Dental tray spacer

Abstract

A convenient dental tray spacer for use in forming a thin reservoir space between teeth and a dental tray, during tray fabrication. shim (10) segments are connected by small links (12) to form a spacer (16). The lengths of the links are readily variable. Retention to the teeth is provided by adhesive on rear adhesive surfaces (22). Alternatively, an elastic loop (24) can retain a spacer (16′). spacer (16), or spacer (16′), remain on the teeth while the dental tray is formed, and then is pulled free from inside the formed dental trays.

Description

BACKGROUND—FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to medicine and dentistry, specifically to an improved method and apparatus for fabricating custom dental treatment trays for applying treatment agents to the teeth and/or gingiva.

BACKGROUND—DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

Custom dental treatment trays are used to hold tooth whitening or bleaching gels, fluoride, topical anesthetics, antibiotics, antihistamines, medications, and other such treatment agents, closely against the surfaces of the teeth and/or gingiva for extended times. Dental trays typically are made by tightly suctioning softened elastomeric sheets of stock tray material onto plaster models of the patient's dental arches. Excess tray material is then trimmed away to achieve the desired tray shape. Dental trays are most effective when fabricated with slight spacing created between the surfaces of the teeth and the tray material. This provides room, or a reservoir, for the treatment agents. Without a reservoir space, the tray material itself tightly contacts the broad surfaces of the teeth, and the treatment agents tend to be displaced. When this occurs, the beneficial effects of the treatment agents are reduced, and the treatment time, the amount of treatment agents required, and irritational side effects are increased.

There is a problem with creating the reservoir space under the dental trays, however, and that is the considerable time it requires for dental personnel. Cost is also a factor for some techniques.

The most widely used dental tray spacing technique involves manually painting a liquid spacer material, such as thick fingernail polish, onto the appropriate areas of the patient's teeth, or models of their teeth, prior to forming the trays. The depth of the paint itself forms the tray space. Typically, only one coat is painted on, although this forms a relatively thin space, and it must be allowed to dry before the dental tray may be fabricated. A border area around the circumference of the tooth remains unspaced, in order to seal off the reservoir area from saliva, and to retain the treatment agent. The first disadvantage to this technique is that several minutes are required to apply one coat of spacer paint, plus about twenty minutes for drying. The second disadvantage is that multiple coats are needed to achieve an ideal thickness for the reservoir space. Since that would require excessive time, a minimally adequate reservoir depth from just one coat is usually tolerated as better than none. A third disadvantage is that the thin spacing is not readily apparent when inspecting the tray visually. Thus the dentist or patient, who is to purchase the spaced dental tray, must rely on the word of the maker that is was actually spaced. This is a disincentive for laboratory and dental personnel to accept the inconvenience and cost of properly spacing the dental trays.

A similar technique involves manually painting viscous light-cured spacing resin over the teeth surfaces, instead of fingernail polish. Again, it is not applied to the border area, so that a seal may be created for retaining the treatment agent over the treatment surface, and to seal out saliva. It creates a more ideal thickness of reservoir space with a single coat. However, it still has the disadvantage of planeconnected to a rear section of the model. Shims 10 are then centered on each tooth by appropriately stretching elastic links 12′.

Following the application of any spacer 16, or spacer 16′, on model 18, a non-stick separating medium is applied to spacer 16, or spacer 16′, prior to fabrication of a dental tray. The dental tray stock material pliability is increased, such as by heating. When sufficient pliability is attained, the dental tray stock material is quickly positioned and adapted to cover spacer 16, or spacer 16′, and the teeth, such as over model 18. It is preferred that the tray material is made to closely conform to the shape of spacer 16, or spacer 16′, by applying a strong vacuum to the under-surface of model 18.

After the dental tray material is made less pliable, such as by sitting at room temperature a short time, the formed dental tray with excess flashing material, is loosened and removed from model 18. If spacer 16, or 16′, has become embedded in the dental tray, rather than remaining adhered to model 18, then it must be gently pried free, to avoid breaking links. Used spacers may be discarded, or sterilized for reuse. The dental tray is completed by trimming away extra dental tray material, and assuring that trimmed edges are smooth.

Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope of Invention

The dental tray spacer of this invention may be quickly adhered to the individual teeth of most dental arch models, in correct order, and with little or no alteration, so that all spacer shapes fit their respective teeth.

Accordingly, the reader will see that the dental tray spacer of this invention can be used to assure the formation of an adequate reservoir space between dental trays and the teeth, and that this can be done in minimal time, with little cost, and without requiring a high level of skill. Most practitioners currently do not provide reservoir spacing under their treatment agent dental trays during fabrication, primarily due to the time and cost of techniques of the art. An efficient spacing technique, such as this, could translate into saving many hours of patient treatment time. For those practitioners that do utilize spacing techniques of the art, the dental tray spacer can save significant time and money, and their patients can be shown the visible reservoir spacing in their trays as assurance that they are receiving efficient treatment.

