JP2009039455A - Dental appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dental appliance which improves efficiency of removing impurity such as tooth coating, scale inside the peridontal pocket. <P>SOLUTION: The appliance is provided with an optical beam generator 2 for generating optical beams of single or a plurality of wavelengths, a tank 3 filled with an oxidizing agent, and a nozzle 6 internally provided with a light guide path for guiding the optical beams of single or a plurality of wavelengths generated by the optical beam generator 2 and an oxidizing agent guide path for guiding the oxidizing agent supplied from the tank 3. While the tip of the nozzle 6 is inserted between a tooth T and the gum G, the optical beams are emitted from the tip of the nozzle 6 and simultaneously the oxidizing agent is jetted to generate active oxygen by the light action of the optical beams to the oxidizing agent. Thereby, the scale (including the tooth coating) P as the impurity existing on the surface of the tooth T and between the tooth T and the gum G (peridontal pocket) is removed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a dental instrument, and more particularly to a dental instrument that is inserted between a tooth and a gum to remove impurities such as tooth floss or tartar.

Japanese National Patent Publication No. 09-506525 JP 2004-242841 A JP 2003-079639 A

  Conventionally, calculus formed by accumulation and calcification of dental moss on the tooth surface and periodontal pocket between teeth and gums is a porous substance containing bacteria, and pathogenic bacteria are easy to propagate Therefore, treatment for removal using a dental instrument is performed.

  In general, there is no periodontal pocket in healthy periodontal tissue, but when the periodontal tissue suffers from periodontal disease, a periodontal pocket is formed between the inner surface of the gingiva and the tooth root. The

  When this periodontal pocket is occluded by the periodontal ligament (periodontal ligament), tartar is formed in the periodontal pocket.

  Therefore, it is important to remove tartar formed on the tooth surface in order to prevent periodontal diseases that cause serious health problems.

  On the other hand, as a dental instrument for removing the tartar formed in such a periodontal pocket, one using a laser beam (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2) or one using a vibrator function (for example, Patent Document 3) is known.

  By the way, in the dental instrument configured as described above, especially in the calculus formed in the periodontal pocket, it is difficult to directly irradiate the laser beam because it is hidden by the gingiva. In addition, there has been a problem that the removal efficiency of tartar is impaired, such as vibration being dispersed on the gingival side.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a dental instrument that can improve the removal efficiency of impurities such as tooth liquor or tartar in a periodontal pocket.

  In order to achieve the object, a dental instrument according to claim 1 includes a light beam generator for generating a light beam having a single wavelength or a plurality of wavelengths, a tank filled with an oxidant, and the light beam generator. A nozzle having a light guide path for guiding the generated light beam having a single wavelength or a plurality of wavelengths and an oxidant guide path for guiding the oxidant supplied from the tank; The teeth and gums are generated by ejecting the light beam from the tip of the nozzle while being inserted between the tip and the gum and simultaneously injecting the oxidant and generating active oxygen by the light action of the light beam on the oxidant. An impurity existing between the two is removed.

  According to the dental instrument of claim 1, it is possible to uniformly fill the periodontal pocket with the oxidant, particularly by spraying the oxidant with the nozzle tip inserted into the periodontal pocket, By irradiating the oxidizing agent with a light beam, the active oxygen can be generated uniformly in the periodontal pocket by light action, and the removal efficiency of impurities existing between the teeth and gums can be improved.

  At this time, the inclusion of a nanopowder component for polishing and removing dental folis or tartar as impurities existing between the teeth and gums in the oxidizing agent can further improve the removal efficiency of impurities. it can.

  The light beam generator generates a single wavelength or a plurality of wavelengths in the range of 380 nm to 1000 nm, or a single wavelength or a plurality of wavelengths in the range of 380 nm to 500 nm and a single wavelength or a plurality of wavelengths in the range of 700 nm to 1000 nm. Preferably it is generated.

