Dental device for positioning of a material

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a dental device for the positioning of an interproximal material and methods of using the dental device.

Description

Atty. Docket No: 108683- (23-013) Via EFS-Web DENTAL DEVICE FOR POSITIONING OF A MATERIALFIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a dental device for the positioning of an interproximal material and methods of using the dental device.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Dental restorations such as crowns, implant crowns, veneers, bridges, onlay crowns, and / or fillings may be used to replace a missing tooth structure and / or missing teeth. The interproximal fit of these dental restorations is critical, as a poor fit may result in food impaction, increased risk of cavity development, an incomplete seal of the restoration to the tooth margin, and / or increased tooth movement.

[0003] It is often difficult to assess the posterior areas of the mouth due to a limited patient mouth opening and / or the presence of the cheek or tongue. The restorations are small in size and have been polished and glazed, making them smooth. Since the mouth is moist and saliva is present, the risk of the restoration slipping out of the reach of the dental professional (such as a dentist or an assistant) increases. In turn, the patient could aspirate or swallow the restoration. Another risk is over adjusting (grinding away) the interproximal area of the restoration when it is not marked appropriately. Over adjusting the interproximal area may result in an open interproximal contact. If this happens, the dentist will need to remake the crown or restoration, which will cost more money and time.

[0004] For the interproximal area, the dental professional needs to ensure the proper spacing for cleaning of the area and to ensure the longevity of the tooth or an implant. To maintain the appropriate interproximal spacing, the dental professional would normally use a shimstock or a marking paper that is held by an instrument.

[0005] There are currently many existing dental devices that attempt to help secure the shimstock / marking paper. However, the designs of these devices do not secure the shimstock / marking paper well and impede the dental professional’s visibility and workspace when trying on (fitting) the restorations in the posterior areas of the90739460.9 1Atty. Docket No: 108683- (23-013) Via EFS-Web mouth. This increases the difficulty of identifying the specific area to adjust (grind) in order to seat / place the restoration appropriately. This increases the risk of aspiration or swallowing of the tiny restoration.

[0006] Therefore, a need exists for a device that can securely hold the shimstock / marking paper, improve the visibility and workspace of the dental professional, and avoid causing excessive pain to the patient, while is also reliable, easy to use, and disposable or reusable.FIGURES

[0007] FIG. 1 is a picture of the dental device for interproximal positioning in a stationary position without interproximal material inserted, according to one aspect.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a color picture of the dental device for interproximal positioning with a piece of shimstock held vertically in the slots of the protrusions in the clamp, according to one aspect.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a graphical representation of the dental device for interproximal positioning, showing the expanded posterior and anterior parts of the dental device for interproximal positioning, according to one aspect.

[0010] FIGS. 4A and 4B are example pictures of a dental device for interproximal positioning, the dental device being composed of paper, cardstock, or a polymer), according to one aspect.

[0011] FIG. 5 is an example picture of the dental device of FIGS. 4A and 4B, the dental device being engaged with an interproximal material, according to one aspect.

[0012] FIGS. 6A-6C are example pictures of a dental device for interproximal positioning, the dental device being composed of paper and including a fold, according to one aspect.

[0013] FIGS. 7A-7C are example pictures of the dental device of FIGS. 6A-6C, the dental device being engaged with an interproximal material, according to one aspect.90739460.9 2Atty. Docket No: 108683- (23-013) Via EFS-Web SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] One aspect of the present disclosure includes a dental device for positioning an interproximal material. The dental device includes (a) a moveable member having an anterior position and a posterior position; (b) a housing enclosing the moveable member for movement of the moveable member within the housing; (c) a button affixed to a posterior end of the moveable member; (d) a clamp affixed to an anterior end of the moveable member, the clamp having two protrusions that hold the interproximal material; and (e) an engagement mechanism located between the button and the housing.

[0015] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a method for utilizing a dental device for positioning interproximal material. The method includes (a) inserting an interproximal material between each slot of a plurality of clamps of the dental device, the interproximal material being inserted into each slot vertically into an activated position where the clamps are separated by pressing and holding a button; (b) positioning the interproximal material between the clamps in the activated position; (c) releasing the button to close the clamps; (d) inserting the dental device and the interproximal material into a patient’s mouth; (e) positioning the interproximal material between a filling or a dental crown prior to cementing and an adjacent tooth; (f) marking the contact area between the dental crown prior to cementing or the filling and an adjacent tooth; and (g) optionally adjusting an interproximal area of the dental crown prior to cementing or the filling to ensure a suitable fit.

