Patent ID: 8011924

Claim:
A dental cord, comprising: a core portion of a first constant diameter including longitudinally arranged fibers, the first constant diameter extending at least substantially along the length of the core portion; a clamping portion of a second diameter defining an outermost surface and being greater than the first constant diameter wherein the clamping portion comprises a portion of the fibers extending from the core portion and outward of a section of the core portion, the fibers of the clamping portion having interstices therebetween, the clamping portion further including a silicone elastomer substantially surrounding the fibers and filling the interstices, the outermost surface containing the silicone elastomer, wherein the core portion defines a terminal end of the dental cord, the terminal end being free of any elastomer and the first constant diameter defining a constant diameter of the dental cord from the terminal end of the dental cord to the start of the clamping portion.