WO2002045616A2

WO2002045616A2 - Device for cleaning dentition elements

Info

Publication number: WO2002045616A2
Application number: PCT/EP2001/014219
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Stieger
Original assignee: Peter Stieger
Priority date: 2000-12-06
Filing date: 2001-12-05
Publication date: 2002-06-13
Also published as: WO2002045616A3; AU2002240826A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for cleaning dentition elements, in particular, of natural teeth and tooth roots, of artificial teeth and tooth roots (implants) and for cleaning interproximal spaces of all types and the space between the tooth root and superstructures of all types such as crowns, bridges, connecting members or the like. The inventive device comprises a retaining element on which a cleaning element is located. The cleaning element should comprise at least two longitudinally extended, interspaced shaped elements (5.1, 5.2), whereby at least one shaped element has a flocking, brushes or the like.

Description

Device for cleaning denture elements

The invention relates to a device for cleaning

Denture elements, especially natural teeth and

Tooth roots, from artificial teeth and tooth roots

(Implants) and for cleaning the interdental spaces of all

Type and the space between the tooth root and all kinds of superstructures, such as crowns, bridges, bars or the like, with a holder on which a cleaning element is located.

Toothbrushes are particularly known for cleaning teeth. These toothbrushes consist of a holder on which there is a cleaning element with bristles.

Electric toothbrushes are also known in which a bristle head rotates or vibrates, for example. So-called interdental brushes are known for cleaning interdental spaces, which consist of a bristle head on a holder. The bristle head is moved between two teeth so that the tooth neck is cleaned with the bristle head. In practice, however, it has been found that these interdental brushes can damage the tooth necks or the implants and their superstructures if they hit the same with the tip or exposed wire.

The present invention has for its object to develop a device of the type mentioned above, with which in particular tooth necks or heads / shoulders of implants, natural and artificial teeth, as well as superstructures of all kinds and the space can be cleaned much better.

To achieve this object, the cleaning element has at least two elongated, spaced-apart shaped elements, at least one shaped element having flocking, bristles or the like.

This device enables a tooth, in particular in the area of the tooth root or in the space between the tooth root and the superstructure, to be taken up by the channel between the two shaped elements, so that cleaning can take place not only when the shaped elements are inserted into the spaces, but also when Swiveling the device, which significantly extends the cleaning area.

The two shaped elements preferably run approximately parallel to each other, but if desired, they could also be placed at an angle to one another or diverge. This idea should also be encompassed by the present invention.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, for which protection is sought independently, the cleaning element forms at least one curve.

In contrast to the interdental brushes, the device according to the invention does not hit the tooth neck or the head / shoulder of the implant with its superstructure with a point. The contact is made either with the outer part of the curve or with elbows, insertion branches, guide pins, guide strips or the like. This prevents damage to the implants and their superstructures.

The rounding is preferably designed in the form of a part circle, i.e. it at least partially encompasses the tooth neck or the head / shoulder of the implant or the superstructure on it. If the device is then moved, the curve also runs around the head / shoulder of the implant or. the natural or artificial tooth necks of the crowns and other superstructures. These are cleaned in this way, as are the adjacent rooms, even in less accessible places.

The rounding is preferably formed by a shaped element (with insertion branches or insertion pins or strips) which forms the cleaning element as a whole with an attachment piece and is connected to the holder via this. That means that Cleaning element is interchangeable and easily replaceable if damaged or used. Furthermore, a whole set of cleaning elements can be offered, so that the user can select a correspondingly shaped cleaning element depending on the interdental space or the thickness of the head of the implant.

In a simple embodiment of the invention, the shaped element consists of an elongated pin which forms the curve at its free end. This means that this pin with the rounding can be inserted into the oral cavity between two teeth or under a bridge, so that the tooth or the head of the implant is hooked behind with the rounding. This makes it possible not only to clean the tooth or the implant laterally, but also the part in the oral cavity.

It is also conceivable that the pen has a crescent on its free end, which enables teeth to be cleaned from the front. When the holder is swiveled in a horizontal plane, the sickle also moves into the interdental spaces so that they are also cleaned.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, at least two shaped elements are assigned to the extension piece. These shaped elements have oppositely oriented curves, so that the tooth or the head of the implant is attacked from two sides.

