Dental well and dental instrument holding device

Abstract

A dental instrument holding device that Includes one or more spaced apart holding wells in which each well extends between an open end configured for receiving a dental instrument and a closed end. Each well includes a pair of coaxial bores longitudinally spaced apart from each other and a stepped portion disposed intermediate the pair of coaxial bores. An upper of the coaxial bores has a minimum diameter of 2.3 mm to 2.6 mm and a lower of the coaxial bores have a minimum diameter of 1.6 mm to 1.9 mm with the upper and lower coaxial bores each extending a predetermined depth.

1 - 46 . (canceled) 
   
   
       47 . A dental applicator including a manually claspable handle longitudinally extending between a head end and a distal end, said dental applicator comprising an element selected from the group consisting of:
 (i) an applicator head having a longitudinal axis extending between a handle mounting end and an application end wherein said applicator head is mounted to said head end of said handle such that said applicator head longitudinal axis is disposed at an angle of between 35° to 85° to said handle longitudinal axis;   (ii) said handle distal end including a first stepped down diameter portion extending from said distal end a predetermined distance, said handle adjacent said first stepped down portion having a diameter of between 3 mm to 4.8 mm and said first stepped down diameter portion having a diameter of 2.3 mm to 2.6 mm and wherein said handle and said first stepped down portion include substantially parallel sidewalls; and   (iii) a stand member extending radially outwardly from or adjacent said handle head end, said stand configured for engagement with a raised lip extending about the circumference of a dental well.   
   
   
       48 . A dental applicator according to  claim 47  wherein when selected from group (i) said applicator head is mounted to said handle head end such that said applicator head longitudinal axis is disposed at an angle of between 35° to less than 60° to said handle longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       49 . A dental applicator according to  claim 48  wherein when selected from group (i) said applicator head longitudinal axis is disposed at an angle relative to said handle longitudinal axis of 52. 
   
   
       50 . A dental applicator according to  claim 47  wherein when selected from group (i) said application end of said applicator head includes an applicator longitudinally outwardly extending from said application end of said applicator head. 
   
   
       51 . A dental applicator according to  claim 50  wherein when selected from group (i) said applicator head includes brush bristles, a flocked tip or a pick longitudinally outwardly extending from said applicator head. 
   
   
       52 . A dental applicator according to  claim 47  wherein when selected from group (i) said applicator head longitudinal axis relative to said handle longitudinal axis is selectively variable about an applicator neck portion disposed intermediate said applicator head and said handle head end such that said applicator head longitudinal axis is bendable within a range of angles 0 to 110 relative to said handle longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       53 . A dental applicator according to  claim 52  wherein when selected from group (i) said neck portion is tapered from said handle head end toward said applicator head a predetermined neck tapered distance and is untapered a further predetermined distance being less than said predetermined neck taper distance. 
   
   
       54 . A dental applicator according to  claim 52  wherein when selected from group (i) said neck portion is tapered from said head end of said handle toward said brush head a predetermined neck taper distance and is untapered a further predetermined distance being less than said predetermined neck taper distance. 
   
   
       55 . A dental applicator according to  claim 47  wherein when selected from group (i) said application end of said applicator head includes a conically tapered knife edge portion extending a predetermined distance from said application end toward said handle mounting end such that said knife edge angle is a taper in the range of 5 to 70 relative to said longitudinal axis of said applicator head wherein said application end thereof has a radius of less than 0.25 mm or has a thickness of 0.5 mm or less. 
   
   
       56 . A dental applicator according to  claim 47  wherein when selected from group (i) said applicator head is substantially right cylindrically shaped, and said handle mounting end thereof is mounted to said head end of said handle such that the intersection of said handle longitudinal axis and said applicator head longitudinal axis are offset transversely to said handle longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       57 . A dental applicator according to  claim 47  wherein when selected from group (i) said applicator head longitudinally extends a distance of 6 mm or less. 
   
   
       58 . A dental applicator according to  claim 47  when selected from group (ii) includes a second stepped down portion extending from a distal end of said first stepped down portion away from said handle head end a predetermined distance, said second stepped down diameter portion having a diameter of 1.6 mm to 1.9 mm. 
   
