Importance

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Abstract

A dental apparatus adapted for penetrating and cleaning the interstices and interproximal surfaces between the teeth, the surfaces at and below the gum margins, and the tooth-gum interfaces including the grooves and crevices thereof, is provided. In a preferred embodiment, a neck portion interconnects an elongated handle portion and a head portion, with the head portion being angled upwardly of the handle portion. A plurality of tufts of bristles are fixedly attached to the face of said head portion, said tufts of bristles having wedge means and conforming means to enable penetration into and cleaning of said interstices, surfaces and interfaces. A single row of a plurality of tufts of bristles, disposed substantially perpendicularly of said handle portion, has the free end of each of said plurality of tufts which are disposed at said end of said head portion beveled, said bevel sloping upwards from a vertex formed at said free end of the outermost bristle in each of said tufts. The tufts of bristles also have a plurality of bristles of varying lengths such that a concave surface generally corresponding to the convex configuration of the surfaces of the teeth is formed by the said free ends thereof. The longer bristles have the firmness substantially the same as the bristles of conventional hard-bristled toothbrushes and the shorter bristles have the firmness substantially the same as the bristles of conventional medium-bristled toothbrushes. In accordance with the concept of the present invention, the contours and configuration of the tufts of bristles in combination with the relative lengths and firmness thereof, afford a convenient and reliable apparatus and method to penetrate and clean the hard-to-reach surfaces and embrasures of the tooth-gum interfaces.

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First Claim