Slender Interproximal Polishing Bur Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional polishing burs in dentistry are not designed to fit into the narrow spaces between teeth, leading to roughened surfaces that can harbor bacteria and require manual modification, which is time-consuming and ineffective.
Innovation Solution
A slender interproximal polishing bur with a sturdy shank design that can be attached to a high-speed handpiece, allowing it to fit into the crevice between teeth without manual adjustment, ensuring effective polishing of adjacent surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional polishing burs are used, then polishing function is provided, but they cannot fit into narrow spaces between teeth
Solution Approach 1:
The bur is divided into distinct functional zones: a slender distal tip portion for accessing narrow interproximal spaces, and a broader proximal portion for structural support and polishing action. This segmentation allows the bur to fit into tight spaces while maintaining overall structural integrity through the reinforced proximal section.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates a tapered configuration where the narrower distal tip is nested within the broader proximal portion, similar to nested dolls. This allows the bur to present a slim profile for insertion while maintaining a sturdier structure at the base for durability and polishing effectiveness.
2Ease of operation
If conventional polishing burs are used, then polishing function is provided, but manual modification is required to fit them between teeth
Solution Approach 1:
The bur is pre-formed with a slender distal tip configuration during manufacturing, eliminating the need for dentists to manually shave or modify the bur to fit it between teeth. This preliminary shaping allows for immediate insertion and use, saving significant time in the clinical procedure.
3Shape
If manual shaving of bur tip is performed, then fit between teeth is improved, but polishing surface becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The bur features a precisely engineered tapered tip with controlled dimensions and surface finish achieved through advanced manufacturing processes. This precise parameter control ensures uniform polishing surfaces without requiring manual modification, maintaining both the desired shape and surface uniformity.
4Length of moving object
If slender bur design is used, then fit between teeth is improved, but bur may break or bend
Solution Approach 1:
The bur exhibits varying properties along its length: the distal tip is slender and flexible for accessing narrow spaces, while the proximal portion is broader and more rigid for structural support. This local differentiation of mechanical properties allows the bur to navigate tight spaces without breaking while maintaining overall durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bur is constructed from composite materials or a graded material structure that combines the flexibility needed for the slender tip with the strength required for the proximal portion. This composite construction enables the bur to resist bending and breaking while maintaining its slender profile for interproximal access.
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 bur effectively smooths roughened surfaces between teeth, reducing bacterial accumulation and minimizing damage or discomfort, while maintaining durability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a distal tip portion comprising an abrasive surface
Data Source
AI summary
A slender polishing tip is disclosed. In one example, it is an interproximal polishing bur, which is a dental instrument that is a small bit used in a high-speed handpiece by a dentist to perform dental work on the teeth of a patient. It smooths the adjacent tooth or restoration. An adjacent tooth may inadvertently become nicked by the high-speed handpiece while working on a tooth, leaving the adjacent surface roughened. This roughened surface will attract more bacteria and can be harmful to the health of the dentition. Presently, there are no such burs slender enough to fit into the small space available between the prepared tooth and the adjacent tooth to allow appropriate smoothing. The interproximal polishing bur described is small and slender with a particular shape designed to re-finish and re-polish the surfaces of an adjacent gold crown, porcelain crown, and natural dentition.