oral appliances

Abstract

The present invention provides an oral device that allows observation of the affected area in the patient's oral cavity and effectively restricts the movement of the tongue within the oral cavity. [Solution] The oral instrument 1 comprises a mirror portion 2 and a rod-shaped handle portion 5 fixed to the mirror portion 2. The mirror portion 2 includes a mirror body portion 3 and a pair of mirror side portions 4. The mirror body portion 3 has a first surface 31 formed on the mirror surface and a second surface 32 opposite to the first surface 31. The pair of mirror side portions 4 are connected to the peripheral edge of the mirror body portion 3, on both sides of the handle portion 5, and extend in the direction from the first surface 31 to the second surface 32.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to oral appliances.

Background Art

[0002] In the fields of dentistry and oral surgery, as a type of oral appliance used for diagnosing, treating or dealing with affected parts in a patient's oral cavity, appliances such as dental mirrors and tongue depressors are known. A dental mirror is mainly used for observing an affected part in a patient's oral cavity. A tongue depressor is mainly used for restricting the movement in the oral cavity so that the tongue does not get in the way when a treatment is performed on an affected part in a patient's oral cavity.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a dental mirror as an oral appliance. The dental mirror disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a mirror formed on a mirror surface and a rod-shaped handle fixed to the mirror.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When medical workers such as dentists and dental hygienists use the dental mirror disclosed in Patent Document 1, they will perform a treatment while observing the affected part in the patient's oral cavity reflected in the mirror while holding the handle. However, this dental mirror has a problem that it is difficult to effectively restrict the movement of the tongue in the oral cavity.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an oral appliance that can observe an affected part in a patient's oral cavity and can effectively restrict the movement of the tongue in the oral cavity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An oral instrument according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a mirror portion and a rod-shaped handle portion fixed to the mirror portion. The mirror portion includes a mirror body portion having a first surface formed on a mirror surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a pair of mirror side portions that are connected to the peripheral edge of the mirror body portion on both sides of the handle portion and extend in the direction from the first surface to the second surface.

[0008] With this oral instrument, medical professionals such as dentists and dental hygienists can hold the handle and insert the mirror between the teeth and tongue in the oral cavity, observing the affected area of ​​the patient's oral cavity reflected on the first surface of the mirror body. At the same time, the pair of mirror sides on the second surface of the mirror body can be used to wrap around and press the sides of the tongue. This allows medical professionals to effectively restrict the movement of the tongue in the oral cavity using the pair of mirror sides while performing procedures while observing the affected area of ​​the patient's oral cavity reflected on the first surface of the mirror body. By effectively restricting the movement of the tongue in the oral cavity using the pair of mirror sides, it is possible to prevent the tongue from entering the surgical field, which is the space necessary for treating the affected area of ​​the patient's oral cavity, and to secure a wide surgical field.

[0009] In the oral appliance described above, the mirror portion may have an oval shape extending in the longitudinal direction when viewed from above. In this case, the handle portion is fixed to one end of the mirror portion in the longitudinal direction. The pair of mirror side portions are connected to both ends of the mirror body portion in the short direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0010] In this embodiment, the mirror portion, including the mirror body and mirror sides, has an oval shape extending longitudinally in a plan view. The oval shape includes both elliptical and rounded rectangular shapes, where both ends in the longitudinal direction are formed with rounded corners. Because the mirror portion has such an oval shape, it is possible to observe the affected area in the oral cavity while suppressing injury to the patient's oral cavity with the longitudinal tip of the mirror portion, while pressing on the lateral portion of the tongue over a wider area compared to, for example, a circular shape. As a result, the movement of the tongue in the oral cavity can be restricted over a wide area by the pair of mirror sides, thereby securing a wider surgical field.

[0011] In the oral appliance described above, the pair of mirror-like sides may have a curved shape at their longitudinal edges.

[0012] In this embodiment, the curved longitudinal edges of the pair of mirror sides help to prevent the mirror sides from injuring the inside of the patient's mouth.

[0013] In the oral appliance described above, the second surface of the mirror body may be formed as a mirror surface.

[0014] In this embodiment, when a medical professional using an oral instrument inserts the mirror between the teeth and tongue in the oral cavity, they can check the state of the tongue reflected on the second surface of the mirror body and press down on the side of the tongue with the pair of mirror sides on the second surface. This allows the medical professional to more reliably restrict the movement of the tongue in the oral cavity with the pair of mirror sides. Furthermore, when the mirror is inserted between the cheek and gums in the oral cavity with the first surface of the mirror body facing the cheek and the second surface facing the gums, the medical professional can perform the procedure while pressing the inside of the cheek with the first surface of the mirror body and observing the affected area in the oral cavity, such as the teeth and gums, reflected on the second surface. In this case, the pair of mirror sides prevent the patient's buccal mucosa from entering the surgical field, ensuring a wide surgical field.

