Abstract:
A flexible dental dam for application in a variety of dental procedures, the flexible dental dam including a flexible dome having at least two apertures for inserting dental tools, and a flexible sheet bound between two rigid rings, wherein the flexible dome is attached to the flexible sheet at one of the two rigid rings. The flexible sheet can include an aperture for positioning around a tooth. Methods for use of the flexible dental dam are describe.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     None 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC 
     None 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to devices used in dentistry. More particularly, to dental dams used for oral procedures to protect from objects such as tooth fragments being swallowed or aspirated by the patient. 
     (2) Description of Related Art 
     A number of dental dams are available commercially and have been used over the years for procedures such as removing tooth decay and filling the cavities, preparing a tooth for a crown and the like. These dams usually comprise a plastic or metal frame on which is stretched a flexible sheet such as latex. The sheet is provided with a small diameter aperture about its center that can be stretched tightly about the tooth being drilled. The dam is usually sufficiently large to cover the mouth thereby preventing particulates produced during the dental operation from entering the mouth, throat or airway of the patient. Unfortunately, these dams are flat sheets of flexible material and are not designed to contain random trajectory high speed particles produced during grinding of a tooth nor do they protect the dentist or patient from being impacted by these particles nor is it designed to capture or entrap these particles for easy disposal and protection against transmittable diseases. 
     Consequently, there is a need for a dental dam that protects the patient from swallowing or aspirating fragments of teeth produced during the dental operation, the dentist and dental assistants from high speed particles ejected during drilling and other patients or dental personnel from diseases that could be transmitted by fragments of teeth that are not contained and properly discarded from infected patients. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a system for performing a dental procedure that reduces or eliminates particulates produced during the procedure from being deposited in the mouth of the patient or about the area where the dental procedure is performed comprising: an enclosed dental dam having a semi-rigid upper ring having a top side and a snap connector along its interior perimeter edge the top side having a first radially outward extending lip; a semi-rigid lower ring having a snap connector able to be received by the interior perimeter edge of the semi-rigid upper ring for holding a flexible sheet having an opening for sealing about a tooth and a bottom side having a second radially outward extending lip such that when the upper ring and the lower ring are connected the first radially outward extending lip and the second radially outward extending lip form a snap fit adapter; and a semi-flexible dome having an upper surface with at least two apertures and a base having a snap fit adapter along its inner perimeter edge able to be received by the snap fit adapter formed by the connected upper ring and lower ring; an air abrasive drill able to be received by one of the at least two apertures for removing tooth material; and a dental camera able to be received by the second of the two apertures for visualizing the tooth during the dental procedure. 
     In another aspect of the present invention an enclosed dental dam for use with an air abrasive drill comprising: a semi-rigid upper ring having a top side and a snap connector along its interior perimeter edge the top side having a first radially outward extending lip; a semi-rigid lower ring having a snap connector able to be received by the interior perimeter edge of the semi-rigid upper ring for holding a flexible sheet having an opening for sealing about a tooth and a bottom side having a second radially outward extending lip such that when the upper ring and the lower ring are connected the first radially outward extending lip and the second radially outward extending lip form a snap fit adapter; and a semi-flexible dome having an upper surface with at least two apertures and a base having a snap fit adapter along its inner perimeter edge able to be received by the snap fit adapter formed by the connected upper ring and lower ring the apertures having sufficient diameter to receive a dental camera and an air abrasive drill. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention is a method for performing a dental procedure using an enclosed dental dam described above comprising, securing a flexible sheet with an aperture between the semi-rigid upper ring and the semi-rigid lower ring creating a dam; fitting the dam about a tooth; affixing the dome to the outer perimeter edge of the dam; and inserting the dental camera and air abrasive drill through the two apertures in the dome. 
     In one embodiment of each of these aspects of the invention the dome may comprise three apertures, one for receiving an air abrasive drill, one for a dental camera and one for a suction tube to remove tooth material and abrasive resulting from the dental procedure. 
     In another embodiment of these aspects of the present invention a dental procedure includes but is not limited to filling a cavity or affixing a cap to a tooth. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the (A) dome, (B) semi-rigid upper ring and (C) flexible sheet and (D) semi-rigid lower ring of the enclosed dental dam of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a dome having three apertures 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of a flexible dome comprising three apertures, each aperture is individually adapted to receive a dental tool selected from a camera, vacuum suction tube, and air-abrasive drill. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a tip view of flexible dome comprising three apertures, each aperture is individually adapted to receive a dental tool selected from a camera, vacuum suction tube, and air-abrasive drill. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein have the same meaning as are commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All patents, patent applications and publications referred to throughout the disclosure herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the event that there is a plurality of definitions for a term herein, those in this section prevail. 
