Abstract:
An orthodontic flosser comprising an elongated handle and an articulating head coupled to the handle at a pivot is disclosed. A mechanism holds the articulating head at a selected angle with respect to an axis of the handle. A first and second projection extend from the head for suspending floss, the first projection is sized to insert floss between a wire affixed to a tooth and the tooth. A supply of fresh floss and a take-up reel are configured to feed fresh floss incrementally into suspension between the first and second projections while taking-up used floss and applying a tension to the suspended floss.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority and benefit to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/251,609 filed on Oct. 14, 2009 titled “ORTHODONTIC FLOSSER,” and is related to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/241,281, filed on Sep. 10, 2009 and titled “ANTI-MICROBIAL ORTHODONTIC FLOSS.” Both of the above applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Application 
     The present application relates generally to a flossing apparatus, and more particularly to an orthodontic flosser. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Flossing is particularly important for people who have braces. Braces typically include brackets bonded to the surfaces of two or more teeth and a wire or archwire affixed to the brackets. Flossing around braces may be accomplished by threading the floss between the braces and the teeth and then maneuvering a length of the floss into contacts between adjacent teeth. Upon flossing around a pair of teeth and braces, the floss must be pulled out and then threaded into another position for the next pair of teeth. Unfortunately, threading, inserting, manipulating the floss around the braces, and removing the floss for each pair of teeth can be difficult and time consuming. Maintaining tension on the floss while manipulating the floss between teeth and around braces involves a degree of dexterity and skill that is often beyond the ability of many children and even adults. Frustration due to the difficulty of acquiring skills, manipulating the floss, and the extra time required to thread and remove the floss can discourage flossing. The purpose of flossing is to remove particulate matter and bacteria from contacts between teeth and surfaces around braces to prevent interproximal tooth decay and gum disease. Unfortunately, floss can pick up bacteria from surfaces of the teeth and the braces in the process. The floss can then distribute the bacteria to other teeth and braces around the mouth, thus further spreading tooth decay and gum disease. 
     SUMMARY 
     A flosser employing embodiments of the technology includes a handle attached to a projection that supports suspended floss. The projection is sized and shaped for insertion between an arch wire and a contact between two teeth connected to the arch wire. The size and shape of the projection simplify insertion of the floss secured to the end of the projection between the teeth and wire to make flossing the contacts faster and easier. Floss that is suspended parallel to the handle can be difficult to manipulate around molars in the back of the mouth. The floss may be suspend at an angle with respect to the axis of the handle to reduce the difficulty of flossing rear molars. An articulating head that supports the projection may be connected to the handle and rotated to change the angle of the suspended floss from an angle for reaching molars on the right side to an angle for reaching the molars on the left side. Fresh floss may be periodically advanced into suspension on the projection by a mechanism that holds the suspended floss under tension. Using fresh floss to clean each contact helps prevent spreading of microbes around the mouth and braces. Impregnating the floss with an antimicrobial agent further helps control the spread of microbes. 
     Various embodiments of the technology include a flosser having an elongated handle and an articulating head coupled to the handle at a pivot. A first detent holds the articulating head at a first angle with respect to an axis of the handle and a second detent holds the head at a second angle with respect to the axis. A first and second projection extend from the head for suspending floss, the first projection is sized for insertion between a wire affixed to a pair of teeth and contact formed between the teeth. A source provides fresh floss to feed through an aperture in the first projection for suspension between the first and second projections. A take-up apparatus draws the floss through the flosser and maintains tension on the floss. 
     Various embodiments of the technology include a flosser for cleaning contacts between two teeth that are attached to a wire brace. The flosser includes a handle, and a head coupled to the handle at an angle. A first floss support may be coupled to the head and extend away from a plane formed by the angle between the head and the handle. A second floss support may extend from the head about parallel to the first floss support and include an aperture for supporting floss suspended between the first floss support and the second floss support. The second floss support may be shaped for insertion of the aperture between the wire brace and the two teeth while the suspended floss cleans the contact between the two teeth. A source spool may be disposed on the handle for dispensing fresh floss. The aperture may be sized for feeding the fresh floss into suspension between the first and second floss support. A take-up spool may be disposed on the handle for receiving used floss from the first floss support and for advancing the fresh floss through the aperture, the take-up spool and the source spool may be configured to apply tension to the suspended floss. The floss may be impregnated with an antimicrobial agent. 
