Importance

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Abstract

A handheld dental tool has a removable silicone tip. The tool includes a handheld shaft having at least one working end. The working end preferably includes a shoulder defined on the working end of the shaft and a spade member extending from the shoulder. The spade member has a longitudinal axis along a length of the spade member that has a generally uniform aspect ratio perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of between 2:1 and 4:1. A tip member comprised of a resilient silicone material that is removably mounted on the spade member. The tip member has a longitudinal axis along a length of the silicone tip and a cavity defined in a rear end of the silicone tip along the longitudinal axis. The cavity is adapted to receive the length of the spade member. The ratio of the length of the silicone tip member to the length of the spade member is greater than 1:1 and less than 2:1. Preferably, the surface of the spade member is smooth and the tip member slides on to and off of the spade member. The combination of the length of the spade member relative to the length of the silicone tip member and the coefficient of friction between the spade member and the silicone tip member create sufficient force to prevent the silicone tip from being pulled off of the spade member during normal use, but allow the silicone tip member to be manually removed in order to change tips or clean the tool.

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First Claim