     The term “snap connector” as used herein refers to any connection that can secure a thin sheet of flexible material such as latex between the two elements that are to be joined by the connectors such as the semi-rigid upper and lower rings of the present invention. One preferred snap connector is prepared by providing a groove on one of the joining elements and a ridge that fits snugly into the groove on the other joining element when a flexible sheet is secured between them. 
     The term “dome” as used herein refers to a shape similar to a half of a sphere or a hemisphere. In the present invention the base of the dome can be round but is not limited to this configuration. The base of the dome could be for example elliptical, oval, square, and rectangular or any combination thereof. 
     The term “aperture” as used herein refers to an opening through an element of the invention such as the apertures provided in the semi-flexible dome. The apertures are preferably round but may be provided in any number of desirable shapes that allow access by other dental tools such as the dental camera or the air abrasive drill. It is also preferable that the shape conform to the shape of the device being inserted through the aperture to assure a tight seal preventing tooth or abrasive material from escaping the enclosed dental dam. 
     The term “dental procedure” as used herein refers to any dental work that is usually performed with the non-enclosed dams available commercially including removal of decayed tooth enamel or dentin and filling the cavity and preparing a tooth for a cap. 
     The present invention is a system for performing a dental procedure that reduces or eliminates particulates produced during the procedure from being deposited in the mouth of the patient or about the area where the dental procedure is performed comprising: a semi-rigid upper ring, a semi-rigid lower ring and a dome. The semi-rigid upper ring having a snap connector along its interior perimeter edge and a top side having a first radially outward extending lip. The semi-rigid lower ring having a snap connector able to be received by the interior perimeter edge of the semi-rigid upper ring for holding a flexible sheet having an opening for sealing about a tooth and a bottom side having a second radially outward extending lip. When the upper ring and the lower ring are connected the first radially outward extending lip and the second radially outward extending lip form a snap fit adapter. The semi-flexible dome having an upper surface with at least two apertures and a base having a snap fit adapter along its inner perimeter edge able to be received by the snap fit adapter formed by the connected upper ring and lower ring. An air abrasive drill is able to be received by one of the at least two apertures for removing tooth material; and a dental camera able to be received by the second of the two apertures for visualizing the tooth during the dental procedure. 
     Upper Ring 
     The semi-rigid upper ring  22  is made of a material that allows bending and flexing during use, preferably plastic or polymer. This flexibility permits ease of connecting the lower ring  22  when securing the flexible sheet  42  between the rings  22  and  32 . In addition, because the size and shape of the oral cavity will vary significantly from patient to patient this flexibility allows the device  10  to be easily fitted about the mouth of most, if not all patients. 
     The ring  22  may be provided in a number of shapes and sizes which will depend on the size and shape of the oral cavity and the type of dental procedure to be performed. Desirable shapes may include for example, triangular, square, rectangular, oval, elliptical or round. Preferably the semi-rigid upper ring  22  is round and be provided in diameters ranging from about 1.5 to about 6.0 inches. Increased diameter sizes may be provided for procedures requiring a larger dam and for larger oral cavities. 
     The semi-rigid upper ring  22  may be provided in a variety of configurations that allow it to be connected to the semi-rigid lower ring  32  securing a flexible sheet  42  between the rings and for providing a portion of the snap fit adapter for receiving the dome  12  along it&#39;s exterior perimeter edge  24 . In a preferred embodiment the interior perimeter edge  25  has one portion of a snap connector such as a snap connector ridge  27 . This ridge  27  receives a complimentary groove snap connector  34  present on the interior of the semi-rigid lower ring  32 . Correspondingly, the top of the upper ring  22  provides a first radially outward extending lip  28  as one portion of the snap fit adapter that receives the interior base ridge  14  of the dome  12 . 
     Lower Ring 
     As with the semi-rigid upper ring  22  the semi-rigid lower ring  32  is made of a material that allows bending and flexing during use, preferably plastic or polymer. This flexibility permits ease of connecting the semi-rigid upper ring  22  when securing the flexible sheet  42  between the rings  22  and  32 . In addition, because the size and shape of the oral cavity will vary significantly from patient to patient this flexibility allows the device  10  to be easily fitted about the mouth of most, if not all patients. Preferably the semi-rigid lower ring  32  is made of the same material as the semi-rigid upper ring  22  and of a slightly smaller diameter to allow the flexible sheet  42  to be secured between the two rings when snap connected together. 
     The semi-rigid lower ring  32  may be provided in a number of shapes and sizes which will depend on the size and shape of the oral cavity, the type of dental procedure to be performed and the size and shape of the semi-rigid upper ring  22 . In a preferred configuration the semi-rigid lower ring  32  and upper ring  22  are round. 
