Dental wedge

Abstract

Disclosed is a dental wedge and system comprising a dental wedge and a tool. The dental wedge includes a spherical gripping portion at an end, which provides surfaces extending generally transverse relative to a longitudinal axis of the dental wedge. A tool is configured to engaged with the spherical gripping portion so that a user may manipulate the tool in order to manipulate the dental wedge.

Claims

1. A dental wedge having a longitudinal axis extending between first and second ends of the dental wedge, the dental wedge including: a longitudinally extending base extending from the first end towards the second end, wherein the base tapers towards the first end; and a gripping portion attached to the second end and providing a spherical surface extending generally transverse relative to said longitudinal axis and facing toward and away from said first end, and wherein the spherical surface of the gripping portion is configured so that the dental wedge is positionable relative to a tool engaging the gripping portion with a spherical socket both rotationally around the longitudinal axis and angularly relative to two orthogonal planes parallel to the longitudinal axis.

2. The dental wedge of claim 1, wherein the gripping portion is attached to the base by a stem.

3. A system, including comprising: a dental wedge, having a longitudinal axis extending between a first end and a second end of the dental wedge, comprising: a longitudinally extending base extending from the first end towards the second end, wherein the base tapers towards the first end; and a gripping portion attached to the second end and providing a spherical surface extending generally transverse relative to said longitudinal axis and facing toward and away from said first end; and a tool engaged with the dental wedge, and configured to manipulate the dental wedge, the tool including an end portion having an end extremity, the end extremity including a spherical socket engaged with the spherical surface of the gripping portion so that a user may orient the dental wedge relative to the tool in three orthogonal angular directions and manipulate the tool in order to manipulate the dental wedge.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the spherical socket includes a first socket portion and a second socket portion, the first and second socket portions are movable relative to each other and are movable into a clamping engagement with the gripping portion.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the gripping portion includes first engagement surfaces, and the first and second socket portions each include second engagement surfaces, and wherein the first engagement surfaces of the gripping portion and the second engagement surfaces of the first and second socket portions are engageable to attach the socket to the gripping portion when the gripping portion is clamped between the first and second socket portions.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the tool further includes a pair of longitudinally extending arms, wherein the pair of longitudinally extending arms each terminate with a respective one of the first and second socket portions, and wherein the pair of longitudinally extending arms are movable relative to each other to bring the socket portions into the clamping engagement with the gripping portion.

7. A system including: a dental wedge having a longitudinal axis extending between a first end and a second end of the dental wedge comprising; a longitudinally extending base extending from the first end towards the second end, wherein the base tapers towards the first end; and a gripping portion attached to the second end and providing a spherical surface extending generally transverse relative to said axis and facing toward and away from said first end, wherein the gripping portion is attached to the base by a stem; and a tool engaged with the dental wedge, and configured to manipulate the dental wedge, the tool including an end portion having an end extremity, the end extremity including a spherical socket engaged with the gripping portion so that a user may orient the dental wedge relative to the tool in three orthogonal angular directions and manipulate the tool in order to manipulate the wedge.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the socket includes a first socket portion and a second socket portion, the first and second socket portions are movable relative to each other and are movable into a clamping engagement with the gripping portion.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the gripping portion includes first engagement surfaces, and the first and second socket portions each include second engagement surfaces, and wherein the first engagement surfaces of the gripping portion and the second engagement surfaces of the first and second socket portions are engageable to attach the socket to the gripping portion when the gripping portion is clamped between the first and second socket portions.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the tool further includes a pair of longitudinally extending arms, wherein the pair of longitudinally extending arms each terminate with a respective one of the first and second socket portions, and wherein the pair of longitudinally extending arms are movable relative to each other to bring the socket portions into the clamping engagement with the gripping portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic isometric view of a dental wedge;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic side elevation of a dental wedge of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic isometric view of the wedge of FIGS. 1 and 2 and a tool to engage the wedge;

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic isometric view of the tool of FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic isometric view of a modification of the dental wedge of FIG. 1;

(7) FIG. 6 is a schematic isometric view of a further modification of the dental wedge of FIG. 1;

(8) FIG. 7 is a schematic isometric view of a modification of the dental wedge of FIG. 1;

(9) FIG. 8 is a schematic isometric view of a modification of the dental wedge of FIG. 7;

(10) FIG. 9 is a series of side elevations and front elevations of dental wedges that are a modification of the dental wedge of FIG. 1;

(11) FIG. 10 is a series of schematic isometric views of modifications of the dental wedge of FIG. 1;

(12) FIG. 11 is a schematic side elevation of one of the dental wedges of FIG. 10;

(13) FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view of a further dental wedge;

(14) FIG. 13 is a schematic side elevation of the dental wedge of FIG. 12;

(15) FIG. 14 is a schematic further plan view of the wedge of FIG. 12;

(16) FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view of a base of the dental wedge of FIG. 12;

(17) FIG. 16 is a schematic end elevation of the dental wedge as illustrated in FIG. 3 sectioned along the line 16-16;

