Orbitally or reciprocally vibrating method for interproximal plaque removal

• US 5,827,064 A
• Filed: 06/10/1997
• Issued: 10/27/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sonex International Corp. (Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sonex International Corp. (Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bock, Robert T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, John J.
• Application Number:
  US08/872,291
• Time in Patent Office: 504 Days
• Field of Search: 433/216, 433/118, 433/119, 433/222, 433/223, 15/167.1, 15/22.1
• US Class Current: 433/216
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/20 using ultrasonics
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/34 driven by electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/3445 Translation along the axis of the toothbrush handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/3463 Translation along the axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the bristle holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/3481 Vibrating brush body, e.g. by using eccentric weights
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 2204/002 using batteries

Abstract

Improved methods and apparatus for the removal of plaque from interproximal areas of the dental anatomy and from periodontal pockets. An reciprocal or orbital vibratory motion about the longitudinal axis of the bristles is utilized to impart frictional forces from a multitude of bristles positioned within the interproximal area of two adjacent teeth and in the periodontal pockets of the gum. An advanced embodiment utilizes ultrasonically enhanced bristle tufts to transmit ultrasonic vibrations into the gingival fluids in the periodontal pockets, producing standing ultrasonic waves within the gingival fluids which augments and enhances the plaque removal capability of the reciprocally or orbitally vibrating nylon bristles.

Claims

1. The method of facilitating the removal of plaque from the periodontal pockets of the dental anatomy defined by the external surfaces of the necks and roots of teeth and the internal surfaces of the gum separated from said necks and said roots of teeth comprising, inserting at least one bristle tuft into said periodontal pocket, inducing reciprocal vibration of said bristle tuft about the longitudinal axis of said bristle tuft of sufficiently high intensity to cause removal of said plaque from the said neck and root surfaces of teeth and said internal surfaces of gum by the friction generated between the cylindrical surfaces of said bristles and said plaque covering said neck and said root surfaces of teeth and said internal surface of gum by said reciprocal vibration of said bristle tufts.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the step of inducing said reciprocal vibrations of said tuft of bristles preceding the step of inserting said tuft of bristles into said periodontal pocket.

3. The method as defined in claim 2 wherein said tuft of bristles are also imparting ultrasonic wave vibrations to the gingival fluids between said neck and said root surfaces of teeth and said internal surface of gum.