DK177235B1 - Orthodontic brush - Google Patents

Orthodontic brush Download PDF

Info

Publication number
DK177235B1
DK177235B1 DKPA201100705A DKPA201100705A DK177235B1 DK 177235 B1 DK177235 B1 DK 177235B1 DK PA201100705 A DKPA201100705 A DK PA201100705A DK PA201100705 A DKPA201100705 A DK PA201100705A DK 177235 B1 DK177235 B1 DK 177235B1
Authority
DK
Denmark
Prior art keywords
orthodontic
brush
brushes
wire
longitudinal
Prior art date
Application number
DKPA201100705A
Other languages
Danish (da)
Inventor
Jan Hanquist Hansen
Original Assignee
Tpa System Aps
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 Tpa System Aps filed Critical Tpa System Aps
Priority to DKPA201100705A priority Critical patent/DK177235B1/en
Priority to PCT/DK2012/050274 priority patent/WO2013037373A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of DK177235B1 publication Critical patent/DK177235B1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B5/00—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware
    • A46B5/0004—Additional brush head
    • A46B5/0012—Brushes with two or more heads on the same end of a handle for simultaneous use, e.g. cooperating with each-other
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B5/00—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware
    • A46B5/002—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware having articulations, joints or flexible portions
    • A46B5/0054—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware having articulations, joints or flexible portions designed to allow relative positioning of the head to body
    • A46B5/0062—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware having articulations, joints or flexible portions designed to allow relative positioning of the head to body being flexible or resilient during use
    • A46B5/0066—Flexible resilience by elastic deformation of the material
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C7/00—Orthodontics, i.e. obtaining or maintaining the desired position of teeth, e.g. by straightening, evening, regulating, separating, or by correcting malocclusions

Landscapes

  • Brushes (AREA)

Abstract

There is provided an orthodontic brush for use by dental patients having braces. The brush has a pair of wire brushes elastically attached to a handle and is able to dean difficultly accessible areas of brackets, orthodontic wires and mounting elements. Due to the elasticity of the wire brushes and the narrow gap between these the orthodontic brush keeps a significant pressure against the brackets, tubes, and wires resulting in better removal of plaque. Moreover, the present brush has the ability to go around the orthodontic wire, and in addition underneath the orthodontic wire.

