Patent Application
20100062392
The present embodiments relate generally to a dental apparatus for placing cord beneath a gum line and related methods of use, and further, to an apparatus for moving tissue on the body, such as cuticle tissue.
When performing restorative dental procedures or other dental operations, it is often necessary to obtain an impression of one or more teeth. To obtain a suitable impression of a tooth, impression material must be able to flow slightly beneath the gum line.
Typically, gingival tissue, saliva, and/or gingival bleeding can block access of the impression material to portions of the tooth below the gum line. A gingival cord is normally used to temporarily retract portions of the gum from one or more teeth to ensure access of the impression material to all necessary portions of the tooth. The cord is placed closely around a tooth, and must then be packed around the base of the tooth to separate the gingival tissue from the tooth.
Conventionally, this procedure is performed using a narrow dental instrument with a blunted tip to forcefully push the cord between the tooth and gum tissue. Use of a conventional gingival cord packing tool can be a time-intensive process, can cause discomfort to a patient, and can cause trauma and damage to the tooth and/or the gum. Damaged gum tissue can bleed, hindering the ability of impression material to flow below the gum line to obtain an impression of the tooth. Further, damaged gum tissue can recede, causing sensitive areas of the tooth to become exposed and hindering the effectiveness of restorative dental procedures, such as crowns and bridges.
Other instruments used to pack a cord into the gingival tissue surrounding a tooth include tools having narrow members that slide or scrape along the surface of a tooth, which can cause discomfort or pain, and can also cause damage to the tooth and surrounding gum tissue.
A need exists for a dental apparatus that is usable to place cord beneath a gum line quickly, without causing trauma or discomfort.
A further need exists for a dental apparatus that can gently move along the length of a cord around a tooth while minimizing scraping or contact with the tooth, thereby minimizing the possibility of damage or discomfort.
A need also exists for a dental apparatus that can quickly and efficiently place a cord beneath a gum line, without requiring time-intensive packing or scraping methods.
The present embodiments meet these needs.
The present embodiments relate to a dental apparatus for placing cord beneath a gum line.
The apparatus can include an elongate handle having an angled shank disposed on an end. The angled shank can be selectively oriented to facilitate access to one or more portions of the gum line. In an embodiment, the angled shank can have a diameter less than that of the elongate handle, for facilitating access and maneuverability within the mouth.
A circular rotatable member can be connected to the tip of the angled shank. In an embodiment, the circular rotatable member can have a diameter less than or equal to four millimeters. The thickness of the circular rotatable member can be selected to facilitate fitting, at least partially, between teeth.
In an embodiment, a second angled shank can be disposed on the opposite end of the elongate handle, having a second circular rotatable member of connected thereon. The second circular rotatable member can be of similar size and construction as the first circular rotatable member.
The second circular rotatable member can be disposed perpendicularly in relation to the first circular rotatable member, thereby enabling each end of the apparatus to selectively provide easy access to various portions of the mouth.
In an embodiment, the angles of each angled shank can be selected such that each shank facilitates access to differing portions of the gum line.
The circular rotatable members are usable to engage and roll along a gingival cord, quickly and efficiently placing the cord beneath a gum line in a single motion. Conversely, conventional packing tools require multiple strokes in a poking or scraping manner to pack a cord into the gum.
The circular rotatable members are further usable to place the cord beneath the gum line while minimizing the risk of contact with gum tissue, thereby minimizing the risk of patient discomfort, trauma, and/or bleeding. Additionally, the circular rotatable members are usable to place the cord beneath the gum line without contacting the tooth, further reducing patient discomfort and possible damage to the tooth.
The present embodiments also relate to methods for placing gingival cord beneath a gum line.
A gingival cord is first placed around a tooth. A dental apparatus having a circular rotatable member, as described above, is provided.
The edge of the circular rotatable member is placed against the gingival cord, and the edge is then moved along the gingival cord. Contact between the edge of the circular rotatable member and the cord causes the circular rotatable member to rotate, such that the apparatus rolls along the cord, gently placing the cord between the gum tissue and the tooth, rather than forcefully packing the cord into place.
While moving the circular rotatable member along the gingival cord, contact between the circular rotatable member and the tooth can be minimized, thereby preventing patient discomfort and damage to the tooth. Ideally, the dental apparatus can be used to place a cord beneath a gum line while contacting only the cord, without contacting the gums or teeth.
