# US 10,441,394 B2 · Dental matrix band > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,441,394 B2 - Document ID: US10441394B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/389,556 - Filed: 2013-03-29 - Published: 2015-07-02 - Granted: 2019-10-15 - Earliest claimed: 2012-04-02 - Assignees: DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc. - Applicants: Dentsply International Inc. - Inventors: Simon P. McDonald - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10441394B2 ## CPC - A61C 19/003: {Apparatus for curing resins by radiation} - A61C 5/85: Filling bands, e.g. matrix bands; Manipulating tools therefor - B05D 1/02: performed by spraying - B05D 3/0272: {with ovens} - B05D 7/14: to metal, e.g. car bodies (involving a chemical reaction between the metal and the coating C23) - B05D 7/24: for applying particular liquids or other fluent materials - C23C 4/00: Coating by spraying the coating material in the molten state, e.g. by flame, plasma or electric discharge (build-up welding B23K, e.g. B23K5/18, B23K9/04) - B05D 2202/15: Stainless steel - B05D 2252/02: of indefinite length - B05D 2506/15: Polytetrafluoroethylene [PTFE] - Y10T 29/49567: Dental appliance making - A61C: DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE (non-driven toothbrushes A46B; {tongue scrapers A61B17/24;} preparations for dentistry A61K6/00; preparations for cleaning the teeth or mouth A61K8/00, A61Q11/00) - B05D: PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL (conveying articles or workpieces through baths of liquid B65G, e.g. B65G49/02) - C23C: COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL (making metal-coated products by extrusion B21C23/22; covering with metal by connecting pre-existing layers to articles, see the relevant places, e.g. B21D39/00, B23K; metallising of glass C03C; metallising mortars, concrete, artificial stone, ceramics or natural stone C04B41/00; enamelling of, or applying a vitreous layer to, metals C23D; treating metal surfaces or coating of metals by electrolysis or electrophoresis C25D; single-crystal film growth C30B; by metallising textiles D06M11/83; decorating textiles by locally metallising D06Q1/04) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The present invention relates to a dental matrix for use repairing and restoring inter-proximal cavities on a tooth with light-cured composites, the dental matrix comprising a matrix body and a plurality of light transmitting micro-pores positioned on the matrix body and overlying the inter-proximal surface of the tooth when the dental matrix engages the restored tooth. The present invention further relates to a method manufacture of such dental matrix. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A dental matrix for use in repairing and restoring inter-proximal cavities with light-cured restorative material, the dental matrix comprising: a first side and a second side, a metal substrate on the first side comprising a plurality of hexagonal micro-apertures arranged in a honeycomb pattern, wherein the hexagonal micro-apertures are filled with a transparent or semi transparent resin, and a polymer layer on the second side covering both the metal substrate and the resin filled hexagonal micro-apertures for contacting the tooth in use, wherein the transparent or semi transparent resin and the polymer layer are made of different materials; wherein the polymer layer on the second side includes a fluorocarbon that does not stick to a dental restorative material, the polymer layer forming a smooth non-stick surface finish; wherein each of the plurality of hexagonal micro-apertures has an area of between 300 and 80,000 square microns; and the plurality of hexagonal micro-apertures are positioned on the metal substrate such that when the dental matrix is formed into desired configuration around the tooth being restored, the plurality of hexagonal micro-apertures align with inter-proximal tooth surfaces of the tooth being restored. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The dental matrix of claim 1, wherein the fluorocarbon is selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene propylene, and perfluoroalkoxy. ### Claim 3 A dental matrix for use in repairing and restoring cavities with light-cured restorative material, the dental matrix comprising: a metal substrate comprising an arrangement of a plurality of micro-apertures, wherein the plurality of micro-apertures comprises elongate micro-apertures each having a length greater than a width, a first set of an at least some of the elongate micro-apertures being arranged in concentric partial rings about a centre region with each length of the at least some of the elongate micro-apertures aligned and oriented approximately radially towards the centre region, thereby eliminating the need to align a light source directly perpendicularly or normal to the dental matrix, and a second set of the elongate micro-apertures located at or near to a bottom edge of the dental matrix with their lengths aligned approximately horizontally, wherein the centre region being centre of the arrangement of the micro-apertures arranged in the concentric partial ring. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The dental matrix of claim 3, the centre region being located near the middle of the dental matrix such that the dental matrix can be positioned between a lingual side of a tooth in use and a buccal side of the tooth in use to direct light onto the light-cured restorative material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The dental matrix of claim 3, wherein the second set of the elongate micro apertures located at or near to the bottom edge of the dental matrix are arranged in columns. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The dental matrix of claim 3, wherein the first set and the second set of micro-apertures are located on either side of a centre line of the dental matrix wherein the centre line is perpendicular to a bottom edge of the dental matrix and passes through the centre region. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The dental matrix of claim 3 wherein the metal substrate further comprises the plurality of elongate micro-apertures filled with a transparent or semi transparent resin, and the dental matrix further comprises a polymer layer covering the metal substrate and the resin filled micro-apertures for contacting the tooth in use. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The dental matrix of claim 3 wherein a ratio of the length to the width is from 1.2 to 5. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The dental matrix of claim 3 wherein a ratio of the width of each of the plurality of micro-apertures to a thickness of the metal substrate is greater than 2.