(18) FIG. 17 is a schematic end elevation of the dental wedge of FIG. 13 sectioned along the line 17-17;

(19) FIG. 18 is a schematic end elevation of the dental wedge of FIG. 13 sectioned along the line 18-18;

(20) FIG. 19 is a schematic plan view of a further dental wedge;

(21) FIG. 20 is a schematic side elevation of the dental wedge of FIG. 19;

(22) FIG. 21 is a schematic further plan view of the dental wedge of FIG. 19;

(23) FIG. 22 is a schematic end elevation of the dental wedge of FIG. 19;

(24) FIG. 23 is a schematic enlarged isometric view of the dental wedge of FIGS. 7 and 8;

(25) FIG. 24 is a schematic isometric view of a set of dental wedges, the set including wedges of previous Figures;

(26) FIG. 25 is a schematic plan view of the set of wedges of FIG. 24; and

(27) FIG. 26 is a schematic isometric view of a further dental wedge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(28) In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a dental wedge 10. The wedge 10 includes a wedge body 11 and a gripping portion 12. The wedge 10 also has a longitudinal axis 13. The wedge 10 is longitudinally elongated.

(29) The body 11 extends from a first end 14 to a second end 15, with the gripping portion 12 attached to the first end 15.

(30) The body 11 is constructed of at least two longitudinally extending layers. In this embodiment there are three layers, a first longitudinally extending layer 16, a second longitudinally extending layer 17 and a third longitudinally extending layer 18. The layer 17 is located between the layers 16 and 18.

(31) The body 11 has a pair of longitudinally extending side surfaces 19 that converge toward the second end 15.

(32) (In a first embodiment, the layers 16 and 18 are formed of a softer material than the layer 17. Accordingly the layers 16 and 18 have modulus of elasticity less than the layers 17. Accordingly the layers 16 and 18 resiliently deform easier than the layer 17. That is, the layers 16 and 18 are more easily resiliently deformed relative to the layer 17. Preferably the layer 17 would be stiff. In an alternative embodiment,) The layers 16 and 18 are formed of a harder material than the material forming the layer 17. That is, the layers 16 and 18 would have a modulus of elasticity higher than the layer 17. Preferably the end portion 15 is formed of the harder material. Accordingly the end portion 15 would have a modulus of elasticity higher than the material forming the layer 17.

(33) Preferably, materials forming the layers 16, 17 and 18 are plastics material, but may also be wood or metal in various combinations.

(34) Preferably, the axis 13 is curved.

(35) Preferably, the body 11 has longitudinally extending edge surfaces 20 that converge toward the second end 15.

(36) Preferably, the gripping portion 12 is bulbous, and more preferably substantially spherical. Preferably, the gripping portion 12 is attached to the first end 14 by means of a stem 21.

(37) Preferably, the body 11 is of an arcuate configuration when viewed in side elevation.

(38) Preferably, the wedge 10 would be provided in various sizes, for example the sides 19 may be inclined by 6, 7 or 8, and the thickness of the layers of 16 and 18 may be in the range of 1-2 mm with an ideal size of 1.6 mm for general use and 1.2 for deep cavities requiring low profile wedges.

(39) The gripping portion 12 is preferably spherical so that it may be engaged by a tool manipulated by the practitioner. The tool would enable gripping of the wedge 10 at an angle that suits the practitioner who can then move the wedge angularly and rotationally as well as longitudinally.

(40) Preferably, the gripping portion 12 would be provided with numbers or other information providing the practitioner with an indication of the size and configuration of the wedge selected.

(41) In FIGS. 3 and 4, there is schematically depicted a tool 30 that would be engaged by a user for the purpose of gripping and manipulating the wedge 10.

(42) The tool 30 includes a pair of generally parallel coextensive arms 31 and 32 that would be typically resiliently urged apart. The arms 31 and 32 terminate with an end portion 33 providing a socket within which the gripping portion 12 is received so as to be clamped to the tool 30 so that a user of the tool 30 may manipulate and stabilize the wedge 10, that is apply or resist axial and angular forces to the wedge 10, including applying a stabilising or active torque to the wedge 10 to cause it to enter the interproximal tooth space at the desired bucco-lingual, occluso-gingival and rotational orientation that suit the operators hand access angle, and that best relate the wedge shape and orientation to the interproximal gap shape and the desired emergence profile that is being built in the tooth restoration.

(43) The end portion 33 includes a first socket portion 34 and a second socket portion 35 which have internal arcuate surfaces 36 and 37 that generally match the configuration of the gripping portion 12. That is the surfaces 36 and 37 would be portions of a sphere.

(44) The surfaces 36 and 37 are each provided with a projection 38 that engages a gripping portion 12 and preferably elastically or plastically deforms the gripping portion 12 to securely connect the tool 30 and the gripping portion 12 so that the dentist may manipulate the dental wedge. Typically a user would grip the arms 31 and 32 and urge them angularly together to bring the surfaces 36 and 37 into engagement with the gripping portion 12, and the projections 38 into firm engagement with the gripping portion 12 with the tool 30 inclined to the longitudinal axis of the dental wedge at a desired angle. By releasing the arms 31 and 32, the socket portions 34 and 35 move apart to release the gripping portion 12.