     Various embodiments of the technology include a method for flossing a contact between two teeth that are attached to a wire brace, the method including dispensing fresh floss from an elongated handle and suspending the fresh floss at an angle to the elongate handle between a pair of projections while applying a tension to the suspended fresh floss. The method further includes inserting one of the projections between the teeth and the wire brace while flossing the contact using the suspended fresh floss. The method also includes advancing fresh floss into suspension between the pair of projections while collecting used floss and maintaining the tension on the suspended floss. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a flosser, in accordance with aspects of the technology. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view the flosser of  FIG. 1   
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the flosser of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the flosser of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a side cross section of the flosser of  FIG. 3  taken through line a-a. 
         FIG. 6A  is an enlargement of the joint of  FIG. 5  illustrating details of the joint. 
         FIG. 6B  and  FIG. 6C  are top plan views of the joint of  FIG. 6  illustrating details of an example of a detent assembly. 
         FIG. 7A  is a top plan view of the head of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7B  is a bottom plan view of the head of  FIG. 7A . 
         FIG. 7C  is a cross section of the head of  FIG. 7A  taken along the line b-b of  FIG. 7A . 
         FIG. 8A  is a top plan view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the head of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8B  is a bottom plan view of the head of  FIG. 8A . 
         FIG. 8C  is a cross section of the head of  FIG. 8A  taken along the line c-c of  FIG. 8A . 
         FIG. 9A  is a top plan view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the head of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9B  is a bottom plan view of the head of  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 9C  is a cross section of the head of  FIG. 9A  taken along the line d-d. 
         FIG. 9D  is a front elevation of the head of  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 10A  is a partial perspective view of a block diagram illustrating use of the flosser with the head articulated to the right. 
         FIG. 10B  is a partial perspective view of a block diagram illustrating use of the flosser with the head articulated to the left. 
         FIG. 10C  is a cross section of head of  FIG. 10A  taken along line e-e of  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 10D  is a cross section taken along line f-f of  FIG. 10C . 
         FIG. 10E  is a cross section taken along line g-g of  FIG. 10D . 
         FIG. 11A  is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a flosser, in accordance with aspects of the technology. 
         FIG. 11B  is a bottom perspective view of the flosser of  FIG. 11A . 
         FIG. 12A  is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a flosser, in accordance with aspects of the technology. 
         FIG. 12B  is a bottom perspective view of the flosser of  FIG. 12A . 
         FIG. 13A  is a partial perspective view illustrating details of an exemplary take-up reel. 
         FIG. 13B  is an exploded perspective view of the take-up reel of  FIG. 13A . 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a projection. 
         FIG. 15  is a flow diagram of an exemplary process for flossing teeth. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a flosser  100 , in accordance with aspects of the technology.  FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the flosser  100  of  FIG. 1 . The flosser  100  includes a handle  110  and a head  120 . The handle  110  supports a source spool  112  for dispensing fresh floss  104  and a take-up reel  114  collecting used floss  106 . The head  120  of  FIG. 1  includes a projection  122  and a hollow tube  124  that are configured for supporting suspended floss  102 . Grooves, channels, and apertures may be disposed along the handle  110  and the head  120  for routing and guiding fresh floss  104  and/or used floss  106 . A support aperture or projection aperture  126  may be disposed near the tip of the projection  122 . The floss  102  may be suspended between the tube  124  and the support aperture  126  in the projection  122 . The support aperture  126  is configured to support the floss  102  near the tip of the projection  122 . 
