Dental Wedge

Abstract

The present invention relates to dental wedges that may be used for creating space between adjacent teeth. In one form, the dental wedge includes an elongated body extending from an outer end to an opposite inner end. The body has a longitudinal intermediate wall, a longitudinal first side wall connected to the intermediate wall, and a longitudinal second side wall connected to the intermediate wall. The first side wall and the second side wall each flare away from the intermediate wall such that a first distal end of the first side wall and a second distal end of the second side wall are spaced apart creating an inverted generally V-shaped transverse section for the body. The body has a top surface formed by the intermediate wall, the first side wall and the second side wall. The body also has a bottom surface formed by the intermediate wall, the first side wall and the second side wall. The dental wedge includes a grasping section connected to the outer end of the body. A hollow region is defined by the bottom surface of the wedge and a first reference line extending from the first distal end of the first side wall to the second distal end of the second side wall. At least a first portion of the body comprises a first material that transmits light.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority from U.S. patent application No. 61 / 295,070 filed Jan. 14, 2010.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH[0002]Not Applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]1. Field of the Invention[0004]The present invention relates to dental wedges that may be used in the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth.[0005]2. Description of the Related Art[0006]Dental cavities that have spread to the dentin or have undergone cavitation are typically treated by removing the decayed portion of the tooth and thereafter filling the missing tooth structure with a restorative material such as silver (amalgam), white (resin), porcelain, or gold. Cavities that are located adjacent to neighboring teeth are called interproximal cavities.[0007]When treating interproximal cavities, the dentist first removes the decayed portion of the side of the tooth. In order to properly deposit the restorative material on the side of the...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0044]A dental wedge according to the invention has a land area that is pushing surface that is an advantage when pushing the wedge with the tips or traditional use of pliers.

[0045]A dental wedge according to the invention has a land area that is triangular or equivalent to not interfere with a separator ring shape such that it fits a separator ring. The back of the handle is too far away to be a problem however the land area is close enough to the filling/tooth area so a complimentary triangular shape is advantage

Problems solved by technology

Because the new composite dental filling materials are more delicate than silver amalgam and cannot be packed as aggressively, it is common today to see that many posterior and anterior composite fillings have poor contacts that allow food impaction, etc.

The ensuing “Black Triangle” can further compromise the interproximal health with plaque accumulation and food impaction along with esthetic compromise, as the dark spaces between teeth are considered to be unaesthetic and prematurely ages the smile.

Some dental wedges, such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,223,101, along with others, have a slightly concave gingival surface that does not nearly address the problem of the wedge “riding up” into the embrasure space resulting in the above mentioned concavity in the resultant filling shape and or black triangle issue, as the arc is x angle or may be 5% hollow.

The very slight gingival concavity, is so minimal that it does little to allow the wedge to seat itself deeply into the gum area and therefore does not address the aforementioned problems that occur in some clinical situations such as deeper decay or hypertrophic gums (oversized interdental gum triangle).

First, the wedge's design is so flimsy that it does not create enough pressure to separate the teeth and is therefore marketed with the separate V3 and V ring separators.

The disadvantage with this system is that the wedge cannot be used alone; necessitating the additional time required to place the separating ring in addition to placing the wedge.

This becomes a more serious problem for the anter

Images