Suction root elevator and suction dental curette

The invention relates to a suction root elevator and a suction dental curette each of which comprises a handle and a working part both of which are provided with a canal system which extends through both the handle and working part. The canal system terminates in an opening at the tip of the working part on one side while the opposite end of the canal is by means of a flexible connection attached to a suction unit. In addition to the integrated canal system an external pipe system may be attached running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the instrument terminating in an opening next to or distally of the working part's tip, while its opposite end is attached by means of a flexible connection to a rinsing device. The working end of the suction root elevator as well as the suction dental curette may be detachably secured to the handle thus permitting to be replaced by another similarly or differently shaped working part.

The invention relates to a root elevator and dental curette, henceforth 
specified as suction root elevator and suction dental curette, both of 
which are to be used in dentistry, particularly in oral surgery and 
periodontology. A common characteristic to both instruments, signifying 
their uniqueness, is the presence of an integrated canal system which 
extends from the working tip of the instrument to its opposite end which 
by means of a flexible connection can be attached to a suction or rinsing 
unit/apparatus or both at the same time by means of an externally attached 
parallel pipe system which can be optionally affixed. 
Traditional root levators as well as dental curettes are essential 
instruments in oral surgery and periodontology having a broad field of use 
in daily practice. However, due to their design which has remained 
virtually unchanged for decades the efficacy of these instruments is, to 
this date, largely dictated by the requirement for additional instruments 
as well as the presence of an assistant to the practitioner. 
A root elevator in its various shapes is an instrument routinely used in 
oral surgery for the extraction of teeth, dental roots and fragments 
thereof, as well as the extraction of impacted teeth. However, the 
consequent presence of blood and continued salivation require that, in 
order to have a clear field of view, the practitioner hold two instruments 
simultaneously, that is, one for the dotting of bleeding and salivation, 
the other being the root elevator. In order to avoid the obvious 
awkwardness of such a working method the presence of an assistant is 
required who will dot the wound. Since the anatomical conditions of an 
extraction wound in the oral cavity hardly permit two separate instruments 
to be engaged simultaneously the practitioner must intermittently remove 
the root elevator in order that the assistant may gain access for dotting. 
Thus, precious time and work continuity is lost; furthermore the repeated 
search for a fragment previously located is on one hand tedious for the 
practitioner, on the other hand it presents a repeated traumatization of 
the wound exposing the patient to prolonged bleeding and fatiguing stress, 
with a higher risk of postoperative complications such as dry socket or 
infections of various etiology. 
Periodontology, even though gaining in importance in modern dentistry, to 
this date relies on instrument conceived long ago. The traditional dental 
curette with its broad field of use, without exaggeration, presents one of 
the most important instruments in this branch of dentistry. This 
instrument finds use in the scaling of root surfaces of necrotic cementum, 
the curettaging of periodontal pockets and abscesses, the scraping off of 
granulomatous, sanguineous, necrotic and purulent masses, the scraping off 
of subgingival tartar and other operations similar in character. Beside 
this use in conservative periodontology it is used with equal frequency 
and for the same purpose in periodontic surgery. However, due to the fact 
that the traditional dental curette, as it is used up to this date, exists 
only as a singular instrument by itself, the practitioner has to use at 
least two instruments simultaneously. That is, aside from the principal 
instrument, the traditional curette, he would also have to hold one 
additional instrument for the aspiration of the sanguineous, necrotic and 
prulent masses which are set free as a result of the intervention and a 
third instrument for the rinsing of the wound. In view of the technical 
impossibility of such maneuvering the practitioner must rely on an 
assistant who will intermittently aspirate any blood, saliva and other 
organic debris and possibly rinse the wound to clear the obstructed field 
of view for the practitioner. The greatest drawback of such a periodontic 
operation, however, lies not merely in the need of several instruments but 
in the fact that the process of curettaging, aspiration and rinsing 
present at least two separate mechanical actions carried out by two 
persons. This consequent disruption in continuity results in the 
continuous remaining of organic debris in the wound itself which 
necessitates several sessions, an average of three to four, in order to 
obtain the desired result, namely the complete curing of a periodontal 
pocket and/or abcess. In the course of operation the delicate periodontal 
tissue is newly traumatized, requiring often long periods of recovery. 