  That is, if it is less than 380 nm, there is a possibility of damaging the human body, and if it exceeds 1000 nm, it is assumed that generation of sufficient active oxygen (for example, hydroxyl radical) cannot be achieved. In the lower region (region near the ultraviolet ray), 380 to 500 nm is preferable, and 400 to 420 nm is more preferable. In the upper region (region near infrared), 750 to 1000 nm is preferable, and 800 to 900 nm is more preferable. In the range of 800 to 900 nm, the amount of hydroxyl radicals generated can be remarkably increased compared to other ranges.

  At this time, it is assumed that the light source of the light beam generator light is a heating lamp, a fluorescent lamp, a halogen lamp, a black light, a metal halide lamp, a xenon lamp, a mercury lamp, a UV lamp, an LED (light emitting diode), a semiconductor laser, or the like. it can. In the case of a single wavelength, the light beam from these light sources may be guided to the tip of the nozzle by a light guide path after cutting an unnecessary wavelength through an appropriate filter. The light to be used is not limited to a single wavelength, and may have a plurality of wavelengths. In particular, depending on the type of light beam, it is possible to prevent adverse effects on the human body such as gum burning by using pulsed light.

  Further, it is preferable that the light beam generates 1 μM or more of hydroxy radicals by a beam action on hydrogen peroxide or hypochlorous acid as the oxidant.

  That is, these oxidizing agents can easily generate hydroxyl radicals necessary for sterilization compared to other oxidizing agents.

  When the relationship between the amount of hydroxyl radicals and the bactericidal effect against impurities was examined, the bactericidal effect suddenly occurs when the amount of hydroxyl radicals present exceeds 10 μm.

  Control of the amount of hydroxyl radicals is proportional to the irradiation time of the light beam. That is, the generated hydroxyl radicals are accumulated without disappearing and increase linearly as the irradiation time increases. Accordingly, the amount of hydroxyl radicals accumulated may be controlled by controlling the irradiation time.

  Although depending on the wavelength to be irradiated and the concentration of the oxidizing agent, generally, an increase of 0.5 μM to 10 μM or 1 μM to 10 μM hydroxyl radicals is achieved by irradiation with a light beam for 1 minute. The thinner the oxidant concentration, the less hydroxyl radicals are generated. Therefore, the irradiation may be longer when the density is low than when the density is high. In addition, about 5 μM of hydroxyl radicals may exist even before light irradiation. Therefore, for example, in order to achieve a sterilization effect of 10 μM, 5 μM may be generated. What is necessary is just to obtain the irradiation time under each individual condition.

  At this time, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide or hypochlorous acid is preferably 3% by weight or less. By setting it to 3% by weight or less, the influence on tartar P can be reduced. Moreover, even if it is 3 weight% or less, the amount of hydroxyl radicals required for sterilization can be generated.

  In addition, as a minimum, 0.01 weight is preferable. If it is less than 0.01% by weight, it may take a long time to generate hydroxyl radicals.

  On the other hand, it is preferable that at least a branch passage communicating with the oxidant guide passage is provided in the nozzle so as to open on the nozzle surface.

  That is, it is preferable not to inject the oxidant from one place into the periodontal pocket, but to inject the oxidant so that the oxidant is uniformly filled in the periodontal pocket.

  Therefore, by providing the light guide path and the oxidant guide path in a spiral shape inside the nozzle, a plurality of branch paths opened on the nozzle surface can be provided on the tooth surface side, gingival side. Moreover, it can be set as the structure injected uniformly in a tooth arrangement | positioning direction, and also an injection speed can be made fast by helical shape.

  Note that the operability of the operator can be improved by bending the nozzle tip.

  According to the dental instrument of the present invention, it is possible to improve the removal efficiency of impurities such as dental moss or tartar in the periodontal pocket.

  Next, an embodiment according to the dental instrument of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 and 2, a dental instrument 1 includes a light beam generator 2 that generates a light beam having a single wavelength or a plurality of wavelengths, a tank 3 filled with an oxidant, and a single beam generated by the light beam generator 2. A nozzle 6 having therein a light guiding path 4 for guiding a light beam of one or a plurality of wavelengths and an oxidant guiding path 5 for guiding an oxidant supplied from the tank 3; The surface of the tooth T is obtained by emitting a light beam from the tip of the nozzle 6 while being inserted between the tooth T and the gum G and simultaneously injecting an oxidant and generating active oxygen by the light action of the light beam on the oxidant. In addition, tartar (including tooth liquor) P as an impurity present between the tooth T and the gum G (periodontal pocket) is removed.