In one embodiment, the curves of the shaped elements can overlap, but the space to be cleaned must then be large enough. In another exemplary embodiment, the shaped elements can be arranged such that a tooth with one shaped element can be cleaned from one side and the adjacent tooth with the other shaped element from the other side.

In a preferred embodiment, the curves of two shaped elements, both of which are molded onto an attachment piece, together form an almost closed circle, with which the tooth neck or the head of the implant is encompassed in the position of use.

So that the head of the implant can be guided to these curves or into the space formed by the curves, strips are formed on the free ends of the curves, which form a guide channel. For example, these strips can be curved in opposite directions so that their free ends in turn form an opening receiving opening for the head of the implant. If, on the other hand, the strips are straight, they have bends at their free ends, which form this opening opening.

In a preferred embodiment, the strips are bent outwards, so that two guide channels are formed with a different opening width. The first guide channel has a larger receiving opening, so that the taking up of the head of the implant is made easier. This is followed by the guide channel with the smaller opening width, which leads the head of the implant directly between the two curves. Especially in the latter cases, it is desirable that the extension piece is not formed in one piece, but consists of two sections that form a gap with one another. When the cleaning element is inserted into the holder, the gap is reduced and the two shaped elements are moved towards one another. The shaped elements are designed in such a way that they are to a certain extent under a prestress, so that encircling the head of the implant or the tooth neck is improved.

In an improved embodiment of the invention, the tooth neck or the implant is to be guided in an arcuate guide channel to the curve. The neck of the tooth or the implant slips better in an arcuate guide channel, no expansion is required, as in the guide channels mentioned above.

In order to improve cleaning, it is intended to flock the shaped elements. The flocking is done with a soft or bristle-like material that is applied to the shaped elements. It should ensure that the tooth necks or the heads of the implants are cared for gently. The pins or shaped elements can also be made of plastic or plasticized wires.

In particular in the case of two shaped elements which act together, it is often desirable that a front part of the shaped element is not flocked or bristled. As a result, the shaped element finds the interdental space more easily. It serves as a sensor for insertion. The bristles of adjacent shaped elements should preferably also be so close that they almost touch. This improves the cleaning effect. It is also conceivable that the bristles form recesses for receiving a tooth neck.

In a simple embodiment, the cleaning element can be inserted into a mechanical holder, so that the teeth are only cleaned mechanically. However, it is also conceivable to insert it into an electrical apparatus with which the cleaning element is vibrated, for example. Use with an ultrasound device is also conceivable.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention result from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments and from the drawing; this shows in

Figure 1 is a plan view of an inventive device for cleaning teeth;

FIGS. 2 to 19 top views of different exemplary embodiments of cleaning elements for a device according to FIG. 1.

According to FIG. 1, an inventive device for cleaning teeth has a holder 1 in which a cleaning element 2 is inserted. For this purpose, the cleaning element 2 has an extension piece 3, which is inserted in a hole (not shown in detail) in the holder 1.

At its other free end, the holder 1 preferably also has a bore 4, indicated only by dashed lines, into which the cleaning element 2 can be inserted. Since the holder 1 is cranked, two different starting positions can be selected for the cleaning element 2, namely one straight and one angled.

According to FIG. 2a, an extension piece 3.1 is of one-piece and conical design. It can become wedged in the bore 4 when it is inserted.

A pin 5 is assigned to the attachment 3.1, which forms a curve 6.1 at its free end. Extension 3.1, pin 5 and curve 6.1 are preferably in one piece made of plastic and provided with flocking 7 or bristles, as indicated in Figure 1 and Figure 6.

In use, the adapter 3.1 is inserted into the holder 1. The curve 6.1 and parts of the pin 5 are guided, for example, under a bridge between the bridge and the gums, and a tooth neck or a space between an artificial tooth and an implant is engaged by the curve 6.1 and cleaned by a pivoting movement of the holder 1.

