WO2017013681A2

WO2017013681A2 - A periodontal brush bur and file

Info

Publication number: WO2017013681A2
Application number: PCT/IN2016/050243
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roshan SAKHARKAR
Original assignee: Sakharkar Roshan
Priority date: 2015-07-20
Filing date: 2016-07-18
Publication date: 2017-01-26
Also published as: WO2017013681A3

Abstract

A periodontal brush bur and file for a dental instrument, said element configured to provide for abrasive action on gingival wall of periodontal pocket and for cleaning, polishing action on tooth surface without abrading or damaging it, said element comprising at least a brush head comprised of an elongate rod at distal tip of said dental instrument, said brush head and said elongate rod collinear with each other, brush threads extending from said elongate rod; and at least an attachment for holding said brush head at one end.

Description

A PERIODONTAL BRUSH BUR AND FILE

Field of the Invention:

This invention relates to the field of biomedical engineering and medical devices.

Particularly, this invention relates to a dental bur and ultrasonic scaler tip for use in dentistry and more particularly to a dental bur or rotating tip and scaler tip / vibrating or oscillating or reciprocating ultrasonic / hand held device tip for removing / abrading a periodontal pocket wall lining of gingival side and cleaning / polishing / smoothing tooth surface , root planing , gingival curettage for reducing / elimination of periodontal pocket depth and treating periodontal disease.

Background of the Invention:

Periodontal pocket is well understood in dentistry as one of the most important clinical features of periodontal disease. It is the space between tooth and gingival margin. Periodontal pocket is defined as a pathologically deepened gingival sulcus.

Periodontitis is a set of inflammatory diseases affecting the periodontium, i.e., the tissues that surround and support the teeth. Periodontitis is defined as an inflammatory disease of the supporting tissue of the teeth caused by specific microorganisms resulting in progressive destruction of the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone with increased probing depth, and if left untreated, can lead to the loosening and subsequent loss of teeth.

Periodontal disease occurs when bacteria colonise the sulcus space between the teeth and gingiva. The bacteria cause inflammation, destroys the inner surface of the sulcus altering the structure from a normal epithelial lining to a pathological epithelium. As periodontal disease progresses, deep pocket develop between the tooth and the gingiva. The root surface and periodontal pocket becomes contaminated with biofilm, bacterial toxins, and hard adhered calcified calculus deposits.

Periodontitis is caused by microorganisms that adhere to and grow on the tooth's surfaces, along with an over-aggressive immune response against these microorganisms. A diagnosis of periodontitis is established by inspecting the soft gum tissues around the teeth with a probe (i.e., a clinical examination) and by evaluating the patient's X-ray films (i.e. a radiographic examination), to determine the amount of bone loss around the teeth.

Specialists in the treatment of periodontitis are periodontists; their field is known as "periodontology" or "periodontics".

Periodontitis is common but largely preventable. Periodontitis is usually the result of poor oral hygiene. Brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily and getting regular dental checkups can greatly reduce chances of developing periodontitis. Some products only remove biofilm on tooth surface and are not made for injuring / abrasing periodontal pocket wall of gingival side.

Some products give excessive abrasive action of tooth surface of pocket wall and remove some tooth structure.

Traditional treatment performed for periodontal disease is to remove or debride granulation tissue and scrape the root surface clean, subgingival biofilm removal. This treatment includes scaling and root planning of the tooth within subgingival area for removing the calculus on which biofilms are prone to collect. This procedure is done during surgical / non-surgical root planing and curettage and surgical periodontal therapy. During root planing and curettage, it cannot completely remove hard deposits (e.g. calculus) or soft deposits (e.g. biofilm). Also, curettage or scraping of periodontal pocket wall of gingival side is not completely or finely or uniformly done using available instruments even when utilising both specialised hand instrument , rotary instrument and oscillating or vibrating sonic or ultrasonic instruments.

Periodontal surgery to remove periodontal pocket wall of gingival side requires excision of pocket wall by giving incision with a knife e.g. Excisional new attachment procedure. Surgical procedures are complex and are to be done by a specialist wherein numerous medicines including anaesthesia and instruments are required.

Hand instruments are complex in design and require numerous shaft angles mated with a myriad of shaped scraping edges to allow the operator to clean complex curves of root surfaces and periodontal pocket walls in difficult positions in the mouth have been designed number in the thousands.

Ultrasonic instruments utilise electronics to generate a vibrating insert tip to clean the root. Ultrasonic inserts are manufactured in different sizes, designs, and angles to allow placement of the ultrasonic cleaning tip along side of the roots.

There is one type of powered bur, the Evian debridement bur designed to remove granulation tissue and root deposits. Its use is limited because it is only round in shape so it cannot engage periodontal pocket completely and effectively. It can damage tooth surface or root surface by abrasion. It cannot easily enter the narrow periodontal pocket between tooth and gingiva without incisions to create a wider entry space. Therefore, its use is limited to surgical procedures.

