Dental ultrasonic calculus removal apparatus and method

• US 5,236,358 A
• Filed: 04/27/1992
• Issued: 08/17/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William J. Sieffert
• Original Assignee: William J. Sieffert
• Inventors: Sieffert, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lucchesi, Nicholas D.
• Application Number:
  US07/873,788
• Time in Patent Office: 477 Days
• Field of Search: 423/118, 423/119, 423/102, 423/81
• US Class Current: 433/119
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/20 using ultrasonics

Abstract

An ultrasonic dental handpiece having a thin, flexible, elongated abrasive tool attached thereto for removing calculus deposits from the surface of teeth. A thin, flexible abrasive tool having a specifically selected diameter is used in conjunction with an ultrasonic handpiece for the purpose of removing calculus from deep within a periodontal pocket without traumatizing the surrounding tissue and bone. The use of a diamond coated abrasive tool aids in tactually detecting fine calculus deposits deep below the gum line. An annular aperture surrounding the circumference of the abrasive tool is used to provide a fluid spray for washing away loosened calculus. The ease and efficiency of calculus removal is greatly enhanced.

Claims

1. A dental handpiece for removing calculus from the surface of teeth below the gum line in the periodontal pocket comprising:

a handle;

a head attached to said handle having a tool bore;

an elongated conically shaped abrasive tool having a working small diameter distal end and a larger diameter fixed end, the fixed end fitting within the tool bore, the working small diameter distal end extending from the tool bore and having a maximum diameter of less than 0.014 inches, the abrasive tool diameter at the point of exit from the tool bore being less than the diameter of the tool bore whereby an annular aperture is formed between the interior surface of the tool bore and the exterior surface of the abrasive tool at the point of exit from the tool bore;

attachment means, associated with said head and said elongated conical shaped abrasive tool, for releasably attaching said elongated conical shaped abrasive tool to said head;

depth reference indicia placed on said abrasive tool between the fixed end and the working small diameter distal end;

fluid means, connected to the tool bore and the annular aperture, for providing cooling and irrigation fluid along the circumference of said abrasive tool; and

ultrasonic drive means, coupled to said abrasive tool, for ultrasonically vibrating said tool,

whereby calculus is removed without unnecessarily traumatizing bone and tissue surrounding the tooth.

2. A dental handpiece for removing calculus as in claim 1 wherein:

said abrasive tool is a file having ridged surfaces.

3. A dental handpiece for removing calculus as in claim 1 wherein:

said abrasive tool is diamond coated.

4. A dental handpiece for removing calculus from the surface of teeth below the gum line in the periodontal pocket comprising:

a handle;

a head attached to said handle having a tool bore and a threaded bore, the longitudinal axis of the tool bore being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the threaded bore;

an elongated conically shaped abrasive tool having a working small diameter distal end and a larger diameter fixed end, the fixed end fitting within the tool bore and extending to the threaded bore, the working small diameter distal end extending from the tool bore and having a maximum diameter of less than 0.014 inches, the abrasive tool diameter at the point of exit from the tool bore being less than the diameter of the tool bore whereby an annular aperture is formed between the interior surface of the tool bore and the exterior surface of the abrasive tool at the point of exit from the tool bore;

a screw threaded into the threaded bore and contacting the fixed end of said abrasive tool securely holding said abrasive tool within the tool bore;

depth reference indicia placed on said abrasive tool between the fixed end and the working small diameter distal end;

fluid means, connected to the tool bore and the annular aperture, for providing cooling and irrigation fluid along the circumference of said abrasive tool; and

ultrasonic drive means, coupled to said abrasive tool, for ultrasonically vibrating said tool,

whereby calculus is removed without unnecessarily traumatizing bone and tissue surrounding the tooth.