Flexible Prong Dental Tip for Tight Interspatial Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dental tools with rigid nozzles are ineffective for use in interspatial/interproximal and subgingival areas due to their narrow design and inability to conform to the irregular shapes of these spaces, leading to difficulty in working within tight spaces between teeth and below the gum line.
Innovation Solution
A disposable tip for air abrasion dental tools featuring a flexible prong design that forms an interference fit with the nozzle, allowing the tip to bend and conform to curved surfaces, with prongs that can be trimmed for specific use and made from injection-mouldable plastics like polyurethane or polyethylene, providing improved flexibility and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rigid tip or nozzle is used, then the structural integrity and focus of the gas powder stream is maintained, but the tip cannot navigate narrow interspatial/interproximal and subgingival spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The tip is divided into a rigid body portion and flexible prong portions. The rigid body maintains structural integrity and stream focus, while the segmented flexible prongs can bend independently to navigate narrow spaces between teeth and below the gum line.
Solution Approach 2:
The tip transitions from a completely rigid structure to a dynamic structure with flexible prongs that can bend and adapt. The flexible prongs allow the tip to dynamically adjust its shape to conform to irregular tooth surfaces and fit into tight interspatial/interproximal spaces while the rigid body maintains the abrasive stream focus.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a narrow pointed rigid tip is used to reach into gaps between teeth, then access to interspatial areas is achieved, but the tip cannot conform to the irregular shape of the space
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible prongs are made from elastomeric material that allows the tip to bend and conform to the irregular shapes of interspatial/interproximal spaces and subgingival areas. The flexibility enables the prongs to adapt to curved tooth surfaces and irregular space geometries that rigid tips cannot accommodate.
3Ease of operation
If the tip is made flexible to navigate tight spaces, then access to narrow areas is improved, but the focus of the gas powder stream may diverge
Solution Approach 1:
The tip is segmented into a rigid body portion that maintains the focused gas powder stream and flexible prong portions that navigate tight spaces. This segmentation allows the flexible prongs to bend for access while the rigid body ensures stream focus is maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic flexible prongs can bend to reach tight spaces while returning to their original position to maintain proper alignment with the rigid body, ensuring the gas powder stream remains focused on the treatment area rather than diverging.
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 flexible tip design enables effective navigation and treatment in tight spaces, prevents pressure build-up, and maintains focus of the abrasive stream, enhancing treatment effectiveness and patient comfort by allowing the tip to adapt to irregular tooth surfaces and reducing the risk of abrasion.
Implementation Method 1
The outlet end of the central bore is provided with at least one flexible prong that extends outwardly from the outlet end in a direction that is substantially parallel to longitudinal axis of the central bore
Implementation Method 2
The inlet end of the tip body is configured to receive and form an interference fit with the nozzle of the dental tool
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a tip for fitting to a nozzle of an air abrasion dental tool. The tip comprises a tip body having a central bore that extends through the length of the tip body from an inlet end to an outlet end. The inlet end of the tip body is configured to receive and form an interference fit with the nozzle of the dental tool. The outlet end of the central bore is provided with at least one flexible prong that extends outwardly from the outlet end in a direction that is substantially parallel to longitudinal axis of the central bore.