Abstract:
An ultrasonic scaler tip, capable of effectively removing tartar or the like adhered around an artificial tooth root, is provided. An ultrasonic scaler is also provided, which prevents metal material (for example, ion), except for titanium or titanium alloy, from adhering around the artificial tooth root and disturbing tissue growth and adhesion to the tooth root.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a U.S. national phase filing under 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCT/JP/2010/007154 filed Dec. 8, 2010, which claims priority to and the benefit of Japanese Application No. 2009-281046 filed on Dec. 10, 2009. Both of the aforementioned applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a dental ultrasonic scaler tip. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Tartar and plaque are primary cause of periodontal diseases and dental caries. Therefore, it is important to remove tartar and plaque adhered to tooth surfaces, tooth root surfaces, restorative and prosthetic materials, or artificial tooth root materials in order to treat or prevent diseases related to the tooth. In such dental treatment, removal of tartar from tooth surfaces, debridement within pockets, and detoxification of tooth root surfaces to smoothen and polish the root surfaces, that is, scaling and root planing, are fundamental treatment of importance. 
     Scaling operation and root planing operation are normally performed using a metal scaler for hands, and in particular, a hand curette scaler. Scaling and root planing using such a hand curette scaler are however an operation that requires experience and skill and takes time and effort. 
     In addition to the method using a hand curette scaler, scaling and root planing can be performed using therapeutic instruments, such as Rotosonic for engines, an air scaler for turbines, or an ultrasonic scaler. Among the therapeutic instruments, the ultrasonic scaler is configured by connecting an ultrasonic oscillation source for oscillating ultrasonic waves of a predetermined oscillation frequency with a dental tip of a predetermined shape. 
     The dental tip is made as an integrated instrument from a base end portion to a tip portion thereof. The base end portion of the dental tip is connected to the ultrasonic oscillation source. When the ultrasonic oscillation source is oscillated in the ultrasonic wave band, the ultrasonic oscillation is transferred from the base end portion of the tip to the tip portion of the tip. Thereafter, pressing the tip portion against a treatment area on the tooth surface will grind and remove tartar or the like. 
     Conventionally, Japanese Laid-Open Publication No. 8-229054 (Reference 1), Japanese Laid-Open Publication No. 10-28694 (Reference 2) and Japanese Laid-Open Publication No. 5-154164 (Reference 3) disclose tips of various shapes. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the following method is publicly known: a pin-shaped artificial tooth root  12 , referred to as an implant, is implanted into a bone  20  at an upper jaw or a lower jaw; An abutment  16  is screwed to be attached to a threaded hole formed in an end portion of the artificial tooth root  12  protruded from the bone  20 ; and subsequently, an artificial crown  18  is put on the abutment  16  from above. 
     When tartar or the like adhered around the artificial tooth root is tried to be removed using the conventional tip, the removal is not efficiently performed because the conventional tip described above is mainly for removing tartar and plaque that are adhered around a natural tooth. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     PLT 1 
     Japanese Laid-Open Publication No. 8-229054 
     PLT 2 
     Japanese Laid-Open Publication No. 10-28694 
     PLT 3 
     Japanese Laid-Open Publication No. 5-154164 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     The present invention is intended to solve the conventional technique described above. An objective of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic scaler tip capable of efficiently removing tartar or the like adhered around an artificial tooth root. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic scaler tip, which prevents metal material (for example, ion), except for titanium or titanium alloy, from adhering around the artificial tooth root and disturbing tissue growth and adhesion to the tooth root. 
     Solution to Problem 
     Accordingly, the present invention provides the following. 
     A scaler tip according to the present invention is attached to a tip portion of a dental ultrasonic scaler with an oscillator provided therein, the scaler tip comprising: a tip body made of titanium or titanium alloy, wherein a tip portion of the tip body is formed with a curved portion, which can make a contact in a curved shape along a periphery of an artificial tooth root. 
     Preferably, in the scaler tip according to the present invention, a base end portion of the tip body is detachably attached to the tip portion of the dental ultrasonic scaler. 
     Still preferably, in the scaler tip according to the present invention, the curved portion includes an interior surface that lies along an outer circumference of the artificial tooth root. 
