Importance

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Abstract

An interdental cleaning and polishing tool comprising a housing and a pair of tines pivotally supported on the housing wherein the tines receive teeth to be cleaned therebetween. Each tine having guides for guiding the transfer of dental floss from one tine to the other tine wherein the floss forms a movable span therebetween. A dispensing spool dispenses floss to one tine while a take-up spool retrieves floss from the other tine. Means are provided for oscillating the tines up and down relative to the teeth and for simultaneously producing continuous slow rotation of the take-up spool. Stationary shield tines individually enclose the oscillating tines to prevent the latter from contacting oral tissues. Means are provided for locking and unlocking the floss span so that when locked the span is immovably taut so that the same can be forced through tight spaces between adjacent teeth. Means are also provided to allow the span to yieldingly slacken if applied to oral tissues with greater than a predetermined amount of force, thereby protecting soft tissues. The tool is loaded with a covered floss dispensing spool which inhibits floss contamination. Used floss is level-wound on the take-up spool. The oral portion of the instrument is designed so that the shield tines, as well as the movable tines, can be cleaned by rinsing under hot running tap water without having to remove parts.

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First Claim