Dentistry – Apparatus – Having intra-oral dispensing means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-04
2001-04-17
Manahan, Todd E. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Apparatus
Having intra-oral dispensing means
Reexamination Certificate
active
06217327
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates, generally, to the art of dental hygiene. More particularly, it relates to an apparatus and method for tooth brushing that provides a soft scrubbing action to loosen food particles and plaque and which applies a mist or spray to wash away the food particles at the same time. It also relates to a method for delivering stannous fluoride to tooth surfaces to protect them from acid attack which causes caries.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is well known that the mechanical action of toothbrush bristles can loosen food particles and plaque buildup from tooth surfaces and a water spray can wash away the loosened particles. However, it is not easy to scrub all tooth surfaces and apply a water spray at the same time. It would be very useful where braces are worn to have a mechanical scrubbing action and a water spray at the same time.
Moreover, it is well-known that fluoride has a beneficial effect on teeth. It reduces the solubility of enamel by protecting the enamel from attack by acids of the type produced by bacteria. Moreover, studies have shown that stannous fluoride has much more efficacy in this regard than sodium fluoride. More particularly, it is about four times as effective as sodium fluoride.
Both calcium and phosphate are found in enamel. Stannous fluoride forms links with both of them to prevent their extraction from the tooth by the acid that begins forming about twenty four hours after plaque has begun to form on the surface of a tooth.
Although most clinical trials have tested stannous fluoride in ten per cent (10%) concentrations, studies have shown that the decrease in effectiveness is very small even with concentrations as low as 0.4%. 0.2%, and 0.1%.
One widely used technique for delivering fluoride to teeth is to add it to local drinking water supplies. Another method is to add it to toothpaste.
Neither of these methods is completely satisfactory, because many people live in cities that do not fluoridate their drinking water system, and stannous fluoride is not found in commercially-available toothpaste.
Moreover, studies have shown that a topically-applied, water-free 0.4% solution of stannous fluoride is more effective than a toothpaste originally prepared to contain 0.4% stannous fluoride. Studies have also demonstrated that a freshly prepared 0.2% stannous fluoride solution is significantly more effective in protecting a tooth surface than a 50:50 slurry of water and 0.4% stannous fluoride gel, or a slurry of water and a leading brand of toothpaste.
Although a dentist can topically apply stannous fluoride to the teeth of patients during an office visit, it is obviously impractical for everyone to visit a dentist twice a day, or even once a day.
Thus, there is a need for a consumer-operated device capable of loosening food particles and plaque deposits from all tooth surfaces so that the mechanical action of toothbrush bristles, coupled with a water spray, may remove such deposits before acid formation may begin. There is also a need for a means for topically applying stannous fluoride to tooth surfaces in effective concentrations in the convenience of one's home. The needed device should not require the user to prepare a gel or a slurry. Instead, the device should be easy to use and compact in size so that it could be stored on a sink or countertop. Its method of use should be self-evident, and it should be constructed of low cost materials so that it is affordable by the average consumer. It should also be useable by people with sensitive teeth and by people with braces. For example, the needed device should be capable of delivering water temperatures of about 110° F. because warm water is not only comfortable for people with sensitive teeth, but it also serves to promote the dissolution of plaque deposits.
It is also well-known that many people leave the water running during tooth brushing, thereby wasting large quantities of water. Thus, there is also a need for a tooth-care system that would conserve water.
Accordingly, if an apparatus and method could be found that could deliver a mist or spray to tooth surfaces to loosen food particles at the same time mechanical brushing is taking place, that could deliver stannous fluoride in an effective form to protect the teeth from acid attack, that would also conserve water, and that would be useable by people with sensitive teeth, braces, or both, then the art of dental care would be advanced in a substantial way.
However, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in this art how such an apparatus and method could be provided, in view of the art considered as a whole at the time the present invention was made.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The long-standing but heretofore unfulfilled need for an innovation that overcomes the limitations of the prior art is now met by a new, useful, and nonobvious invention including a reservoir means for containing a predetermined volume of a liquid fluid such as water. The novel apparatus includes a toothbrush having bristles and a base to which the bristles are mounted. A plurality of apertures is formed in the base and an outlet conduit means provides fluid communication between the reservoir means and the apertures. An air pump is in fluid communication with an inlet conduit that has a free end positioned within the reservoir means at a preselected location above a liquid level in the reservoir means. It pumps the liquid fluid from the reservoir means to the apertures through the outlet conduit.
A bypass conduit provides fluid communication between the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit, bypassing the reservoir. The pump includes a suction inlet that takes in ambient air and a compression outlet in fluid communication with the inlet conduit. Some of the air flows through the bypass conduit and enters into the water flowing through the outlet conduit at a point upstream of the toothbrush so that bubbles are formed in that water. This produces a spray or mist where the water flows out of the toothbrush base through the bristles.
A valve is preferably provided in the bypass conduit to regulate the flow of air therethrough.
In a second embodiment, stannous fluoride is added to the water in the reservoir.
In a third embodiment, a first introducing means introduces a preselected gaseous fluid into the liquid fluid at a preselected location in the inlet conduit. The introducing means includes a remote source of a preselected gaseous fluid under pressure. The remote source is in valved fluid communication with the inlet conduit.
In a fourth embodiment, a second introducing means introduces a therapeutic substance such as an antibiotic or the like into the outlet conduit.
It is a primary object of this invention to provide a low cost, easy-to-use apparatus for use by individuals in their homes that delivers a spray or mist of water to all tooth surfaces to loosen food particles.
Another object is to provide such an apparatus that delivers warm water (approximately 110° F.) to all tooth surfaces.
Another major object is to provide an apparatus that allows a soft scrubbing action to remove the loosened food particles from all tooth surfaces at the same time that the water spray is provided.
Still another important object is to provide an apparatus and method for delivering stannous fluoride to tooth surfaces in a highly effective form.
Another object is to provide an apparatus that delivers stannous fluoride to tooth surfaces in an effervescent liquid medium to enhance the protective effect of the fluoride.
Another object is to provide an apparatus that delivers therapeutic substances to the teeth and gums.
Still another object is to provide an oral hygiene system that is suitable for use by people with braces or sensitive teeth or both.
Yet another object is to provide an apparatus that has beneficial side effects such as the reduction of bad breath, tongue-cleaning, and water conservation.
These and other important objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent as this de
Manahan Todd #E.
Smith Ronald E.
Smith & Hopen , P.A.
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