DENTAL DAM ASSEMBLY

A dental dam assembly including a rubber dam, a frame, an elongate holding member, and a base mount. The rubber dam is held stretched flat by the frame in its proper arrangement within the patient's mouth, the elongate holding member is placed against the rubber dam adjacent the tooth receiving the dental treatment to hold the rubber dam tight in the area surrounding the tooth, and the base mount secures the frame and the holding member in place while enabling spatial adjustment thereof.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to dental devices, including dental dams.

BACKGROUND

In general, a traditional dental dam is a square sheet of rubber (e.g., latex or nitrile) about six inches wide that is used to isolate one or more teeth during dental procedures. One or more small holes are punched through the sheet of rubber and the tooth receiving the dental treatment is pushed through the hole(s). A frame holds the rubber sheet generally flat and in the proper position within the patient's mouth. A metal tooth clamp is clamped around the tooth to anchor the rubber sheet around the tooth to generally seal and secure the rubber sheet in place. The purpose of the dental dam is to prevent saliva from interfering with the dental work, to prevent contamination of the operative site, to keep the materials dry, and to prevent injury to the patient's mouth.

The metal tooth clamp includes an open ring-shaped member with sharp concave side edges (e.g., jaws) that are expanded using forceps and then released about the outer sides of the tooth. The clamps typically comprise stainless steel, but other materials may be used.

However, because the clamps comprise sharp steel edges that must be expanded and placed over the tooth manually, there is a danger of the clamps slipping and cutting the rubber sheet, or worse yet, causing injury to the patient's mouth.

Accordingly, there is a need for a dental dam assembly that eliminates the need for tooth clamp component. The presently disclosed assembly addresses these needs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In general, and according to exemplary embodiments hereof, a dental dam assembly is provided.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS.1-2, the dental dam assembly10(also referred to herein as simply the system10) includes a rubber dam100, a frame200, a holding member300, and a base mount400.FIG.1shows the assembly10implemented with a typodont teeth model, andFIG.2shows an exploded view of the assembly10. In general, the rubber dam100is held stretched flat by the frame200in its proper arrangement within the patient's mouth, a portion of the holding member300is placed against the rubber dam100adjacent the tooth T receiving the dental treatment to hold the rubber dam200tight in the area surrounding the tooth T, and the base mount400secures the frame100and the holding member300in place while enabling three-dimensional spatial adjustment thereof. The dental dam assembly10also may include other elements and/or components as necessary to perform its functionalities.

As described above, traditional dental dam assemblies utilize a metal tooth clamp to anchor and seal the rubber dam around the tooth receiving the dental procedure. The metal tooth clamp includes sharp jaws that must be spread open manually and placed around the tooth, creating the potential of causing damage to the rubber dam, or worse yet, causing injury to the patient's mouth. With the dental dam assembly10of the current invention, the metal tooth clamp is essentially eliminated and replaced with the holding member300.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.2, the dental dam100includes a thin sheet of flexible rubber (e.g., latex or nitrile), typically cut square (e.g., 6″×6″). Being flexible, the dental dam100is configurable with the patient's mouth and teeth as shown inFIG.1. Small holes may be punched through the dental dam100to receive each tooth that requires exposure for the dental procedure. Each tooth is pushed through an individual hole so that the dam100encircles each tooth individually thereby sealing the dam100around the teeth. Teeth that do not require exposure may be left beneath the dam100.

In some embodiments, the dental dam100is held spread open and in its desired position within the patient's mouth by the frame200. The frame generally includes a U-shaped member202(e.g., a U-shaped rod) with outwardly extending gripping members204. The gripping members204may include small spikes, nubs, or other suitable gripping members204. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the U-shaped member202is hexagonal as shown by the cut-lines A-A ofFIG.2. Other cross-sectional shapes such as circular, oval, square, rectangular, etc. also are contemplated.

In use, the dental dam100is engaged with the teeth T as described above, and then stretched across the frame200and pulled tight. The outer portions of the dam100are then engaged with the frame's gripping members204such that the dam100is held in its proper stretched position across the frame200. The frame200then rests against the patient's cheeks and chin area.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.3A, the holding member300includes an elongate member302with a first end304, a second end306, and a member body308extending therebetween. The elongate member302may comprise a rod, a shaft, a pole, a beam, a wire, any other suitable type of elongate member, and any combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.3A, the elongate member302includes a bend between its first end304and its second end306. In some embodiments, the bend is located closer to the member's second end306compared to its first end304. In some embodiments, the bend deflects the member302at an angle θ with respect to the member's longitudinal axis M. This angle enables the member302to be positioned within the patient's mouth as required during use. For example, as shown inFIG.1, the elongate member302may be positioned to enter the patient's mouth at a generally direct angle into the mouth, and then to curve to a generally lateral (sideways or horizontal) position at its second end306to provide generally downward pressure to the rubber dam100at the point of contact. In this way, the holding member300helps to hold the dental dam in place during the dental procedure.