  At this time, the oxidizing agent in the tank 3 preferably contains a nanopowder component for polishing and removing tartar P as an impurity existing between the tooth T and the gum G.

  The light beam generator 2 generates single or multiple wavelengths in the range of 380 nm to 1000 nm, or single or multiple wavelengths in the range of 380 nm to 500 nm and single or multiple wavelengths in the range of 700 nm to 1000 nm. . The light beam may be pulsed light. Further, the light beam generates 1 μM or more of hydroxyl radicals by the beam action on hydrogen peroxide or hypochlorous acid as an oxidizing agent. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide or hypochlorous acid as an oxidizing agent in the tank 3 is 3% by weight or less.

  On the other hand, inside the nozzle 6, a plurality of branch paths 5 a communicating with at least the oxidant guide path 5 are provided so as to open on the surface of the nozzle 6. Accordingly, the oxidant guide path 5 and the light guide path 4 are provided spirally inside the nozzle 6, so that the branch path 5 a can be positioned around the nozzle 6. Also in the light guiding path 4, the branch path 4 a can be arranged so as to face the surface of the nozzle 6. Furthermore, it is preferable that the tip of the nozzle 6 bends in order to easily enter between the tooth T and the gum G.

  Specifically, as the light source of the light beam generator 2, a heating lamp, a fluorescent lamp, a halogen lamp, a black light, a metal halide lamp, a xenon lamp, a mercury lamp, a UV lamp, an LED (light emitting diode), a semiconductor laser, or the like is used. Can do. At this time, if the light beam generated by the light beam generator 2 has a single wavelength, the light beam from these light sources is passed through an appropriate wavelength cut filter (not shown) such as a bandpass filter. You may guide to the front-end | tip of the nozzle 6 with the light guide path 4 after cutting. The light beam to be used is not limited to a single wavelength, and may have a plurality of wavelengths. In particular, depending on the type of the light beam, it is possible to prevent adverse effects on the human body such as burning of the gum G by using pulsed light. . Further, the light beam preferably generates 1 μM or more of hydroxyl radicals by the beam action on hydrogen peroxide or hypochlorous acid as an oxidant in the tank 3.

  The tank 3 is filled with water (ethanol, ether, water, etc.) containing hydrogen peroxide or hypochlorous acid as an oxidizer, and nanopowder components that do not adversely affect the human body such as abrasives. Contained. The oxidant in the tank 3 is guided to the tip of the nozzle 6 by driving a pump 7 driven by an operator's operation.

  The light guide path 4 is configured to guide the light beam generated by the light beam generator 2 to the tip of the nozzle 6 using, for example, an optical fiber or a prism. The light guiding path 4 may be branched at a plurality of locations near the tip of the nozzle 6. Further, the light guiding path 4 may be arranged in a spiral shape, the branch end portion may be opposed to the peripheral wall surface of the nozzle 6, and the light beam may be irradiated uniformly from the periphery of the nozzle 6.

  The oxidant guide path 5 extends toward the tip of the nozzle 6, and a plurality of branch paths 5 a that open to the peripheral wall surface of the nozzle 6 are formed in the middle part thereof. In addition, it is also possible to form the oxidant guide path 5 in a spiral shape in the nozzle 6 so that the injection speed of the oxidant (for example, hydrogen peroxide solution) injected from the opening end face can be increased (high pressure). Moreover, the oxidizing agent injected from each branch path 5a is not particularly limited, such as a jet injection form or a spray form.

  The tip of the nozzle 6 is bent, and the tip diameter is preferably 0.7 mm or less.