     The floss  102 - 106  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  is routed along the handle and head from the source spool  112 , into suspension between the projection  122  and the hollow tube  124 , and to the take-up reel  114 . In one example, the fresh floss  104  is dispensed from the source spool  112 , threaded through a source aperture  116 , threaded through the support aperture  126  in the projection  122 , threaded through the tube  124 , threaded through the take-up aperture  118 , and received at the take-up reel  114  as used floss  106 . The take-up reel  114  is configured to apply tension to the used floss  106 . The source spool  112  is configured to resist the tension applied to the used floss  106  by the take-up reel  114 , while dispensing the fresh floss  104 . Thus, the source spool  112  and the take-up reel  114  may co-operate to maintain tension on the floss  102  that is suspended between the tube  124  and the projection  122 . The source spool  112  and/or the take-up reel  114  may be supported on the handle  110  using a post (illustrated elsewhere herein). An optional retainer  134  may be used for preventing the source spool  112  and/or the take-up reel  114  from falling off the handle  110  during use. 
     The head  120  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  is configured to articulate on the handle. The head  120  may be urged into a position at one or more angles with respect to the handle  110 . For example, a detent illustrated elsewhere herein may hold the head  120  at a first angle with respect to the handle  110 , inline with the handle  110 , and/or at a second angle with respect to the handle  110 . Alternatively, the head  120  may be urged into a first or second angle with respect to the handle  110  using a resilient component. 
     Antimicrobial agents may be infused into the floss  102 - 106  for inhibiting transfer of bacteria between surfaces of teeth, braces, and from one contact to another. For example, the floss  102 - 106  may be permeated with chlorhexidine gluconate to inhibit survival of bacterial and other microbes in the floss  102  during use and to inhibit deposition of microbes on the surfaces of teeth, contacts, and/or braces. Various antimicrobial agents include chlorhexidine gluconate, hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, and cetylpyridinium chloride. Environmentally friendly antimicrobial agents may be used, including an extract of magnolia bark, xylitol (a sugar alcohol that is naturally occurring in Birch and fruits), and antimicrobial peptides, which are compounds that are found throughout the animal and plant kingdom such as HNP (human neutrophil proteins). The floss  102 - 106  may also be infused with anti-cavity agents such as florides, e.g., sodium fluoride, hexafluorosilicic acid (H 2 SiF 6 ) and its salt sodium hexafluorosilicate (Na 2 SiF 6 ), and/or the like. The floss  102  may also be used for depositing the antimicrobial and/or anti-cavity agents on the surfaces of teeth and/or braces. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial agent may be applied to the fresh floss  104  as the fresh floss  104  is dispensed from the source spool  112  during use. For example, the fresh floss  104  may be routed through a reservoir of antimicrobial agent disposed on the handle  110 . The reservoir may be configured to apply the antimicrobial agent to the fresh floss  104  during transit. The above antimicrobial and anti-cavity agents may be used individually or in various combinations and mixtures. 
       FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the flosser  100  of  FIG. 1 . The floss  102 - 106  is omitted for clarity. The head  120  may be positioned at various angles with respect to the handle  110  during use for ease of flossing.  FIG. 3  illustrates articulation of the head  120  about the joint  108 . The head  120  shown in solid lines indicates a position about parallel to, or in-line with, an axis of the handle  110 . The head  120  is also shown in broken lines to indicate articulation. The broken lines indicate alternative positions of the head  120  that may be selected during use. A longitudinal axis of the handle  110  may be defined as a line coincident with line a-a. The take-up reel  114  and a post  302  are shown in broken lines to indicate that they are on the opposite side of the handle  110  from the viewer. 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the flosser  100  of  FIG. 1 . The head  120  is illustrated as deflected at an angle from the longitudinal axis of the handle  110 . The fresh floss  104  from the source spool  112  is shown as threaded through the source aperture  116 , the projection aperture  126 , the tube  124 , and the take-up aperture  118 , and attached to the take-up reel  114  as used floss  106 . The source aperture  116  and the take-up aperture  118  are illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4  as being disposed in the handle  110  instead of the head  120  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In some embodiments, the source aperture  116  may be disposed in the handle  110  and the take-up aperture  118  may be disposed in the head, or vice versa. An aperture disposed in the handle  110  may be useful for applying a tension T through the fresh floss  104  and/or the used floss  106  for rotating the head  120  to an angle with respect to the handle  110 . A torque applied by the tension T may further serve to hold the rotated head  120  against a stop or in a detent. In another embodiment, a single aperture may be used for both the source aperture  116  and the take-up aperture  118 . The single aperture may be disposed in either the handle  110  or the head  120 . The take-up reel  114  and portions of the floss  102 - 106  are shown in broken line to indicate that they are on the opposite side of the handle  110  from the viewer. 
