Dental instrument

Abstract: The instrument for the handling of dental fillings is characterized in that it is provided at one of its ends (2 or 3), or at both ends (2, 3) with a head (4) comprising a stuffing part (8) which is made of a light transmitting or light conducting material and which can be connected to a light source (10). Preferably, the stuffing part is removably fastened to the head. Such an instrument allows a good exposure with light and thus provides good contact points of tooth fillings to be hardened as well as a good handling of the fillings.

Description: The present invention relates to a dental instrument for the handling of tooth fillings. A plurality of dental instruments have already become known, and a variety of different dental instruments and accessories have been put on the market, especially recently, which are designed for placing fillings of synthetic material to the desired site or to keep them in place, and to irradiate them with light for allowing their hardening. The DE-C-4 133 109 discloses a dental instrument having an exchangeable light conducting stuffing part, whereby the light source is freely applied onto a saddle shaped surface. Therefore, two hands are needed when applying light, one for using the instrument and one for applying the light source onto the saddle shaped surface. DE-U-94 13 725 discloses an instrument having the light source connected to the end of the handle of the instrument away from the end having the stuffing part. The disclosed lightpath from the light source to the stuffing part and onto the tooth to be treated comprises light coupling elements. The US-A-5 098 292 discloses a dental instrument where the light source is connected to the end of the handle away from the end having the stuffing part. The US-A-5 030 093 discloses a similar dental instrument as the above mentioned one, where the light coupling parts are screwed together, resulting also in losses of light. Starting from this prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dental instrument for the handling of tooth fillings which allows an easier handling and has increased efficiency by reduced loss of light and which allows above all a better light exposure of the dental fillings to be hardened. Such a dental instrument is defined in the independent claim 1. Further features and advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims and will become evident to the one skilled in the art from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the dental instrument with the aid of the drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of parts of a dental instrument according to the invention, Figure 2 shows a complete overview of the dental instrument, and Figure 3 shows a portion of the dental instrument provided with a light source attached thereto. Figure 2 shows the dental instrument 1 having two end portions 2 and 3. The middle portion 12 of the instrument is shaped as already known. The end portion 2 comprises a head 4 which is provided with a through bore having an inside thread 5. A stuffing part 6 having a thread portion 7 fits into the inside thread 5, and this thread portion bears a stuffing end 8 having a trapezoidal section which is in principle already known. The upper, end surface 8A of the stuffing end is parallel to the entry plane of the head 4. It is essential for the invention that this stuffing part consists of a light transparent or light conducting material, for example of a transparent synthetic material. Preferably, the outside 9 of the head is tapered against the stuffing part. Furthermore, it is shown in Figure 2 that both end portions or the stuffing parts, respectively, are arranged in a mirror image to each other. Figure 3 shows the end portion 2 of the instrument 1 where a light conductor 10, already known per se, is attached to the parallel end which is remote from the stuffing part. The halo like crown 11 symbolizes how the light emerges from the stuffing end 8, the greatest amount thereof coming out of the surface 8A. The amount of light emerging from the stuffing end is substantially higher and better distributed than that which comes out of a light conducting wedge, and the dental filling is thus better hardened or cured. In order to keep the loss of light as low as possible, it may be appropriate to provide the interior of the stuffing part with light deflecting elements, i.e. such having metal coated faces, in order to obtain better directed light emerging from the stuffing end 8. It may also be appropriate to metal coat one or more outer surfaces of the stuffing end in order to concentrate the emerging light to a predetermined direction.

Claims: Dental instrument (1) for the handling of tooth fillings, whereby at least one end portion (2, 3) thereof is provided with a head (4) bearing a removably fastened stuffing part (6) having a stuffing end (8) and a light receiving end and being made of a light transparent or light conducting material and the stuffing part (6) is adapted to enter in contact with a light conductor (10) at its receiving end, characterised in that the stuffing part (6) has an outside thread (7) which can be screwed into an inside thread (5) of a through bore of the head (4), the separate light conductor (10) is attachable to the head (4) for transmitting the light into the receiving end of the stuffing part, and that the upper surface (8A) of the stuffing end (8) is parallel to the entering plane of the head (4). The instrument of claim 1, characterised in that the stuffing end (8) has a trapezoidal section. The instrument of claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the outside (9) of the head (4) is tapered towards the stuffing end (8). The instrument of any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that elements for conducting and/or reflecting the light coming from the light source (10) are disposed in and/or at the head (4) bearing the stuffing part (6). The instrument of any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that it comprises a stuffing part (6) at its both end portions (2, 3), said stuffing parts (6) being disposed mirror-like with respect to each other.

Inventors: LUNDVIK KJELL PER DR MED, LUNDVIK, KJELL PER DR.MED.
Applicants: DEVELODENT GMBH
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A61C19
IPC codes: A61C13