COATING FOR A DENTAL MATRIX BAND

A matrix band for use in dentistry has a silicone-based, polymer coating applied to a stainless steel or a polyester surface, which reduces or eliminates capillary action between a tooth and the matrix band. The matrix band may include at least one aperture to assist with removal of the matrix band from the tooth.

Throughout the figures of the drawings, where the same part appears in more than one figure of the drawings, the same number is applied thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With the matrix band of this invention being suitable for use in dental procedures and having a coated surface thereon, capillary action between the tooth and the band is at least substantially reduced, if not eliminated.

The concept disclosed and claimed herein may be described as a dental matrix seal and is applicable to any dental matrix device, regardless of the geometric shape of the dental matrix device. Shapes of the dental matrix band useful in the present disclosure include straight, simple contoured and fully contoured and sectional. The geometric shape of the seal may be useful for different procedures and tooth types, but is irrelevant to the function of the seal. The advantages of using a Silicone coated dental matrix band are as follows:

1) The Silicone coating eliminates the capillary action, wicking or osmotic migration from the body fluids from the dental sulcus contaminating the dental filling material during the filling process. This contamination reduces the bond strength of the composite dental filling material from bonding to the tooth. More specifically the bonding of the composite to the dentinal tubules is prevented.

2) The Silicone coating requires less tightening torque and less pressure on the matrix band retainer to achieve a seal of the tooth dental preparation area from body fluids (saliva and blood). The reduction in torque on the dental matrix band eliminates the potential of the dental matrix band from fracturing and breaking during the application procedure. Sectional matrix band systems benefit from less ring pressure and less wedging force.

3) Using Silicone coating on the metal, such as stainless steel, plastic or polyester matrix band, i.e., Mylar, eliminates or reduces the roughness of the surface of the dental matrix band both the plain stainless steel, the tin coated stainless steel and polyester. The rough surface causes the composite dental filling material to stick to the dental band and cause the filling material to be rough inter-proximally (between the two adjacent teeth). This inter-proximal surface cannot be smoothed after the dental filling has been placed. When the dental matrix band sticks to the filling material the band fractures and breaks upon removal causing the band to be dangerous to the operator (dentist or assistant).

Polydimethylsiloxane is the active coating material.

The dental matrix bands are preferably coated with NuSil product Med10-6640 two part Platinum catalyzed polydimethyl siloxane. Primer use before coating is Med 1-161 silicone primer. These NuSil products are available from, NuSil Technology LLC, 1050 Cindy Lane, Carpinteria, Calif. 93013.

Adhesion of the coating as dental matrix seal to a metal dental matrix device is assured by the rough tin plating or etching the surface of the dental matrix device. Etching of the matrix band may be accomplished in any suitable fashion. Mechanical abrasion, acid etching and photochemical etching are especially suitable processes for etching the matrix band, as long as the procedures are pharmaceutically acceptable. Pharmaceutically acceptable includes those materials suitable for use in a person's mouth.

Additionally, the metal matrix band may be etched by using mechanical abrasion. Mechanical abrasion may be obtained by subjecting the metal surface to a high velocity stream of silica particles or soft metal particles, or by rubbing the surface with a silica or diamond encrusted paper or metal sheet. Clearly, any abrasive system may be used. However, the chemical treatment is preferred.

The preferred method of applying coating, laminate or tapes to the separating strip is by using a pharmaceutically acceptable adhesive, but any other suitable method may be used.

Coatings with a thickness of about 0.0001″ to about 0.0005″ are adequate to reduce the capillary action. Coatings with a thickness of about 0.0001″ to about 0.0003″ reduce the capillary action more effectively.

Referring now to the drawings, the following references to specific drawing figures are intended to illustrate without unduly limiting the invention disclosed herein. The polyester matrix band of the present disclosure is coated with silicone barrier layer using know methods for coating with silicone.

Considering nowFIG. 1,FIGS. 2 and 2A,FIG. 3,FIG. 4,FIG. 5andFIG. 6, the straight100, contoured101or sectional102coated matrix band has a support base114with a polymer coating120applied thereto. For convenience, the straight matrix band100will be referenced; however, it should be understood the present disclosure is not limited to any particular shape. The support base114may be a stainless steel, plastic or polyester material. The polymer coating120is applied after the support base114is etched or plated with tin, if the support base is stainless steel. If the support base114is polyester, the polymer coating120, such as silicone, is coated onto the polyester strip by known methods. The support base114may have a rectangular cross section (FIG. 7) although other suitable geometric shapes may be used, including contoured matrix bands. As shown inFIG. 5, the straight coated matrix band100is applied to a tooth110, whileFIG. 6illustrates a sectional matrix band applied to a tooth110. Matrix band100may also have removal apertures as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,429, to Haraden et al., incorporated herein by reference.

In the following examples, which are intended to illustrate without unduly limiting the invention disclosed herein, all parts and percentages are by weight, unless otherwise specified.

EXAMPLE ONE

With the straight coated matrix band100, a silicone polymer coating120is applied onto a stainless steel support base114etched in an acidic solution having a pH of 5.5, the polymer coating120being based on a pharmaceutically acceptable siloxane polymer. That straight coated matrix band100is applied to a tooth110under repair, where the coating provided a seal that prevented the ingress of fluid into the area of the tooth being repaired.

EXAMPLE TWO

The procedure of Example One is repeated except that the etching solution is phosphoric acid and has a pH of 5.0. The coating adheres as well as in Example One.

EXAMPLE THREE

The procedure of Example One is repeated except that the etching solution has a pH of 4.7. The coating adheres adequately but is not as durable as the coating set forth in Example Two.

EXAMPLE FOUR

The procedure of Example One is repeated except that the etching solution has a pH of 6.2. The coating fails to adhere as in Example One.

EXAMPLE FIVE

The procedure of Example One is repeated except that the etching solution has a pH of 4.0. The integrity of the support base114is compromised in that matrix is of insufficient strength to fit around tooth110.

EXAMPLE SIX

The procedure of Example One is repeated except that the acid etching process is replaced with the photo etching process. The coating adheres and provides an effective dental straight coated matrix band100.

EXAMPLE SEVEN

The procedure of Example One is repeated except that the acid etching process is replaced with the mechanical abrasion process utilizing a high velocity stream of silica aimed at the surface of the band to etch the surface. The coating adheres and provides an effective dental straight coated matrix band100.

EXAMPLE EIGHT

The procedure of Example Seven is repeated except that the acid etching process is replaced with the mechanical abrasion process utilizing a high velocity stream of soft metal particles aimed at the surface of the band. Such action forms a micro alloy on the surface. The coating forms and provides an effective seal that prevented the ingress of fluid into the area of the tooth being repaired.

EXAMPLE NINE

The procedure of Example One is repeated except that the acid etching process is replaced with the mechanical abrasion process involving the buffing of the matrix band's surface with a silica or diamond encrusted sheet to etch the surface of the matrix band. The coating adheres and provides an effective seal that prevented the ingress of fluid into the area of the tooth being repaired.

This application taken as a whole with the abstract, specification, claims, and drawings being combined, provides sufficient information for a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention as disclosed and claimed herein. Any measures necessary to practice this invention are well within the skill of a person having ordinary skill in this art after that person has made a careful study of this disclosure.

Because of this disclosure and solely because of this disclosure, modification of this method and device can become clear to a person having ordinary skill in this particular art. Such modifications are clearly covered by this disclosure.