       FIG. 5  is a side cross section of the flosser  100  of  FIG. 3  taken through line a-a.  FIG. 5  illustrates a path for the floss  102 - 106 . The source and take-up apertures are illustrated in  FIG. 5  as being a single aperture  116 / 118  disposed in the handle. As in  FIG. 4 , the fresh floss  104  from the source spool  112  is shown as threaded through the aperture  116 / 118 , the projection aperture  126 , the tube  124 , back through the aperture  116 / 118 , and attached to the take-up reel  114  as used floss  106 . 
     In  FIGS. 1-5 , the take-up reel  114  is illustrated as disposed on the bottom of the handle  110  and the source spool  112  is illustrated as disposed on the top of the handle  110 . However, the take-up reel  114  may be disposed on the top, the bottom, the side, the rear, or the inside of the handle  110 . Similarly, the source spool  112  may be disposed on the top, the bottom, the side, the rear, or the inside of the handle  110 . The source spool  112  and the take-up reel  114  may be disposed on the same surface or different surfaces. 
     In  FIGS. 1-5 , the floss  102 - 106  is illustrated as routed from source spool  112  though the projection aperture  126  to the bottom of the tube  124  and then from the top of the tube  124  to the take-up reel  114 , via the various apertures. However, the floss  102 - 106  may alternatively be routed from source spool  112  through the tube  124  to the projection aperture  126  and then from the projection aperture  126  to the take-up reel  114  via the various apertures. 
       FIG. 6A  is an enlargement of the joint  108  of  FIG. 5  illustrating details of the joint  108 . The joint  108  of  FIG. 6  includes an upper flange  602 , a lower flange  604  and a pin  606 . The pin  606  is configured to secure the lower flange  604  of the head  120  to the upper flange  602  of the handle  110  and provide for pivoting of the head  120  with respect to the handle  110 . The upper flange  602  of  FIG. 6A  is a component of the handle  110  and the lower flange  604  is a component of the head  12 . However, the upper flange may be a component of the head  120  and the lower flange may be a component of the handle  110 . 
       FIG. 6B  and  FIG. 6C  are top plan views of the joint  108  of  FIG. 6  illustrating details of an example of a detent assembly. The detent assembly of  FIGS. 6A and 6B  comprises a catch  612  disposed in the handle  110  and two notches  614 , namely a first notch  614 A and a second notch  614 B disposed in the head  120 . The catch  612  may comprise a resilient material configured for elastic deformation. In  FIG. 6B , the catch  612  engages the first notch  614 A to hold the head  120  above longitudinal axis at an angle A of about 30 degrees with respect to the handle  110 . In  FIG. 6C , the catch  612  engages the second notch  614 B to hold the head  120  below the longitudinal axis at an angle B of about −30 degrees with respect to the handle  110 . In some embodiments the notches  614  are disposed in the handle  110  and the catch  612  is disposed in the head  120 . 
       FIGS. 6B and 6C  illustrate an example of two notches  614  and two positions for the detent of the joint  108 . However, in various embodiments, multiple notches  614  may provide 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or more positions.  FIGS. 6B and 6C  illustrate angles of about plus and minus 30 degrees, respectively, for deflection of the head  120  from an alignment with the longitudinal axis of the handle  110 . However, the angle A may be any angle between 5 degrees and 90 degrees above the longitudinal axis of the handle  110  and the angle B may be any angle between 0 and −90 degrees, that is, below the longitudinal axis of the handle  110 . For example, the angles A and/or B may be about 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, or 90 degrees or more above or below the longitudinal axis. 