  In the above configuration, the operator uniformly oxidizes between the tooth T and the gum G by injecting an oxidizing agent from each branch path 5a with the tip of the nozzle 6 inserted between the tooth T and the gum G. The oxidant can be filled with a light beam generated by the light beam generator 2 to generate hydroxyl radicals as active oxygen evenly by light action. The removal and sterilization of the tartar P present between them can be performed at the same time, and the efficiency of the tartar P can be improved.

  At this time, it is desirable to irradiate a high-energy light beam locally as a light beam of a specific wavelength toward the tartar P formed between the tooth T and the gum G, so that it is limited to a very narrow region. It is preferable to use a laser beam suitable for irradiating the light beam.

  In addition, by using laser light, it is possible to generate a large number of hydroxyl radicals in a short time by locally irradiating high-energy light.

  The light irradiation time may be appropriately adjusted according to the degree of sterilization, but when it includes a wavelength in the range of 700 nm to 1000 nm, it depends on the intensity of light, but is preferably 25 seconds or more. In addition, from the viewpoint of generation of hydroxyl radicals, irradiation for 1 minute or more is preferable, and 5 minutes or more is more preferable. In the case of 20 seconds or longer, it is possible to generate hydroxyl radicals necessary for sterilization in a short time (thus, without causing unexpected damage to the tartar P or the surrounding arrangement). In the case of other wavelengths, 1 minute or longer is preferable, and 5 minutes or longer is more preferable. Moreover, it is preferable to irradiate a laser beam.

  Alternatively, hydrogen peroxide or hypochlorous acid may be brought into contact with or contained in the gum G, and the light beam may be irradiated from the surface of the tartar P formed on the surface of the tooth T. That is, an oxidizing agent is applied to a portion that cannot be directly irradiated with a light beam (for example, the back side of tartar P), and light is irradiated from the surface. If the tartar P is made of a material having transparency to a specific wavelength, the irradiated light beam passes through the tartar P and reaches the back surface, where it generates hydroxy radicals. Not only the back side but also the inside may be used. In this case, a combination of a specific wavelength and a material having transparency to the wavelength may be selected as appropriate.

It is explanatory drawing of the dental instrument of this invention.

It is explanatory drawing of the principal part of the dental instrument of this invention.

It is sectional drawing of the principal part of the dental instrument of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Dental instrument 2 ... Light beam generator 3 ... Tank 4 ... Light guide way 5 ... Oxidant guide way 6 ... Nozzle 7 ... Pump T ... Teeth G ... Gum P ... Tartar

Claims (9)

A light beam generator for generating a light beam of a single wavelength or a plurality of wavelengths, a tank filled with an oxidant, and a light guide path for guiding the light beam of a single wavelength or a plurality of wavelengths generated by the light beam generator; A nozzle provided therein with an oxidant guide path for guiding the oxidant supplied from the tank;
With the tip of the nozzle inserted between a tooth and a gum, the light beam is emitted from the tip of the nozzle and at the same time, the oxidant is jetted, and active oxygen is generated by the light action of the light beam on the oxidant. To remove impurities existing between the teeth and gums.   The dental material according to claim 1, wherein the oxidizing agent contains a nanopowder component for polishing and removing tooth liquor or calculus as impurities existing between teeth and gums. Instruments.   The light beam generator generates single or multiple wavelengths in the range of 380 nm to 1000 nm, or single or multiple wavelengths in the range of 380 nm to 500 nm and single or multiple wavelengths in the range of 700 nm to 1000 nm. The dental instrument according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above.   The dental instrument according to claim 3, wherein the light beam is pulsed light.   The dental instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the light beam generates 1 µM or more of hydroxyl radicals by a beam action on hydrogen peroxide or hypochlorous acid as the oxidant. .   The dental instrument according to claim 5, wherein the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide or the hypochlorous acid is 3% by weight or less.   The dental nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a branch path communicating with at least the oxidant guide path is provided in the nozzle so as to open on the surface of the nozzle. Instruments.   The dental instrument according to claim 7, wherein the light guide path and the oxidant guide path are provided in a spiral shape inside the nozzle.   The dental instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a tip of the nozzle is bent.

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