The embodiment of a cleaning element according to

Figure 2b differs from that of Figure 2a in that a rounding 6.2 opposite the rounding

6.1 is curved. Of course, it is also sufficient here if the cleaning element according to FIG. 2a is only rotated by 180 °. Accordingly, a holder 1 can have cleaning elements with oppositely oriented curves 6.1 and 6.2 in each of its two bores.

According to FIG. 3, two pins 5.1 and 5.2, each with oppositely oriented curves 6.1 and 6.2, are molded onto the end piece 3.1. The curves 6.1 and 6.2 overlap so that they form a V-shaped incision 8. If this cleaning element is pressed against a tooth neck, the incision 8 striking the tooth neck, then the two pins 5.1 and 5.2 spread outwards, so that the two curves 6.1 and

6.2 enclose the tooth neck or a head of the implant. In this way, the tooth neck or the head of the implant can be cleaned better. According to FIG. 4, two crescent-shaped curves 6.3 and 6.4 are seated on the extension 3.1, which are arranged opposite or in mirror image. This makes it possible to clean one head of an implant from one side and the adjacent head from the other side.

In the exemplary embodiment of a cleaning element according to FIG. 5, a pin 5.3 is again placed on the extension piece 3.1, with a sickle as a curve 6.5 being formed on its free end. This sickle 6.5 is primarily used to clean the head of the implant or a tooth neck from the front.

According to FIGS. 6 to 9, an extension 3.2 is split. The gap 9 separates two clamping pieces 10.1 and 10.2, which are connected to one another at the bottom. When inserted into the bore 4, the clamping pieces 10.1 and 10.2 are moved towards one another, so that the gap 9 is reduced. In this way, corresponding shaped elements, which form the curves described later, are placed under a prestressing.

According to FIG. 6, each clamping piece 10.1 and 10.2 is fitted with a shaped element which has a foot 11 and a rounding 6.6 and 6.7 adjoining it. A strip 12.1 and 12.2 then adjoins each rounding 6.6 and 6.7, which form a guide channel in the position of use. The strips 12.1 and 12.2 are each curved opposite to the curves 6.6 and 6.7 so that a tooth neck can be better absorbed. For use, the end piece 3.2 is inserted into a bore 4. The gap 9 is lifted so that the feet 11 are almost against each other. The curves 6.6 and 6.7 almost form a closed circle, enclosing the tooth neck or the head of an implant. If the holder 1 is now swiveled slightly in the horizontal plane, the curves 6.6 and 6.7 rotate around the tooth neck and clean it. Rotations (manual or electric) clean the curves 6.6 and 6.7 and the strips 12.1 and 12.2 clean the implant and the superstructures vertically with an up and down movement. This cleans the entire space of the tooth neck or the implant head. Another possibility is the alternating forward and backward movement of the curves against each other.

The embodiment according to FIG. 7 differs from that according to FIG. 6 in that strips 12.3 and 12.4 are essentially rectilinear and only have an offset 13.1 and 13.2 at their ends. This offset 13.1 and 13.2 is sufficient so that the two shaped elements can split when they hit the head of an implant and this then leads through the strips 12.3 and 12.4, which form a guide channel 14, into the region of the curves 6.6 and 6.7.

In a simple exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 8, the strips can also be omitted, so that an insertion opening 15 is formed only between the curves 6.6 and 6.7.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 9, the strips 12.5 and 12.6 are bent outwards, see above that a guide channel 14.1 with a larger width is followed by a guide channel 14.2 with a smaller width. This makes it easier to take up the head of the implant.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 10, two shaped elements are inserted into the extension piece 3.1. In this case, only the right-hand shaped element forms a curve 6.7, while the other shaped element on the opposite side is only very slightly rounded or can also be designed in a straight line. In this exemplary embodiment, particular attention must be paid to the guide channel 14.3. This is arched. For this purpose, two opposite strips 12.7 and 12.8 have staggered bends 16.1 and 16.2.

This configuration of the arcuate channel 14.3 has the effect that the tooth neck or the implant is guided better in the channel, it slips more easily and therefore reaches the area of the curve 6.7 more easily.

