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EP-4740905-A2 - DENTAL POLISHING CUP

EP4740905A2EP 4740905 A2EP4740905 A2EP 4740905A2EP-4740905-A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a dental polishing cup 100 for holding a dental treatment material, the polishing cup comprising a body 101 comprising an elastic material, the body 101 having a length along a longitudinal axis 108, a proximal end 102, a distal end 104, and a round cross-section taken perpendicularly to the length, wherein the body 101 has a distal diameter Φ at the distal end 104, the body 101 further defining a cup cavity 105 with an opening at the distal end 104; and wherein a portion of the body 101 defines an enhanced-flexibility band (EFB) 110 situated circumferentially at a distance from the distal end 104, the EFB 110 having a first material property that is more flexible than one or more portions of the body 101, and the distal diameter Φ of the cup cavity 105 expands in response to an applied pressure to the distal end 104.

Inventors

  • KERR, SEAN, H.

Assignees

  • Premier Dental Products Company, LLC

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20220429

Claims (15)

  1. A dental polishing cup (100) for holding a dental treatment material, the polishing cup comprising: a body (101) comprising an elastic material, the body (101) having a length along a longitudinal axis (108), a proximal end (102), a distal end (104), and a round cross-section taken perpendicularly to the length, wherein the body (101) has a distal diameter (Φ) at the distal end (104), the body (101) further defining a cup cavity (105) with an opening at the distal end (104); and wherein a portion of the body (101) defines an enhanced-flexibility band (EFB) (110) situated circumferentially at a distance from the distal end (104), the EFB (110) having a first material property that is more flexible than one or more portions of the body (101), and the distal diameter (Φ) of the cup cavity (105) expands in response to an applied pressure to the distal end (104).
  2. The dental polishing cup (100) according to claim 1, wherein the EFB (110) is formed from a material that is more flexible than other portions of the body (101).
  3. The dental polishing cup (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a proximal portion (801A) at the proximal end (102) is comprised of a first material having a first material property, and wherein a distal portion (801B) at the distal end (104) has a second material property different from the first material property.
  4. The dental polishing cup (100) according to claim 3, wherein the proximal portion (801A) is comprised of a material having a first hardness, and wherein the distal portion (801B) is formed of a material having a second hardness less than the first hardness.
  5. The dental polishing cup (100) according to any one of the claims 3 or 4, wherein the distal portion (801B) is co-molded, welded, adhesively coupled, or otherwise attached, with adjacent body portions.
  6. The dental polishing cup (100) according any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (101) further comprises: a first portion adjacent the distal end (104) having a first outer diameter; a second portion situated proximally relative to the first portion, the second portion having a second outer diameter that is reduced relative to the first outer diameter; and a third portion situated proximally relative to the second portion and adjacent the proximal end (102), the third portion having a third outer diameter that is increased relative to the second outer diameter; wherein the second portion defines an enhanced-flexibility band (EFB) (110) situated circumferentially at a distance from the distal end (104) that is less than a distance from the proximal end (102).
  7. The dental polishing cup (100) according to claim 6, wherein the distance from the distal end (104) is a ratio of the distal diameter (Φ) at the distal end (104) that is less than 0.7, preferably less than 0.55.
  8. The dental polishing cup (100) according to claim 7, wherein the ratio of the distal diameter (Φ) at the distal end (104) is 0.38.
  9. The dental polishing cup (100) according to claim 6, wherein the distance from the distal end (104) satisfies the relationship: L = rΦ , Where: L is the distance from the distal end (104), Φ is the distal diameter at the distal end (104), and r is a ratio of the distal diameter at the distal end (104).
  10. The dental polishing cup (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the EFB (110) has an outer diameter that is reduced by at least 17.95% relative to the distal diameter (Φ) at the distal end (104), wherein preferably, the EFB (110) has an outer diameter that is reduced by at least 21% relative to the distal diameter (Φ) at the distal end (104).
  11. The dental polishing cup (100) according to claim 10, wherein the EFB (110) has an outer diameter that is reduced by 24.5% relative to the distal diameter (Φ) at the distal end (104).
  12. The dental polishing cup (100) according to claim 10, wherein the outer diameter of the EFB (110) is at least 1.14mm less than the distal diameter (Φ) at the distal end (104).
  13. The dental polishing cup (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distal diameter (Φ) at the distal end (104) is 6.35mm.
  14. The dental polishing cup (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cup cavity (105) further comprises baffles, ribs or grooves.
  15. The dental polishing cup (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the EFB (110) portion is co-molded, welded, adhesively coupled, or otherwise attached, with adjacent body portions.

