Dental mirror

Abstract

To provide a dental mirror with a simple structure that does not cause hygiene anxiety.SOLUTION: A dental mirror includes: a mirror part; a first grip part projecting from a base plate to which the mirror part is attached in an edge of the mirror part; and a second grip part spaced from the first grip part and projecting from the base plate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to dental mirrors, and more particularly to dental mirrors used to allow a patient to view the inside of the oral cavity. [Background technology]

[0002] When dentists or other dental care professionals treat a patient's teeth, they generally use a dental mirror that has a handle and an intraoral mirror attached at a desired angle to the end of the handle in order to check inside the patient's mouth (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] On the other hand, in order to explain the dental treatment plan to the patient or to alleviate the patient's anxiety during treatment, dental care workers may have the patient hold a hand mirror and check the inside of the mouth while pointing out things to them. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-188036 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when a dental healthcare professional hands a hand mirror to a patient, the dental healthcare professional's hand may come into contact with the patient's hand, the patient may miss the mirror and drop it, or the dental healthcare professional and patient may hold the mirror in the same hand when explaining relevant areas in the patient's mouth, which can raise hygiene concerns in the dental field.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a dental mirror that has a simple structure and does not cause hygiene concerns. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the dental mirror of the present invention comprises a mirror portion, a first gripping portion protruding from a substrate to which the mirror portion is attached at an edge of the mirror portion, and a second gripping portion protruding from the substrate, spaced apart from the first gripping portion.

[0008] This simple structure of a first gripping portion and a second gripping portion allows the parts to be held by the patient and the dental healthcare professional to be separated, thereby reducing the occurrence of incidents such as the dental healthcare professional's hand coming into contact with the patient's hand when the dental healthcare professional hands the dental mirror to the patient, or the patient missing the dental mirror and dropping it.

[0009] Furthermore, when the dental care worker has the patient check and point out the inside of the oral cavity, the dental care worker and the patient do not grasp the same part.

[0010] Therefore, concerns about hygiene in dental care settings are significantly reduced.

[0011] In this dental mirror, the first gripping portion of the first substrate and the second gripping portion of the second substrate may be colored in different colors.

[0012] The substrate of this dental mirror comprises a first substrate having a frame portion to which the mirror portion is attached at the edge of the mirror portion and a first gripping portion protruding from the frame portion, and a second substrate having a base portion superimposed on the frame portion of the first substrate and a second gripping portion protruding from the base and connected to the first substrate, and the first substrate and the second substrate are rotatable so that the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion can move toward and away from each other relatively.

[0013] The mirror portion of this dental mirror is formed by a one-way mirror that reflects a part of the incident light while transmitting a part of the incident light. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, hygiene concerns in dental care settings are significantly reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view illustrating the outline of the configuration of a dental mirror according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a view taken along the arrow A in FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. [Diagram 5] 1A to 1C are diagrams for explaining an outline of how to use the dental mirror of this embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the outline of the configuration of a dental mirror according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Next, a dental mirror according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0017] (First embodiment) First, a dental mirror according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0018] Fig. 1 is a plan view for explaining the outline of the configuration of a dental mirror according to this embodiment, Fig. 2 is a view taken along the arrow A in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II in Fig. 1. As shown in the figures, in this embodiment, the dental mirror 1 mainly comprises a first substrate 10 and a second substrate 20.

[0019] In this embodiment, the first substrate 10 has a frame portion 11 that is formed in a circular shape when viewed in a plane, and a first gripping portion 12 that is continuous with this frame portion 11 and protrudes outward from the frame portion 11, and the frame portion 11 and the first gripping portion 12 are integrally formed from a plastic material.

[0020] In this embodiment, frame portion 11 is formed with mounting portion 11A which is circular in a planar view and concavely recessed, and mirror portion 13 which is circular in a planar view is fitted into mounting portion 11A at its edge 13a, thereby providing mirror portion 13 on frame portion 11.

[0021] In this embodiment, the second substrate 20 has a base 21 which is circular in a plan view and whose outer edge is formed to a shape that imitates the frame portion 11 of the first substrate 10, and a second gripping portion 22 which is continuous with this base 21 and protrudes outward from the base 21, and the base 21 and the second gripping portion 22 are integrally formed from a plastic material.