     Still preferably, in the scaler tip according to the present invention, the curved portion includes an interior surface with a diameter corresponding to an outer diameter of the artificial tooth root. 
     Still preferably, in the scaler tip according to the present invention: a shape of a section of the curved portion is a substantial triangle or a substantial trapezoid, an acute angle portion with a pointed tip is formed on a side surface of the curved portion, and the acute angle portion can be inserted into a thread groove of the artificial tooth root. 
     Still preferably, in the scaler tip according to the present invention, the curved portion includes a circular arc interior surface that lies along an outer circumference of the artificial tooth root, and the curved portion is formed to fit into a thread groove formed on an outer circumference of the artificial tooth root. 
     Still preferably, in the scaler tip according to the present invention, a radius of curvature of the curved portion is 1.0 mm to 8.0 mm, and an outer diameter of a section of the curved portion is 0.3 mm to 0.8 mm. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to the scaler tip of the present invention, the curved portion is formed at the tip portion of the tip body, which tip portion can make contact in a curved shape along the periphery of an artificial tooth. Thereby, the curved portion makes contact to the periphery of the artificial tooth root while oscillating, and the curved portion fits, in particular, into a thread groove formed around the artificial tooth root, so that it becomes possible to efficiently remove tartar or the like adhered around the artificial tooth root. 
     Further, the tip is made of titanium or titanium alloy. Therefore, in a case where the tip makes a contact to the periphery of the artificial tooth root by ultrasonic oscillation, even if the titanium or titanium alloy is adhered to the periphery of the tooth root, it does not disturb tissue growth and adhesion to the artificial tooth root. 
     In particular, when the tip is made of titanium alloy, the shape of the tip can be readily processed to fit the periphery of the artificial tooth root. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating use of an ultrasonic scaler tip according to the present invention attached to a dental ultrasonic scaler. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of an essential part of an ultrasonic scaler tip according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic elevation view of an ultrasonic scaler tip according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of an ultrasonic scaler tip according to the present invention, a curved portion of which lies along an outer circumference of an artificial tooth root.  FIG. 4( a )  illustrates the curved portion with a surface thereof shaped in a substantial semicircle.  FIG. 4( b )  illustrates the curved portion with a surface thereof shaped in a circular arc. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view illustrating various embodiments of an ultrasonic scaler tip according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view illustrating various embodiments of an ultrasonic scaler tip according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 7( a )  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an ultrasonic scaler tip according to the present invention.  FIG. 7( b )  is a front elevation view thereof.  FIG. 7( c )  is a plan view thereof.  FIG. 7( d )  is a side view thereof. 
         FIG. 8( a )  is a perspective view of another embodiment of an ultrasonic scaler tip according to the present invention.  FIG. 8( b )  is a front elevation view thereof.  FIG. 8( c )  is a plan view thereof.  FIG. 8( d )  is a side view thereof. 
         FIG. 9( a )  is a perspective view of still another embodiment of an ultrasonic scaler tip according to the present invention.  FIG. 9( b )  is a front elevation view thereof.  FIG. 9( c )  is a plan view thereof.  FIG. 9( d )  is a side view thereof. 
         FIG. 10( a )  is a perspective view of still another embodiment of an ultrasonic scaler tip according to the present invention.  FIG. 10( b )  is a front elevation view thereof.  FIG. 10( c )  is a plan view thereof.  FIG. 10( d )  is a side view thereof. 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of a conventional artificial tooth root with an abutment attached thereon and a dental prosthesis crown being put from above. 
         FIG. 12  is a cross sectional view of a conventional artificial tooth root fixed to the alveolar bone, with an abutment attached to a tip of the artificial tooth root, and a dental prosthesis crown being put from above. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , a dental scaler tip  2  according to the present invention is attached to a dental ultrasonic scaler  4 , which looks sort of like a hand piece. A motor and an oscillator (not shown) are respectively provided inside the dental ultrasonic scaler  4 , and oscillation is transferred to a tip portion of the scaler tip  2 . 
