Device for the reconstruction of an angular zone of a tooth

Abstract: The device comprises an angular matrix (1), with a shape reproducing the shape of the zone of tooth (3) on which the operation is performed, of synthetic material transparent to light radiations used for photopolymerization of composite resins, and forceps (2), also similarly transparent, with ends (2′, 2″) which, with the forceps locked, forming with their inside surfaces (2″′, 2 IV ) a shape also substantially equal to that of said tooth (3). The matrices can be right or left and modeled for large incisors, small incisors or canine teeth. During the operation, matrix (1) is kept in position simply by the lateral thrust exerted by forceps (2) on a flap (1″) extended along the contour of matrix (1) and substantially perpendicular to matrix (1) itself. Matrix (1) exhibits a hole (1 IV ) for the escape of air, made in zone opposite the apex of treated tooth (3).

Description: The invention concerns a dental device for the reconstruction of an angular zone of a tooth as defined in the preamble of Claim 1. Such a device is disclosed in EP-A-0 079 299. The matrices now used for the reconstruction of an angular zone, made of aluminum alloys or of aluminum, exhibit two drawbacks. In the first place, the operation of "shaping" the matrix is laborious to make it correspond to the shape of the tooth on which the work is being performed: this operation is most often performed manually by the dentist, by making a plastic deformation of the matrix; in the second place, a fact still more disadvantageous, the matrices of aluminum or metals with similar mechanical characteristics necessarily cannot be transparent, and consequently preclude the use of photopolymerizable composite resins, which recently have increased their field of application thanks to the values and advantages they offer. But many matrices of transparent synthetic material in use today, while avoiding this latter drawback, comprise a very laborious intervention since the dentist has to hold them with his fingers in suitable position to give a correct shaping to the resins used for the reconstruction, and at the same time to avoid shielding, with the fingers themselves, the radiations emitted by the lamps for photopolymerization of said resins. Most of the time, this is a great problem. Still there are also devices comprising forceps and an angular matrix of transparent material: generally two peduncles are applied on the two opposite sides of the matrix to hold the matrix in position, peduncles dimensioned to be able to be inserted in holes or notches made on the ends of forceps but this solution also exhibits notable laboriousness and inconvenience due to the objective difficulty of keeping the forceps joined to the peduncles, exerting at the same time on the matrix the thrust, necessarily very delicate, suitable for keeping it in the desired position in the course of the operation. The inventor has aimed, with the device object of this application, to provide a functional, simple and economical solution able to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks completely. The problem is solved by the device defined in Claim 1. The functioning of the device will be described below with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment is illustrated. They show: in figure 1 the front view of a matrix that is part of the device, object of the invention; in figure 2, the view of its crosswise section made along A-A; in figure 3, the side view of the forceps that are part of the device, object of the invention; in figure 4, the side view of the device in the phase of its application to a tooth to be reconstructed. The device essentially comprises an angular matrix 1 and forceps 2 for its locking. Angular matrix 1 is made with a material transparent to light radiations suitable for causing photopolymerization of the composite resins used in dentistry for total or partial reconstruction of teeth. The inside surface of this matrix 1, made, for example, by using molds and with one of the known processes used for drawing of plastic materials, has a shape substantially reproducing the shape of tooth 3 on which it is to be applied. For this purpose, right or left angular matrices are provided, i.e., suitable for being applied to the mesial or distal side of each tooth, and substantially reproducing the shape of a large incisor, of a small incisor or a canine tooth, i.e., the teeth that usually are the object of an angular reconstruction. Said forceps 2, fig. 3, are also made of a material having qualities of transparency similar to those cited for the matrix, but further endowed with flexibility and resilience, and have their two ends 2′, 2″ dimensioned so that, when the forceps are locked (in this connection see figure 4) inside surfaces 2″′, 2 IV of the ends themselves also form a shape substantially equal to that of tooth 3 on which the operation is performed. Existing angular matrices, as already said, externally exhibit one or more projections (peduncles) substantially perpendicular to the inside surface of the matrix itself which adheres to the two walls of the tooth. These projections serve to prevent sliding of the forceps relative to the matrix and enable the forceps to hold the matrix pressed against the tooth during the process. But in the matrix that is part of the device, object of the invention, these projections are replaced by a simple flap 1″ extended along the entire contour of matrix 1, a flap against which the forceps exert a lateral pressure during the operation, easily maintaining matrix 1 in the desired position and without having to pay attention to maintaining the connection between the projects and holes or notches made in the ends of the forceps. Thus, when forceps 2 are locked on matrix 1 and the latter in turn is applied to tooth 3 the resins, applied in the zone to be reconstructed and containing matrix 1, are subjected to a "roughing" shaping, substantially assuming the shapes and contours of the parts of tooth 3 to be reconstructed. Then, it is possible to proceed to photopolymerization of the resins themselves by one of the lamps usually used for this purpose, then removing matrix 1 when setting has occurred. The dentist will then have only to refine in detail the reconstructed zone according to the peculiar configuration of the tooth, after which the operation is finished. The fact is indicated that matrix 1 carries at least one hole 1 IV in the zone which, when the matrix itself is applied on a tooth 3, is substantially opposite the apex of tooth 3 itself. This hole 1 IV , with very limited diameter, is intended to avoid the formation of air bubbles inside matrix 1 in the phase of filling it with the resins used for the reconstruction operation: in other words, said hole, allowing the escape of air from the matrix, makes it possible to perform a complete compaction of the matrix itself, thus guaranteeing the obtaining of the appropriate shaping of the reconstructed zone. The device, illustrated in the figures and description only according to a preferred embodiment, can be modified in the shape of the parts, in their relative dimensions and in the materials used, while always remaining within the scope of the concepts expressed by claim 1 and the successive subclaims. It is added that in the preferred embodiment mentioned above, matrices 1 are made of polyester, and forceps 2 of polyester or polycarbonate.

