DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE (non-driven toothbrushes A46B; preparations for dentistry A61K6/00; preparations for cleaning the teeth or mouth A61K8/00, A61Q11/00)

Introduced: September 1968

Description

A61C covers dental and oral hygiene technologies, encompassing dental treatment apparatus, oral care devices, and methods for maintaining or improving dental health. This subclass includes dental drills, tooth cleaning equipment, denture construction and fitting, orthodontic devices, and preventive oral hygiene tools. It addresses both professional dental practice equipment and consumer dental care products, excluding general medical instruments or pharmaceuticals that are not specifically designed for oral application.

Title

Titles differ between systems:

IPC: DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE

CPC: DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE (non-driven toothbrushes A46B; preparations for dentistry A61K6/00; preparations for cleaning the teeth or mouth A61K8/00, A61Q11/00)

Full Title

Full titles differ between systems:

IPC:

DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE

CPC:

DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE (non-driven toothbrushes A46B; preparations for dentistry A61K6/00; preparations for cleaning the teeth or mouth A61K8/00, A61Q11/00)

Additional Content IPC

Glossary

oral cavity oral cavities the part of human or animal mouth that includes the inside lining of the lips and cheeks (buccal mucosa), the teeth or their artificial permanently affixed replacements, the gums, the front two-thirds of the tongue, the floor of the mouth below the tongue, the bony roof of the mouth (hard palate) and the area immediately behind the wisdom teeth (retromolar trigone).

Limiting references

Manual toothbrushes Instruments for depressing the tongue Tongue scrapers Dental apparatus and methods peculiar to animals Preparations used in dentistry for purposes other than cleaning Preparations used for cosmetic cleaning of teeth or mouth Dental or operating chairs Dental work stands Dental hypodermic syringes

Of 15 combined children, 11 exist in both systems.

4 codes are CPC-only extensions.

Note: 4 CPC extensions are marked as secondary classification only.

6 shared codes have differing titles between IPC and CPC.

Child Classifications

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A61C 1/00 Dental machines for boring or cutting +4 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
A61C 11/00 Dental articulators, i.e. for simulating movement of the temporo-mandibular joints; Articulation forms or mouldings +5 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
A61C 13/00 Dental prostheses; Making same (tooth crowns for capping teeth A61C5/70; dental implants A61C8/00) +6 CPC −5 IPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
A61C 15/00 Devices for cleaning between the teeth IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
A61C 17/00 Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses (instruments acting like a sandblast machine A61C3/025; tooth polishing discs or holders therefor A61C3/06; devices for cleaning between the teeth A61C15/00); Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle +2 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
A61C 19/00 Dental auxiliary appliances (dental chairs or accessories therefor, working stands whether or not combined with chairs A61G15/00) +7 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
A61C 2201/00 Material properties 2nd only +3 CPC CPC only CPC only
A61C 2202/00 Packaging for dental appliances 2nd only +2 CPC CPC only CPC only
A61C 2203/00 Means for making patients feel at ease during dental treatment, e.g. dental instruments in the form of toys 2nd only CPC only CPC only
A61C 2204/00 Features not otherwise provided for 2nd only +3 CPC CPC only CPC only
A61C 3/00 Dental tools or instruments (implanting tools A61C8/00; tools for fastening artificial teeth A61C13/12; visual inspection devices, e.g. dental mirrors, A61B1/24) +1 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
A61C 5/00 Filling or capping teeth +1 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
A61C 7/00 Orthodontics, i.e. obtaining or maintaining the desired position of teeth, e.g. by straightening, evening, regulating, separating, or by correcting malocclusions +3 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
A61C 8/00 Means to be fixed to the jaw-bone for consolidating natural teeth or for fixing dental prostheses thereon; Dental implants; Implanting tools (fastening of peg-teeth in the mouth A61C13/30) since 1974 +14 CPC −1 IPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
A61C 9/00 Impression cups, ; Impression methods +5 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC

Top Applicants

Top Applicants (IPC)

Class A61,2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

PHILIPS ELECTRONICS NL 18,523
NOVARTIS CH 14,253
COVIDIEN US 13,953
ROCHE CH 12,005
CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 11,955
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA US 11,692
HARVARD UNIVERSITY US 11,596
L'OREAL FR 11,593
P&G (PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY) US 11,297
OLYMPUS CORPORATION JP 9,594

Top Applicants (CPC)

Class A61,2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

PHILIPS ELECTRONICS NL 20,621
NOVARTIS CH 15,792
ROCHE CH 14,303
COVIDIEN US 13,862
HARVARD UNIVERSITY US 13,454
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA US 12,798
P&G (PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY) US 12,140
L'OREAL FR 11,800
OLYMPUS CORPORATION JP 9,894
BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED US 9,513