Dentistry – Apparatus – Having absorption means or means to isolate tooth or mouth...
Reexamination Certificate
2002-02-13
2003-07-08
Wilson, John J. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Apparatus
Having absorption means or means to isolate tooth or mouth...
C433S149000, C433S153000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06589053
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention is in the field of matrix band retainers for use in dental procedures. In particular, the present invention relates to matrix band retainers configured to be inserted into the interproximal spaces between teeth for holding a matrix band in proper placement during dental filling procedures.
2. The Prior State of the Art
In the field of dentistry, dental practitioners often treat patients who have developed cavities in a tooth. In order to treat cavities the dental practitioner removes the infected portion of the tooth and then deposits a filling material such as a composite, a resinous material, or an amalgam into the tooth preparation.
During the dental filling procedure, a matrix band is typically placed against the side of the tooth to approximately define the desired shape of the restored tooth and to keep the filling material from flowing beyond the desired tooth boundary. A matrix band typically comprises a thin metallic or plastic strip that is flexible and can be bent around the tooth being restored. The matrix band is particularly useful because it provides form for the desired shape of the resultant filling. However, if the matrix band is not properly held in place then too much or too little filling material may be deposited into the tooth preparation, thereby distorting the configuration of the restored tooth.
An improper filling can lead to dental discomfort, misaligned teeth, capture of food particles, infections, and other dental problems. To avoid these problems and to fix a distorted dental filling, it may be necessary to grind or drill the filling material down to the proper shape. It is desirable, however, to avoid this process because it increases the time and cost of performing the filling procedure and can create anxiety and discomfort for the patient.
In order to place the matrix band into a desired placement, it is sometimes necessary to separate the teeth by placing small dental wedges in the interproximal spaces between the teeth. One inherent problem with the use of matrix bands and dental wedges, however, is that they are susceptible to moving and slipping out from between the teeth. In an attempt to avoid this problem, dental practitioners have used clamps, commonly known as matrix band retainers, to hold the matrix band and dental wedges in place during the filling procedure.
Conventional matrix band retainers consist of a rigid, cylindrical wire bent so as to have a generally circular body and one of two generally straight tines extending perpendicularly from each end of the circular body. During use, the tines are spread open and placed in the interproximal spaces between the tooth being repaired and an adjacent tooth. One problem with such matrix band retainers is that the tines do not anatomically conform to the shape of the teeth. This results in inadequate retention of the matrix band such that the matrix band in an anatomically correct conformation. In addition, such matrix bands can easily slip out of position.
Another problem concerns the initial placement of the conventional matrix band retainer. The flexible frame or body of conventional matrix band retainers is typically a rigid, cylindrical wire that has been bent to have a generally circular configuration. The rigidity of the wire helps create a strong, spring-like action. It also, however, makes it difficult to spread the tines apart by hand.
To provide additional leverage to spread the tines apart, conventional rubber dam clamp spreading tools may be used to spread the tines apart. However, existing matrix band retainers are not specifically configured to receive the prongs of the rubber dam clamp spreading tool. Accordingly, the use of a rubber dam clamp spreading tool to spread the tines can be unsafe. For example, it has been found that the matrix band retainer can slip off the prongs of the rubber dam clamp spreading tool, making the procedure both difficult and unsafe.
Yet another problem with conventional matrix band retainers is that it is often difficult for them to overlap while enabling the tines of the overlapping retainers to be appropriately positioned during a dental procedure. In particular, the profile, or cross-sectional height, of conventional matrix band retainers is typically the same as the width, which can cause the overlapping matrix band retainer to be angularly displaced by the height of the underlying matrix band retainer. This angular displacement can cause the corresponding tines of the overlapping matrix band retainer to engage the dental surfaces in an irregular fashion. This can be problematic when the tines are used to provide a biasing support for holding a matrix band against a tooth receiving a dental restoration. Irregular alignment of the tines with the matrix band can cause correspondingly bad alignment of the matrix band, thereby resulting in the formation of an irregular dental restoration. It may also result in unwanted slippage of the matrix band, matrix band retainer, or both.
Accordingly, there is currently a need in the art for improved matrix band retainers. In particular, there is a need for matrix band retainers that are configured to better conform to the dental surfaces of teeth so as to better hold matrix bands in desired and proper placement during dental procedures. It would also be desirable to provide such improved matrix band retainers that are configured for overlapping another matrix band retainers during use. It would also be desirable to provide improved matrix band retainers that are specifically configured to more securely and reliably receive the prongs of a conventional rubber dam clamp spreading tool or other spreading tool. Such improved matrix band retainers are disclosed and claimed herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to improved matrix band retainers for use in dental filling procedures. The matrix band retainers of the invention comprise tines that are anatomically configured in size and shape to better fit within the interproximal spaces between adjacent teeth for providing increased contact with the surfaces against which the matrix band retainer is placed. Such matrix band retainers are able to retain a matrix band in an anatomically correct configuration during a dental filling procedure without separating the adjacent teeth. The matrix band retainers of the invention are also specifically configured to more securely receive the prongs of a rubber dam clamp spreading tool for spreading the tines of the matrix band retainer in a safe and secure manner.
In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the matrix band retainer comprises two tines, a flexible body member, two crossbar members separating the tines from the body member, and receptacle means for securely receiving the prongs of a separating device.
An example of receptacle means includes a pair of hole formations extending through the body member. For instance, during use, the prongs of a rubber dam clamp spreading tool are inserted within the hole formations and a spreading force is applied with the rubber dam clamp, thereby causing the flexible body member to flex outwardly and the tines to spread apart. Once the tines are sufficiently spread apart they are placed into the interproximal spaces between the matrix band and adjacent tooth. Once the rubber dam clamp spreading tool is removed, the spring-back force of the body member urges the tines against the matrix band and adjacent tooth with a holding force that is sufficient for holding the matrix band in a desired placement without separating the adjacent teeth.
According to the invention, each of the tines is interconnected with the body member by a different one of the crossbar members. According to one embodiment, the crossbar members are generally concentric and lay in planar alignment with the body member. The crossbar members advantageously enable the matrix band retainer to be configured with a wide body member for enabling access to the dental surfaces around which the matrix band
Ultradent Products Inc.
Wilson John J.
Workman & Nydegger & Seeley
LandOfFree
Low profile matrix band retainers does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Low profile matrix band retainers, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Low profile matrix band retainers will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3039079