     The scaler tip  2  includes a tip body  10  made of titanium or titanium alloy. The tip body  10  is formed as one piece comprised of a base end portion  6  with a relatively larger outer diameter, and a tip portion  8 . The scaler tip  2 , as a whole, has a shape that is tapered from the base end portion  6  to the tip portion  8 . The scaler tip  2  includes a curved portion  14  formed at the tip portion  8  of the tip body  10 . The curved portion  14  can make a contact along the periphery of an artificial tooth root  12 , and is in a shape of a curved rod. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4( a ) , the curved portion  14  may be formed to include an interior surface  15  of a substantial semicircle, with a diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the artificial tooth root  12 . Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIG. 4( b ) , the curved portion  14  may be formed to include an interior surface  15  of a circular arc that lies along an outer circumference surface of the artificial tooth root  12 . That is, the inner diameter of the curved portion  14  and the shape of the interior surface  15  thereof are formed in such a manner to lie along a thread groove  13  formed in the outer circumference of the artificial tooth root  12  as well as to allow the curved portion  14  to fit into the thread groove  13  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ). 
     For example, the inner diameter of the curved portion  14  illustrated in  FIGS. 4( a ) and 4( b )  is preferably 1.0 mm to 8.0 mm. The inner diameter of the curved portion  14  is still preferably 2.0 mm to 6.0 mm. The radius of curvature of the curved portion  14  is preferably 1.0 mm to 8.0 mm. The radius of curvature of the curved portion  14  is still preferably 0.5 mm to 4.0 mm, and most preferably, 1.0 mm to 3.0 mm. 
     The outer diameter of a section of the curved portion  14  is set to allow the curved portion  14  to fit into the thread groove  13  of the artificial tooth root  12 . The outer diameter is normally 0.3 mm to 0.8 mm (and preferably 0.5 mm to 0.8 mm). The pitch of the thread groove  13  of the artificial tooth root  12  is about 0.6 mm as the narrowest, and therefore, the thread groove  13  is configured to allow the curved portion  14  to fit. 
     The shape of a section of the curved portion  14  can be a substantial triangle or a substantial trapezoid, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6( a ) and 6( b ) . Tip portions  14   a  and  14   b  are formed on a side portion of the curved portion  14 . It is preferable that the tip portions  14   a  and  14   b  have an acute angle so that the tip portions  14   a  and  14   b  can easily fit into the thread groove  13 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the tip body  10  may be crooked or curved. 
     The scaler tip  2  may be formed by bend-processing a member made of titanium or titanium alloy. The scaler tip  2  may also be molded using a metal mold. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the tip  2  is normally manufactured by curve-processing the tip portion  8  of the tip body  10 , which is made of metal. The base end portion  6  of the tip body  10  is formed with a diameter that is larger than the tip portion  8 , and the base end portion  6  is detachably attached to an end portion of the dental ultrasonic scaler  4 . Normally, a female threaded hole (or a male screw) or the like is formed at the base end portion  6  of the tip body  10 , and a male screw (or a female threaded hole) formed at the tip portion of the scaler  4  is screwed into the hole (or the screw). 
     The shape of the tip is changeable. It is also possible to prepare various sizes of tips in accordance with the size of the artificial tooth root  12 . 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 5( a ) , the tip  2  may be formed by extending the tip body  10  from a substantially center portion of the curved portion  14 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5( b ) , the tip  2  may be formed by extending the tip body  10  from the vicinity of the end portion on one side of the curved portion  14 . 
     In use of the scaler tip  2  of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the tip  2  is attached to the tip portion of the scaler  4 . The tip  2  is inserted such that the curved portion  14  lies along the outer circumference of the artificial tooth root  12 . When an operation switch of the scaler  4  is turned on, an ultrasonic oscillator provided inside the scaler  4  starts oscillating. By the driving, the curved portion  14  of the tip  2  oscillates, so that tartar or the like around the artificial tooth root  12  can be removed. Since the shape of the tip portion  8  of the tip body  10  is curved, the cleaning around the artificial tooth root  12  can be performed with a wide area and efficiently. 
     In addition, since the tip is made of titanium or titanium alloy, iron component will not adhere to the periphery of the artificial tooth root, and tissue growth and adhesion to the artificial tooth root will not be disturbed unlike a conventional stainless tip. 
