Flexible Dental Bite Block with Integrated Toothbrush

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dental bite blocks are difficult to position and retain in the mouth, posing challenges for both professional and home use, particularly for individuals with limited oral hygiene capabilities or physical disabilities, and do not effectively prevent biting of dental professionals' hands during procedures.

Innovation Solution

A dental bite block with a flexible and compressible body, designed to maintain the mouth in an open position, featuring an attached toothbrush with a secure connection via a strap and a key for easy replacement, allowing for safe and stable use on either side of the mouth for various ages and sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid bite block is used to maintain mouth open position, then the mouth remains stable in an open position, but the subject risks biting the practitioner's hands and the block lacks comfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemouth open position stabilityVSAvoidrisk of biting practitioner's hands

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bite block employs a flexible, resilient material that can be compressed by the subject's bite force while maintaining structural integrity to keep the mouth open. This flexibility allows the block to yield slightly under pressure, preventing injury to the practitioner's hands while still providing stable mouth positioning during dental procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If a conventional bite block is used, then the mouth is kept open, but the block is difficult to position and retain in the mouth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemouth open position maintenanceVSAvoidpositioning and retention ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bite block features a contoured, curved design that conforms to the natural anatomy of the teeth and mouth. This curved geometry enables the block to be easily positioned between the upper and lower teeth and retained securely through the natural shape match, eliminating the need for complex positioning procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible material allows the bite block to be compressed during insertion and then expands to fit snugly between the teeth, providing easy positioning and secure retention without requiring precise alignment or complex mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If the toothbrush is permanently attached to the bite block, then the connection is secure, but the toothbrush cannot be replaced when worn or lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoothbrush connection securityVSAvoidtoothbrush replaceability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The toothbrush is designed as a separable component that can be attached to and detached from the bite block. This segmentation allows the toothbrush to be securely connected during use while enabling easy replacement when worn, lost, or needed for different oral hygiene requirements, providing both security and adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The dental bite block provides increased stability and safety, allowing for effective dental hygiene procedures while preventing accidental biting of dental professionals' hands and facilitating easy toothbrush replacement, enhancing both professional and home dental care experiences.

Implementation Method 1

The body comprises a resilient material and the biting down of the bite block on the resilient material prevents damage or injury to the subject

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11317989B2Dental bite block

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 GALADA MICHAEL

AI summary

A dental bite block is provided. The dental bite block includes a body having a first end and a second end, an outer sidewall, and an inner sidewall. The body comprises an upper biting surface positioned within an upper channel and a lower biting surface within a lower channel. The outer sidewall and the inner sidewall extend past the upper and lower biting surfaces and define the upper channel and the lower channel, respectively. The upper channel and the lower channel are each able to receive a row of teeth therein. The dental bite block prevents the biting down and provides safe access to the interior of the mouth. A handle extends from the bite block and is releasably tethered to a toothbrush such that the teeth of the subject may be brushed when the teeth are received within the mouth of the subject.