Dental cavity restoration method
United States Patent 3914868
Dental cavities are restored with typical dental amalgam using a unique process. The amalgam is introduced into the cavity utilizing an amalgam carrier comprising an open-ended, large volume tubular member and interconnected handle member in conjunction with an independent compactor, preferably a vibrating compacting device. The dental amalgam is carried within the tubular member portion of the amalgam carrier and is forced into the cavity with the compacting device. Utilizing the method of the invention, large, multi-surface cavities can be restored while minimizing the possibility of contaminating the cavity area by hand contact.
US Patent References:
Amalgam carrier
Siquelane - July 1944 - 2352808
Combined amalgamator and dispenser device
Walker et al. - October 1966 - 3280459
/3553841.html
Austin, Jr. - January 1971 - 3553841
Amalgam carrier
Siquelane - July 1944 - 2352808
Combined amalgamator and dispenser device
Walker et al. - October 1966 - 3280459
/3553841.html
Austin, Jr. - January 1971 - 3553841
Inventors:
Schwartz, Robert (Rahway, NJ)
Goldberg, Morris (Port Washington, NY)
Goldberg, Morris (Port Washington, NY)
Application Number:
05/341369
Publication Date:
10/28/1975
Filing Date:
03/15/1973
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Schwartz, Robert (Rahway, NJ)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
433/163
International Classes:
A61C5/04; A61C7/00
Field of Search:
32/51,57,60,56,15
Primary Examiner:
Peshock, Robert
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Luecke, Jerome E.
Claims:
What is claimed is
1. A method for restoring a dental cavity with dental amalgam comprising:
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said compacting device is a vibrating compacting device.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said tubular member has a circular horizontal cross section.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein said tubular member has a circular horizontal cross section.
1. A method for restoring a dental cavity with dental amalgam comprising:
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said compacting device is a vibrating compacting device.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said tubular member has a circular horizontal cross section.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein said tubular member has a circular horizontal cross section.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for the restoration of dental cavities. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process for repairing dental cavities while minimizing the possibility of contaminating the cavity area through contact with the hands of the dental practitioner.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Silver-mercury based amalgams have been employed for many years for the restoration of dental cavities. The cavity is restored by inserting amalgam within the previously prepared cavity surface. Typically, the dental practitioner packs amalgam within the cavity void with the use of a combination amalgam carrier/packing device. The carrier typically consists of a small diameter tube connected to a handle member and interconnected mechanical means for forcing amalgam contained within the tube into the cavity void. The amount of amalgam material capable of being carried with these devices is very limited because a great deal of mechanical energy is required to force large quantities of the highly viscous amalgam material from a relatively large diameter carrying tube into the cavity void. Accordingly, the volume capacity of typical combination amalgam carrier/packing devices in relatively small. Normally, the carrier tube of prior art carrier/packing devices have a circular cross section of a diameter less than about 1/8 inch. Accordingly, when such devices are employed in restoring large, multi-surface cavities, the practitioner is forced to make a number of passes from the amalgam mixing area to the patient's mouth to carry the required volume of amalgam into the patient's dentition. Because a large number of passes are required, the probabilities of contaminating the amalgam and/or cavity surface through hand contact are greatly increased.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The difficulties encountered using prior art cavity filling techniques are overcome utilizing the process of the present invention. With the present process, cavities are restored using an amalgam carrier having a relatively large volume capacity in conjunction with an independent-compacting device, preferably a vibrating compacting device, most preferably a typical dental vibrating condenser. The amalgam carrier comprises an open-ended tubular member interconnected with a handle member. Cavities are restored by (i) introducing dental amalgam within the tubular member portion of the amalgam carrier, (ii) placing one of the open ends of the tubular member portion of the amalgam carrier into congruence with the dental cavity or area where the dental amalgam is sought to be deposited and (iii) thereafter introducing the terminal portion of an independent compacting device, preferably a vibrating condenser, into the other open end of the tubular member to force the amalgam contained therein into the dental cavity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying FIGURE in which the use of the large volume amalgam carrier/vibrating compactor combination is shown.
The precise configuration of the tubular member portion of the amalgam carrier is not critical. Specifically, the tubular member may have a horizontal cross section of any desired geometrical shape, e.g. circular, rectangular, triangular, etc. Preferably, the major internal horizontal axis of the cross section of the tubular member, that is, the distance between the furthest opposed points on the tubular member's cross section, is greater than about 1/8 inch. Preferably, tubular members having an essentially cylindrical configuration are employed. Desirably, the internal diameter (major internal horizontal axis) of such cylinders is greater than about 3/16 of an inch but less than about 1 inch. The height of the tubular members desirably varies between 1/16 to 1 inch.
