Toothbrush

Abstract

According to an exemplary embodiment, a toothbrush having a bristled head, a neck, and a gripping handle, for use in cleaning teeth and orthodontic aligners/appliances may be shown and described. The toothbrush can have long bristles and a handle, which is offset from the head and neck—to provide improved access and cleaning ability, and the toothbrush may be small enough to fit into a dental or orthodontic aligner/retainer/appliance case.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A toothbrush for cleaning orthodontic aligners/appliances and teeth, and of a size capable of fitting inside an orthodontic retainer case, comprising:
 a solid, circular handle with a flat cross-section, having a proximal end and a distal end;   a neck disposed on the distal end of the handle, said neck having a cylindrical shape and substantially circular cross section, the neck being coplanar with a plane of the surface of the handle, the neck extending outward from the handle in a radial direction from the handle;   a brush head, the brush head being coplanar with and at an oblique angle to, the neck, said brush head having a substantially circular cross-section and a substantially dome-shaped end;   a plurality of 2 to 10 bristle tufts extending laterally from the brush head—in a single row, the plurality of bristle tufts being oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the brush head, the plurality of bristle tufts comprising a plurality of bristles having a length of between 8 mm and 16 mm and extending from the brush head in a common direction and parallel with each other.   
     
     
         2 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is of a different geometric shape, including ovoid, square, rectangular, polygonal, or other suitable shape. 
     
     
         3 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein the center of the handle is open. 
     
     
         4 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein the brush head is coaxial with the neck. 
     
     
         5 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein the bristle tufts are oriented in two parallel rows. 
     
     
         6 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein the bristle tufts are oriented in two staggered rows. 
     
     
         7 . The toothbrush of  claim 1 , wherein the components are releasably attached and able to be coupled to other toothbrush components. 
     
     
         8 . A toothbrush for cleaning orthodontic aligners/appliances and teeth, and of a size capable of fitting inside an orthodontic retainer case, comprising:
 a solid, circular handle with a flat cross-section, having a proximal end and a distal end;   a neck disposed on the distal end of the handle, said neck having a cylindrical shape and substantially circular cross section, the neck being coplanar with a plane of the surface of the handle, the neck extending outward from the handle in a para-tangential direction from the handle;   a brush head, the brush head being coaxial with the neck, said brush head having a substantially circular cross-section and a substantially dome-shaped end;   a plurality of 2 to 10 bristle tufts extending laterally from the brush head—in a single row, the plurality of bristle tufts being oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the brush head, the plurality of bristle tufts comprising a plurality of bristles having a length of between 8 mm and 16 mm and extending from the brush head in a common direction and parallel with each other.   
     
     
         9 . The toothbrush of  claim 8 , wherein the handle is of a different geometric shape, including ovoid, square, rectangular, polygonal, or other suitable shape. 
     
     
         10 . The toothbrush of  claim 8 , wherein the center of the handle is open. 
     
     
         11 . The toothbrush of  claim 8 , wherein the brush head is coplanar with and at an oblique angle to, the neck. 
     
     
         12 . The toothbrush of  claim 8 , wherein the bristle tufts are oriented in two parallel rows. 
     
     
         13 . The toothbrush of  claim 8 , wherein the bristle tufts are oriented in two staggered rows. 
     
     
         14 . The toothbrush of  claim 8 , wherein the components are releasably attached and able to be coupled to other toothbrush components. 
     
     
         15 . A toothbrush for cleaning orthodontic aligners/appliances and teeth, and of a size capable of fitting inside an orthodontic retainer case, comprising:
 a solid, circular handle with a flat cross-section, having a proximal end and a distal end;   a neck disposed on the distal end of the handle, said neck having a cylindrical shape and substantially circular cross section, the neck being at an oblique angle to a plane of the surface of the handle, the neck extending outward from the handle in an off-radial direction from the handle;   a brush head, the brush head being coaxial with the neck, said brush head having a substantially circular cross-section and a substantially dome-shaped end;   a plurality of 2 to 10 bristle tufts extending laterally from the brush head—in a single row, the plurality of bristle tufts being oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the brush head, the plurality of bristle tufts comprising a plurality of bristles having a length of between 8 mm and 16 mm and extending from the brush head in a common direction and parallel with each other.   
     
     
         16 . The toothbrush of  claim 15 , wherein the handle is of a different geometric shape, including ovoid, square, rectangular, polygonal, or other suitable shape. 
     
     
         17 . The toothbrush of  claim 15 , wherein the center of the handle is open. 
     
     
         18 . The toothbrush of  claim 15 , wherein the neck is coplanar with a plane of a surface of the handle. 
     
     
         19 . The toothbrush of  claim 15 , wherein the bristle tufts are oriented in two parallel rows. 
     
     
         20 . The toothbrush of  claim 15 , wherein the bristle tufts are oriented in two staggered rows.