   
       59 . A dental applicator according to  claim 58  when selected from group (ii) includes a tapered portion disposed intermediate said first stepped portion and said handle, and intermediate said first and second stepped portions, said taper in the range of 5° to 6° relative to a longitudinal axis of said handle. 
   
   
       60 . A dental applicator according to  claim 59  wherein when selected from group (ii) said first and second stepped portions extend a distance of between 2 mm to 15 mm. 
   
   
       61 . A dental applicator according to  claim 47  wherein when selected from group (iii) said stand member is disposed on a neck at said head end of said handle. 
   
   
       62 . A dental well and holding device including one or more spaced apart holding wells, said dental well and holding device comprising an element selected from the group consisting of:
 (i) each well extending between an open end configured for receiving a dental instrument and a closed end, each well including a pair of coaxial bores longitudinally spaced apart from each other and a stepped portion disposed intermediate said pair of coaxial bores, an upper of said coaxial bores having a minimum diameter of 2.3 mm to 2.6 mm and a lower of said coaxial bores having a minimum diameter of 1.6 mm to 1.9 mm wherein said upper and lower coaxial bores each extend a predetermined depth and each include substantially parallel sidewalls;   (ii) each well configured to retain a dental applicator head with an applicator portion thereof projecting into each holding well, each said holding well extending between an open end and a closed end and including a tapered portion extending a predetermined depth into said well from said open end wherein said taper is disposed at an angle of between 5° to 50° relative to a longitudinal axis of said well, each said well including a brush head bore extending from said tapered portion about said upper end to or adjacent to said closed end wherein said brush head bore has a minimum diameter corresponding to a diameter being larger than the diameter of a dental brush head and a depth configured to retain said brush head inserted therein and provide a partial or total atmospheric and/or light seal between said brush head bore and said brush head;   (iii) each well having a bulbous portion extending a predetermined depth between 10 mm to 30 mm and having an upper diameter of between 10 mm and 30 mm, and a nipple disposed in a bottom of said bulbous portion extending a depth of between 1 mm to 9 mm with a diameter of between 2 mm to 9 mm wherein said holding device is configured to cause liquids disposed therein to collect in or about said nipple;   (iv) each said well including a longitudinally extending substantially straight bore extending between a tapered opening and a closed end, said closed end including a ledge disposed thereabout wherein said ledge extends radially inwardly a predetermined distance, and a nipple disposed a predetermined depth into said closed end intermediate said ledge; and   (v) each said well including an elongated slot extending a predetermined length between first and second ends, said slot extending a width greater than the width of a dental implement handle and said slot extending a predetermined slot depth between an open end and a closed end, said slot including a first ramp portion extending across said slot width from said first end of said slot length downwardly a predetermined depth at an angle of between 5° and 15° relative to the direction of said slot depth, said first ramped portion terminating in a substantially flat step extending a predetermined length towards said slot second end, a second ramped portion extending from said first flat step and terminating at said closed end of said slot at said slot length second end wherein said slot is configured to support a dental implement handle.   
   
   
       63 . A dental well and holding device according to  claim 62  wherein when selected from group (ii) said tapered portion about said open end is angled at 30° relative to said well longitudinal axis to provide a transition step to prevent bristle curling upon insertion of a brush head in said bore. 
   
   
       64 . A dental well and holding device according to  claim 62  wherein when selected from group (ii) said closed end of each said holding well includes a reservoir configured for receiving a material applied to bristles of a dental brush head inserted into said well, or to be applied to the reservoir upon insertion of said dental brush head into said holding well. 
   
   
       65 . A dental welt and holding device according to  claim 62  wherein when selected from group (ii) said reservoir is hemispherically shaped, flat or conical, or said reservoir includes a reservoir bore extending coaxially with said brush head bore. 
   
   
       66 . A dental well and holding device according to  claim 62  wherein when selected from group (ii) said tapered open end of each said well includes a drain board disposed thereabout, said drain board having a diameter being at least twice the diameter of said tapered open end and being inclined at an angle relative to an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said brush head bore by an angle of between 5° to 40°. 
   