(45) In FIG. 5 there is schematically depicted a dental wedge 50. The dental wedge 50 includes a wedge body 51 and a gripping portion 52. It also has a longitudinal axis 53. The body 51 extends from an end 54 to an end 55, with the gripping portion 52 attached to the end 55. In this embodiment, the wedge body 51 includes a base 56 and a cover portion 57. The wedge 50 is longitudinally elongated.

(46) Preferably the base 56 is formed of a harder material in the cover portion 51. Again preferably the base 56 and cover portion 57 are formed of plastics material. The base 56 provides a first layer and a cover portion 57 a second layer.

(47) It may also be preferable to have the end 55 less resilient (harder) than the remainder of the base 56.

(48) In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the dental wedge 50 the cover portion 57 includes a number of spaced portions 58.

(49) In FIGS. 7 and 8, there is schematically depicted a dental wedge 60. Each dental wedge 60 includes a wedge body 61 and a gripping portion 62. The wedge 60 is longitudinally elongated.

(50) The body 61 includes a base 63 with a lateral projection 64. The base 63 is moulded so as to provide a longitudinally extending hollow or recess having a floor surface 66. Preferably the base 63 provides a plurality of projections 67 that project into the recess 65 so that a soft material (such as natural or synthetic rubber) inserted in the recess 65 will be securely held in position by the projection 67.

(51) In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the projection 64 extends laterally relative to the longitudinal axis 68 in one direction, while in the embodiment of FIG. 8 the projection 64 extends laterally in the opposite direction.

(52) In FIGS. 10 to 16, there is schematically depicted a dental wedge 70. The dental wedge 70 includes a wedge body 71 and a gripping portion 72. The body 71 includes a base 73 to which there is applied a cover 74. Preferably, the base 73 is formed of a less resilient material than the cover 74. The wedge 70 has a longitudinal axis 75. The wedge 70 is longitudinally elongated.

(53) The base 73 is integrally formed with the gripping portion 27 and terminates at an end extremity 76.

(54) As best seen in FIGS. 14, 15 and 16, the base 73 forms a central layer, with the cover portion 74 on either side of the base 73.

(55) In FIGS. 17 to 23, there is schematically depicted a dental wedge 80. In this embodiment, the dental wedge 80 has a wedge body 81 and a gripping portion 82. The body 81 includes a central longitudinally extending base 83 integrally formed with the gripping portion 82 and terminating at an end extremity 84. Longitudinally located on either side of the base 33 is a cover portion 85 that is formed of softer material than the base 83.

(56) In FIGS. 24 and 25 there is schematically depicted a set of wedges 90. The set 90 would be moulded as a single unit so that a dentist may select from the set 90 a desired one of the dental wedges. The set 90 includes some of the previously described dental wedges, however there are additional wedges 91, 92, 93 and 94. Each of the wedges 91 to 94 is longitudinally elongated.

(57) The wedges 92, 93 and 94 include a longitudinally extending base 95 that tapers from the gripping portion 12 to an end portion 96.

(58) Preferably, the end portions 96 taper to a point.

(59) The dental wedge 91 includes a longitudinally extending base 97 with transversely outwardly projecting barbs 98 and a tapered end portion 99.

(60) In FIG. 26 there is schematically depicted a further dental wedge 100. The dental wedge 100 has a base 101 having a longitudinal axis 102. The base 101 extends longitudinally relative to the axis 102 and extends from a first end 103 to a second end 104. The base 101 tapers toward the first end 103 from the second end 104 so as to be of a wedge configuration. The base 101 has longitudinally extending side surfaces 105 that converge toward the leading edge 106. Preferably, the surfaces 105 are flat and planar. The surfaces 105 are inclined by an acute angle. Preferably, the surfaces 105 are joined by longitudinally extending surfaces 107 that also converge toward the leading edge 106. The wedge 100 is longitudinally elongated.

(61) The base 101 has secured to its second end 104 a gripping portion 108 that is preferably spherical and joined to the second end 104 by a bridge 109. The gripping portion 108 provides a surface 110 that extends generally transverse relative to the axis 102 and faces the first end 104. The gripping portion 108 also provides a surface 111 that extends generally transverse of the axis 102 and faces away from the first end 106. The surfaces 110 and 111 enable the dentist to apply a force in either direction generally parallel to the axis 102. As the gripping portion 108 is spherical, the tool 30 can engage the gripping portion 108 at a desired inclination relative to the axis 102.

(62) The above described dental wedges may be specifically designed to be inserted into the valley between adjacent teeth and therefore preferably has a transverse width of between 1.2 mm and 1.6 mm. Accordingly the end portion 99 would have a modulus of elasticity considerably higher than the material forming the base 97.