Improvements in Dental Clamps.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 26th May, 1898-Accepted, 23rd July, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Dental Clamps.
I, JOSEPH WITTKOWSKI, of 215, Friedrichstrasse, Berlin, in the Empire of
Germany, Dentist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement ;-
-
The subject of the present invention is a new implement, which has for its
purpose the adaptation to a wholly new use of dental clamps as at present em-
ployed in stopping teeth. By use of the new clamp the operation rendered
much less disagreeable to the patient, and at the same time the operator is
enabled to undertake the filling of any tooth with perfect certainty and without
undue haste being necessary.
The essential feature of the new clamp is that it is provided with a frame,
which serves to support and stiffen a sheet of rubber, in the manner of the well
known cofferdam.
A sheet of rubber, considerably smaller than the usual cofferdam, with a hole
perforated in it to receive the tooth to be operated upon, for the purpose of keep-
ing it dry, is stretched over the clamp. The wings of the frame hold back the
cheek on the one side, and give support to the tongue on the other.
The new clamp and frame are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in
which,
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the clamp;
Figures 2, 3 and 4 respectively side, plan and end views of the same;
Figure 5 the clamp with rubber sheet stretched over the frame; and
Figure 6 the rubber sheet itself.
Figure 7 shows a modification of the clamp to be described.
The clamp a (Figures 1 to 5) on its jaws or cheeks b, which embrace the tooth
to be stopped, has wings c of wire, bent upwards on the same side as the bridge
piece & connecting the jaws, said bridge piece having a small knob. Each wing
is provided with two projections formed by bending the wire into the form of
eyes, which serve to hold the rubber sheet when stretched over the clamp.
Figure 5 shows the clamp with rubber sheet stretched over it. A small per-
foration is first made in this sheet (Figure 6) to receive the tooth and it is then
simply stretched over the projections e, which serve to hold it in position, but
permit of its being adjusted, so that the perforation may come precisely 'over
the opening for the tooth between the jaws b.
The clamp is adjusted in position in the ordinary manner by means of a pair
of pincers. The rubber entirely prevents access of saliva to the tooth, so that
the operator can work for hours stopping teeth, without being limited in any
way as to the choice of the filling material. He has both hands free, since the
tooth lies quite exposed, the cheek being effectively held back by one wing c.
The patient is in no way inconvenienced by the clamp. One special advantage
is that the tongue is caused to lie quietly in the mouth; for if the clamp is
placed on the lower jaw, the tongue is pressed down; or if on the upper jaw,
the tongue receives a firm support.

page_text: The wire is pliant, so that the frame can be bent more or less together in
order to fit exactly to the part of the mouth where applied.
The wings may also be formed as reflectors in order to illuminate the tooth
and the surrounding part.
Figure 7 shows a modification in the form of the frame. Here, instead of
being formed of wires bent and fastened to the clamp, it is made in one piece
with the latter. The jaws are here suitably formed to receive two teeth.
As with this new clamp the operator is not limited to a short interval of time,
and the teeth are safely protected against the saliva, two or more teeth can be
stopped one after the other without the clamp being removed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
A dental clamp with frame for stretching a sheet of rubber, consisting of an
ordinary clamp (a) as used in the operation of stopping teeth, formed with
wings (c) at each side to support and stiffen a cofferdam sheet (f), of smaller size
than usual for the purpose of protecting the tooth against saliva, said wings
serving also to respectively hold back the cheek and hold down the tongue, sub-
stantially as set forth.
1000
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
Agents for the Applicant.