       FIGS. 6B and 6C  illustrate detents for holding the head  120  at a desired angle with respect to the handle  10 . However, other mechanisms may be used. For example, the head  120  may pivot about the joint  108  and a resilient material such as elastic or springs may be used to urge the head  120  away from a center position in alignment with the handle  110 . The elastic material may be used to hold the head  120  against stops, such as stops  616 A and  616 B, on either side of the axis of the handle  110 . 
       FIG. 7A  is a top plan view of the head  120  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 7B  is a bottom plan view of the head  120  of  FIG. 7A . The source aperture  116  and the take-up aperture  118  of  FIGS. 7A and 7B  are disposed in the head  120 . The top and bottom positioning of the source aperture  116  and the take-up aperture  118 , respectively, is arbitrary and may be reversed. The floss  102 - 106  is omitted from  FIGS. 7A and 7B  for clarity. 
       FIG. 7C  is a cross section of the head  120  of  FIG. 7A  taken along the line b-b of  FIG. 7A .  FIG. 7C  includes a portion of the handle  110 .  FIG. 7C  illustrates routing of the suspended floss  102  through the tube  126  and the projection aperture  126 . The floss  102  is suspended between the tube  124  and the support projection  122 . The projection aperture  126  is illustrated as about the same distance from the head  120  as the end of the tube  124 , resulting in the suspended floss being about parallel to the head  120 . However, the projection aperture  126  may be closer or farther from the head than the end of the tube  124  resulting in an angle between the suspended floss  102  and the head  120 . 
       FIG. 8A  is a top plan view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the head  120  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 8B  is a bottom plan view of the head  120  of  FIG. 8A . The floss  102 - 106  is omitted from  FIGS. 8A and 8B  for clarity.  FIG. 8C  is a cross section of the head  120  of  FIG. 8A  taken along the line c-c of  FIG. 8A .  FIG. 8C  includes a portion of the handle  110 .  FIGS. 8A-C  differ from  FIGS. 7A-C  in that  FIGS. 8A-C  include a second projection  123  instead of the tube  124  of  FIGS. 7A-C . Further  FIGS. 8A-C  include a tip aperture  802  instead of the bore of the tube  124 . The tip aperture  802  includes an optional cut or groove  804  from the interior and of the tip aperture  802  to the exterior of the head  120 . Similarly, the source aperture  116  and the take-up aperture  118  include an optional groove  804 . The groove  804  permits a length of the floss  102 - 106  to be inserted into the respective apertures from the side without the need to thread an end of the floss  102 - 106  through the apertures. The grooves  804 , thus, simplify installing the floss  102 - 106  on the flosser  100 . In some embodiments, a groove, such as a V-groove, may be used instead of the tip aperture  802 . 
       FIG. 8C  illustrates routing of the floss  102 - 106  through the head  120 . The floss  102  is suspended between the two projection apertures  126  of the projection  122  and the projection  123 . Tension on the floss  102 - 106  maintains the floss within the various apertures  116 ,  118 , and/or  802  and prevents the floss  102 - 106  from slipping out through the grooves  804 . The projection  122  and the projection  123  of  FIG. 8C  are of about equal length, thus, suspending the floss  102  about parallel to the head  120 . However, the projections  122  and  123  may be of different lengths, thus, suspending the floss  102  at averticle angle with respect to the head  120 . Either projection  122  or  123  may be longer than the other. Either of the projections  122  or  123  may be inserted into a space between a wire attached to a pair of teeth and a contact between the teeth. Thus, the projection  122  may be used for flossing between a wire and a tooth that cannot be conveniently reached by the projection  123 . Conversely, the projection  123  may be used for flossing between a wire and a tooth that cannot be conveniently reached by the projection  122 . 