[0022] In this embodiment, the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are colored in different colors, and by coloring the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 in different colors, the first gripping portion 12 and the second gripping portion 22 are colored in different colors.

[0023] For example, the first substrate 10 (first gripping portion 12) is colored pink, and the second substrate 20 (second gripping portion 22) is colored black.

[0024] Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of part B in Fig. 3. As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, an engagement part 11a that is substantially L-shaped in cross section and protrudes outward and extends in the circumferential direction along a circular frame part 11 is formed on the inner side 10a of the first substrate 10.

[0025] On the other hand, in this embodiment, an engagement groove 21a is formed on the inner side 20a of the second substrate 20, which is cut out on the inside, is formed in a substantially L-shape in cross section, and extends circumferentially along the circular base 21.

[0026] In this embodiment, the frame portion 11 of the first substrate 10 and the base portion 21 of the second substrate 20 are overlapped and the engagement portion 11a of the first substrate 10 engages with the engagement groove 21a of the second substrate, thereby connecting the second substrate 20 to the first substrate 10.

[0027] In this embodiment, a case has been described in which the second substrate 20 is connected to the first substrate 10 by the engagement between the engagement portion 11a of the first substrate 10 and the engagement groove 21a of the second substrate, but this structure is merely one example, and the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 may be connected by other structures.

[0028] Next, a method of using the dental mirror 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0029] 5 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a method of using the dental mirror 1 according to this embodiment. In the dental mirror 1, the engagement portion 11a of the first substrate 10 engages with the engagement groove 21a of the second substrate, and the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 rotate relatively in the rotation direction R as shown in the figure.

[0030] In this embodiment, the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 rotate relative to each other, whereby the first gripping portion 12 and the second gripping portion 22 rotate relatively toward and away from each other.

[0031] When using the dental mirror 1 of this embodiment to allow a patient to check any location in the oral cavity, a dental care worker first holds the second holding portion 22, for example, and hands the dental mirror 1 to the patient, who is lying on the examination table, so that the patient holds the first holding portion 12.

[0032] In this embodiment, the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are colored in different colors, and the first gripping portion 12 and the second gripping portion 22 are colored in different colors, so that a patient or dental care worker can easily identify which part to grip without mistaking it.

[0033] For example, when a dental healthcare professional holds the second gripping portion 22 and a patient holds the first gripping portion 12, if the dental healthcare professional adjusts the mirror portion 13 so that the inside of the oral cavity is reflected in the mirror portion 13 to allow the patient to confirm (show) the areas in the oral cavity that need to be explained, the dental healthcare professional holds the second gripping portion 22 while adjusting the position and orientation of the mirror portion 13 with the patient holding the first gripping portion 12.

[0034] At this time, the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 rotate relatively in response to the movement of the hand of the dental care worker holding the second gripping portion 22, so that the position and orientation of the mirror portion 13 can be easily adjusted.

[0035] In this way, the dental mirror 1 has a simple structure comprising the first gripping portion 12 and the second gripping portion 22, which allows the parts to be held by the patient and the dental healthcare worker to be separated, thereby reducing the occurrence of incidents such as the dental healthcare worker's hand coming into contact with the patient's hand when the dental healthcare worker hands the dental mirror 1 to the patient, or the patient failing to grab the dental mirror 1 and dropping it.

[0036] Furthermore, when the dental care worker points out a location in the oral cavity to the patient, the dental care worker and the patient do not grasp the same part.

[0037] Therefore, concerns about hygiene in dental care settings are significantly reduced.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first grip portion 12 and the second grip portion 22 are colored in different colors, so that the patient or dental care worker can easily identify which part to grip without confusing them.

[0039] Furthermore, in the dental mirror 1 of this embodiment, the first gripping portion 12 and the second gripping portion 22 rotate toward and away from each other as the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 rotate relative to each other in response to the movement of the hand of a dental care worker holding the second gripping portion 22, thereby making it possible to easily adjust the position and orientation of the mirror portion 13.

[0040] (Other embodiments) Next, another embodiment of the dental mirror 1 according to the present invention will be described.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the outline of the configuration of a dental mirror according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] In FIG. 6, the same components as those in FIGS. 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0043] As shown in the figure, the dental mirror 1 in this embodiment includes a first substrate 30 and a second substrate 40 as main components.

