Dental polishing strip

• US 4,690,642 A
• Filed: 09/19/1985
• Issued: 09/01/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: G-C Dental Industrial Corporation
• Original Assignee: G-C Dental Industrial Corporation
• Inventors: Kyotani, Ikuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Swiatek, Robert P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lepiane, Adriene J.
• Application Number:
  US06/777,756
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 433/142, 433/166, 433/20, 132/89, 132/93
• US Class Current: 433/142
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 3/06 Tooth grinding or polishing discs; Holders therefor prophylactic cups A61C17/005
• CPC Class Codes: B24D 15/00 Hand tools or other devices for non-rotary grinding, polishing, or stropping

Abstract

A dental polishing strip includes a substrate formed of a shape-memory alloy which is not harmful in the human mouth and is restored to the stored shape at a temperature of no lower than 40° C. for sterilization in dental clinics. The polishing strip is provided with a number of small holes, files, abrasive grains, or a combination thereof to form a polishing surface.

Claims

1. A dental polishing strip comprising:

(a) a substrate formed of a shape-memory alloy selected so that, after deformation by contact with the teeth during use, said substrate returns to its original shape upon being heated to a temperature at least slightly higher than the temperature of human mouths and

(b) a polishing surface on said substrate for polishing the proximal surfaces of teeth or fillings in the proximal cavity.

2. A dental polishing strip as recited in claim 1 wherein said shape-memory alloy is selected so that, after deformation by contact with the teeth during use, said substrate returns to its original shape upon being heated to a temperature in the range of 40°

C. to 250°

C.

3. A dental polishing strip as recited in claim 1 wherein said shape-memory alloy is selected from the group consisting of Ti-Ni shape-memory alloy, Cu-Zn-Al shape-memory alloy, and Fe-Mn shape-memory alloy.

4. A dental polishing strip as recited in claim 1 wherein said polishing surface is formed like a file.

5. A dental polishing strip as recited in claim 1 wherein said polishing surface is formed on one side only of said substrate.

6. A dental polishing strip as recited in claim 1 wherein said polishing surface is formed on both sides of said substrate.

7. A dental polishing strip as recited in claim 1 wherein said polishing surface is formed from polishing adhesive grains mounted on said substrate.

8. A dental polishing strip as recited in claim 7 wherein said polishing adhesive grains are selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide, diamond, carborundum, cubic boron nitride, and ceramic materials based on TiC, ZrO₂, or Si₃ N₄.

9. A dental polishing strip as recited in claim 7 wherein said polishing adhesive grains have a grain size of about 7-150 microns.

10. A dental polishing strip as recited in claim 7 wherein said polishing adhesive grains are mounted on said substrate by means of an adhesive.

11. A dental polishing strip as recited in claim 7 wherein said polishing adhesive grains are mounted on said substrate by means of electroplating.

12. A dental polishing strip as recited in claim 7 wherein said polishing adhesive grains are mounted on said substrate by means of brazing.