Also, there are some dental burs developed for abrasion on periodontal pocket wall. This type of bur not only gives abrasing action on periodontal pocket wall of gingival side, but also abrades and damages tooth root surface. There is a need for a dental bur and scaler tip which provides for appropriate and effective abrading action on periodontal pocket wall of gingival side and cleaning or polishing action on periodontal pocket wall of tooth side without destruction or trauma to tooth surface. There is a need for a device or instrument that does not damage or abrade tooth or root surface. Some rotary instruments are developed to clean tooth root surface without damaging it but these instruments are not able to abrade periodontal pocket wall of gingival side effectively and completely.

The objective of root planning is to remove root deposits, calculus, granulation tissue and to detoxify the root surface of embedded bacterial toxins and curettage of periodontal pocket wall lining of gingival side.

The stated goal of hand instruments, ultrasonic instruments, rotary instruments, and burs to remove as little of the root surface as possible. On the other hand, some dental bur excessively abrade tooth surface or root surface and exposes dentin by abrasion which may lead to sensitivity of tooth and other damaging effect and problems.

Therefore, what is needed is rotary instrument tip or a dental bur or oscillating or a vibrating sonic or ultrasonic tip or a scaler tip, designed to enter the periodontal pocket to detoxify the root by cleaning and polishing effect on outer surface of the tooth root without damaging and abrading it and to debride the granulation tissue lining of the periodontal pocket wall of gingival side by abrasive action on it.

Prior Art:

EP2719356 relates to dental bur but it is specially made for cleaning soft deposit from a tooth or root surface of a tooth in periodontal pocket and implant and not to injure or abrade gingival wall of periodontal pocket . It is specially designed only to remove soft deposit from a tooth or implant so it is not able to remove hard deposit from a tooth e.g. calculus. It causes no abrasion or very less abrasion to gingival wall of periodontal pocket. Furthermore, it is a complicated design and requires special rotating device for its bur. Also, it is relatively costly.

US20040191725 relates to dental bur but it causes excessive abrading damage to both gingival and tooth root surface , also to bone structure , specially tooth surface of periodontal pocket .

Objects of the Invention:

An object of the invention is to provide a medical device or a medical instrument for use in dentistry for reducing / elimination of periodontal pocket depth and the effective prevention and treatment of diseases such as periodontitis. Another object of the invention is to provide a medical device or a medical instrument or a dental instrument, which not only provides abrasive action on gingival wall of periodontal pocket but also clean and polishes tooth surface, specially root surface.

Summary of the Invention:

According to this invention, there is provided an element for a dental instrument, said element configured to provide for abrasive action on gingival wall of periodontal pocket and for cleaning, polishing action on tooth surface without abrading or damaging it, said element comprises at least a brush head comprised of an elongate rod at distal tip of said dental instrument, said brush head and said elongate rod collinear with each other, brush threads extending from said elongate rod; and at least an attachment for holding said brush head at one end.

Typically, said brush threads are metal brush threads.

Alternatively, said brush threads are non-metal brush threads.

Typically, said brush head's elongate rod is a metal elongate rod.

Alternatively, said brush head's elongate rod is a non-metal elongate rod .

Typically, said at least an attachment is a metal attachment.

Alternatively, said at least an attachment is a non-metal attachment.

In at least one embodiment, said brush head comprises a conical brush.

In at least one embodiment, said element is configured to be attached on to a dental bur.

In at least one embodiment, said element is configured to be attached on to an endo-file.

In at least one embodiment, said element is configured to be attached on to a scaler tip.

In at least one embodiment, said brush head is a conical brush head or long tapered brush head such that it fits atop a bur in an ensconced fashion.

In at least one embodiment, said brush head is a conical brush head or long tapered brush head such that it fits atop a scaler tip in an ensconced fashion.

In at least one embodiment, said brush head is a conical brush head or long tapered brush head such that it fits atop an endo-file in an ensconced fashion. Typically, said brush threads decrease or increase in length from an operative upper end of said brush head to an operative lower end of said brush head.

In at least one embodiment, said at least an attachment is configured to fit into a rotary instrument or a handpiece at one end.

In at least one embodiment, said at least an attachment configured to fit at one end into an instrument selected from a group of instruments consisting of sonic instruments, ultrasonic instruments, scaler instruments, and vibratory dental instruments.

In at least one embodiment, said at least an attachment is configured to fit at one end into a chuck or file holder which is to be fitted to an instrument selected from a group of instruments consisting of sonic instruments, ultrasonic instruments, scaler instruments, and vibratory dental instruments.

Preferably, said brush threads consistency varies from soft threads to hard threads or a combination of both at different layers or parts of said brush head.

In at least one embodiment, said element comprises an opening in said brush head for allowing entry of an attachment to a bur in said brush head, said opening being provided on an operative bottom side of said head, said opening having a pattern selected from a group of patterns consisting of hemispherical pattern, step pattern, notch pattern, split pattern.