[0016] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure includes a dental device for positioning an interproximal material. The dental device includes (a) a moveable member having an anterior position and a posterior position; (b) a housing enclosing the moveable member for movement of the moveable member within the housing; (c) a button affixed to a posterior end of the moveable member; (d) a clamp affixed to an anterior end of the moveable member, the clamp having two protrusions that hold the interproximal material; and (e) a pawl disposed within the housing, wherein the pawl can be translated from a first position to a second position.90739460.9 3Atty. Docket No: 108683- (23-013) Via EFS-Web

[0017] Other features and iterations of the invention are described in more detail below.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Described herein is a dental device for positioning interproximal material and methods of utilizing the dental device. The dental device allows for reliable and accurate marking(s) on a dental restoration (e.g., a crown) before cementing to define the appropriate interproximal spacing with an adjacent tooth or an implant crown by providing working room for the dental professional in the oral cavity, helping to retract the cheek or tongue and improving visibility of the dental professional. The dental device uses shimstock or marking paper. The dental device may be prepared using one or more of a variety of methods such as 3D printing, machining, casting, among others. According to various aspects, the dental device is cost effective to produce, can be easily sterilized, is easily used by a dental professional, provides minimal pain to the patient, and provides improved visibility and greater working room. This will help reduce the risk of aspiration or swallowing and will improve the ability to evaluate the restoration’s interproximal contacts.

[0019] The dental device embodiment described herein may be used for human dental applications, such as, but not limited to, adult and pediatric dental work, including any size of teeth, and animal dental applications, such as, but not limited to, veterinarian dental work.Dental Device

[0020] The dental device for positioning an interproximal material will now be described in more detail in FIG. 1-FIG. 3.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the dental device for positioning an interproximal material 100 comprises a housing 110, a moveable member 120, a button 130, an engagement mechanism 150, and a clamp 140. The housing 110, the moveable member 120, the button 130, and / or the clamp 140 may comprise a thermoplastic, a polyurethane polymer, or various plasticized monomers such as bisphenol A-g lycidy I methacrylate (Bis-GMA), ethoxylated bisphenol A glycol90739460.9 4Atty. Docket No: 108683- (23-013) Via EFS-Web dimethacrylate (Bis-EMA), triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA), or stainless steel or any other metal, or combinations thereof. In various aspects, the dental device may be fabricated, such as by using 3D printing, CAD / CAM software programming, and / or other appropriate machining. The engagement mechanism 150 may be a spring, such as a commercially available spring that comprises a metal such as stainless steel. The engagement mechanism 150 is located between button 130 and housing 110. The dental device 100 is made to undergo sterilization, such as, but not limited to, using steam, dry heat, or chemicals, and thus to be used more than 1 time. Alternatively, the device may be a disposable device.

[0022] The housing 110 of the dental device encloses the moveable member 120. The moveable member 120 fits within the housing 110 and can move freely internally within the housing 110. The moveable member 120 has a posterior position and an anterior position. The button 130 is affixed to the posterior position of the moveable member 120 and the clamp 140 is in the anterior position of the moveable member 120. FIG. 3 shows an enlargement of the posterior position and anterior position of the dental device for positioning interproximal material.

[0023] Generally, the length of the housing 110 may range from about 3 inches (3”) to about 7”. In various embodiments, the length of the housing 110 may be from about 3.0” to about 3.5”, from about 4.0” to about 4.5”, or from about 4.5” to about 5.0”. The length of the housing 110 may be based on a handle length of a dental instrument, such as, but not limited to, a metal articulating paper holder with a handle length of 4”, a mouth mirror with a handle length of 4.5”, and / or an interproximal carver with a handle length of 4.25”. The length of the housing 110 may be, alternatively or additionally, based on a total length of a dental instrument (e.g., the combined length of a handle length and a holder length), such as, but not limited to, a metal articulating paper holder with a total length of 6.75”, a mouth mirror with a total length of 6.5”, and / or an interproximal carver with a total length of 6.5”. In various embodiments, the housing 110 may be curved or bent at an angle.90739460.9 5Atty. Docket No: 108683- (23-013) Via EFS-Web

[0024] In general, the width of the housing 110 may range from about 0.25” to about 0.75”. In various embodiments, the width of the housing 110 may range from about 0.25” to about 0.4”, from about 0.5” to about 0.75”, from about 0.5” to about 0.60”, or from about 0.60 to about 0.75”.