In some embodiments, the member302comprises a malleable material with sufficient memory, e.g., a rubber coated wire, such that the user may adjust the bend and the bend may hold its form during the dental procedure. That is, the forces involved with the dental procedure may preferably be less than the force necessary to reshape the bend. For example, the user may adjust the radius and location of the bend along the length of the member302depending on the age and/or size of the patient's jaw, which specific tooth is involved in the procedure, the type of procedure, etc. It is preferable that the member302, once bent by the user, maintain its form during the dental procedure. In some embodiments, the member302may comprise a material, e.g., rubber, metal wire, rubber coated wire, plastic, etc., that may soften when heated such that the user may adjust the bend under heat. Then, the bend may harden when returned to room temperature for use in the procedure.

In other embodiments, the bend may be preset and may not be adjustable.

In some embodiments, the angle θ with respect to the member's longitudinal axis M is about 5°-85°, and preferably about 15°-75°, and more preferably about 25°-65°, and more preferably about 40°.

In some embodiments, the elongate member302includes one or more suctioning holes305in its distal end306with the suctioning holes305in fluid communication with a vacuum pump (or similar). For example, the member302may be hollow and its proximal end304may be attachable to a suctioning device (e.g., a pump via a hose) to provide suction through the member302and the holes305. In this way, the member202may provide suctioning to clear saliva, blood, etc. from the area of the procedure while in use. This functionality may be in addition to the holding functionality of the member302as described in other sections.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.3B, the holding member300includes an end member310configured with its second end306. In some embodiments, the end member310includes a first end312, a second end314, and an end member body316extending therebetween. In some embodiments, the member's first end312includes an input port (e.g., a hole) into which the second end306of the elongate member302may be inserted and secured (e.g., via pressure fit, mating threads, using adhesive, etc.). In this way, the end member316may be removable and/or interchangeable with other end members316(e.g., of different sizes or shapes depending on the patient). In other embodiments, the end member310may be fixedly attached to the holding member's second end306.

Being attached to the second end306of the elongate member302, the end member310may provide a point of contact between the elongate member302and the rubber dam100and the patient's teeth T to hold the rubber dam100in place.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.3B, the end member body316includes one or more convex curvatures318and/or one or more concave curvatures320on at least one of its outer surfaces that may be placed against the dental dam100and/or the patient's tooth T. For example, as shown inFIG.3B, the member316may include a first convex curvature318followed by a first concave curvature320followed by a second convex curvature319. The member316may include the curvatures318,320,319on a single side e.g., on its lower side, and/or on multiple sides, e.g., on the top and bottom sides as shown inFIG.3B. It also is contemplated that the member body316include curvatures318,320,319on intermediate surfaces between its upper and lower surfaces (e.g., on its side surfaces).

The purpose of the convex curvatures318and/or concave curvatures320may be to provide form fitted surfaces at the point of contact between the end member310and the rubber dam100and the patient's teeth T. For example, in some embodiments, the elongate member302and the end member310may be positioned such that a concave curvature320of the end member310engages an upper surface of the point of contact within the patient's mouth (e.g., an upper surface of an exposed tooth T and/or an upper surface of a tooth underneath the dental dam100adjacent the tooth having the procedure) and the left and right side convex curvatures318engage the point of contact on either sides (e.g., on either side of an exposed tooth T and/or on either side of a tooth underneath the dental dam100adjacent the tooth having the procedure). In this way, the end member310may apply direct pressure to the point of contact to hold the dental dam100tight, sealed, and in the proper downward position for the dental procedure.

FIG.3Cshows the holding member's end member310engaged with an area of the dental dam100behind the tooth T to hold the dental dam100in place in this area.

In some embodiments, the curvatures318,320,319on one side of the end member body316may mirror the curvatures318,320,319on another side of the member body316(as shown inFIG.3B). In other embodiments, the curvatures318,320,319on one side may be different than the318,320,319on another side such that the end member body316may be rotated about the end306of the elongate member302to place a different set of curvatures318,320,319in position for use (e.g., facing downwards). It also is contemplated that the form of the curvatures318,320,319continuously vary about the outer circumference of the member body316so that as the member body316is rotated, a different set of curvatures318,320,319may be properly positioned and utilized. In some embodiments, the form of the curvatures318,320,319facing downward for use may vary from smaller to larger as the end member302is rotated. In this way, the user may place the holding member302and end member310into the patient's mouth and then rotate the end member310until a particular set of curvatures318,320,319are in a downward facing position and a proper fit is achieved.

In some embodiments, the first convex curvature318may include a larger radius than the second convex curvature319, while in other embodiments, the curvature radiuses may generally match (depending on the size and shape of the patient's jaw and teeth). In some embodiments, the second convex curvature319may include a smaller radius compared to the first convex curvature318such that the member body316does not push too far outward into the patient's cheek area when in place.

In some embodiments, a first end member310having a particular size and shape may be replaceable with a second end member310having a different size and shape. For example, an end member310for use with an adult may be larger (e.g., longer from its first side312to its second side314) than an end member310for use with a child.