[0015] In the oral appliance described above, the mirror body may have a flat plate shape.

[0016] In this aspect, since the mirror main body has a flat plate shape, the first surface for reflecting the affected part in the patient's oral cavity is a plane mirror. In this case, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of distortion in the mirror image of the affected part in the patient's oral cavity reflected on the first surface. As a result, it becomes easier for medical staff to accurately grasp the state of the affected part in the oral cavity reflected on the first surface.

[0017] In the above oral appliance, the handle portion may extend from the center in the short-side direction of one end surface in the longitudinal direction of the mirror main body portion toward the first surface side in a direction perpendicular to the short-side direction and forming an obtuse angle with respect to the first surface.

[0018] In this aspect, the handle portion extends from the central portion of one end surface in the longitudinal direction of the mirror main body portion toward the first surface side so as to be inclined with respect to the first surface. In this case, when a medical staff performs a treatment while observing the affected part in the patient's oral cavity reflected on the first surface of the mirror main body portion while holding the handle portion, it becomes easier to press and hold the side portion of the tongue by the pair of mirror side portions on the second surface of the mirror main body portion.

Effect of the Invention

[0019] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an oral appliance that can observe the affected part in the patient's oral cavity and can effectively restrict the movement of the tongue in the oral cavity.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing a state in which the oral appliance according to the embodiment of the present invention is used. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of the oral appliance. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view of the oral appliance seen from a direction different from that in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] It is a side view of the oral appliance.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the oral appliance according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which the oral appliance 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is used. The oral appliance 1 is an appliance used for diagnosing, treating or disposing of an oral affected part such as a tooth 101 in a patient's oral cavity 100 in the fields of dentistry and oral surgery. The oral appliance 1 is used by medical workers such as dentists and dental hygienists.

[0023] The material of the oral appliance 1 is not particularly limited, and for example, it is stainless steel. The oral appliance 1 can be used multiple times by being sterilized using a predetermined sterilizer or the like. Further, the material of the oral appliance 1 may be, for example, resin in addition to stainless steel. In this case, the oral appliance 1 may be able to be used multiple times by sterilization treatment, or may be in a disposable mode such as being discarded after one use. The oral appliance 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to be able to observe an oral affected part in a patient's oral cavity and effectively regulate the movement of the tongue 102 in the oral cavity 100.

[0024] FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the oral appliance 1, and FIG. 4 is a side view of the oral appliance 1. The oral appliance 1 includes a mirror part 2 and a handle part 5.

[0025] The mirror part 2 has a mirror surface for reflecting a mirror image of the oral affected part in the patient's oral cavity 100 so that a medical worker can observe the oral affected part. The method of forming the mirror surface on the mirror part 2 is not particularly limited, and examples include mirror surface processing such as polishing, mirror plating treatment such as chrome plating, and a method of forming a glass layer such as heat ray reflecting glass.

[0026] The shape of the mirror portion 2 in plan view is not particularly limited and can be, for example, circular or oval. In this embodiment, the mirror portion 2 is formed in an oval shape extending in the longitudinal direction D1 in plan view. The oval shape includes ellipses and rounded rectangles, and is a shape in which both ends in the longitudinal direction D1 are formed in a curved shape with rounded corners. In this embodiment, the mirror portion 2 has an oval shape in plan view where both ends of the longitudinal direction D1 are arc-shaped, and the intermediate part connected to these ends is a straight, rounded rectangle. In the oval-shaped mirror portion 2, the ratio of the short side dimension, which indicates the dimension in the short side direction D2 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction D1, to the long side dimension, which indicates the dimension in the longitudinal direction D1 (short side dimension:long side dimension), is set to, for example, the silver ratio of (1:√2). In this case, the mirror portion 2 has, for example, a short side dimension of about 18 mm and a long side dimension of about 25 mm.

[0027] The handle portion 5 is a rod-shaped part fixed to the periphery of the mirror portion 2. If the mirror portion 2 is formed in an oval shape in plan view, the handle portion 5 is a rod-shaped part fixed to one end of the mirror portion 2 in the longitudinal direction D1. When a medical professional uses the oral instrument 1, the handle portion 5 is grasped by the medical professional. The shape of the handle portion 5 is not particularly limited as long as it is rod-shaped, for example, it can be a polygonal prism or a cylinder. The handle portion 5 may be integrally formed with the mirror portion 2, or it may be formed separately from the mirror portion 2. If the handle portion 5 and the mirror portion 2 are separate, the handle portion 5 is fixed to the mirror portion 2 by screw fastening, for example. If the handle portion 5 is fixed to the mirror portion 2 by screw fastening, it is possible to replace only the mirror portion 2.

