Sonic dental device

Abstract

An electric device which removes supragingival and sub-gingival plaque and undesirable debris from the interproximal surfaces between teeth is described. This device utilizes a combination of sonic energy and dental floss which is secured between two tines, the tines being part of a flexible fork which is removable from a powered handle which contains batteries and an electric motor. The electric motor, which is coupled to an eccentrically mounted disc on an output shaft, revolves at sonic frequencies which in turn generates sonic energy that is transmitted to the flexible fork which holds the floss. The sonic energy is synchronized and in tune with the natural resonance frequencies of the fork thereby stimulating the resonance action of oscillating vertical and / or elliptical movement of the fork which in turn imparts cleaning energy to and enhances the cleaning properties of the floss. The flexible fork may be removed from the handle and replaced with other dental cleaning tools such as a brush, a pick, and / or a tray attachment.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTIONThe present invention relates to personal hygiene, particularly dental hygiene including flossing, cleaning, disinfecting, and / or bleaching teeth.BACKGROUNDPresently, a majority of dental disease occurs on interproximal surface areas of teeth (i.e. the surface areas between teeth). A program of good dental hygiene which includes keeping the interproximal surface areas clean helps prevent dental disease from occurring in these areas.Flossing is a well known and commonly used method of good dental hygiene by which interproximal surfaces of teeth are cleaned. Proper flossing cleans the interproximal surfaces both above and below the gum line thereby reducing the likelihood of dental disease on these surfaces. Although flossing is a valuable part of good dental hygiene, it is a tedious and time consuming task and, therefore, is seldom done properly. Cleaning the interproximal areas of teeth has been a problem since the existence of teeth.There are various methods of cl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Unlike the devices cited above, the present invention uses sonic energy which is synchronized with natural resonance frequencies of a flexible "fork" which holds a strand of dental floss between a pair of "tines." The present invention bypasses mechanical complexities and limitations due to direct mechanical links to an electric motor. By using sonic energy instead of mechanical energy, energy can be transmitted from the power source to the floss in an effective and efficient manner due to a minimum number of moving parts which consequently reduces friction and energy loss. The use of sonic energy imparted to the floss is gentle and forgiving to soft gingival tissues while still making available a very potent and effective form of direct cleaning energy.

It is still an additional object of the present invention to increase the ease and effectiveness of mechanical flossing and teeth cleaning by a lay person.

Problems solved by technology

Although flossing is a valuable part of good dental hygiene, it is a tedious and time consuming task and, therefore, is seldom done properly.

Cleaning the interproximal areas of teeth has been a problem since the existence of teeth.

Each method has limitations with regard to cleaning the interproximal surfaces of teeth.

However, toothbrushes cannot adequately clean interproximal surface areas because of the lack of access to these areas.

Toothpicks are also used to clean teeth and also suffer from an inability to reach all interproximal surfaces adequately.

However, it is well accepted that hydraulic irrigation alone is inadequate to remove the sticky plaque films which build up on teeth surfaces including interproximal surfaces.

Although flossing is commonly known to be as important and as necessary as tooth brushing, it is widely neglected.

Some of the most common complaints about flossing (and, therefore, reasons for neglect) include that it is difficult to perform and is time consuming.

While such floss-holder devices may simplify some aspects of flossing, they generally have a fixed or limited range of motion and, therefore, have limited cleaning action and effectiveness.

These types of movement can be both inefficient and potentially harmful.

One problem with some of these devices is that they utilize a mere back and forth or horizontal manipulation of dental floss between teeth.

It is well accepted in the dental community that mere back and forth manipulation of dental floss between teeth is ineffective in cleaning teeth surfaces.

Therefore, devices which merely provide a back and forth sawing motion are ineffective for flossing purposes.

Another problem with these devices is that they use direct mechanical links to transfer energy from an electric motor to a flossing assembly.

Due to the direct mechanical links, the flossing assemblies are not "forgiving" (i.e. they meet resistance with force).

If when using one of these devices the flossing element comes in contact with soft mouth tissues, the tissues may very well be cut or abraded.

In addition, if floss is moved between teeth in a rapid and / or strong back and forth motion, it can injure and damage mouth tissues.

Furthermore, it is also well recognized that sharp or rapid up and down hatchet motions are more effective for flossing purposes, but are also potentially damaging to periodontal tissues.

However, the problems persist due to the direct mechanical links between the motor and the flossing assembly.

However, as noted above, it is well accepted that hydraulic irrigation alone is not adequate to remove the sticky plaque films which build up on teeth surfaces including interproximal surfaces.

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