Furthermore, one cannot ignore the factors time and financial burden for 
the patient which present an ever more significant argument in dental care 
planning. 
In conclusion it can be said that both, the traditional root elevator as 
well as the traditional dental curette, as they are used to this date, 
present instruments which despite their proven validity show numerous 
disadvantages to the practitioner and more so to the patient. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The above described disadvantages are overcome by the instruments of the 
present invention, namely the suction root elevator and the suction dental 
curette, due to the presence of an integrated canal or pipe system common 
to both instruments which makes possible the simultaneous aspiration from 
the wound while the operation is being carried on. A second pipe system, 
externally affixed to the suction dental curette, as an option, further 
increases the versatility of the instrument because rinsing of the wound 
is made possible in addition to the previously mentioned simultaneous 
functions. Both, the suction root elevator and the suction dental curette 
which by means of a flexible connection, are attached to a suction unit 
or, in the case of the suction dental curette, to an additional rinsing 
unit, permit the practitioner to perform interventions as traditionally 
prescribed for either instrument, thus, making unecessary for additional 
instruments such as aspirators and/or rinsing cannules used up to this 
date to provide a clear field of view. 
Thus, while using a suction root elevator to remove a fragmented tooth or 
its root, or fragment thereof as well as impacted teeth from an open 
wound, through the integrated canal system blood, saliva and organic 
debris are simultaneously aspirated from the wound, permitting the 
practitioner to have visual control over the intervention taking place in 
the wound. Furthermore, the practiotioner is no longer distracted by 
intermittent dotting and/or aspirating of the wound by an assistant, thus 
cutting the curation of the operation itself to a fraction of the time 
required to date. Above all, the incomparably greater comfort for the 
patient who will suffer considerably less trauma and whose bleeding time 
and amount will be contained to a minimum must be emphasized. 
The suction dental curette greatly facilitates periodontic interventions 
since the mechanical removal of sanguineous, necrotic, granulomatous and 
purulent masses from periodontic pockets and abscesses as well as the 
scaling of root surfaces, the scraping off of subgingival tartar is 
accompanied by the simultaneous aspiration of the organic debris set free 
during the operation within the wound. Consequently, the possibility of 
organic debris remaining in a periodontic pocket, heretofore a frequent 
source of complications such as prolonged healing, continued inflammation 
and abscessing, is eliminated, which in turn reduces the number of therapy 
sessions per tooth and pocket to a single session intervention in most of 
the cases. The effect of the simultaneous aspiration can be further 
potentiated by affixing an optional external rinsing pipe by means of 
which the wound can be rinsed with water or with solutions frequently used 
in periodontics to create a disinfected area, such as hydrogen peroxide, 
or other similar solutins. In either event the patient experiences a 
minimum of trauma at the same time feeling almost instant relief, whereby 
recurrences, especially of periodontic abscesses are virtually eliminated 
due to the simultaneous removal and aspiration of possible infection 
agents as well as the rinsing of the wound. In addition, the healing 
process is accelerated due to the fact that all irritating factors (such 
as fragments of tartar, necrotic cement, etc.) have been removed from the 
periodontal pocket thus permitting an unimpaired process of tissue 
restoration. 
Both instruments, namely the suction root elevator as well as the suction 
dental curette can be made of any material commonly used for similar 
purpose dental instruments and therefore can be fully sterilized in 
accordance with standard sterilization procedure. It is well known in the 
dental profession that in a curette the cutting edge is formed on the side 
of the tip.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
Preferred embodiments of this invention will now be described with 
reference to the drawings in detail. As is shown, the suction root 
elevator 1 externally presents an instrument not much different from 
traditional root elevators, comprising a handle 2 and a working part 3. 
The dotted lines running centrally through the length of the instrument 
depict the canal system 4, which opens at the tip 5 of the working part 3 
on one side and at the distal end 6 of the handle on the opposite side. 
The distal end 6 of the handle is elongated in the shape of a cylinder 7 
which permits a flexible connection, 22, to be attached to the handle of 
the instrument. The opposite end of the flexible connection is securely 
attached to a suction unit 24 which creates negative pressure, that is a 
vacuum, by which a suction effect is reached, whereby blood, saliva and 
organic debris are aspirated through the canal system of the root elevator 
1. If desired, an additional duct 8, perpendicular to the principal duct 
4, can be provided which opens on the side 9 of the handle 2, serving as a 
valve, permitting the practitioner to manipulate the presence or absence 
of vacuum on an on/off basis by digitally covering the opening 9 of the 
valve. Although not shown here it is understood by those skilled in the 
art that variations and modifications of the valve system can be equally 
installed. 
