DENTAL DEVICE
Technical Field
This invention relates to a dental device and to dental methods using the device. In particular the invention relates to a matrix retainer band and to dental methods using the matrix retainer band.
Background Art
The inventor is aware of current matrix retainer bands for dental applications which consist of a strip of metal or cellulose sheeting which is configured to be locatable around a tooth whereafter it is tensioned by a tensioning device thereby maintaining the tooth anatomy before dental work proceeds. These existing bands are characterised in that they are manufactured to a standard width mainly to permit tensioning by a standard tensioning device or they are individual straps without tensioning device.
The inventor believes that a need exists for a cheaper, more flexible matrix retainer band, which may be manufactured in any number of widths and is tensionable either by conventional means or by novel means as described in this specification. The inventor further believes that such a matrix retainer band should permit the tooth being worked on to be visible from substantially all angles.
Disclosure of the Invention
Thus, according to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a matrix retainer band having a translucent portion, for example, in the form a strip of
flexible translucent plastics material, the translucent portion being configured to be locatable around a tooth thereby maintaining the tooth anatomy while providing a dentist with a substantially unobstructed view of the dental work in progress.
The matrix retainer band may have attachment means for attaching to a conventional tensioning device to permit tensioning of the matrix retainer band onto the tooth on which it is locatable.
At least a portion of the matrix retainer band may be of a width which is greater than the height of the tooth onto which it is locatable so that, in use, when the translucent portion is located onto the tooth the matrix retainer band extends beyond the tooth forming a tooth-profile shaped cup or mould useable in restoration techniques such as the acid etch technique for light cure restoration of a cavity.
The translucent portion of the matrix retainer band may be of a thickness selected to provide an optimum balance between flexibility and rigidity while being insertable into the gap between adjacent teeth. Typically the thickness of at least the translucent portion of the matrix retainer band is 0 to 0.25 mm, with 0.025 mm to 0.125 mm being preferred. Factors considered in selecting the thickness include the type of plastics material being used, the gap between adjacent teeth and whether the matrix retainer band is to be used as a mould.
The translucent portion of the matrix retainer band may be manufactured of any suitable translucent flexible plastics material such as Acetate of Cellulose, Polyethylene, Nylon, cellophane, perspex, or the like.
The matrix retainer band may be provided with retaining means for retaining the form of at least the translucent portion when located on the tooth The retaining means may be in the form of an adhesive strip provided on a portion of the matrix retainer band so that, in use, when the translucent portion of the matrix retainer band is located on the tooth an adhesive strip remote portion of the matrix retainer band may be secured to the adhesive strip thereby retaining the matrix retainer band on the tooth
The matrix retainer band may be provided with an integrally formed tensioning means for tensioning at least the translucent portion of the matrix retainer band onto the tooth The tensioning means may be provided by configuring the matrix retainer band as a noose having a securing means for securing the noose in a constricted tensioned position on the tooth The securing means may be in the form of a pair of fπctionally engaging formations provided on the matrix retainer band, for example, a ratchet arrangement such as that found on cable-ties
The securing means may be provided by at least one adhesive strip on the matrix retainer band Typically, the securing means includes a pair of adhesive strips which are brought into contact with each other when the matrix retainer band has been fitted around a tooth
The securing means may further be provided by an adhesive suitable for use in oral or dental procedures which is applied to at least the two ends, but preferably the entire length of the matrix retainer band prior to it being located around the tooth The two ends of the matrix retainer band may subsequently be brought into contact with each other in order to secure the matrix retainer band around the tooth thereby forming a rigid contour of the tooth around which the band is applied
The tensioning means may be provided with camber adjustment means for
adjusting the camber of the matrix retainer band relative to a tooth on which it is locatable, for example, by providing a manoeuvring clearance on the noose securing means.
The retaining means and securing means and the tensioning means may be the same means.
