The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 04, 1998
Filed:
Sep. 27, 1996
Craig A Hoffman, Albert Lea, MN (US);
Other;
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 hand-held instrument with a specialized tip to hold an amount of pre-cured composite which is made from the same material as the restorative material or other compatible material and is intended for permanent placement in the tooth during the restorative process and becomes an integral part of the restoration. 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 maximum circumference of the tooth. The amount of pre-cured composite is placed in a layer of uncured composite on this plane and the instrument is used to apply pressure to the amount of pre-cured composite to establish interproximal contact. This layer is cured, securing the amount of pre-cured composite and deforming the matrix band outwardly for subsequent filling and curing to complete the restoration.