Dentistry – Apparatus – Hand manipulatable implement
Reexamination Certificate
2001-07-05
2002-08-20
Lewis, Ralph A. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Apparatus
Hand manipulatable implement
Reexamination Certificate
active
06435874
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of dental tools and devices as well as the procedures for the efficient utilization of these tools. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a novel elastic dental wedge for use in cavity filling procedures which provides more uniform support for a matrix band or cavity filling material mold. The devices and methods of the present invention are both simple to use and the improved dental wedge may be quickly and easily inserted and removed.
2. Description of the Related Art
Dental wedges are conventional devices that have been around for many years in a variety of different well-known configurations. Those skilled in the art of dentistry will recognize that dental wedges are currently used in cavity filling procedures and are specifically used when cavity filling material is to be placed in the interproximal portion of a tooth. In such circumstances, it is necessary to provide additional support for the filling material when the filling material is placed on the side wall of a tooth between two adjacent teeth. In order to provide the necessary lateral support, a filling material mold that is known as a matrix band is utilized. Conventional matrix bands are essentially molds for the filling material and are typically comprised of thin curved metallic members that are placed in between two adjacent teeth. The use of the matrix band allows the filling material to conform to a desired shape while also maintaining its position relative to the cavity to be filled. Conventional dental wedges are utilized in securing and sealing the matrix band or dental filling material mold at the area of the matrix closest to the gums.
In particular, conventional dental wedges are utilized to provide support and proper placement of a matrix band or filling material mold. This allows the filling material to form to the desired contours of the side of the tooth. It is necessary to use this technique when a cavity is located between adjacent teeth and there is insufficient lateral support for the filling material.
In such situations, a thin metal support sidewall known as the matrix band is placed around the tooth requiring a filling. The matrix band is comprised of metallic thin sheet of material basically providing a sidewall that surrounds the tooth and which provides lateral support for the cavity filling material once it has been placed into the cavity. When a filling is to be made between two adjacent teeth, the matrix band is inserted around the tooth to be filled and is located between the adjacent teeth. The matrix band preferably conforms to the shape of the tooth in order to properly form the filling material.
It is well known in the field that the space or gap between two adjacent teeth at the gum line is typically not uniform in size and usually has a substantial inverted v-shape. The conventional dental wedge, as known in the art, is therefore inserted into this triangular or inverted v-shaped space in order to apply pressure at the base (gingival margin) of the matrix band. This advantageously allows the matrix band to properly conform to the natural shape of the tooth and seal the gingival margin of the cavity prior to placing the filling material into the cavity. Conventional dental wedges are usually inserted from one side of two adjacent teeth (tongue side or cheek side) and typically have a pointed configuration for ease of insertion.
For example,
FIG. 1
illustrates one such conventional device and procedure of the prior art which is shown generally at
10
. As shown in
FIG. 1
, a conventional matrix band
11
is inserted around a first tooth
12
. The matrix band
11
also has a: portion that is adjacent to a second tooth
14
between the two teeth. As noted above, the use of the matrix band as a lateral support in a cavity filling procedure typically occurs when placing filling material between teeth or interproximal areas. In such a situation, the cavity to be filled is usually located such that there would be no side or lateral support or wall for the filling material without the use of the matrix band. Without the use of the matrix band, the plastic cavity filling material would not properly conform to the desired shape and could not be placed in the tooth.
One problem with the use of the matrix band
11
is that it is made of a somewhat flexible material and the outer side walls of teeth are not typically vertical and usually have a curved outward bias. Accordingly, in order to have a filling (Restoration) which matches the normal contours of the tooth, a conventional dental wedge has been historically used to in order to inwardly bias the base of the flexible metal matrix material thereby sealing this gingival margin and allowing the filling material to more accurately match the natural contours of the tooth. The con ventional dental wedge also prevents the material from being pushed beyond the gingival margin by the operator during material placement and compaction.
As shown in
FIG. 1
, a conventional dental wedge
16
is inserted adjacent to the metal matrix material in the gap between tooth
12
and tooth
14
. The dental wedge
16
has a tapered end and a central triangular portion that is designed to substantially match the triangular space between two adjacent teeth. The tapered end of the dental wedge
16
allows the dental wedge to be easily inserted into the space between two adjacent teeth as shown.
FIG. 2
illustrates a top plan view of the matrix band surrounding the first tooth
12
with the dental wedge
16
inserted between tooth
12
and tooth
14
. This is the same configuration of the elements illustrated in FIG.
1
. The view shown in
FIG. 2
illustrates the desired placement of the dental wedge with respect to two adjacent teeth when the dental wedge
16
has been fully inserted for the filling procedure. In particular, the tapered end of the dental wedge
16
protrudes from the side opposite the point of insertion between the two adjacent teeth
12
,
14
.
FIG. 3
is a side view which illustrates the details of the physical relationship between the inserted dental wedge and the matrix band when the filling material has been applied. More specifically, conventional dental wedge
16
has a substantially triangular shape at the center of the inserted portion as noted above. This triangular central portion of the dental wedge
16
is designed to match the natural triangular shape present in the gap between two adjacent teeth. As shown in
FIG. 3
, a matrix band
15
provides support for filling material
17
, in order to properly form the filling material
17
to the natural contours of the tooth.
FIG. 4
illustrates the use of an alternate conventional matrix band structure. This view demonstrates the placement of the matrix band
11
when a dental wedge
16
is inserted between tooth
12
and tooth
14
in order to support filling material
17
. The only difference between the structures illustrated in FIG.
4
and those illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2
is that the type of matrix band is slightly different in that it does not completely surrounded the tooth
12
with the cavity to be filled. The use of the dental wedge
16
is similar in that it is intended to provide an inward bias on the base of the matrix band as shown.
FIG. 5
illustrates three alternate sizes
22
,
23
,
24
of the conventional dental wedges described in
FIGS. 1-4
. The alternate sizes for the conventional dental wedges have been utilized when filling different sized teeth. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the size of patient's teeth varies as well as the corresponding gap between two adjacent teeth. Accordingly, dental wedges of various sizes have been historically utilized in order to properly fit the various sized gaps between patient's teeth. These conventional dental wedge designs have historically been comprised of wood, plastic other some other nonelastic material and are usually designed with a tapered end in order to provide ease
Lewis Ralph A.
Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw
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