Dental matrix band seal in combination with a matrix band

Abstract

A coated matrix band or coated separating strip for use in dentistry eliminates capillary action between a tooth and the matrix band due to the coating while the tooth is being filled, while at least one aperture in the matrix band assists with removal of the matrix band from the tooth, after the filling is complete. The improvement in the coated matrix band or coated separating strip is a coating applied to the surface thereof in order to minimize the ingress of fluid between the tooth and the device as the tooth is being filled. At least one aperture therein assists with the removal from the tooth after the filling is complete.

1 . A matrix band or separating strip for use in dentistry, the improvement comprising a coating applied to the surface of the matrix band to minimize the ingress of fluid between a tooth and the matrix band.  
   
   
       2 . The matrix band of  claim 1  further comprising a coating applied to a ductile matrix band or separating strip, which minimizes the ingress of fluid due to capillary action or other means, between the matrix band and a tooth being filled while the matrix band is positioned therearound in order to support adherence of a filling material to the tooth.  
   
   
       3 . The matrix band of  claim 2  further comprising the coating being at least one coating selected from the group consisting of at least one pharmaceutically acceptable polymer and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable metal.  
   
   
       4 . The matrix band of  claim 3  further comprising the polymer coating including of composites of metal or ceramic.  
   
   
       5 . The matrix band of  claim 3  further comprising the polymer coating including a flexible ceramic.  
   
   
       6 . The matrix band of  claim 3  further comprising the polymer coating being replaced by laminates or tapes.  
   
   
       7 . The matrix band of  claim 3  further comprising: 
 (a) the metal being an alloy comprising at least one metal from the following group: tin zinc, copper, bismuth, indium, mercury, aluminum and platinum; and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, zinc, copper, bismuth, indium, mercury, aluminum and platinum;    (b) the polymer being polysiloxane, silicone, composites of metal or ceramics or flexible ceramic; and    (c) the alloy being pharmaceutically acceptable.    
   
   
       8 . The matrix band of  claim 7  further comprising a polymer coating that softens when exposed to body temperature to provide a tighter seal between the matrix band or separating strip and the tooth.  
   
   
       9 . The matrix band of  claim 7  further comprising a polymer coating that become hydrogels upon exposure to body fluids, providing a barrier to rapid fluid flow between the dental matrix band or separating strip and the tooth.  
   
   
       10 . The matrix band of  claim 7  further comprising a polymer coating that contains a plasticiser to make the polymer more flexible to provide a tighter seal between the tooth and the matrix band or separating strip and the tooth.  
   
   
       11 . The matrix band of  claim 7  further comprising a coating having a thickness of about 0.001 millimeter to about 0.25 millimeter.  
   
   
       12 . The matrix band of  claim 11  further comprising the coating having a thickness of about 0.01 millimeter to about 0.2 millimeter.  
   
   
       13 . The matrix band of  claim 12  further comprising the coating having a thickness of about 0.02 millimeters to about 0.1 millimeters.  
   
   
       14 . The matrix band of  claim 11  further comprising: 
 (a) the at least one aperture being adapted to assist with a removal of the matrix band from the tooth;    (b) the matrix band utilizing a clamp to secure the matrix band around the tooth and;    (c) the clamp being situated between the tooth and the at least one aperture.    
   
   
       15 . The matrix band of  claim 12  further comprising: 
 (a) the at least one aperture being adapted to assist with a removal of the matrix band from the tooth;    (b) the matrix band utilizing a clamp to secure the matrix band around the tooth and;    (c) the clamp being situated between the tooth and the at least one aperture.    
   
   
       16 . The matrix band of  claim 14  further comprising: 
 (a) the at least one aperture being adapted to assist with a removal of the matrix band from the tooth;    (b) the matrix band utilizing a clamp to secure the matrix band around the tooth and;    (c) the clamp being situated between the tooth and the at least one aperture.    
   
   
       17 . The matrix band of  claim 7  further comprising the coating being a continuous coating.  
   
   
       18 . The matrix band of  claim 7  further comprising the coating being a discontinuous coating.  
   
   
       19 . A method for making a coated matrix band comprising: 
 (a) etching a matrix band to receive a capillary action reducing coating;    (b) applying the coating to the matrix band in order to provide the matrix band with a reduced capillary action between the matrix band and a tooth;    (c) adhering the capillary action reducing coating to the matrix band in order to form the coated matrix band; and    (d) recovering the coated matrix band with the reduced capillary action.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising: 
 (a) adhering the capillary action reducing coating to a surface of the matrix band with an appropriate process selected from the following group: electroplating, chemical plating or mechanical abrasion, and melting the coating with at least one flux; and    (b) forming the coated matrix band.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising adhering the capillary action reducing coating to the surface of the matrix band by: 
 (a) degreasing the stainless steel dental matrix band was by immersion in trichloromethane, followed by warm methanol, followed by a distilled water rinse;    (b) etching the stainless steel matrix band in a 30% (v/v) solution of sulphuric acid at 60° C. for a time long enough to remove 80 g of metal per square meter;    (c) treating the band in a solution of twelve to fifteen percent (v/v) sulfuric acid and two percent (v/v) sodium dichromate at 60° C. for four minutes and then rinsing with warm water;    (d) priming the treated surface of the dental matrix band by coating with a one percent (v/v) aqueous solution of silane-based primer containing an equal volume percent of amine curing agent.    (e) coating the primed surface then with a polymer to provide a more tightly bound seal coating for the dental matrix bond.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the silane-based primer such is gamma glycidoxypropyltrimethoxy silane and the amine curing agent is tri-z-ethyl hexanote of 2,4,5-tris(dimethylaminomethyl)phenol.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising the primer coating selected from the group being comprised of: polyurethane, acrylate, saran and polyvinyl chloride.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising: 
 (a) providing at least one aperture in the matrix band;    (b) using the matrix band around the tooth;    (c) fitting a dental tool into the at least one aperture; and    (d) removing the matrix band from the tooth with cooperation between the dental tool and the at least one aperture.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the etching is photo etching, acid etching or mechanical abrasion.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the acid etching of the matrix band is at a pH of about 4 to about 6.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the photo etching of the matrix band includes the steps of: 
 (a) degreasing the matrix band;    (b) rinsing the matrix band;    (c) acid washing the matrix band;    (d) bonding a photo resist coating to the matrix band;    (e) selectively applying an exposing agent to a selected area of the photo resist coating to form an exposed coating;    (f) removing the exposed coating to form at least one exposed area on the matrix band; and    (g) applying a capillary action reducing coating to the at least one exposed area.    
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the photo etching of the matrix band further includes the steps of: 
 (a) removing of an unexposed section of photo resist coating sections is accomplished by a developing step to form an uncoated area;    (b) washing and then cleaning the uncoated area; and    (c) etching the uncoated area.    
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the photo etching of the matrix band further includes the steps of: 
 (a) applying the capillary action reducing coating to the etched surface;    (b) applying the capillary action reducing coating to eliminate capillary action; and    (c) removing any remaining photo resist coating with an alkaline wash.    
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the photo etching of the matrix band further includes the step of applying a siloxane or a silicone coating to the matrix band.