Prophylaxis cup having perlite particles, methods of forming and method of use

A method for forming a prophylaxis cup which comprises the steps of:

• (a) mixing a silicone elastomer and perlite particles so that the perlite particles are evenly dispersed into the silicone elastomer to produce a compound;
• (b) passing the compound through a roll mill so that a shearing effect is produced as the compound moves between the rollers to achieve separation of any agglomerated perlite particles and to produce a uniform dispersion of the perlite particles having an average particle size between about 15 and 40 microns in the silicone elastomer;
• (c) loading the compound in the mold and closing the mold around the compound to form the prophylaxis cup with a case hardened surface;
• (d) removing the prophylaxis cup with the case hardened surface from the mold;
• (e) post curing the prophylaxis cup with the case hardened surface in a heated oven;
• and
• (f) deflashing the prophylaxis cup using a cryogenic deflashing system with bombarded objects to produce a matte finish on the cup wherein during the deflashing, the case hardened surface of the prophylaxis cup is removed so that during use of the prophylaxis cup, the prophylaxis cup begins to disintegrate and the perlite particles separate from the prophylaxis cup less than 10 seconds after initial, rotational contact with the teeth.