Method and apparatus for dental restoration using light curable restoratives

Abstract

A method and apparatus for restoration of teeth using light curable restoratives while assuring interproximal contact between the restored tooth and an adjacent tooth. The apparatus is in the form of a triangle-like block defining two arms converging at a common point and which are of a different length. The longer of the two arms is provided with a camming surface on the end thereof opposite from the common pointed edge whereas the shorter of the two arms is provided with an abutment surface on the end thereof opposite from the common pointed edge. A tooth cavitation opening through a vertical tooth surface about which a matrix band has been tightened is filled by alternate deposition and curing of successive layers of the light curable restorative to a level at or below the plane of the maximum circumference of the tooth. The block is placed with the shorter arm against the top of the previously cured filling with the abutment surface against the matrix band so that a ledge of cured restorative may be built about the pointed end of the block. Thereafter, the block is removed and reinserted with the longer leg down and operable as a camming strut pivotable about the previously formed step or ledge against the matrix band to deform it outwardly for subsequent filling and curing of the restorative.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.