# US 5,707,236 A · Selectively sorbent article and method for use in dental applications

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- Number: US 5,707,236 A
- Document ID: US5707236A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/520,347
- Filed: 1995-08-28
- Granted: 1998-01-13
- Earliest claimed: 1995-08-28
- Assignees: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
- Inventors: Jerome E. Swanson; Kevin M. Cummings
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5707236A

## CPC

- A61F 13/38: Swabs having a stick-type handle {, e.g. cotton tips} (A61M35/006 takes precedence)
- A61C 19/001: {Holders for absorbent pads (absorbent pads per se A61F13/00)}
- A61F 2013/530255: {being hydrophobic fibres}
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- 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)

## Abstract

The present specification describes a cleanup article which selectively sorbs hydrophobic dental resins. The article is particularly useful in the removal of excess resin-containing materials from the mouth during dental procedures. The article preferably is of sufficient integral strength to prevent break-up of the article during use.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for selectively sorbing substantially hydrophobic dental resins comprising
a) applying a substantially hydrophobic dental resin to a dental surface in need of treatment; and
b) removing excess hydrophobic dental resin from said dental surface by wiping said excess resin with a dental article for use in selectively sorbing substantially hydrophobic dental resins from an environment containing aqueous fluids, said article comprising a material having a Water Repellency Value greater than 1.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said dental surface is in the oral cavity.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said material is a nonwoven web.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said material is a woven web.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said material is attached to an applicator.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said material is used as a dental floss.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said material absorbs liquids having a surface tension less than 47.7 dynes/cm.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said material absorbs liquids having a surface tension less than 40 dynes/cm.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said material is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene and polyethylene, and mixtures thereof.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said article has a sheet-like configuration having an overall size of less than about 250 cm.sup.2.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said article has a sheet-like configuration having an overall size of less than about 25 cm.sup.2.

### Claim 12

A method for cementing a crown in place, comprising the steps of
a) placing a substantially hydrophobic cement into a crown;
b) seating said crown on a prepared tooth with excess cement exuding from the margins of said crown; and
c) removing said excess cement from surfaces of said crown with a dental article for use in selectively sorbing substantially hydrophobic dental resins from an environment containing aqueous fluids, said article comprising a material having a Water Repellency Value greater than 1.