[0028] In this embodiment, the mirror portion 2 includes a mirror body portion 3 and a pair of mirror side portions 4. The mirror body portion 3 and the pair of mirror side portions 4 may be integrally formed, or they may be joined to each other.

[0029] The mirror body portion 3 constitutes the main body of the mirror portion 2. Therefore, the shape of the mirror body portion 3 matches the oval shape of the mirror portion 2 in plan view. In this case, one end 33 and the other end 34 of the mirror body portion 3 are formed in a curved shape with rounded corners. Also, the handle portion 5 is fixed to one end 33 in the longitudinal direction D1 of the mirror body portion 3, and the other end 34 in the longitudinal direction D1 becomes the tip of the mirror portion 2. The mirror body portion 3 has a first surface 31 formed on the mirror surface and a second surface 32 on the opposite side of the first surface 31.

[0030] The pair of mirror side portions 4 are connected to the peripheral edge of the mirror body portion 3, on either side of the handle portion 5, and extend in the direction from the first surface 31 to the second surface 32. Specifically, when the mirror portion 2 is formed in an oval shape in plan view, the pair of mirror side portions 4 are connected to both ends of the short side direction D2 of the mirror body portion 3, and extend in the direction from the first surface 31 to the second surface 32. The pair of mirror side portions 4 are provided over the entire length direction D1 of the mirror body portion 3. The pair of mirror side portions 4 may be perpendicular to the second surface 32 of the mirror body portion 3, or they may be inclined inward or outward with respect to the second surface 32. The extension length of the pair of mirror side portions 4 from the second surface 32 of the mirror body portion 3 is not particularly limited, and is, for example, about 3 mm to 10 mm.

[0031] When a medical professional uses the oral instrument 1, they can grasp the handle portion 5 and insert the mirror portion 2 between the teeth 101 and the tongue 102 in the oral cavity 100, allowing them to observe the affected area in the patient's oral cavity 100 as reflected on the first surface 31 of the mirror body portion 3. At the same time, the pair of mirror sides 4 on the second surface 32 of the mirror body portion 3 can be used to wrap around and press down on the side portion of the tongue 102. This allows the medical professional to effectively restrict the movement of the tongue 102 in the oral cavity 100 using the pair of mirror sides 4 while performing a procedure while observing the affected area in the patient's oral cavity as reflected on the first surface 31 of the mirror body portion 3. By effectively restricting the movement of the tongue 102 in the oral cavity 100 using the pair of mirror sides 4, it is possible to prevent the tongue 102 from entering the surgical field, which is the space necessary for treating the affected area in the patient's oral cavity, thereby ensuring a wide surgical field.

[0032] Furthermore, the mirror body portion 3, which constitutes the main body of the mirror portion 2, has an oval shape extending in the longitudinal direction D1. As previously described, the oval shape includes both elliptical and rounded rectangle shapes, and in the mirror body portion 3, one end 33 and the other end 34 in the longitudinal direction D1 are formed in a curved shape with rounded corners. Because the mirror body portion 3 has such an oval shape, it is possible to observe the affected area in the oral cavity while suppressing injury to the inside of the patient's oral cavity 100 with the other end 34 of the mirror body portion 3, which is the tip of the mirror portion 2, while pressing the lateral portion of the tongue 102 over a wider area compared to, for example, a circular shape. As a result, the movement of the tongue 102 inside the oral cavity 100 can be restricted over a wide area by the pair of mirror sides 4, thereby securing a wider surgical field.

[0033] In the mirror portion 2, the pair of mirror side portions 4 may have a curved edge 41 in the longitudinal direction D1. Having a curved edge 41 in the longitudinal direction D1 of the pair of mirror side portions 4 helps to prevent the mirror side portions 4 from injuring the inside of the patient's oral cavity 100.

[0034] In the mirror portion 2, the second surface 32 of the mirror body portion 3 may be formed as a mirror surface, similar to the first surface 31. In this case, when the mirror portion 2 is inserted between the teeth 101 and the tongue 102 in the oral cavity 100, the medical professional using the oral instrument 1 can check the state of the tongue 102 reflected on the second surface 32 of the mirror body portion 3, and press down on the side of the tongue 102 by wrapping it with the pair of mirror sides 4 on the second surface 32. This makes it possible for the medical professional to more reliably restrict the movement of the tongue 102 in the oral cavity 100 with the pair of mirror sides 4. Furthermore, when the mirror portion 2 is inserted between the cheek and the gums in the oral cavity 100, with the first surface 31 of the mirror body portion 3 facing the cheek side and the second surface 32 facing the gum side, the medical professional can perform treatment while pressing the inside of the cheek with the first surface 31 of the mirror body portion 3 and observing the affected area in the oral cavity, such as the teeth 101 and gums, reflected on the second surface 32. In this case, the pair of mirror-side sections 4 prevent the patient's buccal mucosa from entering the surgical field, thereby ensuring a wide surgical field.

