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.

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.