Description

DK 177235 B1
ORTHODONTIC BRUSH
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
5
The present invention relates to an orthodontic brush for use by dental patients having braces. More specifically the invention relates to a brush with a pair of wire brushes elastically attached to a handle. Due to the elasticity of the wire brushes and the narrow gap between these, the orthodontic brush of the present invention keeps a significant 10 pressure against the brackets, tubes, and wires resulting in better removal of plaque.
Moreover, the present brush has the ability to go around the orthodontic wire, and in addition underneath the orthodontic wire.
15 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
People without fixed orthodontic appliances may find conventional toothbrushes adequate in removing plaque. However, orthodontic patients with fixed devices, such as braces, face great challenges in the removal of plaque around these devices. When 20 brace hardware and orthodontic wires are connected to teeth, food easily collects on exposed and hidden tooth surfaces in and around the tooth hardware and behind the orthodontic wires, and is difficult to remove. If not frequently cleaned, plaque will form and lead to tooth decay and gingivitis.
25 While most prior art tooth cleaning devices, such as twisted wire brushes, are able to remove a significant amount of food from the brace hardware and orthodontic wires, most are unable to effectively remove plaque from tooth surfaces located behind the orthodontic wires and complementary brace hardware.
30 Current interdental brushes are specialized devices designed only to clean between teeth by pushing a flat protrusion between the teeth in an action similar to flossing. Interdental brushes may be inserted when orthodontic devices are in place on the teeth.
However, such interdental brushes are only somewhat effective in cleaning and do not reach all areas of teeth and gums. Additionally, such brushes fail to clean around and in 35 the orthodontical devices. Conventional proximal brushes attempt to clean outward tooth 2 DK 177235 B1 surfaces and are rendered less effective by the presence of orthodontic appliances, such as dental braces, which deflect or push aside bristles, thus preventing or at least reducing cleaning in and around the orthodontic appliance and affected tooth and gum areas.
5 US5537708 discloses a toothbrush comprising a handle portion extending in a longitudinal direction along a longitudinal handle axis, an intermediate portion also having a longitudinal axis extending in an angle of approximately 45 degrees from the longitudinal axis of the handle, a pair of brushes having first and second ends through 10 which a longitudinal brush axis runs, said brushes extending through the first end from the elastic intermediate portion having an angel of approximately 45 degrees between the longitudinal axis of the elastic intermediate portion and the longitudinal brush axis, wherein the brushes are angled so they approach each other at the second ends leaving a gap between the second ends of the core of the brushes. This toothbrush is insufficient 15 in the removal of plaque around the teeth and orthodontic braces.
None of the prior art toothbrushes provide a toothbrush, which acts to effectively clean the teeth and orthodontic braces of patients under orthodontic treatment.
20 It therefore is an object of the present invention to provide an improved orthodontic brush with the ability to go around the orthodontic wire, and in addition underneath the orthodontic wire for use by dental patients having braces
25 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above problems with the prior art have been solved in the present invention with a brush having a pair of wire brushes elastically attached to a handle. Due to the elasticity of the wire brushes and the narrow gap between these the orthodontic brush of the 30 present invention keeps a significant pressure against the brackets, tubes, and wires resulting in better removal of plaque.
According to the present invention there is provided an orthodontic brush (1) comprising: • a handle portion (2) extending in a longitudinal direction along a longitudinal handle 35 axis; DK 177235 B1 • an elastic intermediate portion (3) having a longitudinal axis extending at an angle ranging from 45 to 135 degrees from the longitunal axis of the handle; and • a pair of brushes (4), such as wire brushes, having first (5) and second ends (6) through which a longitudinal brush axis runs, said brushes extending through the first 5 end (5) from the elastic intermediate portion (3) in an angle ranging from 45 to 135 degrees between the longitudinal axis of the elastic intermediate portion and the longitudinal brush axis; said elastic intermediate portion (3) is an elastic wire (7) onto which the first ends (5) of the brushes (4) are attached, wherein the elastic wire (7) is bent so that the ends (7a 10 and 7b) converge, wherein the brushes (4) are angled so that they approach each other at the second ends (6) leaving a gap between the second ends (6) of the core of the brushes ranging from 2 to 15 mm.
