Segmented Dental Separator with Flexible Hands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental separator rings fail to effectively separate teeth and apply adaptation pressure for interproximal cavities, leading to issues like flat spots, reduced separation, and unhygienic marginal ridges, especially in cases with tough contacts or diastema, and are prone to fracture due to inadequate volume and protection.
Innovation Solution
A dental separator device with eight independent hands, featuring notches or material weaknesses, allows for flexible adaptation to various tooth shapes and alignments, providing effective separation and adaptation pressure on interproximal dental matrices and stabilizers, and includes arcuate spring sections for improved flexibility and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional dental separator ring is used to separate teeth and apply pressure, then the device can maintain a simple structure, but it fails to effectively separate teeth and create adequate adaptation pressure, leading to flat spots and reduced separation
Solution Approach 1:
The separator ring is divided into eight independent hands instead of a single continuous structure. Each hand can independently adapt to and apply pressure on specific tooth surfaces, enabling effective separation and creation of adaptation pressure while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator ring incorporates flexible elements that allow the hands to dynamically adapt to various tooth shapes and alignments. The flexible nature enables the hands to flex and conform to the specific contours of teeth, providing effective separation and pressure application without requiring a complex rigid structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the separator ring uses a rigid structure to maintain stability, then structural integrity is improved, but the device cannot adapt to various tooth shapes and alignments, reducing its effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The separator ring uses flexible elements that can dynamically adapt to different tooth shapes and alignments while maintaining sufficient structural integrity. The flexibility allows the hands to conform to various contours, and the overall ring structure maintains stability during the separation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator ring incorporates flexible materials that form a resilient structure capable of adapting to various tooth geometries. The flexible hands can flex and conform to the specific contours of teeth, providing effective adaptation while the ring structure maintains adequate strength and stability.
3Reliability
If the separator ring focuses pressure in the middle between occlusal and gingival, then the structure remains simple, but it does not allow the dental matrix to expand fully from buccal to lingual, creating unhygienic marginal ridges
Solution Approach 1:
The separator ring is segmented into eight independent hands that can be positioned and apply pressure at different locations around the tooth. This segmentation allows the hands to expand the dental matrix fully from buccal to lingual while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, preventing unhygienic marginal ridges through comprehensive pressure distribution.
4Reliability
If the separator ring uses a pointed and arcing area to engage teeth, then the device can be manufactured simply, but it encroaches on the interproximal area and prevents the dental matrix from reaching out to create solid contact on tough contacts
Solution Approach 1:
The separator ring is divided into eight independent hands that can be individually shaped and positioned. This segmentation allows each hand to be optimized for engaging teeth and expanding the matrix without interfering with the interproximal area, while the overall manufacturing process remains relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
Each hand of the separator ring can be locally shaped and positioned to specifically engage the tooth surfaces where needed. This local quality approach allows the hands to expand the matrix effectively while avoiding encroachment on the interproximal area, creating solid contact on tough contacts without requiring complex overall geometry.
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 device ensures proper separation and adaptation pressure, preventing overhangs and ensuring a strong seal, reducing the risk of fracture and improving the hygiene and stability of dental restorations by accommodating diverse tooth shapes and alignments.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic body having a first end and an opposed second end spaced from the first end
Data Source
AI summary
A dental separator device includes an elastic body having a first end and a second end. A first surface engager is connected to the first end of the body. The first surface engager includes a first distal section and a first mesial section and a notch between the first distal section and the first mesial section. The first distal section and the first mesial section each include a pair of spaced apart hands. A second surface engager is connected to the second end of the body. The second surface engager includes a second distal section and a second mesial section, and a notch between the second distal section and the second mesial section. The second distal section and the second mesial section each include a pair of spaced apart hands. The hands are for engaging teeth and/or for creating adaptation pressure on a dental matrix stabilizer and/or dental matrix.