TITANIUM AND TITANIUM ALLOYS FOR A DENTAL MATRIX BAND 9081] The present device relates to a denial matrix band, also known in the industry as a separating strip, having a barrier coating thereon for use in dentistry. More particularly, the device relates to a dental matrix band having a base metal of titamum, titanium alloy or stainless steel plated or coated with titanium, or titanium alloy to initiate coagulation of blood and reduce bleeding into the work area.

p)602| A matrix baud, which, is one component of the matrix system, is a common tool used in dentistry. Matrix hands are typically used to isolate parts of or all of a particular tooth to ei ther protect adjacent teeth daring a restoration procedure, o to contain a restorative material before ^' curing. Ty icall , the matrix hand is a thin, flexible piece of material Generally speaking, the matrix hand is metallic in nature. A dentist will position the band around a tooth to be filled. The band is then tightened a ound the tooth _* with a clamping. device, in order to f rm a mold or an appropriate support for applying a filling material to the tooth.

[003 _. 1 The matrix band of the prior art Is metallic, usually comprising stainless steel. The matrix band must be substantially impervious to, or not reactive with, fluids in a .mouth of a person. The matrix hand must also be made of a metal that is nontoxic. The basic design and use of dental matrix bands is well-described in U.S. Patent Number 5,586,883 to Nakisher and Uditsky, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Accordingly, the use need not be further described here.

|0ΟΟ | There are a number of different dental matrix bands or devices currently on the market For example, this is a Universal Adult Matrix Band available in sizes of 0.001 inch and 0.0015 inch, an Adult Molar Matri Band, a Child Matrix Band Auto Matrix System and Sectional Matrix Band Systems.

|OaoS| Although the matrix hand is a common and long-used dental implement, problems do exist with the currently used technology. Blood, saliva and other bodily fluids in the work area can interfere with the dental process by reducing adhesion capabilities and causing deterioration of the cavity filling material. Such body fluids include, but are not limited to, blood, bile and saliva. Interference is caused between the tooth and the filling material because the best adherence of a filling to a tooth occurs when the tooth is dry, and the mechanical strength of the filling material is maximized. These fluids, especially blood, can also interfere with a proper viewing of the area on which a dentist is working, it is very useful to minimize blood flow am! stop it effectively and efficiently when it does occur.

(8086J Another difficulty with the use of existing matrix bands is the tendency of the bands to adhere to the cavity filling material. This adherence may make the matrix baud difficult to remove from the tooth when the filling process is complete, and may require the dentist to exert extra force on the tooth of a patient in order to remove the band. A difficult removal of the matrix band may well be nncomfortable for the patient, and. may also weaken the bond between the cavity filling material and the tooth. Without good bond strength between the filling material and the tooth, the denial filling may fail.

1 _. 00071 Many devices are known in the prior art which allegedly penult easy removal of a matrix band from, a tooth. One attempt to solve the problem, includes a matrix band with gold plating. However,, while the device may be easier to remove from around a tooth, the gold-plated matrix band, does not completely solve or eliminate the ingress of fluid, whic results In an imctesired bod fluid flow into the work area.

\WW} While not desired to be bound by any particular theory, capillary action is believed to occur because the solid, gold or gold alloy matrix band, as well as a gold-plated matrix band is not soft enough to form a sufficient and proper seal with fee tooth. Thus, such a band fails to eliminate the ingress of fluid, to die work area doe to this capillary action. Certainly other explanations lor the .failure of the gold, gold alloy and gold-plated matrices may be equally plausible.

|0fiO9| Until the device of the present application, these and other problems in the prior art. wen ^• either unnoticed or unsolved by those skilled .m the art. The present device provides a coated denial matrix which performs the basic function of facilitating filling of a tooth without sacrificing adherence quality and while improving seal effectiveness and ease of removability upon completion.

