Dental Separator Ring With Hinged Engagers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental separator rings are inadequate for effectively separating teeth and applying adaptation pressure during the restoration of interproximal cavities, often resulting in flat spots, uneven pressure distribution, and failure to fully expand the dental matrix, leading to unhygienic margins and increased risk of fracture.
Innovation Solution
A dental separator ring with an elastic body and four independently hinged surface engagers, featuring notches or material weaknesses, allows for adaptable engagement with various tooth shapes and alignments, providing controlled pressure and preventing overhangs by allowing the matrix to arc fully and create a continuous seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a traditional wedge-shaped separator is used, then it can separate teeth, but it creates flat spots on the tooth surface when more tooth structure is missing
Solution Approach 1:
The separator ring is divided into multiple discrete contact points (protrusions) rather than a continuous wedge surface. These protrusions are strategically positioned to contact specific areas of the tooth (marginal ridge, occlusal surface) without creating flat spots on the tooth structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator ring employs a curved, arcuate design that conforms to the natural curvature of the tooth. The rounded protrusions and arcuate body allow the separator to engage the tooth surface without creating flat contact areas, maintaining the tooth's original contour.
2Force
If pressure is focused in the middle between occlusal and gingival, then the separator can apply force, but it encroaches on the interproximal area and prevents the dental matrix from expanding fully
Solution Approach 1:
The separator ring distributes pressure through multiple discrete protrusions positioned at different locations (marginal ridge, occlusal surface, interproximal area) rather than concentrating force in the middle. This segmented pressure application allows the dental matrix to expand fully buccal to lingual without encroachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator ring transitions from a single-point or linear pressure application to a multi-dimensional pressure distribution system. The arcuate body with multiple protrusions applies force across different planes and surfaces of the tooth, enabling full matrix expansion while maintaining stable engagement.
3Force
If the separator ring uses a rigid structure, then it can apply consistent pressure, but it cannot adapt to various tooth shapes and alignments
Solution Approach 1:
The separator ring incorporates elastic material that allows dynamic adaptation to different tooth configurations. The elastic body can deform to conform to various tooth shapes and alignments while maintaining consistent pressure application through its resilient properties, eliminating the need for multiple rigid separator sizes.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the dental matrix is prevented from arcing out fully, then the separator provides stability, but the marginal ridge/contact area becomes unhygienic and prone to fracture
Solution Approach 1:
The separator ring uses distributed protrusions to apply pressure at multiple strategic points rather than constraining the matrix in the middle. This allows the dental matrix to arc out fully and create solid contact with the marginal ridge, producing hygienic, fracture-resistant restorations while maintaining overall stability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The improved dental separator ring effectively separates teeth and applies adaptation pressure, preventing overhangs and ensuring proper bonding of composite materials, even in challenging areas like the gingival corners, while being adaptable to different tooth configurations and reducing the risk of fracture.
Implementation Method 1
The separator ring has an elastic body that terminates in four independently hinged surface engagers. The surface engagers are dimensioned to separate teeth and/or create adaptation pressure on an interproximal dental matrix stabilizer and/or a dental matrix.
Data Source
AI summary
A dental separator ring includes an elastic body having a first end and an opposed second end spaced from the first end. The body has three axes defined by a front to rear reference line of the body, a side to side reference line of the body, and a top to bottom reference line of the body. A first surface engager is connected to the first end of the body by a first connector, and a second surface engager is connected to the second end of the body by a second connector. The first connector allows motion of the first surface engager in all three axes, and the second connector allows motion of the second surface engager in all three axes. A third surface engager and a fourth surface engager that allow motion in all three axes may also be included in the separator ring.