Tooth cleaning apparatus

Abstract

A tooth cleaning apparatus is provided having a structurally rigid tray including a U-shaped channel for the reception therein of teeth carried by a jaw member. The cleaning means is also included in associated relationship with the tray. Secured to the outer surface of the tray at a point opposite the open side thereof are resilient pads of predetermined length to enable mechanical interengagement with the teeth to effect securing of the tray to the opposite jaw member from the teeth being cleaned. Included within the interior of the U-shaped channel are a predetermined number of stop elements positioned to limit the depth to which the jaw may be inserted and to assure proper alignment of the teeth and sulcus with the tray. In one embodiment of the apparatus, the interior of the U-shaped channel is provided with a plurality of brush bristles to effectuate brushing the teeth as well as cleaning the sulcus. Another embodiment of the apparatus has cleaning means which include ultrasonic energy producing mechanisms. An embodiment utilizing ultrasonic energy effects cleaning through the movement of the brush bristles relative to the tooth surfaces, whereas the embodiment without ultrasonic energy achieves the cleaning operation through a mechanical chewing function performed by the person. In a further variation of the apparatus, fluid conducting means are provided for transmitting ultrasonic energy from the producing devices to the surfaces of the teeth and to the region of the sulcus.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.