Partial Dental Dam With Elastic Actuation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing rubber dam technology for shielding teeth during dental procedures is time-consuming, uncomfortable for patients, and has low acceptance due to the need for multiple elements and clamping devices, which are often painful and cumbersome to use.
Innovation Solution
A partial rubber dam with a tightening cloth made of elastic material and actuating elements that can be easily inserted into interdental spaces, providing a sealing contact without the need for additional clamping devices or instruments, allowing for quick and comfortable application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rubber dam is used to shield teeth, then complete drainage and prevention of liquid inflow is achieved, but the application becomes time-consuming and uncomfortable for the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the traditional complete rubber dam into a partial rubber dam that only covers the specific interdental space needed for treatment. This segmentation allows the dam to be applied more quickly and comfortably while still providing complete liquid prevention for the treated area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential function of the rubber dam (liquid prevention at the treatment site) and removes the unnecessary parts (complete oral cavity coverage). This extraction maintains reliability for the specific purpose while reducing application complexity and time.
2Reliability
If a rubber dam is used to shield teeth, then complete drainage is achieved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple elements and clamping devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rubber dam material and the clamping function into a single integrated partial rubber dam structure. The actuating elements are directly formed as part of the rubber dam itself, eliminating the need for separate clamps and multiple components, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining liquid prevention reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The partial rubber dam serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides liquid prevention, acts as its own clamping mechanism through integrated actuating elements, and requires no additional instruments for application. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of elements needed in the system.
3Reliability
If a rubber dam is used to shield teeth, then liquid inflow is prevented, but patient comfort decreases due to pain and discomfort during application
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the rubber dam to cover only the specific interdental space rather than the entire oral cavity, the partial rubber dam reduces the amount of material contacting the patient's tissues, thereby improving comfort while maintaining liquid prevention at the treatment site.
Solution Approach 2:
The partial rubber dam is designed to be self-applied without requiring additional clamping devices or complex instrumentation. The integrated actuating elements allow the dam to secure itself automatically, simplifying the application process and reducing patient discomfort associated with multiple manipulation steps.
4Reliability
If additional clamping devices are used to secure the rubber dam, then the rubber dam is firmly fixed, but the ease of operation decreases and more instruments are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the clamping function into the rubber dam structure itself through integrated actuating elements. This eliminates the need for separate clamping devices and simplifies handling, as the dam secures itself automatically upon placement without requiring additional instruments or complex fixation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The partial rubber dam with integrated actuating elements is designed to self-secure in the interdental space without external assistance. The actuating elements automatically engage with the teeth to hold the dam in place, providing reliable fixation while maintaining ease of operation and eliminating the need for additional clamping instruments.
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 partial rubber dam effectively prevents the inflow of saliva or other liquids into the treated tooth area, reducing the complexity of dental procedures and improving patient comfort by eliminating the need for multiple elements and instruments, thus enhancing handling and acceptance in dental practice.
Implementation Method 1
By pulling the actuating elements apart, the tensioning cloth is elastically deformed in such a way that, depending on the shape of the tensioning cloth, it can be easily inserted from the occlusal side into one or more interdental spaces. The elastic deformation results in a reduction in the cross section of the tensioning cloth
Implementation Method 2
After the stretch cloth has been inserted into the interdental space, the tension can be released, whereby the stretch cloth returns to its original shape. The tightening cloth is applied tightly or sealingly to the teeth forming the at least one interdental space and to the interdental gingiva
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2g
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for shielding teeth to be treated in order to prevent an inflow of liquid, such as saliva or blood for example, and to a use of the device according to the invention. The invention relates to a partial dental dam (1) for protecting teeth to be treated, comprising a tensioning cloth (2) made of an elastic material and two actuation elements (3) arranged on opposing ends of the tensioning cloth (2). The tensioning cloth (2) is designed to be introduced into at least one intermediate tooth space (11) from the occlusal side in a first tensioned state, which can be achieved by pulling apart the actuation elements (3) in a tensioning direction (90), and to sealingly rest against the interdental gingiva and the approximal surfaces of the teeth (10) forming the at least one intermediate tooth space (11) in a second state after being introduced into the at least one intermediate tooth space (11). Each actuation element (3) rests against at least one tooth (10) and/or against the surrounding gingiva in the second state. The invention further relates to the use of the partial dental dam according to the invention. The tensioning cloth (2) is elongated by pulling the actuation elements (3) in the tensioning direction (90); the tensioning cloth (2) is introduced into at least one intermediate tooth space (11) from the occlusal side in the elongated state; and the tensioning cloth (2) is brought to rest against the interdental gingiva and the approximal surfaces of the teeth (10) forming the at least one intermediate tooth space (11) by releasing the tensioning force. Each of the actuation elements (3) rests against at least one tooth (10) and/or against the surrounding gingiva.