Scaler

Abstract

To provide a scaler that enables an operator to perform two steps of measuring the depth of periodontal pockets and removing dental calculus without changing dental instruments, thereby simplifying the work steps of periodontal treatment. [Solution] The scaler includes a gripping portion and a tip component 3 that is detachably attached to the gripping portion. The tip component has a measurement scale 34 for measuring periodontal pocket depth that is marked with a tip portion 33 as the origin. The measurement scale includes a main scale line 342 that is indicated by a single thick line connecting two adjacent measurement values.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a scaler. [Background technology]

[0002] Scalers have been proposed as dental instruments for removing deposits such as tartar from teeth. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a dental scaler that includes a base portion fixed to a handle, a blade portion, and a scaler tip in which the base portion and the blade portion are connected by a connecting portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-136112 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As required for insurance coverage, the removal of tartar is performed using an ultrasonic scaler, etc., after measuring the depth of the periodontal pockets of each tooth with a measuring instrument called a probe. However, because the work of measuring the depth of the periodontal pockets of each tooth and the work of removing tartar with a scaler are carried out separately using different dental instruments, the tartar removal work is cumbersome for the worker.

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a scaler that allows the operator to perform two steps of measuring the depth of periodontal pockets and removing tartar without having to change dental instruments, thereby simplifying the work process in periodontal treatment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The scaler according to the invention described in claim 1 comprises a holding portion and a tip component detachably attached to the holding portion, and the tip component has a measuring scale engraved with the tip as the origin for measuring the depth of the periodontal pocket.

[0007] In the scaler according to the present invention as set forth in claim 2, the measurement scale includes a main scale line that is indicated by a single bold line connecting the scale marks indicating two adjacent measurement values.

[0008] The scaler according to the present invention as set forth in claim 3 is characterized in that the tip of the tip part is formed in a sharp spoon shape.

[0009] The scaler according to the present invention as set forth in claim 4 is characterized by having a vibration control unit that vibrates the chip parts.

[0010] The scaler according to the present invention as set forth in claim 5 is characterized in that the measurement scale includes a main scale line that connects two adjacent measurement value markings and is represented by a single thick line, and the tip of the chip component is formed in a sharp spoon shape and has a vibration control unit that vibrates the chip component. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, the tip of the ultrasonic scaler can measure the depth of the periodontal pockets on the teeth, eliminating the need for the operator to change dental instruments between the two steps of measuring the depth of the periodontal pockets with a probe, switching to the scaler, and then removing the tartar, thus simplifying the periodontal treatment process.

[0012] According to the present invention as set forth in claim 2, the main scale lines make it easy to count the measurement scale, making it easy to measure the periodontal pocket.

[0013] According to the present invention described in claim 3, the tip of the chip part is formed into a sharp spoon shape, so that the measurement of periodontal pocket depth and the removal of tooth deposits can be performed using a single dental instrument without damaging the oral cavity.

[0014] According to the present invention as set forth in claim 4, the chip component can be subjected to ultrasonic vibration, making it easy to remove deposits from teeth.

[0015] According to the present invention, the tip of the ultrasonic scaler can measure the depth of the periodontal pockets on the teeth, eliminating the need for the operator to change dental instruments between the two steps of measuring the depth of the periodontal pockets with the probe, switching to the scaler, and then removing the tartar, thus simplifying the periodontal treatment process. The main scale lines make it easy to count the measurement scale, making it easy to measure periodontal pocket depth. Furthermore, the tip of the tip is shaped like a sharp spoon, so it is possible to measure the depth of periodontal pockets and remove deposits from teeth using a single dental instrument without damaging the oral cavity. Furthermore, since the chip component can be subjected to ultrasonic vibration, it is possible to easily remove deposits from the teeth. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a scaler according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is an enlarged view of the tip side of one embodiment of a tip part to be attached to a scaler according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing an example of how the scaler of the present invention is used. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a side view of a scaler 1 according to this embodiment. The scaler 1 according to this embodiment is an ultrasonic scaler having a function of vibrating a chip component 3 using an ultrasonic vibration generator 23.

[0018] The scaler 1 includes a main body 2 having a grip portion 21 on its outer periphery, and a chip component 3 detachably attached to the grip portion 21. The main body 2 is formed in a cylindrical shape and includes a vibration control unit 22 and an ultrasonic vibration generator 23.

[0019] A power cable 4 is connected to the main body 2, and supplies driving power to the vibration control unit 22 and the ultrasonic vibration generator 23. The power supply can be turned on or off by operating a switch (not shown) provided on the main body 2.

[0020] The vibration control section 22 includes a processor (vibration control device) that controls the driving of the ultrasonic vibration generator 23 to vibrate the chip component 3. The ultrasonic vibration generator 23 has a vibrator such as a piezoelectric element or a motor, for example.

