CLAIM OF PRIORITY

[0001] This application claims priority from the Indian Patent Application No 202121046093 titled “BIFURCATED PERIODONTAL PROBE FOR MEASURING WIDTH OF ATTACHED GINGIVA” filed on 09 October 2022.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to a field of medicine. More particularly it relates to a method and a device to measure the width of attached gingiva in human jaws.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0003] Oral mucosa consists of three zones namely the gingiva and hard palate, termed as the masticatory mucosa; the dorsum of the tongue (specialized mucosa) and the oral mucous membrane (lining mucosa). Gingiva is that part of oral mucosa that surrounds the neck of teeth in collar like fashion. Gingiva is comprised of unattached gingiva, attached gingiva, and interdental gingiva. The unattached gingiva is free and not attached to the underlying periosteum. The attached gingiva is that part of gingiva which is attached to the underlying periosteum and it’s an important dimension for periodontal health. So, it is of utmost importance to maintain the width of attached gingiva.

[0004] The width of attached gingiva varies from tooth to tooth and also among the individuals with the need to maintain "adequate" or "sufficient" dimension of the gingiva. The need for an adequate amount of keratinized tissue or attached gingiva for maintenance of periodontal health is desired and the mucogingival junction serves as an important clinical landmark in periodontal evaluation. [0005] There are various methods of locating the mucogingival junction namely the functional method and the visual method, which aids in the measurement of the width of attached gingiva. The simple roll test or functional method for determining the mucogingival junction (MGJ) is done by assessing a borderline between the movable and immovable tissue wherein, tissue mobility is determined by running a periodontal probe positioned horizontally from the vestibule toward the gingival margin with light pressure. [1] And at a point where the probe stops rolling upwards it is regarded as MGJ.

[0006] The dimension which is to be recorded is the depth of the pocket or sulcus and it is regarded as the first dimension. Once the position of mucogingival junction (MGJ) is detected, the length from MGJ to gingival margin is recorded externally as is regarded as the second dimension.

[0007] After calculation for the first and second dimensions, we calculate the width of attached gingiva by subtracting the second dimension from the first dimension to get the width of attached gingiva.

[0008] The problem is that we have to take the recordings for both the dimensions at separate times, i.e. one after another by periodontal probe. The solution to this problem is the present invention which can simultaneously take both the readings and save the time.

[0009] Hence, the present invention has come out with the method and the design of bifurcated periodontal probe, which can simultaneously record depth of periodontal pocket (First Dimension) and the length of keratinized tissue (Second Dimension) and further the important dimension width of attached gingiva by subtracting the two mentioned dimensions at a point of time. One arm of the bifurcated periodontal probe seats inside into the periodontal pocket and the other arm remains externally and can be adjusted to coincide with the mucogingival junction.

PRIOR ART SEARCH

[0010] A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention however, the following patents are considered related but none can be read directly or indirectly on the claims:

[0011] Indian patent application number 202147016668, with priority number U.S. A.62/729460 characterized by a system for detecting tissue inflammation, and gingivitis specifically, including a light emitter configured to emit light at a tissue region within a user's mouth; a light detector configured to detect optical signals diffusely reflected through the tissue region over a period of time, wherein the present invention is characterized for calcula tion of width of attached gingiva.

[0012] W02005011518A1, the invention disclosed a dental instrument and the use of this dental instrument to measure deposits and other imperfections on a tooth surface.

[0013] EP0435912B1 is characterized by an invention for means of improving oral hygiene which includes a dentifrice for the differential disclosure of "new" and "old" plaque, a toothbrushing apparatus which has a head provided with an arras'- of upstanding bristles formed into a V-shaped and a probe adapted for use in assessing the degree of inflammation of various animal tissues.