     An appropriate size of the tip  2  is selected in accordance with the outer diameter, shape or the like of the artificial tooth root  12 . Further, by preparing a plurality of types of tips with different sizes and shapes, and selecting one of them in accordance with the size or the like of a patient&#39;s artificial tooth root, an effective removal can be made in accordance with the condition of the artificial tooth root. 
       FIGS. 7 to 10  each illustrate various tips. 
     The tips illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8  are in an relationship of enantiomorphic symmetry. The tips illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8  include a tip body  10  made of titanium or titanium alloy, and the base end portion  6  of the tip body  10  has an outer diameter of 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm (preferably 2.8 mm to 3.2 mm) and a length of 5 mm to 12 mm. A middle portion  11  of the body is curved 7 mm to 12 mm (preferably 9 mm to 10 mm) to the side from the based end portion  6 . The tip portion  8  of the body  10  is further curved 3 mm to 5 mm (preferably 3.5 mm to 4.5 mm) from the tip of the middle portion  11 , in a direction crossing substantially 80 degrees to 100 degrees with the curving direction of the middle portion  11 . The radius of curvature of the curved portion  14  is 2.0 mm to 6.0 mm (preferably 3.0 mm to 5.0 mm). A path  21 , for passing cold water therethrough, is formed inside the body  10 , and a groove  19  is formed on a side portion of the body  10 . 
     In  FIG. 8 , a preferable range of each of L1 to L8 is as follows: 
     L1: 33 mm to 40 mm (preferably 36 mm to 39 mm); 
     L2: 28 mm to 36 mm (preferably 30 mm to 34 mm); 
     L3: 4 mm to 8 mm (preferably 5 mm to 6 mm); 
     L4: 10 mm to 14 mm (preferably 11 mm to 13 mm); 
     L5: 8 mm to 14 mm (preferably 10 mm to 12 mm); 
     L6: 5 mm to 9 mm (preferably 6 mm to 8 mm); 
     L7: 3 mm to 6 mm (preferably 4 mm to 5 mm); and 
     L8: 2 mm to 6 mm (preferably 3 mm to 5 mm). 
     The tips illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10  are in a relationship of enantiomorphic symmetry. The tips illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10  include a tip body  10  made of titanium or titanium alloy, and the base end portion  6  of the tip body  10  has an outer diameter of 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm (preferably 2.8 mm to 3.2 mm) and a length of 5 mm to 12 mm. A middle portion  11  of the body is curved 7 mm to 12 mm (preferably 9 mm to 10 mm) to the side from the based end portion  6 . The tip portion  8  of the body  10  is further curved 3 mm to 5 mm (preferably 3.5 mm to 4.5 mm) from the tip of the middle portion  11 , in a direction crossing substantially 80 degrees to 100 degrees with the curving direction of the middle portion  11 . The radius of curvature of the curved portion  14  is 2.0 mm to 6.0 mm (preferably 3.0 mm to 5.0 mm). A path  21 , for passing cold water therethrough, is formed inside the body  10 , and a groove  19  is formed on a side portion of the body  10 . 
     In  FIG. 10 , a preferable range of each of L1 to L8 is as follows: 
     L1: 28 mm to 36 mm (preferably 31 mm to 34 mm); 
     L2: 22 mm to 28 mm (preferably 23 mm to 26 mm); 
     L3: 6 mm to 10 mm (preferably 7 mm to 9 mm); 
     L4: 11 mm to 15 mm (preferably 12 mm to 14 mm); 
     L5: 10 mm to 14 mm (preferably 11 mm to 13 mm); 
     L6: 3 mm to 7 mm (preferably 4 mm to 6 mm); 
     L7: 2 mm to 5 mm (preferably 3 mm to 4 mm); and 
     L8: 2 mm to 5 mm (preferably 3 mm to 4 mm). 
     The outer diameter of the curved portion  14  becomes smaller towards the tip portion, in the tip of any embodiment. The outer diameter of the base portion of the curved portion  14  is preferably 0.5 mm to 0.8 mm, and the outer diameter of the tip of the curved portion  14  is preferably 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     By removing tartar and plaque adhered to the artificial tooth root, it becomes possible to treat or prevent diseases related to the tooth. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
         
           
               2  ultrasonic scaler tip 
               4  scaler 
               6  base end portion 
               8  tip portion 
               10  tip body 
               14  curve portion