Dental Wedge

Abstract

The present invention relates to dental wedges that may be used for creating space between adjacent teeth. In one form, the dental wedge includes an elongated body extending from an outer end to an opposite inner end. The body has a longitudinal intermediate wall, a longitudinal first side wall connected to the intermediate wall, and a longitudinal second side wall connected to the intermediate wall. The first side wall and the second side wall each flare away from the intermediate wall such that a first distal end of the first side wall and a second distal end of the second side wall are spaced apart creating an inverted generally V-shaped transverse section for the body. The body has a top surface formed by the intermediate wall, the first side wall and the second side wall. The body also has a bottom surface formed by the intermediate wall, the first side wall and the second side wall. The dental wedge includes a grasping section connected to the outer end of the body. A hollow region is defined by the bottom surface of the wedge and a first reference line extending from the first distal end of the first side wall to the second distal end of the second side wall. At least a first portion of the body comprises a first material that transmits light.

1 . A dental wedge for creating space between adjacent teeth, the dental wedge comprising:
 an elongated body extending from an outer end to an opposite inner end, the body comprising a longitudinal intermediate wall, a longitudinal first side wall connected to the intermediate wall, and a longitudinal second side wall connected to the intermediate wall, the first side wall and the second side wall each flaring away from the intermediate wall such that a first distal end of the first side wall and a second distal end of the second side wall are spaced apart creating an inverted generally V-shaped transverse section for the body, the body having a top surface formed by the intermediate wall, the first side wall and the second side wall, the body having a bottom surface formed by the intermediate wall, the first side wall and the second side wall; and   a grasping section connected to the outer end of the body,   wherein a hollow region is defined by the bottom surface and a first reference line extending from the first distal end of the first side wall to the second distal end of the second side wall, and   wherein transverse hollow regions defined by transverse planes moving from the grasping section to the inner end vary in area.   
     
     
         2 . The dental wedge of  claim 1  wherein:
 each hollow region has a first volume that is 10% to 90% of a second volume defined by the top surface and the first reference line. 
 
     
     
         3 . The dental wedge of  claim 1  wherein:
 a wedge width is defined by a first distance of the first reference line extending from the first distal end of the first side wall to the second distal end of the second side wall, 
 a wedge height is defined by a second distance between the first reference line and a second reference line tangent to a top edge of the top surface of the body, and 
 the wedge width is greater than the wedge height. 
 
     
     
         4 . The dental wedge of  claim 1  wherein:
 the grasping section includes splines that are dimensioned to engage serrations of a dental pliers. 
 
     
     
         5 . The dental wedge of  claim 1  wherein:
 at least a first portion of the body comprises a first material that transmits light. 
 
     
     
         6 . The dental wedge of  claim 5  wherein:
 at least a second portion of the body comprises a second material that does not transmit light. 
 
     
     
         7 . The dental wedge of  claim 5  wherein:
 a top edge of the top surface of the body comprises the first material. 
 
     
     
         8 . The dental wedge of  claim 5  wherein:
 at least a second portion of the body comprises a second material that does not transmit light, and 
 the second portion of the body is positioned adjacent the first portion of the body to reflect light back into the first portion of the body. 
 
     
     
         9 . A dental wedge for creating space between adjacent teeth, the dental wedge comprising:
 an elongated body extending from an outer end to an opposite inner end, the body comprising a longitudinal intermediate wall, a longitudinal first side wall connected to the intermediate wall, and a longitudinal second side wall connected to the intermediate wall, the first side wall and the second side wall each flaring away from the intermediate wall such that a first distal end of the first side wall and a second distal end of the second side wall are spaced apart creating an inverted generally V-shaped transverse section for the body, the body having a top surface formed by the intermediate wall, the first side wall and the second side wall, the body having a bottom surface formed by the intermediate wall, the first side wall and the second side wall; and   a grasping section connected to the outer end of the body,   wherein a hollow region is defined by the bottom surface and a first reference line extending from the first distal end of the first side wall to the second distal end of the second side wall, and   wherein the grasping section includes a first vertical land connected to the outer end of the body, a second vertical land spaced apart from the first vertical land, and an intermediate section connected to the first vertical land and the second vertical land.   
     
     
         10 . The dental wedge of  claim 9  wherein:
 the intermediate section includes splines that are dimensioned to engage serrations of a dental pliers. 
 
     
     
         11 . The dental wedge of  claim 9  wherein:
 the first vertical land has a generally triangular shape. 
 
     
     
         12 . The dental wedge of  claim 9  wherein:
 the first vertical land has an outer perimeter that is spaced outward from the top surface of the body. 
 
     
     
         13 . The dental wedge of  claim 9  wherein:
 the intermediate section has an outer perimeter that is spaced inward from an outer perimeter of the first vertical land and an outer perimeter of the second vertical land. 
 
     
     
         14 . The dental wedge of  claim 9  wherein:
 the second land includes a vertical end surface, and 
 the end surface is free from any vestige that extends beyond the end surface. 
 
     
     
         15 . A dental wedge for creating space between adjacent teeth, the dental wedge comprising:
 an elongated body extending from an outer end to an opposite inner end, the body comprising a longitudinal intermediate wall, a longitudinal first side wall connected to the intermediate wall, and a longitudinal second side wall connected to the intermediate wall, the first side wall and the second side wall each flaring away from the intermediate wall such that a first distal end of the first side wall and a second distal end of the second side wall are spaced apart creating an inverted generally V-shaped transverse section for the body, the body having a top surface formed by the intermediate wall, the first side wall and the second side wall, the body having a bottom surface formed by the intermediate wall, the first side wall and the second side wall; and   a grasping section connected to the outer end of the body,   wherein a hollow region is defined by the bottom surface and a first reference line extending from the first distal end of the first side wall to the second distal end of the second side wall,   wherein a first surface section of the first side wall forms a first part of the top surface, and   wherein the first part of the top surface is convex to conform to a fluting or furcation in one of the adjacent teeth.   
     
     
         16 . The dental wedge of  claim 15  wherein:
 the first part of the top surface is located intermediate the outer end and the inner end of the body. 
 
     
     
         17 . The dental wedge of  claim 15  wherein:
 the inner end comprises a blunt collapsing distal tip. 
 
     
     
         18 . The dental wedge of  claim 15  wherein:
 wherein a second surface section of the second side wall forms a second part of the top surface, and 
 wherein the second part of the top surface is convex to conform to a fluting or furcation in the other of the adjacent teeth. 
 
     
     
         19 . The dental wedge of  claim 15  wherein:
 the wedge includes lumination features created with surface texture or chemical light activated reflector luminescent chemicals. 
 
     
     
         20 . The dental wedge of  claim 15  wherein:
 the body includes a slip additive to lower a coefficient of friction for the body.