The matrix retainer band may further be provided with attachment means along its extent for attaching to one or more tooth adjacent the tooth to be worked on, thereby to inhibit relative movement of the matrix retainer band to the adjacent teeth and stabilising the matrix retainer band on the tooth being worked on. Typically the attachment means may be in the form of one or more adhesive pad, coated with an adhesive that is suitable for oral and/or dental applications. However the attachment means may be in the form of any tooth engageable formation, such as a friction pad, or the like.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of performing a dental procedure, the method including the steps of: locating at least a translucent portion of a matrix retainer band, as described above, onto a tooth; tensioning at least the translucent portion of the matrix retainer band onto the tooth; applying a settable dental material onto or into the retained tooth; and removing the matrix retainer band from the tooth once the dental material has set sufficiently.
The settable dental material may be a light curable composite material or compomer comprising of a composite and a glass ionomer which is curable in situ by the use of light, for example, white light.
This is made possible due to the translucent properties of the translucent portion of the matrix retainer band of the invention which permits the passage of light to the settable dental composition therethrough.
The dental procedure of the method may be an acid etch technique for light cure restoration of cavities in both anterior and posterior teeth. Equally the dental procedure of the method may be the cementing of inlays or onlays onto the tooth or for conventional filling of tooth cavities.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of applying a medicament, the method including the steps of: coating a matrix retainer band, over at least a portion of its extent, with one or more medicament and/or substance or composition; and locating at least a translucent portion of a matrix retainer band onto a tooth so as to bring about contact of the medicament and/or substance or composition and the gums of a patient.
At least the translucent portion of the matrix retainer band may be tensioned onto the tooth.
Once the medicament has been in contact with the patient's gums, the matrix retainer band may be removed from the tooth.
The above substance or composition may be any suitable substance or composition useful in promoting healing, inhibiting bleeding and/or promoting blood clotting, disinfecting, controlling moisture levels in the vicinity of a tooth being worked on, or the like.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of taking an impression of a tooth, the method including the step of:
locating at least a translucent portion of a matrix retainer band onto a tooth so as to bring about contact of the matrix retainer band with a tooth of a patient, thereby retaining the tooth anatomy.
At least the translucent portion of the matrix retainer band may be tensioned onto the tooth.
Once an impression for a crown, inlay or onlay has been taken, the matrix retainer band may be removed from the tooth.
In order to aid in the retention of the tooth contour, a wedge may be inserted alongside the matrix retainer band. The wedge may also be used to promote the proper light curing of the interproximal area.
The wedge may be manufactured from any suitable transparent or light curing material.
The invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the following diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings,
Figure 1 shows, in schematic representation, a matrix retainer band located on a tooth;
Figure 2 shows, in plan view, a matrix retainer band having an adhesive strip in accordance with the invention;
Figure 3 shows, in side view, the matrix retainer band of Figure 2 in which the adhesive strip is in use;
Figure 4 shows, in schematic side view, a conventional tensioning device having the matrix retainer band of the invention thereon; and
Figure 5 shows a top view of a tooth, with a matrix retainer band as well as a wedge in position.
In the Figures, reference numeral 10 generally indicates a matrix retainer band in accordance with the invention. The matrix retainer band 10 is in the form of a strip of flexible translucent plastics material 12 configured to be locatable around a tooth 14 thereby retaining the tooth while providing a dentist with a substantially unobstructed view of the dental work in progress as indicated by arrows 16, 17. and 18.
The matrix retainer band 10 has attachment means in the form of a rigid hooked end region 20 for attaching to a conventional tensioning device 22, such as that for a Matrixband (Trade Mark) applicator, to permit tensioning of the strip 12 onto the tooth 14 on which it is locatable.
The strip 12 is selected to be of a width 24 which is greater than the height 26 of the tooth 14 onto which it is located, so that, in use, when the strip 12 is located onto the tooth 14 it extends beyond the tooth 14 forming a tooth-profile shaped cup or mould 28 useable in restoration techniques such as the acid etch technique for light cure restoration of a cavity. Equally the cup or mould 28 is useable in the cementing of inlays or onlays 30 onto the tooth or for conventional filling of tooth cavities.