It also is contemplated that the end member body316have different shapes, forms, and/or sizes depending on the particular tooth involved with the procedure, the type of procedure, etc. For example, the end member body316(and/or the distal end306of the elongate member302) may diverge into two separate portions (e.g., like a sideways “U”) such that a first portion may be placed adjacent the tooth T on one side of the tooth T and a second portion may be placed adjacent to the tooth T on an opposite side of the tooth T (e.g., behind and in front of the tooth T). In another example, the end member body316and/or the distal end306of the elongate member302may include an “O” shape e.g., a donut shaped body with an opening in the middle for access to the tooth T. In this way, the end member body316and/or the distal end306of the elongate member302may press downward on the dental dam100about the entire perimeter of the tooth T. It is understood that the end member310may include any form or shape, with any types and numbers of curvatures as necessary to provide a form fitted point of contact between the holding member300and the point of contact with the dental dam100within the patient's mouth.

Given the above, it may be preferable that the end member310comprise a compressible material such as rubber or foam, however, it is understood that any suitable material, and/or any combinations of suitable materials thereof may be used.

In some embodiments, the suction holes305on the distal end306of the elongate member302may be exposed when the end member310is configured with the member's distal end306such that the elongate member302may be used as a suction device even with the end member310attached thereto. In some embodiments, the end member310itself may include suction holes307that may be placed in fluid communication with the elongate member's suction holes305(and/or with the elongate member's hollow internal passageway and/or with the pump directly) such that the end member310may be used as a suction device during the procedure.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.4A, the base mount400includes a multi-axis adjustable mount402configurable to hold, secure, position, and/or lock the frame200and the holding member300individually and independently and with respect to one another along any spatial axis (e.g., X-, Y-, and Z-axis) and at any angle. The mount402is preferably able to be adjusted (manually and/or automatically) to position each element200,300, and the angle of each element200,300with respect to one another and with respect to the patient (e.g., the patient's tooth T) during use, and to lock the elements200,300in place once set. In this way, the base mount400may be configured to hold, position, and lock the frame200(and the attached dental dam100) and the holding member300in any position and at any angle during the dental procedure as required (see, e.g.,FIG.1).

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.4B, the adjustable mount402includes an X-, Y-, Z-axis alignment mount, however, it is understood that any type of suitable mount402may be utilized. While a single mount402is shown, it is understood that multiple mounts402may be combined in any way to provide the necessary functionalities. It also is understood that any type of mount(s) may be used, and that the scope of the assembly10is not limited in any way by the type of mount(s) utilized. It also is understood that while the alignment mount inFIG.4Bis depicted as using thumb screws to tighten and/or lock the settings, other mechanisms, such as quick release cam levers, also may be used.

It is understood that any aspect and/or element of any embodiment of the assembly10described herein or otherwise may be combined in any way with any other aspect and/or element of any other embodiment to form additional embodiments of the assembly10all of which are within the scope of the assembly10.

Where a process is described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the process may operate without any user intervention. In another embodiment, the process includes some human intervention (e.g., a step is performed by or with the assistance of a human).

As used herein, including in the claims, term “at least one” should be understood as meaning “one or more”, and therefore includes both embodiments that include one or multiple components. Furthermore, dependent claims that refer to independent claims that describe features with “at least one” have the same meaning, both when the feature is referred to as “the” and “the at least one”.

As used in this description, the term “portion” means some or all. So, for example, “A portion of X” may include some of “X” or all of “X”. In the context of a conversation, the term “portion” means some or all of the conversation.

It should be appreciated that the words “first,” “second,” and so on, in the description and claims, are used to distinguish or identify, and not to show a serial or numerical limitation. Similarly, letter labels (e.g., “(A)”, “(B)”, “(C)”, and so on, or “(a)”, “(b)”, and so on) and/or numbers (e.g., “(i)”, “(ii)”, and so on) are used to assist in readability and to help distinguish and/or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting or to impose or imply any serial or numerical limitations or orderings. Similarly, words such as “particular,” “specific,” “certain,” and “given,” in the description and claims, if used, are to distinguish or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting.

As used herein, including in the claims, the terms “multiple” and “plurality” mean “two or more,” and include the case of “two.” Thus, e.g., the phrase “multiple ABCs,” means “two or more ABCs,” and includes “two ABCs.” Similarly, e.g., the phrase “multiple PQRs,” means “two or more PQRs,” and includes “two PQRs.”

Throughout the description and claims, the terms “comprise”, “including”, “having”, and “contain” and their variations should be understood as meaning “including but not limited to”, and are not intended to exclude other components unless specifically so stated.

It will be appreciated that variations to the embodiments of the invention can be made while still falling within the scope of the invention. Alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose can replace features disclosed in the specification, unless stated otherwise. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosed represents one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Use of exemplary language, such as “for instance”, “such as”, “for example” (“e.g.,”) and the like, is merely intended to better illustrate the invention and does not indicate a limitation on the scope of the invention unless specifically so claimed.