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|0O½i Generally speaking, an improved dental matrix baud constructed from a thin, flexible strip of pharmaceutically acceptable metal, including titanium, ti anium alloy or stainless steel, and coated with titanium or titanium alloy to initiate coagulation of blood and reduce bleeding into die work area, In addition to titanium benefits, he support material having a barrier coating applied to a surface of the flexible titaidirm or titanium alloy stri to minimizes ingress of fluid to a_i area between the strip and the tooth to which It is. positioned aroumi is described, mi In an embodiment, a matrix hand or sectional matrix band for use in dentistry, is descri ed. The matri hand includes a tliin, flexible strip of a pharmaceuticall -acceptable metal coated with, ti anium or titanium alloy material, capable of feeing positioned around a tooth, a polymer barrier coating applied to one surface of the thin, flexible strip, wherein the polymer barrier coating minimizes ingress of fluid to area between the tain, flexible strip and the tooth to which it is positioned around,

ββΐ2| in another embod ment a dental matri band seal is described. The dental matrix seal includes a flexible strip having a surface, the strip capable of being positioned around a tooth, a polymer coating applied to one surface of the strip, wherein the polymer coating is in direct contact with an outer surface of the tooth when the flexible strip is positioned around the tooth, and, wherein the polymer coating mmimizes ingress of fluid to an area between the strip and he tooth to which it is positioned around minimizing or eliminating contamination from body fluids, 1 0131 A method for making a polymer coated matrix band Is disclosed. The method includes the steps of priming a surface of a flexible strip of material, applying a capillary-actiou reducing polymer coating to the primed surface of the flexible strip and adhering the coating to the flexible strip. Polymer coatings are typically soft enough to successfully form a sea! between tile polymer band, and the tooth.

f 89141 In yet another embodiment, a matrix band or sectional, matrix band for use in dentistry, is described. The matrix band includes a thin, flexible strip of a pharmaceutically acceptable metal coated with, tttanhim o tiiaanim alloy material capable of being positioned around a tooth, a barrier layer applied to one surface of the thin, flexible strip, wherein the barrier layer m s .es ingress of fluid to an .area between the mm. flexible strip and the tooth to which it Is positioned around,

{ n$\ These and other as ec s of the dental matrix band may be understood mors readily from the following description and the appended d wings,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

iWtfy For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of th subject matter sough to be protected, there- are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description _* the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and. operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

foonj FIG, I. illustrates a perspective view of a titanium or titanium .alloy 110 sectional matrix band -wit a polymer harrier coating layer 120;

{WW} FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of stainless steel sectional matrix band 110 plated with titanium or titanium alloy 1 12 with a polymer barrier coating layer 120;

f §0391 FIG. 3 illustrates a eross-seetlooed view of the stainless steel matrix hand 110 plated with, titanium or titanium alloy 11.2

|0ί>2θ| FIG, 4 illustrates a cross-sectioned view of the sectional matrix band around a tooth; and, !&82i{ FIG. 5 Illustrates a cross- sectioned view of a straight matrix, band or contoured matrix band around a tooth. 10023] Referring to FIGS 1-5, there Is Illustrated, a dental, matrix baud and in particular, a sectional matrix band, generally designated as LOCK which is used for denial procedures. It should be tmderstood, that although a section matrix band is illustrated, the .p ese t disclosure would be useful fo any matrix band Including straight 102 and contoured .matrix bands. The present matrix band ^' is suitable for use iu dental procedures, and in particular, those where fillings are required. During such procedures, it is important to keep blood, saliva and other bodily fluids outs of the work area, for both efficiency aad to reduce or prevent contamination. The present matrix hand on the market without, having a coated surface thereon, results In capillary action between the tooth and the band being at least substantially reduced, if not eliminated.

(00231 The concept disclosed and claimed herein may be described as a dental, matrix band including a flexible stri of titanium, titanium alloy or stainles steel plated wit titanium or titanium alloy with a polymer seal, and Is applicable to any dental matrix device, regardless of the geometric shape of the dental matrix device, including straight, and simple contoured fully contoured, and Section Matri Band Systems. The geometric shape of the matrix band Is otherwise irrelevant o the junction of th device.