In at least one embodiment, said element comprises an opening in said brush head for allowing entry of an attachment to a_scaler tip in said brush head, said opening being provided on an operative bottom side of said head, said opening having a pattern selected from a group of patterns consisting of hemispherical pattern, step pattern, notch pattern, split pattern.

In at least one embodiment, said element comprises an opening in said brush head for allowing entry of an attachment to an endo-file in said brush head, said opening being provided on an operative bottom side of said head, said opening having a pattern selected from a group of patterns consisting of hemispherical pattern , step pattern, notch pattern, split pattern.

Typically, at least an endpiece is provided at an operative bottom end of said at least an attachment in order to fit said at least an attachment on to a handpiece.

In at least one embodiment, said element comprises an opening in said brush head, said opening being provided on an operative bottom side of said head, said opening comprising operatively internally located grooves or notches for efficient retention of said brush head onto an attachment of a bur. In at least one embodiment, said element comprises an opening in said brush head, said opening being provided on an operative bottom side of said head, said opening comprising operatively internally located grooves or notches for efficient retention of the brush head onto an attachment of a scaler tip.

In at least one embodiment, said element comprises an opening in said brush head, said opening being provided on an operative bottom side of said head, said opening comprising operatively internally located grooves or notches for efficient retention of the brush head onto an attachment of an endo-file

Typically, said brush head operative bottom has a metal opening.

Alternatively, said brush head operative bottom has a non-metal opening.

In at least one embodiment, said at least an attachment comprises at least a notch which provides for gripping said brush head when said brush head's bottom is ensconced over a bur.

In at least one embodiment, said at least an attachment comprises at least a notch which provides for gripping said brush head when said brush head's bottom is ensconced over a scaler tip.

In at least one embodiment, said at least an attachment comprising at least a notch which provides for gripping said brush head when said brush head's bottom is ensconced over a

In at least one embodiment, said at least an attachment comprises a hemispherical end tip for insertion into said brush head's bottom.

In at least one embodiment, said at least an attachment comprises split-hemispherical end tip for insertion into said brush head's bottom.

In at least one embodiment, said at least an attachment comprises step pattern end tip for insertion into said brush head's operative bottom.

In at least one embodiment, said at least an attachment comprises different or coinciding shapes on end tip for insertion into said brush head's bottom and forming removable joint with it.

In at least one embodiment, said at least an attachment is fixed with brush head's operative bottom and forming non- removable joint.

In at least one embodiment, at least an attachment member connects said at least a head to an instrument handpiece. In at least one embodiment, said brush head is conical with sharp tip, in its outline for easy insertion between tooth and gingiva in narrow periodontal pocket.

In at least one embodiment, said brush head is long tapered with sharp tip.

In at least one embodiment, said brush head is conical with blunt tip.

In at least one embodiment, said brush head is long tapered with blunt tip.

In at least one embodiment, said brush head is long conical or long tapered in its outline so that it can be easily inserted between tooth and gingiva in periodontal pocket up to bottom of pocket.

Alternatively or additionally, complete bur or scaler tip can be produced by a moulding method, especially injection moulding technique . Such method is economical. It is used to prepare bur or scaler tip, of this invention, from thermoplastic material.

The head or elongate rod, the shank or attachment, and the bristles are of integral construction which means that they are produced in the form of a single workpiece that is also to say usually from one material. This provided an advantage that the bristles are joined to the shank in considerably better manner

Almost any desired form can be given to the bristles and production is simpler and more economical.

Prior art has a specially designed small brush in the form of so called micro bristles for cleaning brushes for tooth aperture this is suitable for their respective cleaning purpose but disadvantage is that small brushes do not effectively give abrasion on gingival wall of periodontal pocket and polish tooth side wall of periodontal pocket. The current invention is advantageous due to thick and tough bristles according to specific use.

In cross section, the brush of the current invention can be of one sided bristles type or plate type , two sided bristles type, triangular three plates or three sided bristles type, plus pattern or star pattern depending upon single row, two rows of bristles, three rows of bristles, four rows of bristles or multiple rows of bristles respectively, used in brush or circular as in case of random bristles or any desired shape.

Instrument of the current invention is provided wherein the shank, together with the bristles, is produced by a milling method especially a micro milling method.

Instrument of the current invention, a method of producing stated instrument for cureting , abrasion of gingival wall of periodontal pocket and polishing tooth side wall , comprising head portion and adjacent there to a working portion having a shank the external surface of which is provided with bristles characterised by the step production of the shank integrally with the bristles .

Instrument of the current invention comprises a method of production which encompasses milling, especially micro milling of the shank together with the bristles.

Instrument of the current invention comprises a method of production which encompasses moulding especially micro injection moulding of the shank together with the bristles.

Instrument of the current invention comprises a one piece integrally formed dental instrument including shank or attachment , the head or elongate rod , the core , the bristles , said core, said shank or attachment , said head or elongate rod and said bristles being molded as a unitary, one piece part from resin .