The flexible connection leading from the root elevator to the suction unit 
can originate, instead of from the instrument's distal end, from the 
instrument's side whereby the exiting duct can be perpendicular to the 
principal duct as shown in FIG. 2 as well as in an obtuse angle not shown 
in the drawings. 
To those skilled in the art it should be clear that the suction root 
elevator can be shaped as all commonly used traditional root elevators, 
such as root elevators according to Lecluse, Winter, Barry and numerous 
other authors. Furthermore, the instrument can be made of any material 
used in the prior art of the instrument as well as new materials which are 
proven in terms of their stability to mechanic forces such as pressure as 
well as to thermal forces such as those created during sterilization. 
The suction dental curette 11 shown FIG. 3 of the drawings is an instrument 
comprising a handle 12 and a detachable working part 13. A canal system 
14, extending from an opening 15 in the tip of the working part 13 to the 
distal end 16 of the handle 12, continues through a cylindrical elongation 
17 of the handle 12 terminating in an opening at the cylinder's distal 
end. The detachable working part 13 of the instrument 11 can be replaced 
by another identically, similarly or differently shaped tip of the working 
part, an example of which is shown in FIGS. 4, 4a and 5, 5a, thus meeting 
the individual needs as dictated by the location of teeth and the 
morphology of the periodontal pockets and/or abscesses to be treated. 
Furthermore, the working part can be positioned in relation to the handle 
in a straight, obtuse or right angle in such way that interventions on 
pockets which are located in the inter-canine region are more conveniently 
carried out by a straight instrument, wheras for the trans-canine region 
an angled version of the instrument is more suitable. 
Similar to the suction root elevator shown in FIG. 1 the suction dental 
curette 11 can also be provided with a valve duct 18 situated 
perpendicularly to the principal canal 14 and exiting at the side of the 
handle in the form of an orefice. The functional principle as well as the 
possible variations and modifications of the valve system mirror those of 
the suction root elevator. 
The cylinder 17 extending from the distal end of the handle 16 is to fit 
into a flexible connection the opposite end of which is securely connected 
to a suction unit/apparatus which by way of negative pressure creates a 
vacuum. Said vacuum makes possible the simultaneous aspiration of blood, 
saliva and other organic debris which is produced by such periodontic 
operation. As an optional addition to the suction dental curette 11 and 
its integrated canal system 14 an external pipe system 19 can be attached 
to the instrument by clamps 20 or otherwise suitable detachable fittings. 
Said pipe system can be attached to the instrument whereby its tip ends 
approximately 15 mm distally of the tip of the suction dental curette so 
as not to interfere with the reaching ability of the curette's tip. Said 
pipe system shows two orefices, one the proximal end and another at the 
distal end whereby the latter is connected by flexible connection 26 to a 
rinsing unit 28. Said rinsing unit pumps from a container liquid solutions 
such as disinfectants or water which exits at the tip of the pipe system 
onto the immediate operating area irrigating the same in simultaneous 
action with the aspiration through the central canal system 14. 
The material requirements for the suction dental curette as well as for the 
external pipe system equal those of the suction root elevator. That is any 
materials used in the prior art of this instrument as well as new 
materials giving the instruments sufficient mechanic rigidity so as not to 
be deformed or bent during the operation and further having the necessary 
thermal stability to endure full sterilization procedures. It is to be 
understood for both instruments, the suction root elevator and the suction 
dental curette, that the choice of material used also include such 
materials which permit for the instruments to be used as disposable, 
single use instruments. Both instruments, namely the suction root elevator 
and the suction dental curette, have been described mainly in reference to 
dental operations, particularly those of oral surgery and periodontology. 
It is to be understood, however, that said instruments can find equal use 
in the field of human medicine and veterinary medicine. To those skilled 
in the art it will be apparent that modifications and variations can 
substitute elements of the preferred embodiments described above without 
departing from the principles and true spirit of this invention.