental plaque. Thus, more recently there has been an increase in tooth decay on those tooth surfaces which are not covered by human tooth enamel, such as the roots of the tooth.
Moreover, the gums which comprise soft gingival tissue and the collection of periodontal fibres, connective tissue, cementum, periosteum and bone, commonly referred to as the “periodontal apparatus” and which collectively support and retain the tooth in the mouth, also respond to the presence of dental plaque, to the point where this entire mechanism may break down and the tooth is lost.
Thus, periodontal or gum diseases themselves have now become amongst the most common of all diseases affecting humans throughout the world today and are now the major cause of adult tooth loss.
Ironically the most common cause of both tooth decay and gum diseases is dental plaque. The diagnosis, treatment and management of these two major dental diseases is within the exclusive domain and responsibility of the dental profession.
However, the control of the primary causative agent, dental plaque, is such an important and/or arduous task, that the profession has introduced a speciality and auxiliary discipline within the profession, called “Dental Hygienists and/or Therapists”. An important task of the dental clinician is to remove this damaging substance and to instruct the individual patient how best they can attain control of this menace.
However, the clinical challenge confronting the dentist, hygienist, therapist or other dental clinicians is exacerbated by the limitations of the tools available to them to perform these tasks.
Clearly, the incidence and resultant damage to human health caused by dental plaque would suggest that the profession is failing to address their responsibility in this area and, further, that the tools available to the professional and the patient are inadequate.
The present inventor has thoroughly researched the derivation, accumulation and application of dental plaque. As a direct result of this research, the inventor has designed a system that addresses the very basic requirements of plaque control and this information, technology and appliances form the basis of this patent application.
Dental Diseases
The two most common and significant of all dental diseases are:
1. Tooth decay—“Dental Caries”
2. Gum diseases—“Periodontal Diseases”
Aetiology
The common primary causative agent to both these diseases is dental plaque.
Sites
1. Local
It is estimated that over 75% of dental diseases commence in between the teeth in the area referred to as the “inter-proximal” region and, more specifically and in the classic model, in an area extending from the point of contact between adjacent teeth to the gingival attachment level at the cemento-enamel junction, where the crown of the tooth meets the root of that tooth. This area may be referred to as the “embrasure triangle”.
This site is the most important of all dental disease sites, since it contains both hard (tooth) and soft (gum) tissues and so plaque retention in this area may give rise to both tooth decay and gum disease. This area may be referred to as the “hot spot” of dental diseases.
The next most significant site for dental diseases, especially periodontal diseases is around the gum line on either the outer (“facial”, “labial” or “buccal”) or inner (“atral”, “palatal” or “lingual”) surfaces of each tooth or in the gingival sulcus. This factor may be exacerbated by angled, rotated, tilted, crossed or crowded teeth, all of which facilitate the retention of dental plaque and make its removal more difficult.
The next most significant site in the prevention and treatment of dental caries are the deep fissures, which may occupy an area of the top, biting or “occlusal” surface of the tooth. In these areas, small particles of food and/or plaque may be pushed into these fissures and be difficult to remove with conventional devices. Depending upon the local anatomy, these fissures may also represent a very thin layer of tooth enamel and so be more vulnerable to acid attack.
Similar to the fissures, the next most significant site for dental caries to occur, may be in the anatomical anomalies referred to as “pits”. These defects in the tooth enamel are often deep and may occur on either the outer (“facial”, “labial” or “buccal”) or inner (“lingual”, “atrial” or “palatal”) surfaces of the tooth.
2. Regional
The above sites identify localised areas on or around the tooth and gum surfaces which are prone to most dental disease attack due to the accumulation and retention of dental plaque. It should be noted that dental plaque is generated daily within a normally healthy mouth. It is a sticky, viscous or gelatinous mass that may grow, unless removed effectively.
However, if dental plaque is let accumulate for more than one day, it may calcify to form calculus (sometimes called “tartar”). This is a harder, chalky mass which binds to the tooth surface and is much more difficult to remove than its softer precursor, dental plaque.
If left to grow and accumulate on the tooth surface, this calculus, being rough attracts more plaque around its mass and so the process continues, the calculus gets larger and more plaque accumulates around the tooth and/or gum surfaces.
A common source of the calcium necessary for this process to occur is the calcium ions, resident within saliva. Thus, at sites where the saliva enters the mouth and subsequent accumulation of calculus takes place, the risk of dental diseases commencing is increased. The most common sites so described are the inner surfaces of the lower anterior teeth (lingual surfaces of lower incisors) and the outer surfaces of the upper posterior teeth (buccal surfaces of upper molars). Any other site of surface roughness, which retains plaque, such as defective restorations or anatomical anomalies, also represents a disease risk site.
The present inventor has recognised that there exists a need for an effective device for the maintenance of oral hygiene and in particular, the maintenance of good periodontal hygiene.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention consists in a dental prophylaxis handpiece comprising a shaft one end of which includes a connection means to accept a dental handpiece drive, the other end of the shaft including a pin with a longitudinal axis either parallel o
Christie Parker & Hale LLP
Wilson John J.
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