     The semi-rigid lower ring  32  may be provided in a variety of configurations that allow it to be connected to the semi-rigid upper ring  22  securing a flexible sheet  42  between the rings and providing the remaining portion of the snap fit adapter for receiving the dome  12  along it&#39;s exterior perimeter edge. In a preferred embodiment the interior perimeter edge has the complimentary portion of a snap connector on the semi-rigid upper ring  22  such as a snap connector groove  34 . This groove  34  is received by the complimentary ridge snap connector  27  present on the interior of the semi-rigid upper ring  22 . In addition, the bottom side of the semi-rigid lower ring  32  provides the second radially outward extending lip  36 . These lips  28  and  36  form the groove that receives the ridge  16  on the base of the flexible dome  14  when the semi-rigid upper  22  and lower rings  32  are connected. When sufficient pressure is applied the ridge  16  at the base of the flexible dome  14  it snaps into the groove formed when the semi-rigid upper  22  and lower rings  32  are connected forming an enclosed dental dam. 
     The semi-rigid lower ring  32  may further comprise a tab  38  integral to and along the second radially outward extending lip  36  to assist in separating the semi-rigid upper  22  and lower rings  32  when connected. The tap  38  radiates outward from the center of the ring and is preferably a length and width that allows for ease of grasping. It may be provided in a variety of configurations from square, rectangular to semi-circular. In a preferred embodiment the tap  38  is not less than about ⅛ inch in width and not more than about ¾ inch. Preferable it is about ¼ inch. The tap  38  may have a length not less than about 3/16 inch and not more than 1 inch. Preferably the length is about ½ inch. 
     Dome 
     The semi-flexible dome  12  is made of a material that is at least as pliable as the semi-rigid upper  22  and lower rings  32 . Preferably the dome  12  is more flexible then the semi-rigid upper  22  and lower rings  32  to permit tight sealing about the camera and air abrasive drill when inserted through the apertures  15 . This flexibility also allows the dome  12  to be more easily secured via snap fit adapter to the connected semi-rigid upper  22  and lower rings  32 . In addition, the size and shape of the oral cavity will vary significantly from patient to patient, consequently, this flexibility allows the device  10  to be easily fitted about the mouth of most, if not all patients. 
     The dome  12  may be provided in a number of shapes and sizes which will depend on the size and shape of the oral cavity, the type of dental procedure to be performed and the size and shape of the semi-rigid upper  22  and lower rings  32 . Preferably the dome  12  has a circular base when the semi-rigid upper  22  and lower rings  32  are round. The diameter of the dome base  14  may be smaller than the diameter of the connected semi-rigid upper  22  and lower rings  32  to provide a secure fit. 
     The dome  12  may be provided in a variety of configurations that allow it to be affixed through the snap fit adapter formed when the semi-rigid upper  22  and lower rings  32  are connected. In a preferred embodiment the interior perimeter edge of the base  14  has the complimentary portion of a snap fit adapter such as a snap fit ridge  16 . This ridge  16  is received by the complimentary snap fit groove formed by the first  28  and second radially outward extending lips  36  of the connected semi-rigid upper  22  and lower rings  32 . When sufficient pressure is applied the ridge  16  at the base of the flexible dome  14  it snaps into the groove formed by the connected semi-rigid rings  22  and  32  creating an enclosed dental dam. 
     The dome  12  may further comprise a tab  18  integral to and along the base  14  to assist in separating it from the semi-rigid upper  22  and lower rings  32 . The tap  18  radiates outward from the exterior perimeter edge of the base and is preferably a length and width that allows for ease of grasping. It may be provided in a variety of configurations including for example square, rectangular or semi-circular. In a preferred embodiment the tap  18  is not less than about ⅛ inch in width and not more than about ¾ inch. Preferable it is about ¼ inch. The tap  18  may have a length not less than about 3/16 inch and not more than 1 inch. Preferably the length is about ½ inch. 
     Use 
     The lower and upper rings may be assembled with a flexible sheet secured between them for immediate use or the rings and flexible sheet may be provided separately. If separate, the flexible sheet, preferably latex is laid over the lower ring. The upper ring is then press fit onto the lower ring securing the latex sheet between them. The aperture of the latex sheet is then stretched about the tooth and the dam base secured in place. The dome is then positioned over the dam base and snap fit within or about the patient&#39;s mouth. The dental camera and air abrasive drill are then inserted into the apertures provided in the dome. Once the image from the camera appears on the view screen the procedure may begin. If a suction tube is desired an additional aperture may be provided in the dome and the tube inserted when the camera and air abrasive drill are inserted. 
     Particulates containing tooth material and abrasive are captured within this enclosure and removed when the dam is released from about the tooth. Alternatively tooth material and abrasive can be removed by air suction if a suction tube is utilized. While the enclosed dental dam of the present invention can be reused after sterilization it is preferable that the device be disposable.