While my above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of some of the presently preferred embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, from an elevational view, spacer 16, or spacer 16′, could be comprised of symmetrical, ovoid shaped shims 10, rather than tooth shaped. For certain treatments, these would provide adequate reservoir space under the dental tray. Such symmetrical shims 10 could be supplied in a continuous chain, from which a spacer 16, of any desired number of segments, could be cut.

As a second example, spacer 16 could be applied directly to the patient's actual teeth, for intraoral dental tray fabrication techniques, rather than on model 18.

Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined, not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A preformed dental tray spacer means for shimming moldable dental tray material a predetermined distance from surfaces of teeth of a dental arch, or models thereof, comprising a flat, unitary strip of a deformable material substantially elongate in a longitudinal direction and adaptable for rapid shaping and mounting on said surfaces of teeth, or models thereof, said unitary strip comprising a plurality of tooth shim elements connected to each other by means of links, said tooth shim elements having a circumference in the plane of the unitary strip, each said tooth shim element being comformable conformable overlying surface contours of a tooth, said links being substantially elongate, a portion of said links being substantially elongate in the longitudinal direction of said unitary strip, said links having a sufficient length such that adjacent said tooth shim elements are mountable on adjacent said surfaces of teeth, wherein said circumference of said tooth shim elements is substantially greater than the width of said links.

2. The dental tray spacer means of claim 1, wherein said sufficient length is such that adjacent said tooth shim elements are mountable on adjacent said surfaces of teeth, or models thereof, said surfaces of teeth being substantially misaligned.

3. The dental tray spacer means of claim 1, wherein a portion of said links are further connected to said spacer by means of a separable connection, whereby separating said separable connection increases utilizable said sufficient length, such that adjacent said tooth shim elements are mountable on adjacent said surfaces of teeth, or models thereof, said surfaces of teeth being substantially misaligned, wherein the connected distance between said tooth shim elements is increased.

4. The dental tray spacer means of claim 1, wherein each of said tooth shim elements have distinct circumferential shapes, and said teeth have distinct circumferential shapes, and said circumferential shapes of said tooth shim elements substantially resemble said circumferential shapes of respective said teeth upon which each of said tooth shim elements would be mounted.

5. The dental tray spacer means of claim 1, wherein said tooth shim elements have a surface for mounting against said surfaces of teeth, or models thereof, said surface of said tooth shim element being coated with an adhesive.

6. A preformed dental tray spacer means for shimming moldable dental tray material a predetermined distance from surfaces of teeth of a dental arch, or models thereof, comprising a flat, unitary strip of a deformable material substantially elongate in a longitudinal direction and adaptable for rapid shaping and mounting on said surfaces of teeth, or models thereof, said unitary strip comprising a plurality of tooth shim elements connected to each other by means of links, said tooth shim elements having a circumference in the plane of the unitary strip, each of said tooth shim element being comformable conformable overlying surface contours of a tooth, said links being substantially elongate, a portion of said links being substantially elongate in the longitudinal direction of said unitary strip, said links having a sufficient length such that adjacent said tooth shim elements are mountable on adjacent said surfaces of teeth, wherein said circumference of said tooth shim elements is substantially greater than the width of said links, wherein a portion of said links are further connected to said spacer by means of a separable connection, whereby separating said separable connection increases utilizable said sufficient length, such that adjacent said tooth shim elements are mountable on adjacent said surfaces of teeth, or models thereof, said surface of teeth being substantially misaligned, wherein the connected distance between said tooth shim elements is increased.

7. The dental tray spacer means of claim 6, wherein said separable connection is a thin membrane.

8. The dental tray spacer means of claim 6, wherein said separable connection connects said links to said tooth shim elements.

9. The dental tray spacer means of claim 6, wherein each of said tooth shim elements have distinct circumferential shapes, and said teeth have distinct circumferential shapes, and said circumferential shapes of said tooth shim elements substantially resemble said circumferential shapes of respective said teeth upon which each of said tooth shim elements would be mounted.

10. The dental tray spacer means of claim 6, wherein said tooth shim elements have a surface for mounting against said surfaces of teeth, or models thereof, said surface of said tooth shim elements being coated with an adhesive.

11. A preformed dental tray spacer means for shimming dental tray material a predetermined distance from preferred surfaces of dental arch model teeth, comprising a plurality of tooth shim elements connected by links of variable length, said links comprised of elastic material, wherein one said link is of sufficient length to stretchingly encompass the circumference of a dental model, such that said tooth shim elements are retainably pulled against said surfaces of said teeth; wherein remaining said links stretch sufficiently to permit rapid positioning of said shims against said surfaces of said teeth.