Claims: Dental device for the reconstruction of an angular zone of a tooth, comprising an angular matrix made of a material transparent to light radiations able to cause the photopolymerization of the composite resins used for the reconstruction and externally carrying one or more projections and forceps for locking said matrix on the tooth on which the operation is being performed, the forceps also being made of a material transparent to said light radiations and with a shape suitable for allowing the connection to said projections to lock the matrix, characterized by the fact that said projections are replaced by a flap (1″) extending along the entire peripheral contour of the matrix (1) and projecting substantially in the direction perpendicular to the inside surface (1′) of the matrix that adheres to two walls (3′, 3″) of the tooth (3), so that the matrix (1) is held in position by the lateral thrust exerted on it by the forceps. Device according to claim 1, wherein said inside surface (1′) of said matrix (1), has a shape substantially reproducing the shape of tooth (3) on which it is to be applied and the two ends (2′, 2″) of said forceps (2) are dimensioned so that, when the forceps are locked, inside the surfaces (2‴, 2 IV) of the ends (2′, 2″) of the forceps also form a shape substantially equal to that of said tooth (3). Device according to claim 1, 2, wherein said matrix (1) carries at least one hole (1 IV) in the zone which, when the matrix (1) is applied to a tooth (3), is substantially opposite the apex of the tooth (3). Device according to claims 1, 2, 3 wherein the shape of inside surface (1′) of matrix (1) reproduces the shape of a large incisor tooth at its mesial or distal side. Device according to claims 1, 2, 3 wherein the shape of inside surface (1′) of matrix (1) reproduces the shape of a small incisor tooth at its mesial or distal side. Device according to claims 1, 2, 3 wherein the shape of inside surface (1′) of matrix (1) reproduces the shape of a canine tooth at its mesial or distal side. Device according to any of the above claims, wherein both matrix (1) and forceps (2) are made of synthetic material. Device according to claim 7, wherein said matrix (1) is made of polyester, and said forceps (2) are made of polyester or polycarbonate.

Inventors: VON WEISSENFLUH BEAT, VON WEISSENFLUH, BEAT
Applicants: WEISSENFLUH HAWE NEOS, HAWE-NEOS DENTAL DR. H. VON WEISSENFLUH S.A.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: A61C5
IPC codes: A61C5, A61C3