|0824{ Referring now to FIGS. l~4 _f a. sectional matrix baud 100 is illustrated. The matrix band 100 inehides a thin, flexible strip or support base 110 of material; either stainless steel, titanium or titanium alloy, having a barrier layer 120, the strip of titanium, titanium alloy or stainless steel plated with titanium or titanium alloy 11.2 being capable of positioning around a tooth 130. The harrier layer, which may be a polymer barrier layer 120, is applied to the surface of the thin, flexible strip 110 made of titanium, titanium alloy or stainless steel plated with titanium or titanium, alloy 112, When the matrix band 100 is ositioned around the tooth 130, the barrier layer 20 Is positioned toward the outer surf c of the tooth 13D to be worked oa (FIG. 4), |t)02S| The flexible strip or support base 110 may be composed ©f ay pharmaceutically suitable eiaf. including stainless steel, titanium or titanium alloys. Titanium (unalloyed) or alloys including titanium are preferred materials for construction of the dental matrix band. Optionally, the strip 110 may be constructed fern titanium, titanium alloy or stainless steel support base 110 plated with titanium or tiiannmi alloy 112 and a polymer coating 120 applied using suitable techniques. The strip 11 of titanium, titanfura alloy or stainless steel plated with titanium or titanium alloy material 112 has a thickness ranging fr m about 0.001 ^s* to about 0.0015".

109261 A polymer barrier layer 120 with a thickness in the range of from 0.0001" to O.OOF s adequate to reduce capillary action, A barrier coaling layer 1.20 with a thickness in the range of from about 0.000 P ⁵ to 0.0003" is most effective in reducing, if not elimi atmg, capillary action. The barrkr coating layer .120 can be applied In a continuous or substantially continuous layer.- [ΜΙ7\ The barrier layer .120 is a suitable polymer, one that inhibits or prevents the egress of fluid and adheres to th metal strip. Suitable polymers include silicone and polysi!oxane. The polymer coating may be applied over the titanium. coating, if desired.

{8Θ28| Adhesion of the polymer barrier coating 120· as denial matrix seal to any dental matrix device is assured by priming or etching the -surface of the denial matrix metal device using known, methods. Etching of the matrix band ma be accomplished in any suitable fashion. Acid etching and photochemical etching are especially suitable processes for etching the matrix band, as long as the r cedures are pharmaceutically acceptable.. Pharmaceutically acceptable includes those materials suitable for us in a .mouth of a person.

\ m\ Additionally, the matrix band may be e ched by using mechanical abrasion. Mechanical abrasion may be obtained by subjecting the metal surface to a high velocity stream of silica particles or soft metal particles, or by rubbing the surface with a silica or diamond encrusted paper or metal, sheet.. Clearly _* any abrasive system, may be used. However* the chemical treatment is pretexted,

i m] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the titanium, titanium alloy or stainless steel coated with titanium or titanium alloy matrix band 100 or sectional matrix band Is shown in use m a dental procedure, FIG, 4 illustrates the sectional matrix band 100, while FIG. 5 illustrates a straight matrix band 102. Regardless of the shape, the matrix band 100 with a polymer barrier coating 120 is wrapped around the tooth 130 to be restored using dental restoration. The polymer barrier coating 120 provides a seal between the flexible strip 110 and the tooth 130 to which it is positioned around. The matrix band material of titanium, titanium, alloy or stainless steel coated with titanium or titanium alloy 1 12 initiates the. clotting process and reduces bleeding in the work area around the tooth, to eliminate or reduce contamination.

!<MK51{ In the following: examples, which are intended to illustrate -without unduly limiting- the invention disclosed herein, all parts and percentages are by weight, unless otherwise specified. EXAMPLE ONE

(8δ32| A section coated, matrix baud. 100 having a polymer layer 1 0 applied onto a titanium, titanium alloy or stainless steel 110 plated with titanium or titanium alloy 112 using known methods. The section matrix band 100 is used as one component of the .matrix system, which includes section- matrix retainers, wedges,, adjacent tooth .guards, instruments and matrix band. The section matrix band 1.00 of the present disclosure is applied to a tooth 1.30 under repa r, o either protect, the adjacent teeth during preparation and. repair, axid or to contain a tsstorative material before curing, Although dental filling procedures requiring the use of matrix bands are generally limited ιο the .restoration of bicuspids and molars, it should ^' be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to any particular dental procedure or to the application of a dental procedure to any particular type of tooth.

{0βΧ5| The matter set forth in the foregoing description rid accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration, onl and not as a limitation. ^' While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications ma be made without departing from the broader aspects of -applicant's contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following laims when, viewed in hek proper perspective based on the prior an.