[0014] JPH101317268A, describes a gingival evaluation method to evaluate the surface layer state of gingivae with high accuracy in a short time by measuring the dielectric constant of the gum, obtaining the moisture density of the gum from the dielectric mitigation of the water of the gum and evaluating the surface layer state of the gingiva based on the obtained moisture density.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The principle objective of this disclosure is to provide a periodontal probe which measures the width of attached gingiva as, it is an important dimension for evaluation of periodontal health.

[0016] Another objective is to provide a simple and easy method which saves time as the bifurcated periodontal probe has first probe that measures the depth of pocket while it is seated, simultaneously, the second probe externally measures the length of keratinized tissue. The readings of both the probes are subtracted to determine the width of attached gingiva.

[0017] Another objective is to provide the rotating screw which can be manually adjusted to coincide with the mucogingival junction. The embodiment rotating screw facilitates the worm gear mechanism for moving the second probe up and down.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The present disclosure relates to the design of a bifurcated periodontal probe for calculating the width of attached gingiva. The present invention is designed with a bifurcated periodontal probe with two arms, the distal arm, which is extended into the embodiment the first probe for measuring the depth of periodontal pocket, which seats internally into the gingival sulcus or periodontal pocket. It facilitates in measuring the first dimension. Simultaneously, the proximal arm is extended into an embodiment the second probe , which is placed externally along the length of gingiva margin (GM) till the mucogingival sulcus (MGJ), to measure the distance from GM to MGJ. This gives the second dimension, that is, the length of keratinized tissue. Both, these dimensions are measured at one point of time and their difference is regarded as the width of attached gingiva.

[0019] The present invention, pertains to a bifurcated periodontal probe for calculating the width of attached gingiva which has a handle made up of stainless steel and is hollow from inside. The handle is 10 cm long with a diameter of 7- 8 mm. The handle extends to another embodiment neck which narrows down in width from 7- 8 mm at the proximal end to 5 mm at the distal end.

[0020] In one aspect, the embodiment’s handle extends into the neck which constricts and converges down making an outer angle of 120-130 degrees with the shaft. The neck terminates into a shaft which bifurcates into distal arm and proximal arm. The distal arm extends into an embodiment first probe and the proximal arm extends into the second probe.

[0021] The first probe is a fixed probe which measures the depth of periodontal pocket and rests into the periodontal pocket. The first probe is 15 mm long with marking from 1- 10 mm staring from the lower distal end. The diameter of probe is 1mm.

[0022] The rotating screw is in the midway of handle which is facilitated by the working mechanism of worm gear for the present invention. The embodiment axle, extends from the centre of the rotating screw, the axle extends through the distal end of the rotating screw and is suspended with the first wheel in the centre of axle. This assembly of wheel- axle joint propagates the worm gear mechanism. [0023] In another aspect, the rotating screw has an axle in the centre which is connected to the first wheel of the worm gear, this wheel and axle joint gets rotated inside the hollow handle, when, the rotating screw is rotated externally from the outer surface of the handle.

[0024] The wheel and axle in turn rotates the next wheel which is suspended at an angle of 90 degrees, this facilitates the rotation of chain of wheels working on worm gear mechanism. The distal most wheel of the chain propagates the movement of the second probe as the serrations of the distal wheel interlock with the serrations on the upper end of the second probe (towards the neck) which moves the second probe up and down. The horizontal distance between two probes is 2mm.

[0025] The second probe that extends from the proximal arm of the bifurcated probe is 20 mm long and has markings from 1-10 mm starting at the lower distal end. It has diameter of 1.5- 2mm. It is the movable probe which works on the worm gear mechanism and the second probe has the provision of moving across an open gap on the shaft which facilitates its movement up and down for adjusting the lower end of the probe to coincide with the MGJ.

[0026] In yet another aspect, the rotation of the rotating screw is done manually with fingers to make adjustments at the lower end of the second probe so that it coincides with the mucogingival junction. A clockwise movement moves the second probe downwards and anticlockwise movement propagates the movement of the probe upwards. Hence, the second probe can be adjusted once the first probe is resting in the periodontal pocket.

