Field of the Utility Model

[0001] The invention relates to a polishing brush, which can be used in dentistry and technical dentistry for carrying out various kinds of operations, in particular for cleaning and / or polishing of dental restorations, for example polishing a tooth or a complete dental restoration.

Background of the Utility Model

[0002] In the restorative dentistry, it is customary after the restoration, for example, the obturation or the prosthesis, to finish by forming the desired final shape and surface relief, which operations are carried out in several stages: Initially an anatomical form with a coarser surface is created, which is then further processed through cutting tools, diamond and other tools, followed by polishing the so formed anatomical shapes. The described processes include the sequential use of Several tools, requiring a wide variety of them, such as shapes and sizes of the abrasive. This is because of the need to process objects, whose shape requires access to different locations and the creation of different shapes on the treated surface, as it is necessary to take into account the different modes of processing of the materials, which are used in dentistry.

[0003] Currently available polishing tools have the disadvantage that a number of them, are needed in a variety of forms, which, in view of their shape, can only be used for a predetermined operating step of the whole procedure or the entire finishing process. They are used one after the another until completion of finishing operations. This process requires frequent replacement of the tools and leads to additional costs.

[0004] Currently, in dental restorations, various materials such as composite mixtures, gold, porcelain, acrylic, zirconium dioxide, lithium silicate and disilicate and the like are used for the purpose of restoring lost tooth structure for temporary or permanent restoration. The teeth are stuffed and the substitute material is placed in the cavity or on the teeth, then formed. This procedure leaves a rough surface, which has to be further treated, after which the recovered surfaces are polished to achieve the necessary smoothness of the newly formed forms. [0005] The polishing is carried out by a series of polishing means, which can be inscribed and polish different protruding, concave and flat surfaces. Various tools such as pins, discs, cloth or brushes can be used for polishing, which can be combined with polishing pastes to complete the desired polishing. Props and dents on tooth surfaces may be as large as the total tooth size or very small, as well as grooves, pits or surface texture.

[0006] Another issue that arises in the restoration work, is that the tooth surfaces have complex shapes and the usual polishing tools are not always suitable to adapt to the restored surfaces, so that the tools must allow for easy and careful handling to reach all parts that need to be polished.

[0007] An important improvement in this regard is achieved by the use of abrasive polishing brushes. These brushes allow - direct polishing of the materials, in one stage, immediately after rough shaping with diamond cutting tools. In addition, many recesses (fissures) and protruding structures (tubercles) can be reached with this type of instrument, without the need to replace different shapes and patterns.

[0008] There are known polishing brushes, used in dentistry, comprising a cylindrically shaped axis, where at the first end of which, there are a plurality of elastic polishing lamellas, as the leading axis is suitably shaped, with the possibility of coupling with a rotation tool, wherein the coupling may be through a quick-release linkage or other similar formation. The polishing lamellas are oriented axially with respect to the leading axis, and as for the purpose of adapting to the shape of the tooth, as well as for covering any peripheral surface, it is necessary to apply a significant amount of pressure which may be comparatively traumatic to the gums.

[0009] As a rule, from a functional point of view, the polishing brushes may be embodied as a stand-alone element, which is mounted through a hole, formed in the central disk to the leading axis. Another embodiment of the polishing brushes is known, where the leading axis and the polishing brush are embodied as one common element. The polishing elements may be arranged axially - in one plane with the base, or radially - in a plane perpendicular to the base.

[0010] The polishing elements may have any useful and effective cross-section, including but not limited to round, oval, rectangular, square or other polygonal shape, and may have a constant or variable cross-section along the length of the fibers. The lamellas may be sloped so, that their cross-section decreases in the direction of the distance from the center to the periphery. The polishing lamellas can be formed with a suitable length and diameter, but in some embodiments, the lamellas length and diameter ratio is 2: 1 or greater.

[00011] Another criteria that determines to some extent the properties of the polishing brush is the density and the arrangement of the polishing elements, which can be selected according to the particular application of the brush. In some known embodiments, they are evenly arranged around the outer edge of the base or the hub. Alternatively, the polishing elements may be arranged in groups, with spacing between the groups, and may be oriented in the plane of a base, other than radial orientation outwardly, i.e. at an angle to the radius of the base.

[00012] There are known radial brushes / Catalog 2018 Praxis-Neuheiten (DE) /, which consist of a polishing head, comprising a disk with a plurality of arcuate polishing elements, connected to the said central disk. The polishing lamellas are rectangular in shape, the width to thickness ratios being in the range 1: 1 to 1 : 1.5, and their free end is rounded. The brush is suitable for polishing occlusal, labia, buccal, lingual and aproximal regions. As a disadvantage of the known polishing radial brush, a relatively large thickness of the polishing lamellas can be noted, which prevents the easy penetration of hard-to-reach areas, or requires additional application of pressure, which does not provide the possibility of even and uniform polishing of the entire treated surface.