[0021] The ultrasonic vibration generator 23 is provided to generate ultrasonic waves to ultrasonically vibrate the chip components 3. The ultrasonic vibration generator 23 has a configuration that ultrasonically vibrates the chip components 3 in a direction perpendicular to the length direction, for example.

[0022] The main body 2 has a bottomed opening 24 at its front end, into which the rear portion 31 of the chip component 3 is inserted.

[0023] 2 is an enlarged view of the tip side of the tip component 3. The tip component 3 has a columnar rear portion 31 that can be attached to the main body 2, an intermediate curved portion 32 that is provided continuously from the rear portion 31 to the tip T side, and a tapered tip portion 33 that can be inserted into a periodontal pocket.

[0024] The tip T of the tip part 3 of this embodiment is formed in a sharp spoon shape (curet shape). Therefore, the scaler 1 can be used as a curette scaler (universal curette or Gracey curette), and the tip part 3 can be inserted into a periodontal pocket for use.

[0025] The tip part 3 has a measurement scale 34 for measuring the depth of the periodontal pocket at its tip 33. The measurement scale 34 is marked, for example, at 1 mm intervals, with the tip T as the origin. The measurement scale 34 includes minor scale lines 341 and a major scale line 342 that is indicated by a single thick line connecting the scales indicating two adjacent measurement values ​​(minor scale lines 341).

[0026] 2, the measurement scale 34 is provided by lines around the outer periphery of the tip 33 at 1 mm intervals, with major scale lines 342 formed every 5 mm. The major scale lines 342 represent 4 mm, 9 mm, or 14 mm by a boundary B1 on the side of the tip T of the line, and represent 5 mm, 10 mm, or 15 mm by a boundary B2 on the opposite side of the tip T of the line.

[0027] The number of scale lines on the measurement scale 34 is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment.

[0028] Next, an example of how the scaler 1 is used will be described with reference to Figure 3. The scaler 1 is used in dental treatment (particularly periodontal treatment) by inserting the tip T of the tip component 3 into a periodontal pocket. First, a dentist or other professional inserts the tip 33 of the scaler 1 from the entrance of the periodontal pocket. The insertion depth of the tip 33 is adjusted according to the depth of the periodontal pocket for each location.

[0029] When the tip 33 is inserted along the gum line and reaches the bottom of the periodontal pocket, the measurement scale 34 located at the entrance of the periodontal pocket indicates the depth of the periodontal pocket, and the value on this measurement scale 34 is the measurement result of the periodontal pocket. In the example of Figure 3, the depth of the periodontal pocket is approximately 7 mm.

[0030] Next, when the switch is turned on, the vibration control unit 22 causes the ultrasonic vibration generator 23 to ultrasonically vibrate the chip component 3, enabling the chip component 3 to crush and remove tartar from inside periodontal pockets and the like by ultrasonic vibration.

[0031] The ultrasonic vibration generator 23 ultrasonically vibrates the chip component 3 in a direction perpendicular to the length direction, so that tartar can be effectively pulverized and removed in accordance with the direction of ultrasonic vibration of the chip component 3.

[0032] Although the scaler 1 of this embodiment has been described above, the configuration of the scaler 1 is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0033] For example, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the scaler 1 is an ultrasonic scaler, but it may also be a manual scaler without an ultrasonic vibration function. In this case, too, the scaler can include a grip portion of an appropriate thickness and the tip component 3 on which the measurement scale 34 of this embodiment is formed.

[0034] Furthermore, the main body 2 may be provided with a liquid supply means for supplying a liquid such as water to the tip component 3, and the tip component 3 may be provided with a flow path for discharging the liquid such as water supplied from the main body 2 from the middle or tip of the tip component 3. By discharging a liquid into the periodontal pocket, tartar removal and disinfection can also be performed. The above-described embodiment is merely an example of the present invention, and is not limited to the above description. Appropriate modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1 Scaler 2 Main unit 3 Chip components 4 Power Cable 21 Gripping part 22 Vibration control unit 23 Ultrasonic vibration generator 24 Opening 31 Rear 32 Curved section 33 Tip 34 Measuring scale 341 Minor scale lines 342 Main scale line B1 boundary B2 boundary T tip

Claims

1. a gripping portion; and a chip component detachably provided on the gripping portion, The scaler is characterized in that the tip part has a measurement scale for measuring the depth of the periodontal pocket, the scale being marked with the tip as the origin.

2. 2. The scaler according to claim 1, wherein the measurement scale includes a main scale line that connects two adjacent measurement values ​​and is indicated by a single bold line.

3. 2. The scaler according to claim 1, wherein the tip of the tip part is formed in a sharp spoon shape.

4. 2. The scaler according to claim 1, further comprising a vibration control section for vibrating the chip parts.

5. the measurement scale includes a main scale line that connects two adjacent measurement values ​​and is indicated by a single bold line; The tip of the chip component is formed in a sharp spoon shape, a vibration control unit that vibrates the chip component; 2. The scaler of claim 1.

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