       FIG. 9A  is a top plan view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the head  120  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 9B  is a bottom plan view of the head  120  of  FIG. 9A .  FIG. 9C  is a cross section of the head  120  of  FIG. 9A  taken along the line d-d.  FIG. 9D  is a front elevation of the head  120  of  FIG. 9A . The head  120  of  FIGS. 9A-D  differs from the head  120  of  FIG. 1  in that the head  120  of  FIGS. 9A-D  includes a projection  902  instead of the tube  124 . The projection  902  includes a channel, trough, or groove  904  disposed along the length of the projection  902 . The groove  904  is configured to guide the floss  102 - 106 . A length of floss  102 - 106  may be placed in the groove  904  instead of threaded through the tube  124 . The floss  102  is suspended between a tip  906  of the projection  902  and the projection aperture  126 . Tension on the suspended floss  102  may constrain the floss  102 - 106  within the groove  904 . The head  120  of  FIGS. 9A-D  includes grooves  910  instead of a source aperture and a take-up aperture. The grooves  910  include curved sides to help retain the floss  102 - 106  within the grooves while under tension. A length of floss  102 - 106  may be inserted into the grooves  910  instead of being threaded through an aperture. The grooves  904  and  910 , thus, serve to simplify routing of the floss  102 - 106 . Floss  102 - 106  is omitted from  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B and  9 D for clarity. Fresh floss  104  from the source spool and used floss  106  from the take-up reel may be disposed in either groove  910 . 
       FIG. 10A  is a partial perspective view of a block diagram illustrating use of the flosser  100  with the head  120  articulated to the right.  FIG. 10B  is a partial perspective view of a block diagram illustrating use of the flosser  100  with the head  120  articulated to the left.  FIG. 10A  provides an external view of two adjacent teeth  1002 . A contact  1004  is the space between the two teeth  1002 . Other teeth and portions of the mouth are omitted for clarity. A bracket  1006  is affixed to each of the teeth  1002 . A wire  1008  is attached to the brackets. The brackets  1006  and the wire  1008  are components of braces used for altering the relative positions and/or orientation of the teeth  1002 . Other components of the braces are omitted for clarity. As can be seen, the wire  1008  interferes with normal flossing of the contact  1004 , particularly flossing of the portion of the contact  1004  below the wire  1008 . 
     The projection  122  simplifies flossing the portions of the contact  1004  that are below the wire  1008 . The projection  122  is sized and shaped for insertion between the wire  1008  and the contact  1004 . The projection  122  simplifies positioning of the aperture  126  and suspended floss  102  below the wire  1008 . Thus, the floss  102  suspended between the projection  122  and the tube  124  may be easily applied to the portions of the contact  1004  that are below the wire  1008 . The tube  124  supports the floss on the interior side of the teeth  1002  during use. The projection  122  and the tube  124  straddle the teeth  1002  and contact  1004 . 
     In some embodiments, floss  102  that is suspended between the aperture  126  and the source aperture  116  may engage the wire  1008  and/or brackets  1006  for cleaning surfaces of components of the braces. The teeth  1002 , brackets  1006 , and wire  1008  in  FIG. 10A  are illustrated in block diagram form show relative positions and represent a variety of shapes and sizes. 
     The angle of the head  120  with respect to the handle  110  permits easier flossing of teeth along the side of the mouth. For example, consider the case where the teeth  1002  illustrated in  FIG. 10A  are right rear lower molars. The angle of the head  120  in  FIG. 10A  is to the right as seen from the top of the flosser  100 . The angle of the head  120  to the right permits easier manipulation of the head  120  using the handle  110  from the front of the mouth. 
     Alternatively, consider the case where the teeth  1002  illustrated in  FIG. 10B  are the left rear lower molars. The head  120  may be rotated to an angle on the left as illustrated in  FIG. 10B . The angle of the head  120  to the left permits easier manipulation of the head  120  around the left rear lower molars of  FIG. 10B . A handle that is inline with the head could cause uncomfortable distension of the cheeks around the teeth  1002 . Thus, the angle of the head  120  may improve the comfort and ease with which the flosser  120  is used. 