Description

Prior Applications This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Applications No. 63/181,735 filed April 29, 2021, 63/181,754 filed April 29, 2021, 63/222,322 filed July 15, 2021, and 63/282,480 filed November 23, 2021, which are incorporated by reference into the present disclosure. This application is generally related to, and filed concurrently with, co-pending U.S. Patent Application No. 17/732,147, entitled "MESO-ABRASIVE DENTIFRICE AND SYSTEM FOR USING SAME" which is also incorporated by reference herein. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates generally to dental tools or instruments and, more particularly, to devices for cleaning or polishing teeth. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Coronal polishing is a procedure used to remove stain and plaque from the enamel surfaces of the teeth after the removal of hard deposits such as calculus from the tooth surfaces. A polishing procedure is typically performed by a dental professional as a part of a routine dental visit. The process involves the use of a polishing agent that is applied to the teeth using a polishing cup. The polishing cup is typically made from an elastomer, such as a natural or synthetic rubber compound and is shaped to hold the polishing agent against the working surface while the cup is rotated by a motor. The polishing cup is removably coupled to a dental handpiece which is handled by a dental hygienist or other dental clinician. The handpiece contains a motor or a mechanical linkage that is, in turn, coupled to a motor by a flexible drive shaft or other suitable coupling. In a coronal polishing procedure, the clinician maintains the cup at a right angle (i.e., normal) to the surface of the tooth. It has been established that the tooth structure can be damaged if the cup is held on the tooth at an off-axis angle. If a typical polishing cup is applied against a tooth off-axis, only the outer edge of the cup will maintain contact with the tooth. This will reduce the amount of the cup area that is contacting the tooth and thus significantly increase the local pressure on the contact area of the tooth. This is especially problematic when the edge of the cup contacts the softer dentin structure of the tooth. Another issue with off-axis application of the polishing cup is that the user, especially if they are lacking professional training or are performing the polishing themselves, is typically not aware that the cup is not properly contacting the working surface and thus not effectively cleaning all areas of the tooth. It is difficult to maintain the cup at a nearly 90-degree angle to the tooth at all times. First, the surfaces of the tooth are highly contoured and vary from tooth to tooth. Thus, the clinician must constantly change their hand position to maintain this contact angle. This is not only difficult given the practical time constraints allocated the procedure, but the constant repositioning of the dental handpiece can lead to musculoskeletal problems for the clinician, such as carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel syndrome. Secondly, certain angles are hard to reach given the relatively small size of the oral cavity and soft tissues. A practical solution is needed to these, and related, challenges associated with the use of dental polishing cups. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to some aspects of this disclosure, a dental polishing cup comprises a body formed from an elastic material. The body has a length along a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end, and a round cross-section taken perpendicularly to the length. The body has a distal diameter at the distal end, which further defines a cup cavity with an opening at the distal end. A portion of the body includes an enhanced-flexibility band (EFB) situated circumferentially at a certain distance from the distal end, the EFB providing a lesser stiffness of the body than other portions of the body that are situated lengthwise immediately distally and immediately proximately of the EFB. Advantageously, the EFB may facilitate articulation, contourability, and flaring of the polishing cup in response to applied forces along the longitudinal axis and also along an off-center axis that is offset from the longitudinal axis. According to another aspect of this disclosure a dental kit comprises a power handle, a polishing cup, and a polishing paste. The polishing cup has a body comprising an elastic material, a length along a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end, and a round cross-section taken perpendicularly to the length and wherein the body has a distal diameter at the distal end, and defines a cup cavity for the polishing paste, with an opening at the distal end. A portion of the body includes an enhanced-flexibility band (EFB) situated circumferentially at a certain distance from the distal end, the EFB providing a lesser stiffness of the body than other portions of the body that are situated lengthwise immediately distally and immediately proximately of th