12. The dental tray spacer means of claim 11, wherein each of said tooth shim elements have distinct circumferential shapes, and said teeth have distinct circumferential shapes, and said circumferential shapes of said tooth shim elements substantially resemble said circumferential shapes of respective said teeth upon which each of said tooth shim elements would be mounted.

13. The dental tray spacer means of claim 11, wherein said tooth shim elements have a surface for mounting against said teeth, said surface being coated with an adhesive.

14. A method of connecting a dental tray spacer to a dental arch model comprising the acts of:

providing a loop that is connected to rightmost and leftmost portions of the spacer; and

connecting the loop to a rear section of the model in order to retain the spacer in place.

15. A method of connecting a dental tray spacer to a dental arch model according to claim 14 wherein the act of connecting the loop to a rear section of the model includes the act of stretching the loop.

16. A method of connecting a dental tray spacer to a dental arch model according to claim 15 wherein the act of stretching the loop includes the act of stretching the loop around the posterior ends of the posterior teeth of the model.

17. A method of connecting a dental tray spacer to a dental arch model according to claim 14 and including the act of pulling the loop toward a palatal level.

18. A method of connecting a dental tray spacer to a dental arch model according to claim 14 and including the act of applying a non-stick separating medium to the spacer.

19. A method of connecting a dental tray spacer to a dental arch model according to claim 14 and including the act of placing the spacer across a multiple number of teeth of the model.

20. A method of connecting a dental tray spacer to a dental arch model according to claim 14 wherein the act of connecting the loop to a rear section of the model includes the act of hooking the loop to an anchor.

21. A method of connecting a dental tray spacer to a dental arch model according to claim 14 and including the act of retaining the dental tray spacer to the dental arch model with adhesion.

22. A method of making a dental tray comprising the acts of:

providing an elongated spacer;

placing the spacer over facial surfaces of teeth of a dental arch model such that the spacer is generally centered with respect to the center of the dental arch in a mesial-distal direction such that the longitudinal axis of the spacer extends along the length of the arch and such that the spacer extends over more than one tooth of the dental arch model; and

forming a sheet of elastomeric tray material over the spacer and the dental arch model to create a dental tray.

23. A method of making a dental tray according to claim 22 and including the act of providing an adhesive surface on the spacer for adhesion to the dental arch model.

24. A method of making a dental tray according to claim 23 and including the act of removing a backing from the adhesive surface prior to mounting the spacer on the dental arch model.

25. A method of making a dental tray according to claim 22 wherein the act of placing the spacer on the dental arch model includes the act of placing the spacer across the tips of papilla of model gingiva between adjacent teeth of the dental arch model.

26. A method of making a dental tray according to claim 22 and including the act of pressing the spacer into the embrasure crevice between the teeth.

27. A method of making a dental tray according to claim 22 and including the act of freeing the spacer from the tray after the tray is formed.

28. A method of making a dental tray comprising the acts of:

providing an elongated spacer;

placing the spacer over facial surfaces of teeth of a dental arch model such that the spacer is generally centered with respect to the center of the dental arch in a mesial-distal direction;

applying a non-stick separating medium to the spacer; and

forming a sheet of elastomeric tray material over the spacer and the dental arch model to create a dental tray.

29. A method of making a dental tray comprising the acts of:

providing an elongated spacer;

providing a loop that is connected to rightmost and leftmost portions of the spacer;

placing the spacer over facial surfaces of teeth of a dental arch model such that the spacer is generally centered with respect to the center of the dental arch in a mesial-distal direction;

connecting the loop to a rear section of the model in order to retain the spacer in place; and

forming a sheet of elastomeric tray material over the spacer and the dental arch model to create a dental tray.

30. A preformed dental tray spacer for shimming moldable dental tray material a predetermined distance away from surfaces of teeth of a dental arch or models thereof comprising a unitary, elongated strip of material having an adhesive surface, and a backing removably connected to the adhesive surface, wherein the spacer has edges that are tapered to an acute angle.

31. A preformed dental tray spacer according to claim 30 wherein the adhesive surface is sufficiently pliable to conform closely to curved, irregular surfaces of teeth of tissue.

32. A preformed dental tray spacer for shimming moldable dental tray material a predetermined distance away from surfaces of a dental arch or models thereof comprising a unitary, elongated strip of material having an adhesive surface, and a backing removably connected to the adhesive surface, wherein the spacer has a rightmost portion and a leftmost portion, and wherein the spacer includes a loop connected to the rightmost portion and the leftmost portion.

33. A preformed dental tray spacer according to claim 32 wherein the loop is stretchable.

34. An assembly comprising:

a dental arch model;

a dental tray spacer for shimming moldable dental tray material a predetermined distance away from surfaces of teeth of the model, the spacer comprising a unitary, elongated strip of material having an adhesive surface in contact with the model and extending along the length of the arch, wherein the spacer has edges that are tapered to an acute angle; and

a non-stick separating medium applied to the spacer for contact with the tray material.