Shaft can be made of titanium or high quality steel or fiberglass or of carbon to be incorporated in the brush.

Brief Description of the Accompanying Drawings:

The invention will now be described in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate various embodiments of this rotary and vibratory instrument respectively;

Figure 3a illustrates this brush type bur;

Figure 4a illustrates a first embodiment of a metal or nonmetal attachment for insertion into a bur of this invention;

Figure 4b illustrates a second embodiment of a metal or nonmetal attachment for insertion into a bur of this invention;

Figure 4c illustrates a metal or_nonmetal head with a hemispherical end tip for insertion into the bur of this invention;

Figure 4d illustrates a metal or nonmetal head with a split-hemispherical end tip for insertion into the bur of this invention;

Figure 4e illustrates notches in a metal or nonmetal head for gripping the bur;

Figure 4f illustrates vertical cross section of step pattern operative bottom of elongate rod; Figure 4g illustrates horizontal cross section of spherical hollow operative bottom of elongate rod;

Figure 4h, 4i, 4j, and 4k illustrate various horizontal cross sections of brushes at their lower halves;

Figure 5 illustrate a brush type ultrasonic scaler tip wherein brush threads may be of metal or nonmetal;

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a unique end design which facilitates ease of insertion into the space between the gingiva and root of a tooth;

Figure 8 illustrate a file adapter chuck;

Figure 9a and figure 9b illustrate an endochuck file adapter fitted on scaler instrument; Figures 9c and 9d illustrate a perio-file screwed on to the_file adapter instrument; Figures 10 and 12 illustrate a brush type perio-file;

Figure 11a illustrates a side view of the elongate brush head with operative bottom';

Figure l ib illustrates a vertical cross section view of the_elongate brush head with hemispherical opening operative bottom; and

Figure 11c illustrates a horizontal sectional view which shows a hemi-spherical hollow opening.

Detailed Description of the Accompanying Drawings:

According to this invention, there is provided a dental bur and scaler tip for abrasive action on gingival wall of periodontal pocket and cleaning , polishing effect on tooth surface without damaging tooth .

In accordance with an embodiment of this invention, there is provided rotary and vibratory instrument (10, 20) respectively used in the field of dentistry. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate various embodiments of this rotary and vibratory instrument respectively. Typically, this instrument in fig 1 has a rotary tip (12) which effects cutting by abrasion on the area_onto which it is focused. This area may be the tooth surface, root surface, bone structure, hard tissue or soft tissue and the like. Instrument in Figure 2 is an oscillating or vibrating or sonic or_ultrasonic scaler device has a vibrating or oscillating tip which effects on the area onto which it is focused. This may be the tooth surface, root surface, hard tissue or soft tissue and the like. Typically, the instrument design comprises at least a hand piece which holds and provides power for the tip or tool at the distal end and further comprises at least a tip or tool at the distal end. The handpiece may be designed in a variety of shapes and sizes; straight, angled, contra-angles, right-angles, economically influenced, and the like. Typically, the tip or distal tool is the piece that vibrates or rotates, in order to achieve the action and result as per the dentistry application.

However, according to this invention, the bur is modified in order to provide abrasive action in a variety of manners. According to a first embodiment invention, the bur is provided with a brush type bur (50). In this embodiment, a metal or nonmetal attachment (25) is fitted with an elongate rod at its operative top, collinear with each other. Brush threads (51) extend from this elongate rod (53) to form a brush type bur. These brush threads may be of metal or nonmetal. Figure 3a illustrates this brush type bur.

Reference numeral 25 refers to an_attachment or shaft on which the invention is located.

Figure 4f illustrates a vertical cross section depicting the step pattern operative bottom of brush head elongate rod for insertion of step pattern attachment as shown in Figure 4e.

Figure 4g illustrates a horizontal cross section of a spherical pattern hollow operative base for split type attachment.

Furthermore, an end piece or a notched stub may be provided at the operative bottom end of the metal or nonmetal attachment in order to fit the metal or nonmetal attachment onto a handpiece used in dentistry as shown in Figure 4b.

Figure 4a illustrates a first embodiment of the metal or nonmetal attachment (60) for insertion into a bur of this invention. Figure 4b illustrates a second embodiment of the attachment (60) for insertion into a bur of this invention.

Reference numeral 62 refers to a head.

In at least one embodiment, this head (62) has notches which provide for gripping the bur. These notches can be seen in Figures 4a, 4b, and 4e of this invention. These notches are precisely detailed so that the fit in the bur, very tightly.

In at least one embodiment this head (62) has a hemispherical end tip (62a) for insertion into the bur of this invention. This can be seen in Figure 4c of the invention.

In at least one embodiment this head (62) has a split-hemispherical end tip (62b) for insertion into the bur of this invention. This can be seen in Figure 4d of the invention.