[0035] In the mirror section 2, the mirror body 3 may have a flat plate shape. Having a flat plate shape in the mirror body 3 allows the first surface 31, which reflects the oral cavity lesion in the patient's mouth 100, to function as a flat mirror. In this case, distortion of the mirror image of the oral cavity lesion reflected on the first surface 31 can be suppressed. This makes it easier for medical professionals to accurately grasp the condition of the oral cavity lesion reflected on the first surface 31.

[0036] Furthermore, the handle portion 5 may extend from the center of the end face of one end portion 33 of the mirror body portion 3 in the longitudinal direction D1 toward the first surface 31, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction D2 and forming an obtuse angle with respect to the first surface 31. The inclination angle θ of the handle portion 5 with respect to the first surface 31 of the mirror body portion 3 is an obtuse angle and is set, for example, within the range of 120° to 160°. In this way, the handle portion 5 extends from the central part of the end face of one end portion 33 of the mirror body portion 3 in the longitudinal direction D1 toward the first surface 31, inclined with respect to the first surface 31. In this case, when a medical professional performs a procedure while holding the handle portion 5 and observing the affected area in the patient's oral cavity reflected on the first surface 31 of the mirror body portion 3, it becomes easier to press the side portion of the tongue 102 with the pair of mirror side portions 4 on the second surface 32 of the mirror body portion 3.

[0037] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the following modified embodiments may be taken.

[0038] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the mirror portion 2 has an oval shape in plan view has been described, but the embodiment is not limited to this configuration. The mirror portion 2 may be formed in a circular shape in plan view. In this case, the shape of the mirror body portion 3 matches the circular shape of the mirror portion 2 in plan view. The pair of mirror side portions 4 are connected to the arc-shaped regions on both sides of the handle portion 5 at the circular periphery of the mirror body portion 3, and are configured to extend in the direction from the first surface 31 to the second surface 32.

[0039] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the mirror body portion 3 has a flat plate shape in the mirror portion 2 has been described, but the embodiment is not limited to this configuration. The mirror body portion 3 may have a curved plate shape that curves to protrude in the direction from the second surface 32 toward the first surface 31. When the mirror body portion 3 has a curved plate shape, a continuous curved surface is formed by the second surface 32 and the pair of mirror side portions 4. In this case, it is possible to make the shape of the continuous curved surface formed by the second surface 32 and the pair of mirror side portions 4 closer to the shape of the side portion of the tongue 102. As a result, the pair of mirror side portions 4 on the second surface 32 of the mirror body portion 3 can more suitably wrap around the side portion of the tongue 102.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the handle portion 5 was described as extending from the central portion of the end face of one end portion 33 in the longitudinal direction D1 of the mirror body portion 3 toward the first surface 31, inclined with respect to the first surface 31. However, the embodiment is not limited to this configuration. The handle portion 5 may also extend from the central portion of the end face of one end portion 33 in the longitudinal direction D1 of the mirror body portion 3 toward the second surface 32, inclined with respect to the second surface 32. Alternatively, the handle portion 5 may extend from the end portion in the short direction D2 of one end portion 33 in the longitudinal direction D1 of the mirror body portion 3. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 1 Oral appliances 2 Mirror part 3. Mirror body 31 Page 1 32 2nd page 4. Mirror side 5. Handle section D1 Longitudinal direction D2 Width direction

Claims

1. The mirror part, The mirror portion is fixed to a rod-shaped handle portion, The aforementioned mirror portion is A mirror body having a first surface formed on the mirror surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, An oral appliance comprising: a pair of mirror-side portions extending from the first surface toward the second surface, each connected to a region on either side of the handle portion at the periphery of the mirror body portion.

2. The mirror portion has an oval shape that extends in the longitudinal direction when viewed from above. The handle portion is fixed to one end of the mirror portion in the longitudinal direction. The oral appliance according to claim 1, wherein the pair of mirror sides are connected to both ends of the mirror body in the short direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

3. The oral appliance according to claim 2, wherein the pair of mirror-side portions have a curved shape at their longitudinal edges.

4. The oral appliance according to claim 2, wherein the second surface of the mirror body is formed as a mirror surface.

5. The oral appliance according to claim 2, wherein the mirror body has a flat plate shape.

6. The oral appliance according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the handle portion extends from the center of the short-side end face of the longitudinal end face of the mirror body portion toward the first face in a direction perpendicular to the short-side direction and forming an obtuse angle with respect to the first face.

Images