The compacting device employed in conjunction with the amalgam carrier may be of any of the usual types employed in dental or or orthodontic practice. Normally, a typical dental vibrating condenser having a terminala vibrating workpiece is used.
As noted above, the dental amalgam is forced from within the tubular member portion of the amalgam carrier by introducing the terminal portion of the compacting device into the open end of the tubular member. This action, especially where a vibrating compacting device is employed, serves to force the amalgam contained in the carrier from the tubular member into the previously prepared cavity surface.
The FIGURE illustrates the operation of the present cavity restoration method. An amalgam carrier comprising tubular member 10 having a cylindrical configuration that is interconnected with handle member 11 is shown located approximately on top of the mid-buccal cusp of one lower six-year molar (first molar) of arch structure A. The amalgam contained within the tubular portion of the carrier is removed therefrom by introducing the terminal vibrating portion 12 of a vibrating compacting device 20 into the open end of tubular member 10. The vibrating action of the compacting device serves to dislodge the amalgam from within the carrier and form an acceptable bond between the amalgam and cavity void.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for the restoration of dental cavities. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process for repairing dental cavities while minimizing the possibility of contaminating the cavity area through contact with the hands of the dental practitioner.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Silver-mercury based amalgams have been employed for many years for the restoration of dental cavities. The cavity is restored by inserting amalgam within the previously prepared cavity surface. Typically, the dental practitioner packs amalgam within the cavity void with the use of a combination amalgam carrier/packing device. The carrier typically consists of a small diameter tube connected to a handle member and interconnected mechanical means for forcing amalgam contained within the tube into the cavity void. The amount of amalgam material capable of being carried with these devices is very limited because a great deal of mechanical energy is required to force large quantities of the highly viscous amalgam material from a relatively large diameter carrying tube into the cavity void. Accordingly, the volume capacity of typical combination amalgam carrier/packing devices in relatively small. Normally, the carrier tube of prior art carrier/packing devices have a circular cross section of a diameter less than about 1/8 inch. Accordingly, when such devices are employed in restoring large, multi-surface cavities, the practitioner is forced to make a number of passes from the amalgam mixing area to the patient's mouth to carry the required volume of amalgam into the patient's dentition. Because a large number of passes are required, the probabilities of contaminating the amalgam and/or cavity surface through hand contact are greatly increased.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The difficulties encountered using prior art cavity filling techniques are overcome utilizing the process of the present invention. With the present process, cavities are restored using an amalgam carrier having a relatively large volume capacity in conjunction with an independent-compacting device, preferably a vibrating compacting device, most preferably a typical dental vibrating condenser. The amalgam carrier comprises an open-ended tubular member interconnected with a handle member. Cavities are restored by (i) introducing dental amalgam within the tubular member portion of the amalgam carrier, (ii) placing one of the open ends of the tubular member portion of the amalgam carrier into congruence with the dental cavity or area where the dental amalgam is sought to be deposited and (iii) thereafter introducing the terminal portion of an independent compacting device, preferably a vibrating condenser, into the other open end of the tubular member to force the amalgam contained therein into the dental cavity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying FIGURE in which the use of the large volume amalgam carrier/vibrating compactor combination is shown.
The precise configuration of the tubular member portion of the amalgam carrier is not critical. Specifically, the tubular member may have a horizontal cross section of any desired geometrical shape, e.g. circular, rectangular, triangular, etc. Preferably, the major internal horizontal axis of the cross section of the tubular member, that is, the distance between the furthest opposed points on the tubular member's cross section, is greater than about 1/8 inch. Preferably, tubular members having an essentially cylindrical configuration are employed. Desirably, the internal diameter (major internal horizontal axis) of such cylinders is greater than about 3/16 of an inch but less than about 1 inch. The height of the tubular members desirably varies between 1/16 to 1 inch.
The compacting device employed in conjunction with the amalgam carrier may be of any of the usual types employed in dental or or orthodontic practice. Normally, a typical dental vibrating condenser having a terminala vibrating workpiece is used.
As noted above, the dental amalgam is forced from within the tubular member portion of the amalgam carrier by introducing the terminal portion of the compacting device into the open end of the tubular member. This action, especially where a vibrating compacting device is employed, serves to force the amalgam contained in the carrier from the tubular member into the previously prepared cavity surface.
The FIGURE illustrates the operation of the present cavity restoration method. An amalgam carrier comprising tubular member 10 having a cylindrical configuration that is interconnected with handle member 11 is shown located approximately on top of the mid-buccal cusp of one lower six-year molar (first molar) of arch structure A. The amalgam contained within the tubular portion of the carrier is removed therefrom by introducing the terminal vibrating portion 12 of a vibrating compacting device 20 into the open end of tubular member 10. The vibrating action of the compacting device serves to dislodge the amalgam from within the carrier and form an acceptable bond between the amalgam and cavity void.