GB2402069A

GB2402069A - Dental isolation device

Info

Publication number: GB2402069A
Application number: GB0312133A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kanchan Shanbhag
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-05-28
Filing date: 2003-05-28
Publication date: 2004-12-01
Anticipated expiration: 2023-05-28
Also published as: GB0312133D0; GB2402069B

Abstract

A dental isolation device is made up of a rubber dam sheet 3 fused to an elastic rubber or plastic retention device. The retention device has elastic retentive arms 2 and a connecting arm 1. The elastic retention device can be fitted on the tooth surface along with the rubber dam sheet using elastic recoil and undercuts. The dental isolation device is a fully disposable device designed to provide isolation during dental treatment.

Description

t 2402069

DENTAL ISOLATION DEVICE

Most dental restorative work requires the teeth to be isolated during the procedure.

Isolation is essential for infection control, protection of the patient's airway, to improve visibility, protect soft tissues and control moisture. Conventionally the dental isolation is achieved by use of rubber dam. Dental rubber dam is a latex sheet stretched over the tooth and is secured by using a rubber dam clamp.

Currently used rubber dam system involves use of metallic clamps to secure and retract the rubber dam sheet. Clamps are sterilised and reused. This increases the risk of transmission of infection. Rubber dam clamps may dislodge or break, producing risk of inhalation. Insertion of clamp is traumatic and requires administration of local anaesthetic. Clamps sometime produce damage to the gingival tissue. There is no seal between the clamp and the rubber dam sheet and hence there is possibility of leakage of toxic chemicals potentially damaging the soft tissues in the mouth.

Object of the present invention is to provide an isolation device, which is fully disposable, less traumatic and easy to use. Present invention avoids the need to use metallic clamps for retention and hence reduces the risk of transmission of infectious agents, inhalation injuries and trauma to the gingival tissues. The invention also provides an integral seal between the retaining component and the rubber sheet reducing the risk of leakage. The system is fully radiolucent and hence does not interfere with radiographic examination.

Main feature of this invention is a flexible retention device made of rubber or latex material. This device is attached or fused to the rubber dam sheet making a single disposable unit. The retention of the device is achieved by the elasticity of the retention device and the rubber dam sheet.

Multiple retention devices may be attached to the rubber dam sheet to adapt its use in different parts of the mouth. Size and shape of the retention device can be modified to adapt it to fit on different types of teeth.

Fig t shows design of a typical retention device from top view.

Fig 2 shows features of retention device from a side.

Fig 3 shows attachment of retention device to the rubber dam sheet.

Fig 4 shows placement of the isolation device on a tooth.

Fig 5 is a section showing retentive arms and rubber dam sheet closely adapting to the tooth surface providing a good seal.

The details of the inventions will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and reference numbers (figures in brackets).

Main feature of this invention is the retention device. The retention device is made of rubber or any other elastic material and in contrast to the present system, not made with metal. Fig I and Fig 2 show different views of a typical retention device. There are two main components of the retention device, (1) connecting arm and (2) the retentive arms. Connecting arm I joins the retentive arms. It is flexible and its elastic recoil contributes to the retention. The retention arms (2) engage the undercuts in the mesial and distal part of the tooth. The retention arms are elastic and reciprocate each other in providing retention. Fig 2 shows appropriate positioning of the retention arm (2) on a typical molar tooth. The shape, number of connecting and retention arms can vary dependent on the tooth or region of isolation. The retention principle is always elastic recoil and engaging the undercuts.

Other essential feature of the invention is the fusion of the rubber dam sheet (3) to the retention device. Fig 3 shows how this is done. The lower surfaces (4) of the retention arms are fused to the rubber dam sheet using thermal and/or chemical processing. The retention device integral with the rubber dam sheet forms the new isolation device. A hole (5) is punched on the rubber dam sheet between the retentive arms.

The device then can be placed over the tooth simply using the elasticity of connecting arm (1) retention arm (2) and the rubber dam sheet (3). Fig 4 shows how the device is placed over the molar tooth providing efficient isolation. Additional holes can be punched on the rubber dam sheet to stretch the sheet over other teeth to obtain quadrant isolation. Fig 5 shows a cross section of the isolation device fitted on the molar tooth. Notably it shows close adaptation of the rubber dam sheet to the tooth surface providing a satisfactory seal.

Claims

1. A dental isolation device comprises of a thin latex or rubber sheet fused to an elastic retention device, wherein the retention device is a plastic or rubber structure designed to retain on the tooth using elastic recoil or engaging the undercuts on the tooth surface.

2. A dental isolation device as claimed in claim 1, comprises of a thin latex or rubber sheet fused to the elastic retention device wherein the fusion is accomplished by thermal, mechanical or chemical means or their combination.

3. A dental isolation device as claimed in claim I or 2, seated on a tooth using retentive arms of the retention device, holds the fused rubber or latex sheet around the tooth to provide isolation ofthe tooth.

4. A dental isolation device as claimed in any proceeding claim which is made from latex, plastics material, or rubber, or from a combination of these materials.

5. A denta] isolation device substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.