[00013] Patent publication DEI 02011114916 A1 is known, which discloses a radial polishing brush for use in dentistry. It consists of an axe, formed at it’s one end as a disk, which is forming a base, connected with two rows of polishing lamellas, arranged one below the other, as the fibers of the first row are being displaced relative to the lamellas from the other row, so as to provide an overlap. Two adjacent polishing lamellas from each disk are connected to the central disk by a conical shape. The polishing lamellas are made of a flexible, high-wear material such as synthetic or natural rubber, rubber-like material or plastic, in which are implemented grinding or polishing materials of different grain sizes, such as diamond, silicon carbide or alumina, pumice and others. The polishing fibers are disposed at a constant, evenly circumferential angle around the central disk, whereby two adjacent lamellas are displaced relatively one to another, both in the axial direction and towards the periphery. The lamellas are located in two axially aligned parallel planes, each one of which is displaced with a half angle of inclination relative to the other. [00014] When the polishing brush rotates relatively to the treated object, the polishing lamellas are bent, as the bending loads being highest at the base, i.e. near the center. In the described embodiment of the polishing brush, the polishing lamellas are formed and connected to the central disk by a conical shape, i. E. with a sharp peak, given the high speeds of the order of 7-8000 rpm. creates conditions for easy tearing of the lamellas in their base. Accordingly, depending on the shape and the manner of forming the connection of the polishing elements with the base, they have a different ability to resist the bending stresses that most often result in their integrity being disturbed, mostly near the central disk, which significantly reduces the duration of their use. The tearing of one or more polishing lamellas, partly or fully, greatly reduces the effectiveness of the polishing, as the brush can not effectively cover the entire treated surface, respectively, requiring the dentist to put additional pressure or longer treatment on the restored surface. Moreover, the polishing lamellas have the necessary flexibility only in the peripheral part where the upper and lower row fibers work together as they are connected to each other by a thin, easily tearing film element. At the same time, the lamellas are harder from the middle to the base, which significantly reduces the efficiency of their use when working on internal and complex surfaces.

Technical field of the utility model

[00015] Considering the described state of the art in that field, the present utility is intended to provide a polishing brush for use in dentistry, particularly in repairing dentistry, which is distinguished by increased durability and resistance of the polishing lamellas, as well as their improved elasticity, permitting effective application of the brush with a smaller angle to the polished object and requiring application of less compressive forces during operation.

[00016] The task of the utility model is solved by a polishing brush, consisting of an axis, at the first end of which is formed a central disk, where two other disks are formed, each with a plurality of polishing lamellas, arranged one above the other and displaced relatively one to another, as the polishing lamellas are made of a composition, consisting of synthetic fibers, abrasive materials, and elastic binders.

[00017] According to the utility model, between the two discs with polishing lamellas, an intermediate / reinforcing / disc having a diameter equal to the diameter of the central disk of each of the polishing discs, is provided, as the polishing lamellas are arranged at an angle of 10 to 70 degrees towards the tangent to the central disk (the thick body), where the central disc and the polishing lamellas are made of synthetic fibers, elastic binders, abrasive materials, and reinforcing fibers with dimensions from 0.01 to 0.03 mm, and at the base of the central disk the polishing lamellas are made with a round or oval shape.

According to a preferred embodiment of the polishing brush, the reinforcing disk is made of nonwoven fabric weighing from 50 to 100 g per square meter.

[00018] According to a preferred embodiment of the polishing brush, at the base of binding of the polishing lamellas, the distance between two polishing lamellas is made in the form of a semicircle, as the ratio of the diameter of the curvature to the polishing lamella has a thickness between 0.3: 1 to 1.5: 1.

[00020] According to one embodiment of the polishing brush, the reinforcing disk has a diameter equal to the diameter, formed by the periphery of the polishing lamellas.

[00021] According to an embodiment of the reinforcing disk, its diameter is larger than the diameter of the central disk.

[00022] The central disk and the polishing lamellas are made of a mixture comprising a synthetic elastic material: reinforcing fibers: abrasive materials in a ratio of 1: 0.25: 1.0.

[00023] The described polishing brush according to the useful model is characterized by a significantly improved mechanical strength due to the rounded shaping of the polishing lamellas, by their bonding to the central disk. The slopping lamellas advantages the reduced use of the polishing brush, which is expressed by the considerably lower pressure required to be applied during operation, and that the polishing brush can be effectively used by applying a smaller angle of the polishing lamellas to the treated object. Forming the slopped lamellas and binding them to the center disc by rounded shaping further advantages the less wearing out, slower shattering, which results in tearing away the lamellas from the central disk. The preferred R-shaped form of the bonding of two adjacent polishing lamellas prevents the occurring of cracks and tearing from in the field of the base of the central disk.