Reference numeral 64 refers to an attachment member which connects the head (62) to a rotary instrument handpiece_(10). The protrusions (64), typically, may increase or decrease in length and size from operative top to operative bottom. The only difference between the design of Figure 4a and Figure 4b is that the design of Figure 4b comprises a notch on its operative proximal end for removably fitting into certain types of rotary instrument handpieces.

Figure 4j illustrates a horizontal cross section of brush at its lower half. It is showing four sided bristles [51] coming from shaft. It is four sided bristles pattern or bristles in plus pattern. Bristles are molded with shaft or core or central body [53] or elongate rod and attachment as a single unit by injection molding method with thermoplastic material. Four rows of bristles on this bur or scaler tip or perio file. This design is economical, exerts more abrading force, high strength , bristles[51] are fitted more tightly with shaft[53] as a single workpiece. By this design, one can make bristles thick in diameter.

Figure 4h illustrates a horizontal cross section of brush at its lower half. It is showing three sided bristles[51] or triangular type outer shape. Bristles are molded with shaft[53] or core or central body or elongate rod and attachment as a single unit by injection molding method with thermoplastic material. Three rows of bristle on this bur or scalier tip or perio file. This design is economical, exerts more abrading force, high strength, bristles are fitted more tightly with shaft as a single workpiece. By this design, one can make bristles thick in diameter.

Figure 4i illustrates a horizontal cross section of brush at its lower half. It is showing two sided bristles [51] or bilateral type outer shape. Bristles are molded with shaft [53] or core or central body or elongate rod and attachment as a single unit by injection molding method with thermoplastic material. Two rows of bristles on this bur or scaler tip or perio file. This design is economical, exerts more abrading force, high strength, bristles are fitted more tightly with shaft as a single workpiece. By this design one can make bristles thick in diameter.

Figure 4k illustrates a horizontal cross section of brush at its lower half. It is showing only one sided bristles [51] or unilateral type outer shape. Bristles are molded with shaft [53] or core or central body or elongate rod and attachment as a single unit by injection molding method with thermoplastic material. One rows of bristles on this bur or scaler tip or perio file. This design is economical, exerts more abrading force, high strength, bristles are fitted more tightly with shaft as a single workpiece. By this design one can make bristles thick in diameter.

In accordance with another embodiment of this invention, there is provided a brush type ultrasonic scaler tip (50). In this embodiment, a scaler tip body is fitted with an elongate rod at its operative top, collinear with each other. Brush threads (51) extend from this elongate rod (53) (as seen in Figure 5) to form a brush type scaler tip. These brush threads may be of metal or nonmetal as per embodiments shown in Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings. Reference numeral 85 refers to an opening for water spray. Since periodontal pockets are of different depth, so the bur of this invention or scaler tip or can be of different lengths and / or widths. Most preferably, the bur of this invention or scaler tip is long conical or long tapered in its outline so that it can be easily inserted between tooth and gingiva in periodontal pocket up to bottom of pocket.

The instrument of this invention has a unique end design which facilitates ease of insertion into the space between the gingiva and root of a tooth 95. This can be seen in Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.

Figure 6 illustrates a brush head (50) dental bur attached to a rotary instrument (10) and this bur is inserted in a periodontal pocket (93), its direction of rotation is shown in figure 6.

Figure 7 illustrates brush head perio file (105) fitted to a scaler instrument (20) through file adapter (91) this file inserted in a periodontal pocket (93).

File adapter chuck can be used to attach gingiva abrading file, as mention in the invention to sonic or ultrasonic scaler instrument. Reference numeral 91 refers to a file adapter or chuck which can be seen in detail in Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings. Reference numeral 93 refers to periodontal pocket. Reference numeral 97 refers to gingiva.

Furthermore, Figure 9a illustrates an endo chuck or file adapter fitted on scaler instrument. A wrench (99) can be used to screw it on as seen in Figure 9b. Figures 9c and 9d illustrate a perio-file (105) screwed on to the_file adapter instrument.

Figures 10 and 12 illustrate a brush type perio-file (105). This perio-file comprises brushes extending from it and it is fitted onto a file adapter (91) and file adapter is priorly fitted onto a sonic or ultrasonic instrument or a scaler head of a dental instrument (20).

Figure 11a illustrates a side view of the brush head elongate rod with operative base (110a). Reference numeral 110a refers to a base for joining elongate rod of brush with attachment of bur or scaler tip or endofile.

Figure lib illustrates a vertical cross section view of the brush head elongate rod with operative base (110b). Reference numeral 110b refers to a base for joining elongate rod of brush with attachment of bur or scaler tip or endofile. This embodiment shows a hemispherical hollow opening (112).

Figure 11c illustrates a horizontal sectional view which shows a hemi- spherical hollow opening (112).