In a very simple embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 11, two straight pins 5.1 and 5.2 are inserted into the attachment 3.1, which are flocked. They form an insertion channel 14.4 between them.

The corresponding pins 5.1 and 5.2 can also, as shown in FIG. 12, each be assigned to a clamping piece 10.1 or 10.2 of a split attachment piece 3.2. If this extension piece 3.2, as shown in FIG. 13, is inserted into a holder 1, the holder 1 closes the clamping pieces 10.1 and 10.2 and thus brings the flocked pins 5.1 and 5.2 into their desired parallel position. In FIGS. 14 and 15 it is indicated that the alignment of the pins 5.1 and 5.2 does not necessarily have to be parallel, it can also be slightly converging or slightly divergent.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 16, the pins 5.1 and 5.2 are bristled in such a way that the bristles of the adjacent pins 5.1 and 5.2 touch. Furthermore, the pins 5.1 and 5.2 are bristled along their entire length.

In contrast, the pins 5.1 and 5.2 in the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 17 to 19 are not bristled over their entire length, but are free at the end. This makes it easy to find the space between two teeth.

In the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 18 and 19, the bristles each have a recess 17 or 17.1 for receiving, for example, a tooth neck.

It goes without saying that the individual features shown in the figures can be combined with one another in different ways. These combinations are also encompassed by the present invention.

Position Number List

Claims

Patent claims

1.Device for cleaning dentition elements, in particular natural teeth and tooth roots, artificial teeth and tooth roots (implants) and for cleaning interdental spaces of all types and / or the space between tooth roots and superstructures of all types, such as crowns, bridges, bars or od. Like., With a holder on which a cleaning element is located,

characterized,

that the cleaning element has at least two elongated, spaced-apart shaped elements (5.1, 5.2), at least one shaped element having flocking, bristles or the like.

2.Device for cleaning dentition elements, in particular natural teeth and tooth roots, artificial teeth and tooth roots (implants) and for cleaning interdental spaces of all kinds and / or the space between tooth roots and superstructures of all kinds, such as crowns, bridges, bars or. Like., With a holder on which a cleaning element is located, characterized in that the cleaning element (2) forms at least one curve (6.1 - 6.7).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the rounding (6.1 - 6.7) is formed like a part circle.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the rounding (6.1 - 6.7) is formed by a shaped element which forms the cleaning element (2) with an extension piece (3.1, 3.2) and via this with the holder (1) connected is.

5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the shaped element is an elongated pin (5.1 - 5.3) which forms the curve (6.1, 6.2, 6.5) at its free end.

6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the pin (5.3) at its free end a sickle (6.5) is placed to form the curve.

7. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that at least two shaped elements are assigned to the extension piece (3.1, 3.2), at least one shaped element having a curve (6.7).

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that each shaped element has a curve and the curves (6.1 - 6.7) of the shaped elements are oriented in opposite directions.

9. The device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the curves (6.1, 6.2) of the shaped elements overlap.

10. The device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the curves (6.1 - 6.7) of the shaped elements are arranged in mirror image.

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the rounding (6.3, 6.4, 6.6, 6.7) of each shaped element is connected via a foot (11) to the extension piece (3.1, 3.2).

12. The device according to at least one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the shaped elements are each assigned a strip (12.1 - 12.6) to form a guide channel (14).

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the guide channel (14.3) is arcuate, the two strips (12.7 and 12.8) having staggered bends (16.1 and 16.2).

14. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that each strip (12.5 - 12.6) is bent outwards, so that two sub-channels (14.1, 14.2) are formed with different opening widths.

15. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that at least one strip (12.3, 12.4) adjoins an outward bend (13.1, 13.2).

16. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the two shaped elements (5.1, 5.2) are arranged parallel to one another, slightly converging or slightly diverging.

17. The device according to at least one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the shaped elements are assigned to an extension piece (3.1, 3.2).

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the extension piece (3.2) split and is designed as a plug-in piece.

19. The device according to at least one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the shaped elements (5.1, 5.2) are at least partially flocked or provided with bristles.