[0044] In this embodiment, the first substrate 30 has a frame portion 31 and a first gripping portion 32 that is continuous with frame portion 31 and protrudes outward from frame portion 31, and frame portion 31 and first gripping portion 32 are integrally formed from a plastic material.

[0045] In this embodiment, frame portion 31 is formed with a mounting portion 31A that is circular in a plan view and penetrates through it, and mirror portion 33, which is circular in a plan view, is fitted into mounting portion 31A at its edge 33a, thereby providing mirror portion 33 on frame portion 31.

[0046] In this embodiment, the mirror portion 33 is formed as a one-way so-called magic mirror that reflects part of the incident light while transmitting part of the incident light.

[0047] In this embodiment, the second substrate 40 has a base 41 which is circular in a plan view and whose outer edge is formed to a shape that imitates the frame portion 31 of the first substrate 30, and a second gripping portion (not shown) which protrudes outward from the base 41 and is configured similarly to the second gripping portion 22 of the first embodiment, and the base 41 and the second gripping portion are integrally formed from a plastic material.

[0048] In this embodiment, the base 41 is circular in a plan view and has a penetrating portion 41A formed therethrough. When the first substrate 30 and the second substrate 40 are overlapped and connected, the mounting portion 31A of the first substrate 30 and the penetrating portion 41A of the second substrate 40 are in communication with each other, whereas when the mirror portion 33 is attached to the mounting portion 31A of the first substrate 30, the space between the mounting portion 31A of the first substrate 30 and the penetrating portion 41A of the second substrate 40 is closed.

[0049] A distinctive feature of this embodiment is that the mirror portion 33 functions as a one-way mirror. As long as this function is not impeded, the configurations of the first substrate 30 and the second substrate 40 are not limited to the above configurations, and various configurations can be adopted.

[0050] In this way, the dental mirror 1 has a mirror portion 33 that functions as a magic mirror, and therefore functions to reflect a portion of the incident light when the mirror portion 33 is viewed, for example, from the first substrate 30 side, and functions to transmit a portion of the incident light when the mirror portion 33 is viewed, for example, from the second substrate 40 side.

[0051] This allows, for example, a patient to view the inside of his or her own oral cavity by looking at the mirror portion 33 from the first substrate 30 side, and dental care workers to view the inside of the patient's oral cavity by looking at the mirror portion 33 from the second substrate 40 side.

[0052] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0053] In each of the above embodiments, the first gripping portion 12 (32) and the second gripping portion 22 rotate toward and away from each other as a result of the first substrate 10 (30) and the second substrate 20 (40) rotating relative to each other, as described above. However, instead of rotating the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion, the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion may be formed integrally from a single substrate so as to be continuous with each other, for example, with an arbitrary interval between them.

[0054] Furthermore, the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion may be configured to be foldable, or the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion may be configured to be stored in a stacked state.

[0055] In each of the above embodiments, the first substrate 10 (30) and the second substrate 20 (40) are described as being made of a plastic material, but the material is not limited to plastic and any material (e.g., urethane, etc.) may be appropriately selected.

[0056] In each of the above embodiments, the first substrate 10 (30) and the second substrate 20 (40) are described as being formed in a circular shape in a planar view, but this is not limited to a circular shape and any shape, such as a rectangle, may be appropriately selected. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1 Dental mirror 10, 30 First board 12, 32 1st grip part 13, 33 Mirror section 20, 40 Second board 22 Second grip part

Claims

1. A mirror part and a first gripping portion protruding from an edge of the mirror portion from a substrate to which the mirror portion is attached; a second gripping portion spaced apart from the first gripping portion and protruding from the substrate; A dental mirror comprising:

2. The dental mirror according to claim 1 , wherein the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion are colored with different colors.

3. The substrate is a first substrate having a frame portion to which the mirror portion is attached at an edge of the mirror portion and the first grip portion protruding from the frame portion; a second substrate having a base portion overlapping the frame portion of the first substrate and the second grip portion protruding from the base portion and connected to the first substrate, The first substrate and the second substrate are The first gripping portion and the second gripping portion rotate relatively toward and away from each other. A dental mirror according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The mirror portion is formed by a one-way mirror that reflects a portion of the incident light while transmitting a portion of the incident light; A dental mirror according to claim 1 or 2.

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