It is to be noted that this bur can be used for any dental instrument useful for abrading or polishing action. Specifically, the dental instruments may comprise an instrument or a handheld tool or a hand piece with a rotary instrument tip, an instrument or a handheld tool or a hand piece with a vibrating tip, or reciprocating tip, an instrument or a handheld tool or a hand piece with an ultrasonic scaler tip, an instrument or a handheld tool or a hand piece with an oscillating tip, or the like. This instrument of handheld tool or hand piece along with the bur or scaler tip or perio file of this invention is used to perform abrasion procedure on periodontal pocket wall of gingival side and cleaning and polishing on tooth surface or a root surface of a tooth. During scaling and polishing and root planing and curettage and surgical procedures, the invented dental bur or a scaler tip or perio file simultaneously removes granulation tissue, proper curreting from the inner lining of the periodontal pocket wall of gingival side or biofilm and calculus from the roots and cleanses and polishes the root surface for speedy healing of periodontal pockets , reducing pocket depth and diseases.

Burs of the prior art were made to attain cleaning action of the root canal. Therefore, abrasive action to soft tissue is not possible which is what is achieved through the current invention. Burs of the prior art have brush with bristles in order to achieve cleaning action and at the time of high stability for cleaning portion, the bristles overall form a substantially conical outer shape. This shape ensures that the force is directed from the head portion of the cleaning instrument to the tip of the cleaning portion without substantial twisting of the shank i.e. these bristles of the brush bend without exerting much force to avoid breaking or twisting so it is unable to provide abrasive action. However, the current invention or bur or scaler tip has bristles which are made to exert more pressure and effectively give abrasion since overall length is short according to specific use. As compared to prior art instrument, twisting of the shank is not a problem in the current invention of bur or scaler tip or perio file.

The instrument of the current invention comprises a brush which has special emphasis to give abrasive effect on gingival wall of periodontal pocket and polishing effect on tooth side wall. Therefore, the current invention is an instrument which is made stiffer than root canal cleaning brush.

The current invention's instrument has working area made up of comparatively thick, tough, rigid bristles. This is different than soft brush as in prior art.

In prior art brush for cleaning root canal has disadvantage of bristles coming apart from shank that is they tear off the shank if hard pressure is applied as in case of abrasing gingival wall of periodontal pocket and polishing tooth side wall of pocket .

In prior art brush instrument, the bristles conform to the contour and surface of the root canal for cleaning of root canal. It makes them less suitable for abrading action on gingival wall of periodontal pocket and polishing action on tooth side wall of periodontal pocket. On the contrary the invented brush bur or scaler tip or perio file has comparatively thick, tough, rigid bristles or abrasive area which is suitable for soft tissue abrasion and polishing tooth surface.

Prior art brushes had been designed to clean root canal , tooth root canal has length of up to 25 mm so to access these root canal prior art brushes has long shaft which facilitates the attachment of a head portion, which either can have a hand grip or is intended for insertion into a device for dental use i.e., brush is connected to head with the help of long shaft in other word brush, shaft and head is a long assembly up to 45 mm which gives them accessibility to enter root canal up to its apex and clean for which they are especially made but it makes this design difficult to insert into periodontal pocket. Long length makes prior art instrument more prone to twisting if used in periodontal pocket. In prior art, due to long length, less torque and force reaches to the working area brushes. Periodontal pocket does not require that much long instrument. Operator will find it difficult to use that long instrument into periodontal pocket.

Some prior art brushes are round in overall shape on tip which makes them difficult to insert in periodontal pocket.

The current invention' s instrument is advantageous as it has short shank as compared to root canal cleaning brush which makes its design more precise to enter in periodontal pocket.

Prior art brushes / instruments are specially made in order to obtain optimum cleaning action so unable for abrasive and polishing action as our invented instrument does.

These prior art cleaning instrument / brushes according to the invention carries material out from the root canal.

The prior art relates to a cleaning instrument for a tooth root canal and also for a tooth interstice not for abrasion of a gingival wall of periodontal pocket and polishing tooth side wall.

The prior art had a cleaning portion having a shank, the external surface of which is provided with soft bristles. In the current invention, one has to do soft tissue abrasion, therefore, the current invention's instrument is provided with comparatively hard, tough, rigid bristles.

There are hundreds of brush designs and types already existing in dentistry all are specially designed for their respective purpose. The current invention's instrument is adapted for unique and specific purpose.

Prior art cleaning brushes in which bristles are bound into wound wires are known for cleaning cavities and drilled holes in teeth such brushes are however usually too large to clean a tooth root or periodontal pocket and some brushes are too small to effectively give abrasion on gingival wall of periodontal pocket and polishing tooth side wall .

Furthermore during rotation of the brush, the wound wires can twist open and bristles can come away and remain behind in the root canal or it can be broken. In current invention bristles do not have this disadvantage since it has comparatively thicker, tougher, and harder bristles. Not every root canal is of circular cross section so that these prior art brushes are made too flexible and its bristles are easily tilted so they cannot be used for abrasion of gingival wall of periodontal pocket.

In prior art, to access root canal, these brushes are made too long in overall head to bottom length which restricts user to effectively give, abrasion effect on gingival wall of periodontal pocket using prior art .