When using a dental apparatus having a second circular rotatable member connected to a second angled shank, perpendicularly disposed in relation to the first circular rotatable member, the method can include selectively using the second circular rotatable member to move along the cord when the angle of the second circular rotatable member would facilitate placement of the cord.
The present embodiments further relate to an apparatus usable to move tissue on a body, such as by pushing cuticle tissue to expose fingernails or toenails for removal.
The apparatus can include an elongate handle having angled shanks disposed on each end, as described previously. A circular rotatable member can be connected to the tip of each shank. One or both of the angled shanks can have diameters less than that of the elongate handle.
In an embodiment, the circular rotatable members can be perpendicularly disposed in relation to one another. In a further embodiment, the circular rotatable members can have a diameter greater than or equal to four millimeters.
In the detailed description of the embodiments presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the listed Figures.
Before explaining the present embodiments in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited to the particular descriptions and that the embodiments can be practiced or carried out in various ways.
Referring now to
A first angled shank (18) is shown connected to the first end (12) of the elongate handle (10). The first angled shank (18) has a tip (20), which is connected to a first circular rotatable member (22).
A second angled shank (24) is shown connected to the second end (14). The second angled shank (24) has a tip (27), which is connected to a second circular rotatable member (26).
Each angled shank (18, 24) is depicted having a first angular bend (28) of approximately 150 degrees in relation to the axis of the elongate handle (10), and a second angular bend (30) of approximately 90 degrees in the direction opposite that of the first angular bend. Each angled shank (18, 24) is shown having angular bends in opposition to one another, that position each angled shank (18, 24) with an opposing orientation with respect to the elongate handle (10). However, in an embodiment, the angled shanks (18, 24) can have angular bends that position each angled shank (18, 24) on the same side of the elongate handle (10).
The location of the angular bends (28, 30) and the size of the angles can vary depending on the preferences of the dentist, the shape of a patient's mouth, the location of one or more teeth, or other similar characteristics. The size and location of the angular bends (28, 30) can be selected to facilitate access to various parts of the mouth and gum line.
Each circular rotatable member (22, 26) is depicted having a diameter of approximately 4 millimeters, and a thickness of approximately 1 millimeter, however circular rotatable members of other sizes are also usable. The diameter and/or thickness of the circular rotatable members (22, 26) can be selected to facilitate at least partial entry of the circular rotatable members (22, 26) into spaces between teeth.
The circular rotatable members (22, 26) are shown attached to their respective tips (20, 27) using pins, of which a pin (32) attached to the second tip (27) is visible. The pins (32) are contemplated to provide the circular rotatable members (22, 26) with 360 degrees of free rotation about their central axes, while the attached angled shanks (18, 24) remain stationary or are moved in lateral directions as the apparatus is used.
Other fastening members that provide the circular rotatable members (22, 26) with free rotation while the angled shanks (18, 24) remain stationary or move laterally can also be used.
Referring now to
The second angled shank (24) is depicted having first angled bend (28) and second angled bend (30), as described previously. The second angled shank (24) terminates in a tip (27), which is depicted having a width slightly greater than that of the remainder of the second angled shank (24), and a thickness slightly less than that of the second angled shank (24), for accommodating the pin (32).
The pin (32) is shown, rotatably securing the second circular rotatable member (26) to the second angled shank (24).
The second circular rotatable member (26) is shown having an edge (34), which is usable to roll along a gingival cord or other surface as the second circular rotatable member (26) rotates, while the second angled shank (24) is moved laterally. The edge (34) can thereby be used to move along the length of a gingival cord, whereby the second circular rotatable member (26) is rotated through contact with the gingival cord, without contacting the adjacent gum tissue or tooth.
Referring now to
The tip (20) accommodates a pin (not visible in
The first circular rotatable member (22) has an edge (36), which is usable to roll along a gingival cord or other surface as the first circular rotatable member (22) rotates, while the first angled shank (18) moves laterally. The perpendicular relationship between the first and second circular rotatable members enables each angled shank to easily reach differing locations around a tooth for placing a cord beneath the gum line.
The circular rotatable members (22, 26) are also usable to move body tissue, such as cuticle tissue, for various general medicine, podiatric, and/or cosmetic purposes, while minimizing contact between the apparatus and parts of the body that are not being moved by the rotatable members, such as the nail bed.
While these embodiments have been described with emphasis on the embodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the embodiments might be practiced other than as specifically described herein.