[0027] Once the second probe is adjusted and the distal end corresponds to the mucogingival junction, the marking that corresponds with the gingival margin can be recorded and this dimension gives the length of keratinized gingiva. [0028] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] The present invention will be described with reference to the following drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention:

[0030] Fig. 1 depicts the side view of the present invention (10) bifurcated periodontal probe for measuring width of attached gingiva.

[0031] Fig. 2 depicts the exploded open view of the present invention (10) bifurcated periodontal probe for measuring width of attached gingiva.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0033] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.

[0034] Embodiments explained herein relate to the bifurcated probe for calculating the width of attached gingiva.

[0035] Fig. 1 illustrates the side view of the present invention 10, which pertains to a bifurcated periodontal probe which is comprised of hollow handle (101), neck (107) and a shaft (110). The proximal end of neck (107A) has diameter from 7-8mm which narrows down to 5mm at the distal end of neck (107B). The neck terminates from distal end of neck into a shaft making an outer angle of 120-130 degrees. The embodiment shaft (110) further bifurcates into proximal arm and distal arm. The distal arm extends into an embodiment first probe (103) and the proximal arm extends into the second probe (104).

[0036] In one or more embodiments, the first probe (103) extends from the distal arm of the shaft. It is a fixed probe which measures the depth of periodontal pocket and rests into the periodontal pocket. The second probe (104) can only be adjusted once the first probe is resting in the periodontal pocket.

[0037] In one or more embodiments, the rotating screw (102), is provided for rotating manually with fingers to make adjustments at the lower end of the second probe, so, that it coincides with the mucogingival junction. A clockwise movement of the embodiment rotating screw (102), moves the second probe (104) down and its anticlockwise movement propagates the movement of the probe upwards. This facilitates the functioning of the second probe (104).

[0038] Fig. 2 depicts the exploded open view of the present invention (10) bifurcated periodontal probe for measuring width of attached gingiva. In an embodiment, handle which has a hollow cavity (105) to accommodate the worm gear mechanism within the handle, which propagates the movement of the second probe on rotation of the rotating screw (102).

[0039] The rotating screw (102) is in the midway of handle which is facilitated by the working mechanism of worm gear for the present invention. The embodiment axle (109), extends from the centre of the rotating screw (102), and the distal end of the axle (109), is suspended with the first wheel. This assembly of wheel- axle joint propagates the worm gear mechanism.

[0040] In one or more embodiments, the rotating screw has an axle in the centre which is connected to the first wheel of the worm gear, this wheel and axle joint gets rotated inside the hollow handle, when, the rotating screw (102) is rotated externally from the outer surface of the handle.

[0041] The wheel and axle in turn rotates the next wheel which is suspended at an angle of 90 degrees to the first wheel, this facilitates the rotation of chain of wheels working on worm gear mechanism. The distal most wheel of the chain propagates the movement of the second probe (104) as the serrations of the distal wheel interlock with the serrations on the upper end of the second probe which facilitates the movement of the second probe.

[0042] The second probe (104) that extends from the proximal arm of the bifurcated probe with the markings from 1-10 mm starting at the lower end. It is the movable probe with two ends the lower end and the upper end. The lower end is made to coincide with the mucogingival junction (MGJ), while, the upper end of the second probe can move across an open gap on the shaft (111) which facilitates its movement up for adjusting the lower end of the probe to coincide with the MGJ. [0043] Thus, the present disclosure is user friendly and saves time. It provides the design of the bifurcated periodontal probe for calculating the width of attached gingiva by simultaneously making two measurements; i.e. the depth of periodontal pocket from first probe (103) and length of keratinized gingiva from the second probe (104).

[0044] One of the modifications, of bifurcated periodontal probe for calculating the width of attached gingiva, which may be the change in mechanism or functioning of rotating screw by incorporating a spring or any equivalent to it.

[0045] While, the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.