       FIG. 10C  is a cross section of head  120  of  FIG. 10A  taken along line e-e of  FIG. 10A . The cross section is a plane that includes line e-e and the axis of the head  120 . For clarity, only one of the tooth  1002  is shown in  FIG. 10 . The projection  122  and the tube  124  are shown straddling the tooth  1002 . The aperture  126  is below the wire  1008 . The floss  102  suspended between the tube  124  and the aperture is also below the wire  1008 . The portion of the floss that is suspended between the aperture  126  and the source aperture  116  may be seen bearing against the wire  1008  and providing flossing action of the wire  1008 . 
       FIG. 10D  is a cross section taken along line f-f of  FIG. 10C . The cross section of  FIG. 10D  cuts through a portion of the teeth  1002  and the view is from the teeth  1002  looking up toward the head  120 . Thus,  FIG. 10D  represents a bottom plan view of the head  120 , as well as the brackets  1006  and the wire  1008 .  FIG. 10E  is a cross section taken along line g-g of  FIG. 10D . The cross section of  FIG. 10E  cuts through the source aperture  116 . 
       FIG. 11A  is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a flosser  1100 , in accordance with aspects of the technology.  FIG. 11B  is a bottom perspective view of the flosser  1100  of  FIG. 11A . The flosser  1100  includes a head  1120  at a fixed angle with respect to the handle  1110 . The angle of the head  1120  is fixed with respect to the handle  110  and is not configured for articulation. In  FIG. 11 , a take-up reel  1114  is disposed on the top surface. A source spool  1112  is disposed on the bottom of the handle  1110 . The source spool  1112  is shown suspended below a post  1116  for purposes of illustration. In normal use, the source spool  1112  is disposed on the post  1116 . A take-up reel  1114  is disposed on the top of the handle  1110 . A notch disposed in the take-up reel  1114  may be used for securing the used floss  106 . The take-up reel  1114  may be disposed on the top, the bottom, the side, or rear of the handle  1110 . Similarly, the source spool  1112  may be disposed on the top, the bottom, the side, or rear of the handle  1110 . The source spool  1112  and the take-up reel  1114  may be disposed on the same surface. 
     A second projection  123  is disposed on the head  1120 . The second projection  123  may be identical to the first projection  122 . The floss  102 - 106  may be routed through a groove  1122  that is configured to hold the floss  102 - 106  under tension at the end of the head  1120 . In some embodiments, an aperture is used in place of the groove  1122 , for example, the aperture  802  as described in  FIGS. 8A-C . The second projection  123  may be used between the wire of a brace and the contact between two teeth instead of the first projection  122  depending on the position and orientation of the various teeth. The choice of using either the first projection  122  or the second projection  123  may simplify accessing contacts between teeth such as back molars. Thus, the projection  122  may be used for flossing a tooth that cannot be easily reached by the projection  123 . Similarly, the projection  123  may be used for flossing a tooth that cannot be easily reached by the projection  122 . In various embodiments, the angle between the head  1120  and the handle  1110  is about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, or 90 degrees or greater. 
       FIG. 12A  is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a flosser  1200 , in accordance with aspects of the technology.  FIG. 12B  is a bottom perspective view of the flosser  1200  of  FIG. 12A . The flosser  1200  comprises a handle  1210  and a head  1220 . The handle  1210  may be constructed using an outer shell to contain a source spool and a take-up reel (not shown) as well as other apparatus for dispensing fresh floss  104  and maintaining tension on the floss  102 - 106 . A source aperture  1216  provides an exit for the fresh floss  104  from the handle  1210 . A routing aperture  1214  disposed in the head  1220  may provide for routing the fresh floss  104  from the source aperture  1216  through the head  1220  to the projection aperture  126 . A joint  1230  may be used for articulation of the head  1220 . 
     A button  1202  may be pressed for advancing the floss  102 - 106 . The button  1202  may rotate the take-up reel in increments against tension applied by the source spool. A ratchet may hold the take-up reel against reverse rotation. Thus, each press of the button  1202  may advance an incremental length of fresh floss  106  into suspension between the projection  122  and the tube  124  to become suspended floss  102 . The head  1220  may include various components described elsewhere herein. For example, a second projection  123  or a grooved projection maybe used instead of the tube  124 . Grooves may be disposed in apertures for routing floss  102 - 106 . The joint  1230  may include a detent. The joint  1230  illustrated in  FIGS. 12A and 12B  includes a tongue and groove type of joint. However, other forms of joint may be used for joint  1230 . 