It is preferred that the elastic wire (7) is bent to obtain a circular or oval form in which the 15 distance between the ends (7a and 7b) is between 3 and 16 mm. In addition to the circular or oval form the elastic wire may also be bent to obtain a triangular or any polygonal form (square, pentagonal, hexagonal etc).
In order to achieve good access to the narrow gap between brackets and brace-wires 20 the elastic intermediate portion (3) displaces the pair of brushes (4) with 3 to 20 mm from the handle portion (2). This embodiment is also shown in Figures 1 and 2. This is achieved in e.g. the embodiment, where the longitudinal axis of the elastic intermediate portion (3) extends from the longitudinal axis of the handle portion (2) in an angle ranging from 20 to 140 degrees, preferably 60 to 100 degrees. To get optimal access the 25 longitudinal brush axis of the pair of brushes extends from the longitudinal axis of the elastic intermediate portion (3) in an angle ranging from 60 to 110 degrees.
The brushes preferably comprise a plurality of bristles extending radially from wires to form a plurality of substantially circular bristle patterns around the wires. Most preferably 30 the wire brushes are conically twisted wire brushes with the second ends (6) being narrow the first ends (5) being wide.
Hence, the wire brushes comprise a plurality of bristles extending radially from the wires to form a plurality of substantially circular bristle patterns around the wires. The plurality 35 of bristles is arranged to contact and assist in cleaning of the orthodontic appliances in 4 DK 177235 B1 an oral cavity through manipulation of the handle to guide the wire brushes. As an alternative to bristles other materials with cleaning abilities can be used; e.g. rubber or garment.
5 The orthodontic brush of the present invention permits brush bristles to reach farther behind the orthodontic wire (and with more force) for removal of food and plaque from tooth surfaces, than otherwise could be accomplished with any known prior art device.
Conical brushes are preferred over substantially cylindrical brushes, although either can 10 be used. The most preferred embodiment of the present invention would provide a pairs of conical brushes, with the wider end of each conical brush adjacent to the elastic intermediate portion.
The elastic intermediate portion carries the wire brushes so that they form a narrow yet 15 flexible trench for orthodontic wire passage. The flexible trench is useful when placed into a horizontally-extending orientation around the horizontally-extending orthodontic wire of the braces connected between the complementary hardware wrapped around each tooth, whereby brush bristles adjacent to the trench are able to move behind the orthodontic wires, without damaging them, and clean surfaces of the teeth typically 20 inaccessible by other types of orthodontic cleaning devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
25 Figure 1 shows the orthodontic brush of the present invention seen from different angles.
Figure 2 shows how the orthodontic brush of the present invention is used to clean brackets and orthodontic wires.
30
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention there is provided an orthodontic brush that is able to go around and under braces or other orthodontic appliances rather than being deflected 35 away from the orthodontic appliances. Non-rotating cleaning elements are better suited DK 177235 B1 5 to cleaning teeth, gingiva, other oral tissue (e.g., tongue and cheek), and orthodontic appliances at least in part because the cleaning elements do not slip on the surface to be cleaned.
5 The orthodontic brush can be constructed using conventional injection molding techniques. Alternatively the orthodontic brush may be fabricated from multiple components. Bristles may be attached to the wire brushes by gluing, tying, stapling, thermoforming, fusion, welding, etc.
10 In certain embodiments, bristles may be formed from wire strands, microfibers, thermoplastic material, such as a co-polymer or synthetic polymer (e.g., nylon or polyester), and the like. Thickness and/or length of bristles may be varied based on desired oral contact area, cleaning abrasiveness, and/or other criterion.
15 As shown in Figure 1 the orthodontic brush (1) includes a handle portion (2); the elastic intermediate portion (3), and the pair of wire brushes (4) having first (5) and second ends (6). In the shown embodiment the longitudinal brush axis extends from the longitudinal axis of the elastic intermediate portion (3) in an angle ranging of about 90 degrees, whereas the longitudinal axis of the elastic intermediate portion (3) forms an angle with 20 the longitudinal axis of the handle portion (2) of about 90 degrees. The wire brushes (4) are angled so that they approach each other at the second ends (6) leaving a narrow gap between the second ends (6) of the wires. Conical brushes are used in the present embodiment. The most preferred embodiment of the present invention would provide a pairs of conical brushes, with the wider end of each conical brush adjacent to the elastic 25 intermediate portion.
Referring to Figure 2 there is shown how the orthodontic brush (1) is able to clean difficultly accessible areas of teeth (8), orthodontic wires (9) and brackets (10).
30 35