[0025] A button 130 is affixed to the posterior position of the moveable member 120. The button 130 may be the same width or larger than the housing 110. The distance from the button 130 attached to the moveable member 120 to the housing 110 may be from about 0.25” to about 0.5”.

[0026] The clamp 140 is affixed to the anterior position of the moveable member 120 and holds the interproximal material. The clamp 140 has a height and a width from about 0.25” to about 1.0”. In various embodiments, the height of the clamp 140 may be from about 0.5” to about 1.0”, from about 0.5” to about 0.75”, or from about 0.75” to about 1.0”. In various embodiments, the width of the clamp 140 may be less than or equal to 0.5”. The dimensions of the clamp 140 are designed to conveniently use the interproximal material within the patient’s mouth to evaluate the interproximal fit of the restoration.

[0027] The clamp 140 has two vertical protrusions 170 at the end of the clamp 140, each protrusion 170 having a slot. Each slot in the vertical protrusions 170 in the clamp 140 supports the interproximal material vertically. Each slot has a length from about 0.25” to about 0.9”. In various embodiments, each slot has a length from about 0.25” to about 0.5” or from about 0.5” to about 0.75”. In some embodiments, each slot has a length from about 0.875” to about 0.9”, such as to accommodate accufilm (e.g., marking paper) with a width of approximately 0.875”.

[0028] Each protrusion 170 has a length from about 0.25” to about 0.5”.

[0029] Each slot of the protrusions 170 has a width from about 0.0003” to about 0.001” to fit ultra-thin or thin interproximal material such as shimstock or marking paper. In various embodiments, each slot has a width from about 0.0003” to about 0.001”, from about 0.0003” to about 0.0005”, from about 0.0005” to about 0.0006”, from about 0.0006” to about 0.0007”, from about 0.0007” to about 0.0008”, from about 0.0008” to about 0.0009”, or about 0.0009” to about 0.001”. The interproximal material is90739460.9 6Atty. Docket No: 108683- (23-013) Via EFS-Web conveniently loaded into the slots and held in the slots vertically, such that the interproximal material does not fall during usage of the dental device within the patient. In some embodiments, the slots of the protrusions 170 on either the anterior or posterior clamp may have spikes (e.g., teeth) and the slots of the protrusions 170 on the other clamp may be holes to receive the spikes to help secure the thin shimstock or marking paper.

[0030] The distance between each slot of the protrusions 170 is from about 0.5” to about 1.0”. In various embodiments, the distance between each slot may be from about 0.5” to 1.0”, from about 0.5” to about 0.6”, from about 0.6” to about 0.7”, from about 0.7” to about 0.8”, from about 0.8” to about 0.9”, or from 0.9” to about 1.0”. For example, the distance between each slot may be from about 0.63” to about 0.71”, such as to accommodate a maxillary first molar and / or mandibular first molar with about 0.12” on each side. The distance between each slot of the protrusions 170 is convenient to fit the ultrathin or thin shimstock or marking paper between the restored tooth (filling or crown) and an adjacent tooth.

[0031] The distance between each clamp 140 is from about 1.0” to about 2.0”. In various embodiments, the distance between the clamps 140 may be from about 1.0” to about 1.5” or from about 1.5” to about 2.0”.

[0032] The positions of the protrusions 170 are important since each slot in the protrusions supports the interproximal material vertically.

[0033] To deploy the dental device 100, the button 130 is pressed and then the engagement mechanism 150 compresses from a normal configuration to a compressed configuration, moving the moveable member 120 and the clamp 140 away from the housing 110 to a deployed position. In a deployed position, the dental professional can place the shimstock or marking paper, then release the button 130 to clamp the shimstock or marking paper and secure it. By releasing the button 130, the spring 150 decompresses from a compressed configuration to a normal configuration, the moveable member 120 and the clamp 140 move from a deployed position to a stationary position, and the clamp is positioned against the housing 110. The dental professional positions the interproximal shimstock or marking paper in the interproximal90739460.9 7Atty. Docket No: 108683- (23-013) Via EFS-Web area, then “tries in” the restoration. The shimstock or marking paper is left in place and is used to evaluate the interproximal fit of the restoration. After the restoration has been evaluated or marked, the restoration is removed, and the paper is removed from the mouth. The shimstock or marking paper can be left on the device and reused during the appointment to determine the interproximal spacing or mark the filling or crown before cementing with the interproximal shimstock or marking paper. To remove the paper, the dental professional presses and holds the button 130, which separates the clamps, and then the shimstock or marking paper is removed.

