Powered Dental Scaler with Dual-Function Tip for Pocket Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current dental tools are inadequate for effective one-step pocket reduction and accretion removal in periodontitis and peri-implantitis treatment, as they either damage tooth or implant surfaces or fail to adequately recontour gingiva, leading to incomplete infection resolution and reinfection risks.

Innovation Solution

A powered tool system with detachable tips featuring abrasive or textured surfaces for safe and effective gum ablation and recontouring, allowing improved visualization and access to subgingival areas without damaging tooth, implant, or bone, using vibrational or rotational movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If smooth metal tips are used for accretion removal, then accretions are effectively removed from tooth surfaces, but the gingiva cannot be recontoured and pocket reduction is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccretion removal effectivenessVSAvoidgingival recontouring capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The powered scaler tip is designed with a dual-function surface: a smooth portion for removing accretions from tooth surfaces and an abrasive portion for recontouring gingival tissue. This allows a single device to perform both accretion removal and pocket reduction, eliminating the need for separate surgical procedures and addressing both functions in one treatment step.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If abrasive or contoured metal tips are used for gingival recontouring, then pocket reduction is achieved, but tooth, implant or bone surfaces are severely damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegingival recontouring capabilityVSAvoiddamage to tooth, implant or bone

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The scaler tip features spatially differentiated surface properties: a smooth portion that contacts tooth surfaces for safe accretion removal without damage, and an abrasive portion that contacts gingival tissue for effective recontouring. This local quality differentiation ensures that abrasiveness is applied only where needed (gingiva) while protecting vulnerable structures (tooth, implant, bone) from damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If two-step treatment (accretion removal followed by gingival recontouring) is performed, then both accretions and excess gum tissue are addressed, but treatment time, cost and patient discomfort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive treatment effectivenessVSAvoidtotal treatment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges two separate treatment steps (accretion removal and gingival recontouring) into a single integrated procedure using one powered scaler device with dual-function tips. This combination allows both accretion removal and pocket reduction to be accomplished in one visit, reducing total treatment time, eliminating the need for separate surgical appointments, and decreasing patient discomfort while maintaining comprehensive treatment effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables efficient and minimally invasive one-step pocket reduction and accretion removal, enhancing long-term infection resolution by providing better visualization and access for cleaning, while minimizing tissue damage and reinfection risks.

Implementation Method 1

The powered tool may use vibrational energy or movement (i.e. a sonic or ultrasonic scaler)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

engage the consumable tip with a tooth/implant surface to remove at least a portion of accretions from the tooth/implant surface without damaging the surface of the tooth/implant and simultaneously abrading/ablating excess or mal-contoured gum tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAblation: Ablation

Implementation Method 3

The consumable tip may include an abrasive or textured outer surface that is engaged with the gum tissue to abrade the gum tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentUS11540899B2Methods and apparatus for periodontal scaling and debridement and gum tissue ablation for treating periodontal and peri-implant disease

Publication Date: 2023.01.03 JACOBY BENNETT H

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed to tools, systems and methods for recontouring/reshaping gum tissue by engaging a consumable tip on a powered tool to abrade/ablate excess or mal-contoured gum tissue to allow better visualization of the tooth/implant structure and reduce the periodontal pockets to provide improved access for cleaning by both the patient and clinician. In some embodiments, the powered tool may use vibrational movement, longitudinal reciprocating movement, rotational movement, reciprocating rotational movement, or a combination of any of the above movement schemes. In some embodiments, a consumable tip may be directed for cleaning tooth/implant surfaces and for recontouring/reshaping gum tissue. The powered tool itself may be constructed to allow the cooling water flow used for operation to be directed to the site where the procedure is carried out for irrigation or to be directed elsewhere at the user's selection to facilitate gum contouring procedures.