Prophy angles with dentifrice dispensing systems

Abstract

The invention provides for the incorporation of dentifrice preparations, which are commonly accessed from a container on a tray during teeth cleaning, internally within the housing of a disposable prophy angle. Auger, baffle or piston members are used to move the preparations from the housing through passages in the head of the prophy angle to a moving prophy cup. If a reusable autoclavable prophy angle is being used, the invention provides for an annular chamber containing the dentifrice preparation that interfits as a sleeve over the prophy angle body. In such case, the prophy angle head is enlarged and includes an inlet connection with the annular chamber. Passageways in the head direct the dentifrice preparation to the prophy cup and a piston ring is used to move the dentifrice preparation from the chamber through the passageways. Alternatively, an external pressurized supply of the dentifrice preparation may be connected to a conduit which is attached to the body in place of the annular chamber. The conduit interconnects the external supply with the enlarged head inlet for providing dentifrice preparation to the prophy cup. In all cases, the prophy cup may include a one-way valve to prevent backflow of unwanted materials.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.