Interproximal dental appliances

Abstract

Interproximal dental appliances in the form of a floss-type linear media, a pick-type interproximal dental cleaner/tissue stimulator and an interproximal brush, include an elongated base and a plurality of elastomeric flat-faced flanges extending perpendicularly outwardly from the base in a staggered pattern to form a ribbed segment. A handle is provided adjacent to the ribbed segment, and an exteriorly smooth threaded leader or tip formed of a portion of the base extends away from the ribbed segment opposite the handle. The flanges include a first set of flanges spaced from one another along a longitudinal axis of the base and radially aligned with one another about the longitudinal axis, and a second set of radially aligned flanges longitudinally disposed in an alternating manner between adjacent flanges of the first set, wherein the first set of flanges is radially offset from the second set of flanges. Moreover, in some embodiments the base comprises a bi-material composite structure that includes a relatively stiff, resilient core and a sheath over the core integrally formed with the flanges.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.