Dental air abrasive system

• US 5,334,019 A
• Filed: 12/06/1991
• Issued: 08/02/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: American Dental Technologies
• Original Assignee: American Dental Technologies
• Inventors: Parker, William S., Goldsmith, Daniel S., Howell, Michael P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, John J.
• Application Number:
  US07/804,886
• Time in Patent Office: 970 Days
• Field of Search: 433/88, 51/263, 51/307, 51/391, 51/427, 51/437
• US Class Current: 433/88
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 3/025 Instruments acting like a sandblast machine, e.g. for cleaning, polishing or cutting teeth

Abstract

Improvements are provided for a dental air abrasive system of the type which utilizes a compressed gas or air which creates a gas stream. Abrasive particles are introduced into the gas stream and expelled out through one end of a nozzle whereupon the abrasive laden gas stream impinges upon the target, i.e. tooth amalgam, composites, stain and/or tooth dental filling materials. The improvements include the use of two or more hoppers each containing different sized abrasive particles, which are selectively fed, either together or independently of each other, into the gas stream. Different sized abrasive particles are provided in each hopper for cutting different types of tooth structures. Other improvements include the use of fluorescent and/or colored abrasive particles to facilitate the aiming process, a laser beam, strobe, white light or other illuminating means for aiming the abrasive stream and/or illuminating the target area as well as a disposable nozzle for hygienic reasons. Other improvements include the use of a vacuum evacuation system to minimize dusting of the abrasive particles, as well as a dam removably positioned within the patient'"'"'s mouth which reflects the abrasive particles back towards the evacuation system. Still other improvements include the use of a microvalve adjacent the nozzle which, when closed, terminates gas flow through the fluid passageway in order to further minimize dusting of the abrasive particles.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cutting tooth structure comprising:

a first source of abrasive material containing an abrasive material having a first average size,

a second source of material containing an abrasive material having a second average size different from said first average size,

means for creating a gas stream,

means for delivering said gas stream to a target site at the tooth structure,

means for selectively feeding abrasive material from one of said sources of abrasive material into said gas stream upstream from said delivering means so that said gas stream is laden with abrasive material,

wherein said gas stream is of sufficient velocity so that, when laden with abrasive material, cuts tooth structure at the target site,

wherein said feeding means simultaneously feeds abrasive material from said first and second source into said gas stream.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of said sources contains abrasive material having at least two different colors.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said abrasive material in said first source has an average size of substantially 20-30 microns.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said abrasive material in said second source has an average size of substantially 45-55 microns.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for creating a gas stream comprises a source of pressurized air.

6. The invention as defined in claim 1 and further comprising at least a third source of abrasive particles different from said first and second source.

7. An apparatus for cutting tooth structure comprising:

a first source of abrasive material containing an abrasive material having a first average size,

a second source of abrasive material containing an abrasive material having a second average size different from said first average size,

means for creating a gas stream,

means for delivering said gas stream to a target site at the tooth structure,

means for selectively feeding abrasive material from one of said sources of abrasive material into said gas stream from said delivering means so that said gas stream is laden with abrasive material,

wherein said gas stream is of sufficient velocity so that, when laden with abrasive material, cuts tooth structure at the target, wherein said delivering means comprises a Y-shaped fluid junction connector, a first hose for delivering abrasive material gas stream from said first source to said junction connector, a second hose for delivering an abrasive material jet stream from said second source to said junction connector, and a handpiece connected to said junction connector.

8. The invention as defined in claim 7 and comprising a valve means in said junction connector for selectively fluidly opening said hoses.

9. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said valve means is pressure actuated.

10. An apparatus for cutting tooth structure comprising:

a source of abrasive material containing an abrasive material,

means for creating a gas stream,

means for delivering said gas stream to a target site at the tooth structure,

means for selectively feeding abrasive material from said source of abrasive material into said gas stream upstream from said delivering means so that said gas stream is laden with abrasive material,

wherein said gas stream is of sufficient velocity so that, when laden with abrasive material, cuts tooth structure at the target site, and

a flavoring added to said source of abrasive material.

11. An apparatus for cutting tooth structure comprising:

a first source of abrasive material containing an abrasive material having a first average size,

a second source of abrasive material containing an abrasive material having a second average size different from said first average size,

means for creating a gas stream,

means for delivering said gas stream to a target site at the tooth structure,

means for selectively feeding abrasive material from one of said sources of abrasive material into said gas stream upstream from said delivering means so that said gas stream is laden with abrasive material,

wherein said gas stream is of sufficient velocity so that, when laden with abrasive material, cuts tooth structure at the target site,

wherein at least one of said sources contains abrasive material having at least two different colors.