Dentistry – Apparatus – Having static product shaping surface
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-14
2001-05-22
Lewis, Ralph A. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Apparatus
Having static product shaping surface
C433S149000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234793
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
The inventions disclosed herein are in the field of dental instruments. More particularly, the inventions relates to dental matrix bands which are positioned around a dental preparation to act as a form for the material used to fill the preparation. The inventions also relate to the use of such bands in band holders as well as the related methods.
2. Background Art
In the field of dentistry, dental practitioners often treat patients who have developed cavities on the side of a tooth. When these cavities are located adjacent to neighboring teeth they are known as interproximal cavities. In order to treat cavities on the sides of teeth such as interproximal cavities, the dental practitioner removes the infected portion of the tooth, then deposits a filling such as a resinous material or an amalgam into the tooth preparation.
In order to properly deposit the filling without undesired seepage of the filling material beyond the side of the tooth, typically a matrix band is disposed about the tooth, after which the filling material is deposited. A matrix band is typically a metallic or plastic strip having first and second ends which are joined, thereby forming a mold which is disposed about the tooth. When encircled about the tooth, the matrix band acts as a form, similar in function to a concrete form, providing a mold for the desired shape of the repaired tooth.
In order to maintain the matrix band in a desired position with respect to the tooth to be repaired, small dental wedges are often placed in the interproximal spaces between the matrix band and the teeth adjacent the tooth to be repaired. The wedges also space the teeth adjacent to the tooth to be repaired during the filling procedure. Dental wedges may be used to spread adjacent teeth for a variety of other purposes such as enabling a dental matrix band to be initially positioned around a tooth. Due to the elasticity of the periodontal fibers the teeth will resume their original position after the wedges and matrix bands are removed.
FIG. 1
depicts a tooth
10
encircled by a dental matrix band
20
. A dental wedge
30
is shown being positioned between tooth
10
and adjacent tooth
12
. Pliers
18
are used to hold wedge
30
.
FIG. 2
shows a typical matrix band at
20
before being placed around a tooth.
FIG. 3
shows dental wedge
30
in more detail.
Matrix bands are sold having many different shapes, thickness and properties. For example, different matrix bands are sold for use with molars, premolars or bicuspids, etc. of adults as well as specialized pediatric matrix bands. One of the commonly used matrix band configurations is known as the Tofflemire-type matrix band, such as is shown in FIG.
2
. Tofflemire-type matrix bands are elongated strips which are slightly curved or arched such that the bands are shaped somewhat like a boomerang. Matrix bands are also available which are straight and can therefore be sold in spools. Many matrix bands also have a lip or cervical extension to assist in placing the band past the cervical margin.
The matrix bands have any suitable thickness to fit between teeth. However, typical thickness are 0.03 mm, 0.035 mm, 0.038 mm, 0.045, and 0.05 mm. Generally, contact is optimized by using the thinnest matrix band possible especially when polymerization of a composite is required. Some matrix bands are sold which have regions, known as contact areas, which are much thinner than the remainder of the matrix band. For example, the contact area may be 0.0127 mm (0.0005 inches thick) while the remainder is 0.03 mm thick or greater. Such matrix bands are particularly useful with Class II restorations.
The matrix bands can also be formed from different materials to yield different properties. Traditionally, matrix bands have been prepared from stainless steel. Bands can be designed to be adequately soft to allow them to be individually shaped by finger pressure or by an instrument while others are more rigid. Such properties can be achieved by varying the thickness or the composition of the band. Increasing amounts of matrix bands are being sold which are transparent or translucent to enable radiant energy to pass through the band toward composite material in a preparation to polymerize the composite material. Such bands may be integrally formed from a single material such as polyester or Mylar™ sold by DuPont. Additionally, bands are sold with portions formed from translucent plastic and other portions which are formed from stainless steel. One of the advantages of matrix bands formed from both stainless steel and plastic is that the stainless steel can pass through tight contact points which are sometimes difficult for some plastics.
Many matrix band designs have been produced to achieve various objectives. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,563,152 discloses the ability to use a matrix band to replace a narrow sand paper strip used to remove “flash” which forms due to overfilling a tooth with a polymerizable composite material. It was observed that the sanding strip was generally thicker than the matrix band so it was difficult to insert and successfully use the sanding strip. The solution to this problem disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,563,152 is the use of a matrix band which has a portion on the side which faces the preparation which is configured to abrade the flash and other excess cured material that has escaped the cavity preparation. This enabled the matrix band to be used for its conventional purpose and also to abrade the restorative material from the mesial surface of the restored tooth without having to remove the band and insert the sanding strip.
A significant problem with the use of conventional matrix bands and dental wedges is the tendency of the dental wedges to slip out their positions in the interproximal spaces. When the wedges slip out from between the teeth, the desired configuration of the restored tooth may be distorted. Another problem related to the interface between wedges and dental matrix bands is the potential for injurious slippage during insertion of a wedge. These problems are not solved by the prior art.
In addition to the prior art wedge shown in
FIG. 3
,
FIGS. 4-5
depict other examples of prior art wedges respectively at
40
and
50
and are discussed hereinbelow. Typical wedges have a triangular cross section as shown. This triangular cross section includes a thin apex at the distal insertion end which widens into a flat base at the other end, the proximal gripping end. Each wedge in
FIGS. 3-5
is depicted as having a distal insertion end, respectively shown at
32
,
42
and
52
and a proximal gripping end, shown respectively at
34
,
44
and
54
.
As shown in
FIG. 1
, a wedge is typically placed with the widened end located toward the gum line and with the thin apex extending between the teeth and away from the gums in order to fit properly in an interproximal space. When using such dental wedges, the practioner is careful to orient the wider end toward the gumline while the more thinner, pointed apex is directed upward between the teeth.
In light of this triangular configuration of typical wedges, it is important to orient the wedge properly with respect to the interproximal space before pressing the body of the wedge, shown respectively in
FIGS. 3-5
at
36
,
46
and
56
, into the interproximal space. In addition, the properly oriented wedge must be precisely guided into the space. However, it is often difficult to orient the wedges correctly within the desired interproximal space in the mouth due to their small size and the difficulty involved in controlling the insertion of the wedge without making the patient uncomfortable or possibly damaging the gums and/or teeth of the patient. Accordingly, a practioner maintains a solid grip on the wedge in order to strategically align and properly guide the wedge. Of course, it is also necessary for the practitioner to maintain a solid grip on the wedge to avoid dropping the wedge.
The tendency of these wedges to slip due to their shape is further increased due to
Brattesani Steven J.
Fischer Dan E.
Lewis Ralph A.
Ultradent Products Inc.
Workman & Nydegger & Seeley
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