Claims (7)

1. Ortodontisk børste (1) omfattende: • en håndtagsdel (2), som strækker sig i en langsgående retning langs en langsgående 5 håndtagsakse; • en elastisk mellemliggende del (3) med en langsgående akse, som strækker sig i en vinkel fra 45 til 135 grader i forhold til håndtagets langsgående akse, og • et sæt børster (4), såsom trådbørster, med en første (5) og en anden ende (6), gennem hvilken en langsgående børste akse løber, idet børsterne strækker sig gennem den første 10 ende (5) fra den elastiske mellemliggende del (3 ) i en vinkel fra 45 til 135 grader mellem den langsgående akse af den elastiske mellemliggende del og den langsgående børsteakse; nævnte elastiske mellemliggende del (3) er en elastisk wire (7), hvorpå de første ender (5) af børsterne (4) er fastgjort, hvor den elastiske tråd (7) er bøjet således, at enderne (7a og 7b) konvergerer, og børsterne (4) er vinklet således, at de nærmer sig hinanden ved den anden 15 ende (6) og efterlader ved den anden ende (6) en spalte mellem børsternes fastgørelseskerne på 2 til 15 mm.An orthodontic brush (1) comprising: • a handle portion (2) extending in a longitudinal direction along a longitudinal 5 handle axis; • an elastic intermediate member (3) having a longitudinal axis extending at an angle from 45 to 135 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle; and • a set of brushes (4), such as wire brushes, with a first (5) and a second end (6) through which a longitudinal brush axis runs, the brushes extending through the first 10 end (5) from the elastic intermediate portion (3) at an angle of 45 to 135 degrees between the longitudinal axis of the elastic intermediate portion and longitudinal brush axis; said elastic intermediate portion (3) is an elastic wire (7), to which the first ends (5) of the brushes (4) are attached, the elastic wire (7) being bent such that the ends (7a and 7b) converge; and the brushes (4) are angled so that they approach each other at the other end (6) and leave at the other end (6) a gap between the bristles' core of 2 to 15 mm. 2. Ortodontisk børste (1) ifølge krav 1, hvor den elastiske tråd (7) er bøjet for at opnå en cirkulær eller oval form, hvor afstanden mellem enderne (7a og 7b) er mellem 3 og 16 mm. 20An orthodontic brush (1) according to claim 1, wherein the elastic thread (7) is bent to obtain a circular or oval shape, the distance between the ends (7a and 7b) being between 3 and 16 mm. 20 3. Ortodontisk børste (1) ifølge krav 1 eller 2, hvor den elastiske mellemliggende del (3) forskyder børstesættet (4) med 3 til 20 mm fra håndtagsdelen (2).An orthodontic brush (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elastic intermediate portion (3) displaces the brush set (4) by 3 to 20 mm from the handle portion (2). 4. Ortodontisk børste (1) ifølge ethvert af de foregående krav, hvor den elastiske 25 mellemliggende del (3) strækker sig fra den langsgående akse af håndtagsdelen (2) i en vinkel fra 60 til 100 grader.An orthodontic brush (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elastic intermediate portion (3) extends from the longitudinal axis of the handle portion (2) at an angle of 60 to 100 degrees. 5. Ortodontisk børste (1) ifølge ethvert af de foregående krav, hvor den langsgående børsteakse strækker sig fra den langsgående akse af den elastiske mellemliggende del (3) i 30 en vinkel fra 60 til 100 grader.An orthodontic brush (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the longitudinal brush axis extends from the longitudinal axis of the elastic intermediate portion (3) at an angle of 60 to 100 degrees. 6. Ortodontisk børste (1) ifølge ethvert af de foregående krav, hvor børsterne er wire-børster 7 DK 177235 B1 som omfatter en flertal af børstehår, der strækker sig radialt fra wire-delen for at danne en flertal af i det væsentlige cirkulære børstehårsmønstre omkring trådene.An orthodontic brush (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the brushes are wire brushes comprising a plurality of bristles extending radially from the wire portion to form a plurality of substantially circular bristles. around the threads. 6 DK 177235 B16 DK 177235 B1 7. Ortodontisk børste (1) ifølge ethvert af de foregående krav, hvor wire-børsterne er konisk 5 twistede wire-børster med en smal anden ende (6) og en bred første ende (5). °κ 1772: Figure 1 3 ! 5 7 \ -r " Φ 3 \ T- " *\ "7 ~ ^ '-/ 4/ -i'- ;.'i - i: 4- _T "f" + ______ J" -4- -1. 6 ^ ± 1 4 DK 177235 B1 Figure 2 "it' v' 5 . .i X3 _ 10 »>|r ' ' ' 1 X . / \ X2 /.1 8 —___' '- / ^-y/—J 3 4Orthodontic brush (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wire brushes are conical 5 twisted wire brushes with a narrow second end (6) and a wide first end (5). ° κ 1772: Figure 1 3! 5 7 \ -r "Φ 3 \ T-" * \ "7 ~ ^ '- / 4 / -i'-;.' I - i: 4- _T" f "+ ______ J" -4- -1. 6 ^ ± 1 4 DK 177235 B1 Figure 2 "it 'v' 5.i X3 _ 10»> | r '' '1 X. / \ X2 /.1 8 —___ "" - / ^ -y / - J 3 4
DKPA201100705A 2011-09-15 2011-09-15 Orthodontic brush DK177235B1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DKPA201100705A DK177235B1 (en) 2011-09-15 2011-09-15 Orthodontic brush
PCT/DK2012/050274 WO2013037373A1 (en) 2011-09-15 2012-07-20 Orthodontic brush