   
       67 . A dental well and holding device according to  claim 66  wherein said drain board is inclined at an angle relative to an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said brush head bore by an angle of between 5° to 15°. 
   
   
       68 . A dental well and holding device according to  claim 62  wherein when selected from group (ii) said drain board includes and upwardly extending lip disposed around a circumference thereof. 
   
   
       69 . A dental well and holding device according to  claim 68  wherein said lip is disposed substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said brush head bore and extends a depth between 0.5 mm to 10 mm, and said drain board has a diameter of 4 mm to 30 mm. 
   
   
       70 . A dental well and holding device according to  claim 62  wherein when selected from group (iii) said nipple is configured to hold fluids having a volume of between 1 ml to 5 ml. 
   
   
       71 . A dental well and holding device according to  claim 62  wherein when selected from group (iii) being configured for retaining crowns, in-lays, teeth, sectional matrix bands, or like sized objects, and/or to retain liquids. 
   
   
       72 . A dental well and holding device according to  claim 62  wherein when selected from group (iv) said drainage nipple is conical or hemispherical. 
   
   
       73 . A dental well and holding device according to  claim 62  wherein when selected from group (iv) said dental instrument includes a local anaesthetic needle cap or a bonding resin package or part thereof, or other dental material or liquid. 
   
   
       74 . A dental well and holding device according to  claim 62  wherein when selected from group (iv) said opening is tapered by an angle of between 5° to 60° relative to said longitudinal axis of said bore. 
   
   
       75 . A dental well and holding device according to  claim 62  wherein when selected from group (iv) said nipple is substantially conical and having a diameter of between 0 mm to 10 mm and a depth of 0.2 mm to 6 mm. 
   
   
       76 . A dental well and holding device according to  claim 62  wherein when selected from group (v) said second ramped portion terminates at a second flat step at said closed end, said second flat step extending to said slot length second end. 
   
   
       77 . A dental well and holding device according to  claim 62  wherein when selected from group (v) said first or second end of said slot length includes a V-portion extending across said slot width and having the tip of said V-portion being disposed approximately half way along said slot width beyond said slot length second end. 
   
   
       78 . A dental well and holding device according to  claim 62  wherein when selected from group (v) said dental implement is a dental brush, or said dental implement is a cotton tip and said slot extends a width greater than the width of a cotton tip in a compressed state. 
   
   
       79 . A dental well and holding device according to  claim 62  wherein when selected from group (i) said device includes a topmost coaxial bore longitudinally spaced apart from said upper and lower bores and disposed intermediate said holding well open end and said upper coaxial bore, said topmost coaxial bore having a minimum diameter of 2.5 mm to 4.8 mm, each holding well further including a stepped portion disposed intermediate a lower end of said topmost coaxial bore and an upper end of said upper coaxial bore. 
   
   
       80 . A dental well and holding device according to  claim 62  wherein when selected from group (i) said open end of each said holding well is tapered by 45° relative to the longitudinal axis of said coaxial bores. 
   
   
       81 . A dental well and holding device according to  claim 62  wherein when selected from group (i) each said stepped portion is conically tapered at an angle of between 5° and 50° to the longitudinal axis of said coaxial bores. 
   
   
       82 . A dental well and holding device according to  claim 62  wherein when selected from group (i) said closed end of each said holding well is conically shaped, flat or hemispherical. 
   
   
       83 . A dental well and holding device according to  claim 62  wherein when selected from group (i) each said coaxial bore diameter extends a depth of between 2 mm to 15 mm. 
   
   
       84 . A dental well and holding device according to  claim 62  wherein when selected from group (i) said lower coaxial bore diameter corresponds to a high speed dental burr shaft, said upper coaxial bore having a diameter configured to retain a low speed burr shaft, and said topmost coaxial bore having an diameter configured to retain an elongate handle of a dental implement wherein said elongate handle has a diameter of between 1.6 mm and 4.8 mm. 
   
   
       85 . A dental well and holding device according to  claim 84  wherein said dental implement is a dental brush, cotton tip or a restorative dental instrument. 
   
   
       86 . A dental well and holding device according to  claim 62  wherein when selected from group (i) the length of each said coaxial bore is configured to retain a dental instrument such that it extends a predetermined height above said holding well.