[0034] In another embodiment, the dental device 100 is not spring actuated but rather operates using a slide and lock mechanism similar to a box cutter. In particular, the dental device 100 may include a retractable or otherwise movable pawl that can restrict movement of the moveable member 120. In this embodiment, actuating the button would cause the pawl to retract such that the moveable member and clamp are free to move. In one aspect, the pawl can be extended in the open configuration as well as in a closed configuration such that the clamp may be held in the open or closed orientation.

[0035] In some embodiments, the dental device 100 may include a latch that opens and closes the clamp 140 (such as a spring loaded latch) such that the housing 110 may include one or more angles instead of being straight as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2

[0036] The interproximal material comprises shimstock or marking paper. The shimstock is generally made of foil and measures the occlusion and interproximal contacts between the restoration before cementing. The marking paper may be coated on one side or both sides of the paper with a marking dye, such as a black or a red marking dye, to provide a precise marking of the interproximal contacts onto the restoration.

[0037] In one aspect, the dental device 100 is produced using 3D printing, machining, or any other suitable means depending on the material. The dental device 100 may comprise bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA), ethoxylated bisphenol A glycol dimethacrylate (Bis-EMA), triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA),90739460.9 8Atty. Docket No: 108683- (23-013) Via EFS-Web hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA), or stainless steel or any other metal.

[0038] In various aspect, the dental device 100 may be composed of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, a polymer material, a metal (such as a 304, 304L, 316, and / or 316L stainless steel), a metallic material, or any other material having sufficient strength and rigidity.

[0039] In other aspects, the dental device 100 for positioning an interproximal material may be composed of paper, cardboard, or card stock. In this aspect, the dental device 100 may be disposable and configured to retain shimstock or marking paper with an adhesive.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 4-7, a dental device 200 may be composed of paper, cardstock, other similar materials. Alternatively, the dental device 200 may also be composed of paper, cardstock, a thermoplastic, a polyurethane polymer, or various plasticized monomers such as bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA), ethoxylated bisphenol A glycol dimethacrylate (Bis-EMA), triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA), or combinations thereof. As such, the dental device 200 may be disposable or otherwise intended for a single-use. The dental device 200 is configured to retain an interproximal material 201 (e.g., shimstock or marking paper) with an adhesive 202. The dental device 200 comprises a handle 204 and a plurality of clamps 206. The adhesive 202 may be at an end of each of the plurality of clamps 206.In some examples, the dental device 200 may have two pairs of clamps 206 with a fold between the pairs such that one pair of clamps 206 may be folded over onto the other pair of clamps 206 as shown in FIG. 5. Thus, when the pairs of clamps 206 are open, the interproximal material 201 may be coupled to one pair of clamps 206 via the adhesive 202 and then the other pair of clamps 206 may be folded over to couple to the interproximal material 201 via the adhesive 202. In some embodiments, the slots 202 on either the anterior or posterior clamp may include protrusions (e.g., spikes, teeth, or bumps) and the slots 206 on the other clamp may include holes or recesses to receive the spikes to help secure the thin shimstock or marking paper.90739460.9 9Atty. Docket No: 108683- (23-013) Via EFS-Web

[0041] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 6-7, each of the plurality of clamps 206 may include a 90-degree fold (can be adjusted more or less than 90-degree) such that the end of the clamp 206 is substantially perpendicular to the handle 204. Thus, when the clamps 206 engage the interproximal material 201 via the adhesive 202, the interproximal material 201 is oriented more or less perpendicular to the handle 204 to facilitate improved positioning of the interproximal material 201 between teeth (such as shown in FIGS. 7A-7C).Methods of using the Dental Device for Positioning an Interproximal Material 100.

