There are disclosed methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth, and dental matrices, dental wedges, interdental matrix stabilizers, dental separator rings, dental curing light devices, and kits that can be used in the methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth.

There are disclosed methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth, and dental matrices, dental wedges, interdental matrix stabilizers, dental separator rings, dental curing light devices, and kits that can be used in the methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth.

A disposable, self-inflatable, matrix (tooth dam) used to form a temporary, removeable side wall for the placement of a tooth filling material. It has an array of three concavities (distal, central and proximal) formed in a polymer wrap that has a planar substrate sheet affixed across the front face of the wrap. The distal air chamber has a volume that equals or exceeds the combined volume of the central and proximal air chambers. Directly below the distal concavity on the inner face of the planar substrate is an adhesive region. When the distal air chamber is depressed, the air within inflates the other air chambers and it is retained in its compressed state by the adhesive region. The remaining air chambers press against one tooth and exert enough force to elastically secure the planar panel around the adjacent tooth. It prevents the tooth filling material from leaving the prepared tooth and entering the space between.

Dental matrix bands with novel surface structures and use thereof in dental procedures are described herein. The band features a three-dimensional surface structure that is contoured to an outer portion of a torus to allow the band to securely fit around a tooth. The band comprises: an outer surface of the band; an upper and lower edge of the band; a proximal and distal end of the band; and a flattened region disposed along the band. The outer surface of the band forms a first convex curve between the upper edge and the lower edge of the band and a second convex curve between the proximal and the distal end of the band. The flattened region can extend between the upper edge and the lower edge of the band and between the proximal and distal ends of the band.

A wedge system for use in a dental restoration procedure for a posterior tooth. The wedge system includes a first wedge including a body portion adapted to be disposed in an approximal space, a first arm extending from the body, a second arm extending from the body portion, a gap formed between the first arm and the second arm, a first rib arranged on an inner surface of the first arm, and a second rib arranged on an inner surface of the second arm, wherein each of the first and second ribs is adapted to engage tissue defining the approximal space. In some cases, the wedge system may also include a second wedge including a body portion, at least a portion of which can be disposed in the gap of the first wedge to removably secure the second wedge to the first wedge.

A wedge system for use in a dental restoration procedure for a posterior tooth. The wedge system includes a first wedge including a body portion adapted to be disposed in an approximal space, a first arm extending from the body, a second arm extending from the body portion, a gap formed between the first arm and the second arm, a first rib arranged on an inner surface of the first arm, and a second rib arranged on an inner surface of the second arm, wherein each of the first and second ribs is adapted to engage tissue defining the approximal space. In some cases, the wedge system may also include a second wedge including a body portion, at least a portion of which can be disposed in the gap of the first wedge to removably secure the second wedge to the first wedge.

There are disclosed methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth, and dental matrices, dental wedges, interdental matrix stabilizers, dental separator rings, dental curing light devices, and kits that can be used in the methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth.

There are disclosed methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth, and dental matrices, dental wedges, interdental matrix stabilizers, dental separator rings, dental curing light devices, and kits that can be used in the methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of a tooth.

A wedge for use in a dental restoration procedure for an anterior tooth. The wedge includes a handle portion, a body portion coupled to and extending outward from the handle portion, and a matrix band coupled to the body portion. The body portion is adapted to be disposed in an approximal space between the anterior tooth and a tooth adjacent the anterior tooth. The matrix band is adapted to contact the anterior tooth when the body portion is disposed in the approximal space.

A wedge for use in a dental restoration procedure for an anterior tooth. The wedge includes a handle portion, a body portion coupled to and extending outward from the handle portion, and a matrix band coupled to the body portion. The body portion is adapted to be disposed in an approximal space between the anterior tooth and a tooth adjacent the anterior tooth. The matrix band is adapted to contact the anterior tooth when the body portion is disposed in the approximal space.