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DKPA201100705A DK177235B1 (en) 2011-09-15 2011-09-15 Orthodontic brush
DK201100705 2011-09-15

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
DK177235B1 true DK177235B1 (en) 2012-07-30

Family

ID=46551282

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
DKPA201100705A DK177235B1 (en) 2011-09-15 2011-09-15 Orthodontic brush

Country Status (2)

Country Link
DK (1) DK177235B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2013037373A1 (en)

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2237694A (en) * 1939-02-16 1941-04-08 Altstadt Benjamin Toothbrush
US5537708A (en) * 1995-03-29 1996-07-23 Luposello; Mark A. Toothbrush for simultaneous cleaning of brace and tooth surfaces
US6625834B2 (en) * 2001-10-09 2003-09-30 Peter W. Dean Manual toothbrush for gingival tissue stimulation
US7698772B1 (en) * 2004-09-22 2010-04-20 Hauser Jr Thomas Meskell Orthodontic toothbrush
KR20090122280A (en) * 2007-03-19 2009-11-26 희경 조 Improved mouth cleaning device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2013037373A1 (en) 2013-03-21

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US10172440B2 (en) Toothbrush having tufted bristles and tongue brush bristles emanating from the same surface
US10702051B2 (en) Head for an oral care implement, oral care implement and method for manufacturing such head
AU2018244762B2 (en) Head for an oral care implement, oral care implement and method for manufacturing such head
AU2018244767B2 (en) Head for an oral care implement, oral care implement and method for manufacturing such head
AU2018244765B2 (en) Head for an oral care implement, oral care implement and method for manufacturing such head
US5926897A (en) Toothbrush having bristles for interproximal cleaning
US20100146724A1 (en) mouth cleaning device
JP2018535783A (en) Oral care device
KR20150000480U (en) Improved toothpick
US20130185881A1 (en) Toothbrush
KR101673095B1 (en) Orthodontic toothbrush for wiping teeth with orthodontic appliance
DK177235B1 (en) Orthodontic brush
KR200455480Y1 (en) toothbrush
WO2020051512A1 (en) Tongue brush having bristles emanating from one surface and a tongue scraper emanating from an opposing surface
AU2016220003A1 (en) Head for an oral care implement and oral care implement
JP2005211383A (en) Bristle for toothbrush
KR20090106182A (en) Toothbrush
KR101741486B1 (en) Toothbrush head
KR100970160B1 (en) Toothbrush having a spherical type head
KR20150094361A (en) Toothbrush
KR20130026021A (en) Barb brush with the structure
KR20140000088U (en) Toothbrush
JP2011078580A (en) Dental cleaner
TWM413394U (en) Toothbrush

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PBP Patent lapsed

Effective date: 20140930