[0042] Another aspect of the present invention encompasses a method for utilizing the dental device 100 for positioning an interproximal material. The method comprises: (a) inserting an interproximal material between each slot in the protrusions in the clamp vertically in an activated position where the clamps are separated by pressing and holding the button 130; (b) inserting the interproximal shimstock or marking paper between the activated clamps; (c) then releasing the button 130, which closes the clamps together; (d) then inserting the dental device 100 and the interproximal material into a patient’s mouth; (e) positioning the interproximal material between a filling or a dental crown prior to cementing and an adjacent tooth; (f) marking the contact area between the dental crown prior to cementing or the filling and an adjacent tooth; and (g) optionally adjusting an interproximal area of the dental crown prior to cementing or the filling to ensure a suitable fit.DEFINITIONS

[0043] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the meaning commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which this invention belongs.

[0044] This description will enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and it describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the invention. These and other embodiments, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art when taken90739460.9 10Atty. Docket No: 108683- (23-013) Via EFS-Web with reference to the following detailed description of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0045] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "some embodiments", "certain embodiments," "one or more embodiments," or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Thus, the appearances of phrases containing the term "embodiment(s)" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment of the invention. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0046] In the present disclosure, "%" refers to " weight % (wt. %)" or "mass %", unless otherwise stated.

[0047] As used herein, the phrase "consisting of excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim. When the phrase "consists of (or variations thereof) appears in a clause of the body of a claim, rather than immediately following the preamble, it limits only the element set forth in that clause; other elements are not excluded from the claim as a whole. As used herein, the phrase "consisting essentially of limits the scope of a claim to the specified elements or method steps, plus those that do not materially affect the basis and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter.

[0048] When introducing elements of the embodiments described herein, the articles "a", "an", "the" and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements.

[0049] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, apparatus, system, assembly, method that comprises a list of components or a series of steps that does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such apparatus, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements or steps in a system or device or process90739460.9 11Atty. Docket No: 108683- (23-013) Via EFS-Web proceeded by "comprises... a" or "comprising ....of does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements or additional steps in the system, device, or process as the case may be. Besides, the use of "comprising", "consisting" or "including" also contemplates embodiments that "consist essentially of or "consist of the recited formulation and steps of preparation of the formulation.

[0050] Concentrations, amounts, and other numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration, a numerical range of “about 2 to about 50” should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of 2 to 50, but also include all individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values such as 2, 2.4, 3, 3.7, 4, 5.5, 10, 10.1, 14, 15, 15.98, 20, 20.13, 23, 25.06, 30, 35.1, 38.0, 40, 44, 44.6, 45, 48, and sub-ranges such as from 1-3, from 2-4, from 5-10, from 5-20, from 5-25, from 5-30, from 5-35, from 5-40, from 5-50, from 2-10, from 2-20, from 2-30, from 2-40, from 2-50, etc. This same principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value as a minimum or a maximum. Furthermore, such an interpretation should apply regardless of the breadth of the range, or the characteristics being described.

[0051] As used herein, the term “about” is used to provide flexibility to a numerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be “a little above” or “a little below” the endpoint. For example, the endpoint may be within 10%, 8%, 5%, 3%, 2%, or 1 % of the listed value. Further, for the sake of convenience and brevity, a numerical range of “about 50 mg / mL to about 80 mg / mL” should also be understood to provide support for the range of “50 mg / mL to 80 mg / mL.” The endpoint may also be based on the variability allowed by an appropriate regulatory body, such as the FDA, USP, etc.90739460.9 12Atty. Docket No: 108683- (23-013) Via EFS-Web

[0052] In this disclosure, the terms “including,” “containing,” and / or “having” are understood to mean comprising and are open ended terms.

[0053] As various changes could be made in the above-described methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and in the examples given below, shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.90739460.9 13

Claims

Atty. Docket No: 108683- (23-013) Via EFS-Web CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A dental device for positioning an interproximal material comprising:(a) a moveable member having an anterior position and a posterior position; (b) a housing enclosing the moveable member for movement of the moveable member within the housing;(c) a button affixed to a posterior end of the moveable member;(d) a clamp affixed to an anterior end of the moveable member, the clamp having two protrusions that hold the interproximal material; and (e) an engagement mechanism located between the button and the housing.

2. The dental device of claim 1 , wherein the housing is non-linear.

3. The dental device of claim 2, wherein the engagement mechanism is positioned adjacent to the clamp.

4. The dental device of claim 1 , wherein the housing has a length from about 3 inches to about 7 inches.

5. The dental device of claim 1 , wherein the housing has a width from about 0.25 inches to about 0.75 inches.

6. The dental device of claim 1 , wherein the clamp has a width from about 0.25 inches to about 1.0 inches.

7. The dental device of claim 1 , wherein the clamp has a height from about 0.25 inches to about 1.0 inches.

8. The dental device of claim 1 , wherein each of the protrusions of the clamp are vertical and include a slot, and wherein one or more of the slots of one clamp may include one or more spikes and one or more of the slots of the opposing clamp may include one or more spike-receiving holes.

