132results about "Dam holders" patented technology

An application tip (100) for a viscous or pasty composition comprises a body (101) including a proximal end (102) that can be fastened onto a device for dispensing said composition and a distal end (103) that is provided with an outlet orifice (104), an internal duct (110) extending between the proximal and distal ends of said body. The internal duct (110) comprises at least one portion (112) of flat shape opening out at the outlet orifice (104) and including adjacent grooves (113) in at least one of its sides.

A packaged unit of composite for performing an aesthetic restoration. The unit is mounted on a polymeric film carrier material and is covered and sealed with the same or otherwise suitable covering film. The carrier film may be an elongated strip containing serially placed units of composite, each readily separable from the strip for individual usage. This packaging is in light restrictive outer packaging since the preferred unit of composite is of a light-cured material such as bis-GMA. In preferred packaging, the unit dose is singular and applicable to the tooth surface with the film carrier which is adapted with tabs to facilitate handling and the draping or damming of the subject tooth from adjacent teeth to facilitate application of the composite. The composite is then worked, i.e., formed on the tooth with the film intermediate the composite and the customary forming tools. In preferred embodiments, the single unit packaging of composite is mounted on a clear carrier film which includes embrasure tabs for selective insertion in the embrasure between the teeth, and in a further preferred embodiment, the carrier film includes an incisal tab to cover the incisal edge of the tooth. The clear carrier is contained in further outer packaging which limits actinic radiation from reaching the composite.

An elongated flexible dental strip includes front and rear surfaces defining a thickness therebetween. The strip also includes first and second edges defining a lateral width therebetween. A first portion of the strip further is spaced from a second portion along the length of the strip, wherein the thickness of the first portion is different from the thickness of the second portion. The strip has a constant thickness across a lateral width defined between the first and second edges.

Structures and methods are disclosed which may be used for applying force to the base of a matrix band or cavity filling material mold during a cavity filling procedure. In a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a unitary body of elastic material is stretched preferably by applying force in opposite directions to the opposite ends of the unitary body such that a central portion of the body of material is thinned. The thinned portion of the unitary body may then be easily inserted in the space between two adjacent teeth next to the base of a matrix band or cavity filling material mold. After the unitary body has been inserted into the space between two adjacent teeth next to the base of the matrix band or cavity filling material mold, the force which has been applied to the opposite ends of the unitary body is then removed. As a result, the previously stretched elastic unitary body contracts and becomes thicker in its central portion that had been previously thinned. The contraction and thickening of the unitary body in the space between adjacent teeth fills this space and applies and outward force to the walls of this cavity. Accordingly, the contracted unitary body applies a force on the base of the matrix band or cavity filling material mold which forces the base of the matrix band or filling material mold adjacent to the base of the tooth to be filled.

A dental apparatus adapted to facilitate formation of a filling in an object tooth and to retain the filling within normal boundaries of the object tooth and generally spaced from an adjacent tooth includes a matrix having a resilient wedge member attached thereto. The resilient wedge member is elongated and has enlargements at opposite ends thereof. In use, the resilient wedge member is stretched. While the resilient wedge member is in the stretched state, the matrix and resilient wedge member are placed together between the object tooth and an adjacent tooth. The resilient wedge member is then released and contracts toward its natural unstretched state. As the resilient wedge member contracts, it urges the matrix to surroundingly conform to the object tooth. In this way, a tooth is comfortably and conveniently prepared to receive a filling.

A rubber dam clamp comprising a transverse arch connecting two free ends, the two free ends having opposing retentive bonding pads for improved retention, stability, and comfort of rubber dam applications, when applied to a patient's tooth, due to the combination of increased contact surface and use of adhesives between the clamp and the tooth. Further, the invention relates to the adaptation of conventional rubber dam clamps into they type referred to above so as to create a similar combination of frictional force and use of adhesive in order to maintain the position of the clamp in dental procedures.

Provided herein is a retraction device for retracting soft tissue from the dental surfaces in the oral cavity of a patient. The retraction device is comprised of a topology conformable structure, where the topology conformable structure is adaptable to be delivered to the oral cavity in a constrained shape. The device can then undergo a conformation change in the oral cavity, where the device transforms into its unconstrained shape. The unconstrained shape of the device creates a useable working field in the oral cavity. The useable working field can provide increased accessibility to and / or visibility within the oral cavity. Also provided herein are methods for using the device and kits.

The polymerizable dental isolation barrier has a monomer and an initiator. The barrier composition has at least one additive including a polymer strength reducer, a wet tissue adherence accentuator, and a reflective material. The polymer strength reducer is an organic compound that prevents complete polymerization. The tissue adherence accentuator enables the barrier to adhere to a dental substrate even after polymerization. The reflective material lowers the reaction rate and lowers the production of excess heat to reduce patient discomfort and to avoid tissue damage.

A dental device includes a housing unit for removably holding sensor film and a tooth clamp disposed on the housing unit. The tooth clamp consists of first and second resilient arcuate bridges. Each of the first and second bridge has a first and second end. The first end of the first bridge and the first end of the second bridge are interconnected to one jaw of a pair of oppositely disposed jaws. The second end of the first bridge and the second end of the second bridge are interconnected to the other jaw of the pair of oppositely disposed jaws. Each of the oppositely disposed jaws includes a gripping plate, an aperture and a tab for engaging a flexible sheet.

A dental contact matrix system is described for the placement of dental fillings. The dental contact matrix system includes a matrix, a retainer for placing and retaining the 5 matrix and an elastic wedge. The retainer includes two lugs or tines that fit between two teeth on the buccal and lingual sides of the teeth. The lugs are connected by spring member that presses the lugs against the lingual and buccal sides of the teeth. There is an adaptation to hold the elastic wedge in a stretched condition between the lugs.

A dental wedge for use in the inter-proximal space between adjacent teeth is described. The wedge comprises a taper section ending at a tip, and a body section extending to the tapering section at one end. The body section has an inverted V-shaped cross-section, flexing of the sides of the V-shape allows the wedge to adapt to various contours of the inter-proximal space. The mid-portion of the body section is narrower than at least a portion of the wedge either end of the mid-portion.

A dental implement includes a wire member that forms a generally ring-shaped portion and first and second ends, which depend from the ring-shaped portion. The ring-shaped portion lies in a plane, with the first and second ends depending from the generally ring-shaped portion in a direction generally orthogonal to the plane. At least a portion of the first end touches at least a portion of the second end when in an initial resting state, wherein the first and second ends generate an inward force towards each other when separated.