[00024] The polishing lamellas, have the necessary elasticity, because of their predetermined inclination, the flexural pressure is reduced and therefore not subjected to the high bending stresses, as is the case with the known polishing brushes. As a result, the polishing brush, object of the useful model, is not a subject to residual deformation upon and after use. The additional medium / reinforcement / disc improves the strength of the structure as a whole, including that when covering the entire surface between the two rows of polishing lamellas, it maintains both their elasticity and their resistance against high bending and applied bending stresses.

Description of the drawings

[0025] Further in the description, an exemplary embodiment of a polishing brush is presented, illustrated by the accompanying drawings, wherein - Fig. 1 - front view of a radial polishing brush according to the useful model

- Fig. 2 - an axonometric view of a polishing brush with an intermediate reinforcement disc, arranged between the two discs with polishing lamellas

- Figure 3 - a top view of a polishing radial brush, with two rows of overlapped polished lamellas, which are slopped

- Fig.4a, 4b, 4c - a cross-sectional view of a polishing brush from fig.3, on section A- A, B-B and C-C

- Fig. 5 is a top view of a polishing brush, with an intermediate reinforcing disk having a diameter equal to the length of the polishing lamellas.

Example embodiment of the utility model

[0026] An exemplary embodiment of a radial polishing brush, object of the useful model, is represented in a manner that is preferred by the manufacturer without thereby constituting and accepting as a limitation the described structural and technical features which provide the described technical advantages.

[0027] A preferred embodiment of a polishing brush object of the useful model is a brush consisting of an axis 1 and a polishing brush 2 mounted thereon, made as one element, as the coupling of the two elements being accomplished by a known technological method, for example press moulding. The axis 1 is suitably shaped to provide a secure and easy grip on a rotating tool, preferably using a quick-release grip.

The polishing brush 2 is also embodied as a whole non-detachable element, comprising two polishing discs 3 and 4, each having a plurality of polishing lamellas 5, 5 ', as the disks 3 and 4 are being arranged one above the other and displaced relative to each other. Between the two polishing discs, upper 3 and lower 4, there is an intermediate disk 6, preferably made of non-woven fabric, with a weight of 75 grams per square meter. [0028] The polishing discs 3 and 4 consist of a central disk 7 where the axe 1 is stationary mounted, and the polishing lamellas 5 are connected to the periphery of the central disk 7, aligned parallel to the diameter of the central disk 7. The polishing lamellas 5 are made of synthetic fibers, fiber reinforcers, abrasive and elastic binders. Preferably, the reinforcing fibers are selected from the group of the polyester materials, and are with a size of 0.018 mm.

For the purpose of obtaining a polishing brush with fully elastic polishing lamellas 5, 5’, it is suitable to use a mixture in which said materials: elastic material, reinforcing fibers, abrasive materials are in a ratio of 1: 0.25: 1.0.

[0029] Technologically, in preparing a mixture of said materials, they are mixed and agitated to a homogeneous mixture, whereby the synthetic and reinforcing fibers are evenly distributed in the polishing mixture and after molding in the desired form, a structure is obtained, which is internally reinforced with said reinforcing fibers. As a result, the mechanical properties of the tool are greatly improved, the time of its use is extended, and at the same time the polishing properties are improved. The presence of reinforcing fibers in the polishing blades contributes to their higher tearing resistance.

[0030] The polishing lamellas 5 are disposed at an angle of 30 degrees with respect to the tangent to the central disk 7 and their attachment to the central disk 7 is preferably performed as part of a circle or with oval shape. Preferably, the bend is ½ of the width of the polishing lamella 5. The polishing lamellas 5 of the polishing disk 3 are located within the intervals of the polishing lamellas 5 'of the disc 4.

[0031] The non- woven intermediate disc 6 is located between the two discs 3 and 4 and is compressed with them, and in a preferred embodiment, its diameter is equal to the diameter of the central discs 7. It is convenient in some embodiments of the polishing brush 2, that the diameter of the intermediate disc 6 is greater than that of the central disk 7. The reinforcing intermediate disc 6 is intended to reinforce the brush construction 2, as depending on the type of abrasive materials introduced, the intermediate disc may have a diameter equal to the diameter, formed from the periphery of the polishing lamellas 5.

[0032] Action of the polishing brush: the axis 1 is coupled to a rotating drive device, not shown in the figures, wherein the polishing brush 2 is pressed against the treated surface, at a rotation speed of approximately 7-8000 rpm. Due to their elasticity, as well as their abrasive constituents, polishing lamellas 5, 5’ are bent by the pressure applied by the operator, and cover the treated surface. Due to the suitably shaped round or bended form of bonding of the lamellas 5 to the central disk 7, the latter have sufficient resistance against the impact of the flexural pressures and maintain their integrity and strength. The wear resistance of the polishing brush has also been greatly improved mainly thanks to the reinforcement fibers added to the polishing blend. The suitably selected slope angle of the polishing lamellas 5 allows easy handling of the polishing; brush with respect to the covering and coating of the treated surface, and it is particularly important that the polishing lamellas 5 provide uniform polishing, which is achieved by easy brushing of the brush into inner and side processing areas.