9. The dental device of claim 1 , wherein the protrusions have a length from about 0.25 inches to about 0.5 inches.

10. The dental device of claim 8, wherein the slot has a width from about 0.0003 inches to about 0.001 inches.90739460.9 14Atty. Docket No: 108683- (23-013) Via EFS-Web 11. The dental device of claim 8, wherein a distance between the slot of each of the protrusions is from about 0.5 inches to about 1.0 inches.

12. The dental device of claim 1, wherein each slot supports the interproximal material vertically.

13. The dental device of claim 1, wherein the engagement mechanism is compressed by pressing the button for compression from a normal configuration to a compressed configuration to move the moveable member and the clamp away from the housing into a deployed position.

14. The dental device of claim 13, wherein the moveable member and the clamp in the deployed position are separated from the housing by a distance from about 0.25 inches to about 0.5 inches.

15. The dental device of claim 1, wherein releasing the button decompresses the engagement mechanism from a compressed configuration to a normal configuration to move the moveable member and the clamp towards the housing from a deployed configuration to a stationary position, and wherein the clamp is positioned against the housing in the stationary position.

16. The dental device of claim 15, wherein the button is positioned a distance from about 0.25 inches to about 0.5 inches away from the moveable member in the stationary position.

17. The dental device of claim 1, wherein the interproximal material comprises a shimstock, a marking paper, or a combination thereof.

18. The dental device of claim 1, wherein the dental device comprises bisphenol A- glycidyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA), ethoxylated bisphenol A glycol dimethacrylate (Bis-EMA), triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA), stainless steel, a metal, or a paper.

19. The dental device of claim 1 , wherein the dental device is fabricated using a 3D printing device or other machining methods.

20. A method for utilizing a dental device for positioning interproximal material comprising:90739460.9 15Atty. Docket No: 108683- (23-013) Via EFS-Web (a) inserting an interproximal material between each slot of a plurality of clamps of the dental device, the interproximal material being inserted into each slot vertically into an activated position where the clamps are separated by pressing and holding a button;(b) positioning the interproximal material between the clamps in the activated position;(c) releasing the button to close the clamps;(d) inserting the dental device and the interproximal material into a patient’s mouth;(e) positioning the interproximal material between a filling or a dental crown prior to cementing and an adjacent tooth;(f) marking the contact area between the dental crown prior to cementing or the filling and an adjacent tooth; and(g) optionally adjusting an interproximal area of the dental crown prior to cementing or the filling to ensure a suitable fit.21.The method of claim 20, further comprising sterilizing the dental device of claim 1.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein a dental professional evaluates the contact area between the dental crown prior to cementing or the filling and the adjacent tooth by markings transferred to the dental crown or the filling from the interproximal material.

23. A dental device for positioning an interproximal material comprising:(a) a moveable member having an anterior position and a posterior position; (b) a housing enclosing the moveable member for movement of the moveable member within the housing;(c) a button affixed to a posterior end of the moveable member;(d) a clamp affixed to an anterior end of the moveable member, the clamp having two protrusions that hold the interproximal material; and (e) a pawl disposed within the housing, wherein the pawl can be translated from a first position to a second position.90739460.9 16Atty. Docket No: 108683- (23-013) Via EFS-Web24. The dental device of claim 23, wherein the pawl may be retained in at least one of the first position or the second position.

25. A dental device for positioning an interproximal material comprising:an elongated handle; andone or more clamp portion; wherein the clamp portion is configured to engage and hold the interproximal material; wherein the one or more clamp portion is oriented more or less perpendicular to the elongated handle.

26. The dental device of claim 25, wherein the one or more clamp portion further comprises an adhesive or a plurality of protrusions.

27. The dental device of claim 25 or 26, wherein the dental device comprises at least one of paper, cardstock, a thermoplastic, a polyurethane polymer, or plasticized monomers.

28. The dental device of claim 27 wherein the plasticized monomer comprises at least one or bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA), ethoxylated bisphenol A glycol dimethacrylate (Bis-EMA), triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), or urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA).90739460.9 17

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