The thickness 32 of the strip 12 is selected to provide and optimum balance between flexibility and rigidity while being insertable into the gap between adjacent teeth. In one embodiment, where the strip 12 is an Acetate of Cellulose strip such as that available from Produits Dentaires S.A. Vevey (Suisse), the thickness thereof is 0.075 mm. Factors considered in selecting the thickness 32 of the strip 12 include the type of plastics material being used, the gap between adjacent teeth and whether the matrix retainer band 10 is to be used to retain the tooth anatomy only or whether to serve as a mould, or whether it serves to create a normal contact area between restorations placed and the adjacent teeth.
The matrix retainer band 10 may be provided with retaining means in the form of an adhesive strip 34 being of any suitable size or contour for retaining the form of the strip 12 when located on the tooth 14. The adhesive strip 34 is provided on at least a central portion 36 of the strip 12 so that, in use, when the strip 12 is located on the tooth 14 an adhesive strip remote portion i.e. an end portion 38, of the strip 12 is secured to the adhesive strip 34 thereby retaining the strip 12 on the tooth 14.
In another embodiment (not shown), the adhesive strip extends over a substantial portion of the length of the strip 12.
Alternatively, the entire strip 12, or part thereof, may be coated with an adhesive that is suitable for oral/dental applications. The matrix retainer band 10 is then secured around the tooth 14 by locating the band 10 around the tooth 14, and then bringing into contact the end portion 38 of the strip 12 with a central portion 36 of the strip 12.
The matrix retainer band 10 is provided with an integrally formed tensioning means for tensioning the strip 12 onto the tooth 14 by configuring it as a noose 40 having a securing means in the form of a pair of fnctionally engaging formations or an adhesive strip 34 provided on the strip 12 for securing the noose 40 in a constricted tensioned position on the tooth 14, for example, as found on the Automatπx™ systems
In another embodiment (not shown), the tensioning means is provided with camber adjustment means for adjusting the camber of the matrix retainer band 10 relative to the tooth 14 on which it is locatable, for example, by providing a manoeuvring clearance on the noose securing means
The matrix retainer band 10 is provided with further attachment means, in the form of adhesive pads 35 and 37, coated with an adhesive that is suitable for oral and/or dental applications, for attaching the matrix retainer band 10 to adjacent teeth (not shown), especially when performing an inlay or an onlay on tooth 14
The matrix retainer band 10 is coated along edge 19, over a portion of its extent, with one or more medicament and/or substance or composition useful in promoting healing, inhibiting bleeding and/or promoting blood clotting, disinfecting, controlling moisture levels in the vicinity of a tooth being worked on, or the like, for in use, bringing about contact of the medicament and/or substance or composition and the gums of a patient (not shown)
Likewise the coating along edge 19 may be an adhesive substance for adhering the strip to the cervical portion of the tooth for proper positioning and contouring of the band to prevent the formation of any overhangs and/or controlling gel/fluid like cements and/or restorations placed
The matrix retainer band 10 can also be used in combination with a wedge 42 which is placed along an edge of the tooth 14 once the band 10 has been secured The wedge 42 is generally manufactured from a light curing or transparent material and aids in promoting the retention of the contour of the tooth 14 as well as promoting the proper light curing of the interproximal area (not shown)
The inventor believes that it is an advantage of the invention, as illustrated, that the benefits of using a matrix retainer band can be obtained without sacrificing the visibility of the tooth being worked on by a dentist thereby permitting procedures which were otherwise difficult to perform to be performed more easily, permitting the use of light settable dental compositions and being able to light-cure on a tooth's surface at 90 degree angles where, for example, the onlay meets the tooth
The inventor further believes that by making the matrix retainer band of the invention from a plastics material, which is cheaper than metal, the matrix retainer bands can be disposable thereby improving hygiene The inventor believes that it is a further advantage of the invention, as illustrated, that the matrix retainer band is tensionable onto a tooth without the use of a conventional matrix retainer band tensioner Since this means a shorter chairtime per patient, the invention does not only save money, but also time
The inventor believes that it is yet a further advantage of the invention, as illustrated, that a medicament and/or substance or composition can be applied to the teeth and/or gums while performing a dental procedure without the need for a further instrument The moisture control obtainable by the use of the invention is excellent and it also allows better contouring of restorations