In prior art, some brushes are oval or of different shapes which do not engage periodontal pocket wall completely and effectively.

The problem that the invention overcomes is to provide abrading, curettage instrument and a method overcoming the previously mentioned disadvantage and specially allowing the abrasion and curettage of gingival wall of periodontal pocket and polishing tooth side wall reliably.

Previous invention has brushes or instrument for cleaning and especially allowing the tooth root canal to be cleaned reliably .

The previous prior art has brushes, in which bristles on the other hand, must not damage the wall of the root canal. This softness makes it unable to polish tooth side wall of periodontal pocket and abrading gingival wall of periodontal pocket.

The previous prior art has brushes, in which bristles must be in contact with the wall and must conform thereto. Also, prior art bristles are therefore made from relatively soft material or are made very fine, with a small diameter. This make it unable for abrasive action of gingival wall of periodontal pocket and polishing tooth side wall .

In prior art the brushes are made very thin, soft according to their use. Also, it is made long in shaft to access long root canal this makes prior art suitable for cleaning long root canal as it claims. But the current invention's instrument has different use, as it intends to give curettage and abrasion on gingival wall of periodontal pocket and polishing tooth side wall. For this use, the invented instrument's length is relatively short, bristles are hard enough and long for unique and specific use .

Prior art cleaning brushes are suitable for cleaning root canals for which they are made but it makes them very week for abrading gingival wall of periodontal pocket and polishing tooth side wall .

The current invention's instrument can be produced by a milling method especially a micro milling method because milling is a material removing method the bristles can be made by this method so that they are able to give curettage, abrasion to gingival wall of periodontal pocket and polishing effect on tooth side wall. These bristles can, moreover, be given any desired shape milling is recommended when relatively rigid or stiff basic material used.

Alternatively or additionally the bristles, shank or attachment, and head or elongate rod can be produced by moulding method specially micro injection moulding such method is specially economical.

Prior art brushes are made from comparatively soft material e.g. polypropylene , polystyrene or elastomers. The current invention is preferably made of relatively harder material e.g., delrin as a advantageous result one gets abrasive effect rather than smooth cleaning effect.

Prior art cleaning instrument caries material out from the tooth root canal especially well when the bristles are distributed over outer surface of the shank in a helical arrangement. The cleaning instrument then moves material in the manner of a drill without, however enlarging the canal. In contrast, the currently invented instrument if used against tooth will polish the surface removing irregularities because of its comparatively thick diameter, harder and rigid bristles.

Prior art brushes are made specially soft so as they conform to the contour and surface of the root canal so unable for soft tissue abrasion and tooth polishing.

Root canal of a tooth may have length of 25 mm. For cleaning it, prior art instruments are made long up to 45 mm in overall head to bottom length. Also, it is made very thin diameter for insertion into root canal, bristles are made very thin and soft according to their cleaning use. Such long length soft brush is more prone to torsional force and bending force at the shank and brush. So they are difficult to use in periodontal pocket. Even if one inserts it into periodontal pocket, they are inefficient to perform abrasion on gingival wall of periodontal pocket and polishing tooth side wall. Long length of previous instrument brushes reduces its torque and force. On working length of brushes while comparatively overall short length and rigid, harder, thicker bristles give the current invention's instrument more torque and force for curettage, abrasion of gingival wall of periodontal pocket and polishing tooth side wall.

Prior art made specially for cleaning tooth root canal and tooth interstice not for inserting in periodontal pocket and not for curetting, abrading gingival wall of periodontal pocket and polishing tooth side wall .

Prior art interproximal toothbrushes only made for removing food particles lodge between teeth.

Prior art US 5899693A refers to plastic scaler tip made for general scaling of teeth by ultrasonic scaler their drawback is they cannot easily inserted into periodontal pocket due to their comparatively bigger size . Prior art has toothpick and interdental brushes to remove food lodged between teeth.

Prior art root canal brushes are particularly only thin in diameter at working area according to their use and requirement whereas the instrument of the current invention has brush and its bristles which vary in diameter from narrow to wide since periodontal pocket can be narrow to wide .

While this detailed description has disclosed certain specific embodiments of the present invention for illustrative purposes, various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims, and it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

Claims

Claims,

1. An element for a dental instrument, said element configured to provide for abrasive action on gingival wall of periodontal pocket and for cleaning, polishing action on tooth surface without abrading or damaging it, said element comprising at least a brush head comprised of an elongate rod at distal tip of said dental instrument, said brush head and said elongate rod collinear with each other, brush threads extending from said elongate rod; and at least an attachment for holding said brush head at one end.

2. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said brush threads are metal brush threads.

3. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said brush threads are non-metal brush threads.

4. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein , said brush head's elongate rod is a metal elongate rod.

5. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said brush head's elongate rod is a non-metal elongate rod .

6. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said at least an attachment is a metal attachment.

7. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein , said at least an attachment is a non-metal attachment.

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8. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said brush head comprises a conical brush.

9. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said element configured to be attached on to a dental bur.

10. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said element configured to be attached on to an endo-file.

11. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said element configured to be attached on to a scaler tip.

12. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said brush head is a conical brush head or long tapered brush head such that it fits atop a bur in an ensconced fashion.

13. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said brush head is a conical brush head or long tapered brush head such that it fits atop a scaler tip in an ensconced fashion.

14. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said brush head is a conical brush head or long tapered brush head such that it fits atop an endo-file in an ensconced fashion.

15. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said brush threads decrease or increase in length from an operative upper end of said brush head to an operative lower end of said brush head.

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16. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said at least an attachment is configured to fit into a rotary instrument or a handpiece at one end.

17. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said at least an attachment configured to fit at one end into an instrument selected from a group of instruments consisting of sonic instruments, ultrasonic instruments, scaler instruments, and vibratory dental instruments.

18. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein , said at least an attachment is configured to fit at one end into a chuck or file holder which is to be fitted to an instrument selected from a group of instruments consisting of sonic instruments, ultrasonic instruments, scaler instruments, and vibratory dental instruments.

19. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said brush threads consistency varies from soft threads to hard threads or a combination of both at different layers or parts of said brush head.

20. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said element comprising an opening in said brush head for allowing entry of an attachment to a bur in said brush head, said opening being provided on an operative bottom side of said head, said opening having a pattern selected from a group of patterns consisting of hemispherical pattern, step pattern, notch pattern, split pattern.

21. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said element comprising an opening in said brush head for allowing entry of

3 an attachment to a scaler tip in said brush head, said opening being provided on an operative bottom side of said head, said opening having a pattern selected from a group of patterns consisting of hemispherical pattern, step pattern, notch pattern, split pattern.

22. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said element comprising an opening in said brush head for allowing entry of an attachment to an endo-file in said brush head, said opening being provided on an operative bottom side of said head, said opening having a pattern selected from a group of patterns consisting of hemispherical pattern , step pattern, notch pattern, split pattern.

23. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, at least an endpiece is provided at an operative bottom end of said at least an attachment in order to fit said at least an attachment on to a handpiece.

24. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said element comprising an opening in said brush head, said opening being provided on an operative bottom side of said head, said opening comprising operatively internally located grooves or notches for efficient retention of said brush head on to an attachment of a bur.

25. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said element comprising an opening in said brush head, said opening being provided on an operative bottom side of said head, said opening comprising operatively internally located grooves or notches for efficient retention of the brush head on to an attachment of a scaler tip.

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26. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said element comprising an opening in said brush head, said opening being provided on an operative bottom side of said head, said opening comprising operatively internally located grooves or notches for efficient retention of the brush head on to an attachment of an endo-file

27. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said brush head operative bottom has a non-metal opening.

28. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said brush head operative bottom has a metal opening.

29. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein , said at least an attachment comprising at least a notch which provides for gripping said brush head when said brush head's bottom is ensconced over a bur.

30. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein , said at least an attachment comprising at least a notch which provides for gripping said brush head when said brush head's bottom is ensconced over a scaler tip.

31. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said at least an attachment comprising at least a notch which provides for gripping said brush head when said brush head's bottom is ensconced over a endo-file.

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32. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said at least an attachment comprising a hemispherical end tip for insertion into said brush head's bottom.

33. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein , said at least an attachment comprising split-hemispherical end tip for insertion into said brush head's bottom.

34. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said at least an attachment comprising step pattern end tip for insertion into said brush head's operative bottom .

35. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said at least an attachment comprising different or coinciding shapes on end tip for insertion into said brush head's bottom and forming removable joint with it.

36. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said at least an attachment is fixed with brush head's operative bottom and forming non- removable joint.

37. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, at least an attachment member connects said at least a head to an instrument handpiece.

38. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said brush head is conical with sharp tip, in its outline for easy insertion between tooth and gingiva in narrow periodontal pocket.

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39. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said brush head is long tapered with sharp tip.

40. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said brush head is conical with blunt tip.

41. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said brush head is long tapered with blunt tip.

42. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said brush head is long conical or long tapered in its outline so that it can be easily inserted between tooth and gingiva in periodontal pocket up to bottom of pocket.

43. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that, cross section of brush can be selected from a group consisting of one sided bristle type or plate type, two sided bristle type , three sided bristle type or triangular three plates, plus pattern or star pattern depending upon one row of bristles, two rows of bristles, three rows of bristles, four rows of bristles, or multiple rows of bristles, respectively, used in brush or circular as in case of random bristles or any desired shape.

44. An element for a dental instrument as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that, said instrument being a one piece integrally formed dental instrument comprising attachment or shank, the elongate rod or brush head and the bristles, said attachment or shank, said elongate rod or brush head and said bristles being molded as a unitary one piece part from resin.

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