     In some embodiments, the flosser  1200  may be used as a disposable flosser. That is, a length of fresh floss  104  may be loaded into the handle  1210  sufficient for a period of time under typical use, e.g., 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, one year, and etc. The shell comprising the handle  1210  may be permanently closed during manufacturing such that the flosser  1200  cannot be reloaded with fresh floss  104  when the floss is completely used. In another embodiment, an antimicrobial reservoir may be disposed inside the handle  1210 . The antimicrobial agent in the reservoir may be applied to the fresh floss  104  as it is dispensed from the handle for use. For example, the fresh floss  104  may be routed through the reservoir. The reservoir may be configured to apply the antimicrobial agent to the fresh floss  104  during transit. Flosser  100  and flosser  1100  may similarly be configured as disposable flosser and include antimicrobial application. 
       FIG. 13A  is a partial perspective view illustrating details of an exemplary take-up reel  1302 .  FIG. 13B  is an exploded perspective view of the take-up reel  1302  of  FIG. 13A . The take-up reel  1302  includes a groove  1304  configured to receive used floss  106 . The groove  1304  includes a jamb angle for gripping the used floss  106 . The take-up reel  1302  further includes a ratchet  1306  and a pawl  1308  for resisting rotation in one direction. The take-up reel  1302  includes knurling  1310  around an upper edge. A user may engage the knurled edge  1310 , e.g., using a thumb or finger, for applying friction to rotate the take-up reel  1302 . Thus, the take-up reel  1302  may be rotated for advancing the floss  102 - 106  while ratchet  1306  and pawl  1308  maintain tension on the floss  102 - 106  by preventing reverse rotation of the take-up reel. The groove  1304 , the knurled edge  1310 , and the ratchet  1306  and pawl  1308  mechanism may be used together or in various combinations for the flosser  100 , flosser  1100 , and/or the flosser  1200 . The groove  1304 , the knurled edge  1310 , and the ratchet  1306  and pawl  1308  mechanism may be used together or in various combinations for a source spool on the flosser  100 , flosser  1100 , and/or the flosser  1200 . 
       FIG. 14  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a projection  1400 . The projection  1400  includes an aperture  1402  for guiding floss. The projection  1400  comprises an oval cross section and a curve. The projection  1400  may be used on the head  120  and/or the head  1220 , in the place of the projection  122 , projection  123  and/or tube  124 . 
     The source of floss has been described as a spool, e.g., source spool  112 . However, in various embodiments, the source of floss includes a bundle of floss, a ball of floss, a roll of floss, a skein of floss and/or the like. 
       FIG. 15  is a flow diagram of an exemplary process  1500  for flossing teeth. In step  1502 , fresh floss is dispensed from an elongated handle. In step  1504 , the fresh floss is suspended at an angle to the elongate handle between a pair of projections. In step  1506 , a tension is applied to the suspended fresh floss. In step  1508 , one of the projections is inserted between the teeth and a wire brace. In step  1510 , the contact is flossed using the suspended fresh floss. In step  1512 , used floss is collected while maintaining the tension on the suspended floss. In step  1514 , fresh floss is advanced into suspension. In step  1516 , the angle of the floss with respect to the elongated handle is changed. 
     The embodiments discussed herein are illustrative. As these embodiments are described with reference to illustrations, various modifications or adaptations of the methods and/or specific structures described may become apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art. Various features and aspects of the above described present invention may be used individually or jointly. Features in each of the various illustrations may be combined with features in other illustrations or used individually for illustrating the present invention. All such modifications, adaptations, or variations that rely upon the teachings of the embodiments, and through which these teachings have advanced the art, are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the present application. Hence, these descriptions and drawings should not be considered in a limiting sense, as it is understood that the present application is in no way limited to only the embodiments illustrated.