DENTAL POLISHING CUP
A dental polishing cup for holding a dental treatment material, having a body with an elastic material, the body having a length along a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end, and a round cross-section taken perpendicularly to the length, wherein the body has a distal diameter at the distal end, the body further defining a cup cavity with an opening at the distal end; and wherein a portion of the body defines an enhanced-flexibility band (EFB) situated circumferentially at a distance from the distal end, the EFB formed from a material that is more flexible than other portions of the body, and the distal diameter of the cup cavity expands in response to an applied pressure to the distal end.
1 . A dental polishing cup for holding a dental treatment material, the polishing cup comprising:
a body comprising an elastic material, the body having a length along a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end, and a round cross-section taken perpendicularly to the length, wherein the body has a distal diameter at the distal end, the body further defining a cup cavity with an opening at the distal end; and
wherein a portion of the body defines an enhanced-flexibility band (EFB) situated circumferentially at a distance from the distal end, the EFB formed from a material that is more flexible than other portions of the body, and the distal diameter of the cup cavity expands in response to an applied pressure to the distal end.
2 . The dental polishing cup of claim 1 , wherein the cup cavity further comprises baffles, ribs or grooves.
3 . The dental polishing cup of claim 1 , wherein the EFB portion may be co-molded, welded, adhesively coupled, or otherwise attached, with the adjacent body portions.
4 . A dental polishing cup for holding a dental treatment material, the polishing cup comprising:
a body formed of an elastic material and having a length along a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end with a distal diameter, a round cross-section taken perpendicularly to the length, the body portion comprising:
the proximal portion comprised of a material having a first hardness, and
a flare portion at the distal end, the flare portion defining a cup cavity with an opening at the distal end,
wherein the flare portion is formed of a material having a second hardness less than the first hardness; and the flare portion expands in response to an applied pressure to the distal end.
5 . The dental polishing cup of claim 4 , wherein the cup cavity further comprises baffles, ribs or grooves.
6 . The dental polishing cup of claim 4 , wherein the flare portion may be co-molded, welded, adhesively coupled, or otherwise attached, with adjacent body portions.