Dental Mirror with Reference Point for Indirect Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dental practitioners face challenges during procedures like root canals and fillings, as they need to frequently stop to suction water and clean the hand mirror, leading to strained necks and backs due to awkward positioning.
Innovation Solution
A dental mirror with a reference point is attached to a tooth clamp, featuring a rod with adjustable ball and socket joints, allowing for indirect visualization of the upper teeth and providing a reference point for depth perception, especially in cases with unclear or missing reference points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a practitioner holds a hand mirror with one hand and a handpiece with the other hand, then the practitioner can visualize the upper teeth, but the practitioner has to stop frequently to suction water and clean the hand mirror
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hand mirror and reference point into a single integrated instrument that is held by one hand. The mirror portion provides visualization of the upper teeth, while the reference point portion extends to indicate the top of the tooth. This merging eliminates the need to hold separate mirror and suction devices, allowing continuous operation without stopping to clean the mirror.
Solution Approach 2:
The single hand-held instrument serves multiple functions: the mirror portion visualizes the upper teeth, the reference point portion indicates the top of the tooth for depth perception, and the design allows continuous use without requiring cleaning stops. This multi-functional design replaces what previously required separate tools and multiple hands.
2Loss of time
If a practitioner does not use a mirror and works by looking directly at the upper teeth, then the practitioner can avoid stopping to clean the mirror, but the practitioner strains their necks and backs in awkward positions
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument merges the mirror function with a reference point indicator into one hand-held device. This allows the practitioner to maintain proper body positioning while still achieving visualization of the upper teeth through the mirror portion, eliminating the need to adopt awkward positions that strain the neck and back.
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror acts as an intermediary that allows the practitioner to view the upper teeth without directly positioning their head and body in awkward orientations. The reference point extends this benefit by providing additional spatial orientation, allowing the practitioner to maintain ergonomic positioning throughout the procedure.
3Loss of information
If a practitioner holds a hand mirror, then the practitioner can visualize the upper teeth, but the other hand is occupied and cannot perform other tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mirror and reference point functions into a single instrument held by one hand. This frees the other hand to perform additional tasks such as holding suction, manipulating tools, or assisting with the procedure, while the single instrument continues to provide both visualization and depth reference.
Solution Approach 2:
The single hand-held instrument provides multiple functions (mirror visualization and reference point indication) that previously required separate tools. This multi-functionality in one hand allows the practitioner to use the other hand freely for suction, tool manipulation, and other procedural tasks without compromising visualization capability.
4Loss of information
If a reference point is added to the rod, then the practitioner can visualize the top of the tooth and assist in depth perception, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reference point is merged with the mirror into a single rod-shaped instrument. The reference point extends from the rod to indicate the top of the tooth, providing depth perception while sharing the same structural support as the mirror. This integration adds minimal complexity compared to using separate mirror and reference tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod includes ball and socket joints that allow the mirror and reference point portions to be adjusted to different angles and positions. This dynamic adjustability enables the practitioner to optimize the viewing angle and reference point position for each specific procedural need, while the modular joint design keeps the overall structure manageable rather than rigid and inflexible.
Data Source
AI summary
A dental mirror with a reference point that includes an adjustable fixed mirror and reference point for endodontic treatment. This tool is attached to the bow of a tooth clamp by a clip and is removable. It enables a practitioners to hold a handpiece with one hand and the suction with the other. Practitioners will have an indirect view of the upper teeth using the mirror that is attached to the bow of the clamp. They can use the reference point if there is no clear point of reference for example in a badly decayed tooth or unclear reference point like in an inclined remaining tooth structure.