Dental strip

Abstract

An elongated flexible dental strip includes front and rear surfaces defining a thickness therebetween. The strip also includes first and second edges defining a lateral width therebetween. A first portion of the strip further is spaced from a second portion along the length of the strip, wherein the thickness of the first portion is different from the thickness of the second portion. The strip has a constant thickness across a lateral width defined between the first and second edges.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a dental strip, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is side elevational view of the strip of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along 5-5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a portion of a patient's mouth depicting one method of use of the strip of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6A is a schematic partial cross-sectional view taken along lines 6A-6A of FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a dental strip.

FIG. 8 is side elevational view of the strip of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 9-9 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 10-10 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a portion of a patient's mouth depicting one method of use of the strip of FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of a third embodiment of a dental strip, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of a fourth embodiment of a dental strip, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of a fifth embodiment of a dental strip, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of a sixth embodiment of a dental strip, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of a seventh embodiment of a dental strip, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of an eighth embodiment of a dental strip, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of an ninth embodiment of a dental strip, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of a tenth embodiment of a dental strip, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a side elevational view of an eleventh embodiment of a dental strip, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a side elevational view of a twelfth embodiment of a dental strip, in accordance with the present invention.

Claims

1. A dental strip comprising: a flexible strip defining a length, said strip having: front and rear surfaces defining a thickness therebetween;first and second edges defining a lateral width therebetween; anda first portion and a second portion spaced from said first portion along the length of said strip,wherein the thickness of said first portion is different from the thickness of said second portion,and wherein said strip has a constant thickness across a lateral width defined between said first and second edges.

2. The strip of claim 1, wherein said flexible strip tapers in a direction along its length from said first portion towards said second portion.

3. The strip of claim 2, wherein said first portion is located at an end of said strip, and wherein said first portion tapers downwardly from said first portion to said second portion such that the thickness at said first portion is greater than the thickness at said second portion.

4. The strip of claim 3, wherein said second portion is located generally in the center of said strip.

5. The strip of claim 2, wherein said first portion is located at an end of said strip, and wherein said first portion tapers upwardly from said first portion to said second portion such that the thickness at said first portion is less than the thickness at said second portion.

6. The strip of claim 5, wherein said second portion is located generally in the center of said strip.

7. The strip of claim 1, wherein said front surfaces of said first and second portions are planar surfaces.

8. The strip of claim 7, wherein a step is formed between said first and second portions, wherein said step is generally perpendicular to said planar surfaces.

9. The strip of claim 7 further including an intermediate portion between said first and second portions along the length of said strip, said intermediate portion having a thickness different from the thicknesses of said first and second portions.

10. The strip of claim 9, wherein said front surfaces of said first portion, said intermediate portion, and said second portion are planar surfaces.

11. The strip of claim 10, further including third and fourth portions having different thicknesses of said first portion, wherein said third portion and said second portions are located at ends of said strip, and wherein said fourth portion is located between said third portion and said first portion.

12. The strip of claim 11, wherein the thicknesses of said intermediate portion and said fourth portion are generally equal, and wherein the thicknesses of said second portion and said third portion are generally equal.

13. The strip of claim 12, wherein said strip is formed from separate first, second, and third layers having different lengths and laminated together such that said second layer is disposed between said first and third layers, wherein said first layer defines said first portion, end portions of said second layer define said intermediate and fourth portions, and end portions of said third layer define said second and third portions.

14. The strip of claim 1, wherein said strip is formed from at least two separate layers laminated together.

15. The strip of claim 1, wherein said front surface of said strip includes at least one tapered portion, and a pair of planar portions having different thickness from one another.

16. The strip of claim 1, wherein both said front and rear surfaces are stepped.

17. The strip of claim 1, wherein said strip is provided with indicia located generally in the center of the length of said strip.

18. A dental strip comprising: a flexible strip defining a length, said strip having: first and second edges defining a lateral width therebetween;a first portion having a first planar surface extending across said lateral width; anda second portion spaced from said first portion along the length of said strip, said second portion having a second planar surface extending across said lateral width,wherein said first planar surface is spaced from said second planar surface in a direction perpendicular to said first and second planar surfaces.

19. The strip of claim 18, wherein the first and second planar surfaces are parallel to one another.

20. The strip of claim 18 further including an intermediate portion having a planar surface extending across said lateral width, said intermediate portion disposed between said first and second portions along the length of said strip.

21. The strip of claim 20 further including a third and fourth portions each having planar surfaces, wherein said third portion and said second portions are located at ends of said strip, and wherein said fourth portion is located between said third portion and said first portion.

22. A method of applying dental material onto a tooth comprising the steps of: a. providing a strip having an intermediate portion disposed between a pair of ends;b. folding the strip along the intermediate portion forming first and second portions of the strip;c. inserting the first portion between adjacent first and second teeth;d. inserting the second portion between the first tooth and a third tooth adjacent the first tooth such that the first tooth is between the first and second portions and the folded intermediate portion is positioned in the lingual side of the teeth; ande. applying dental material on the first tooth such that the strip isolates at least a portion of the first tooth from the second and third teeth.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the thickness of the intermediate portion is greater than the thickness at the ends, and wherein in steps (c) and (d) the first and second portions are inserted near the ends and the first and second portions are then subsequently slid in a direction towards the facial side of the teeth until a desired thickness of the intermediate portion is between the teeth.

24. The method of claim 22. wherein prior to step (e), removing portions of the first and second portions extending toward the facial side of the teeth.

25. A method of applying dental material onto a tooth comprising the steps of: a. providing a strip having an intermediate portion disposed between a pair of end portions, wherein the thickness of the intermediate portion is different than the thickness at the end portions;b. folding the strip along the intermediate portion forming adjacent first and second portions of the strip;c. inserting the first and second portions between a pair of teeth;d. sliding at least one of the first and second portions between the pair of teeth until a desired thickness of one of the first and second portions is between the teeth; ande. applying dental material on one of the teeth such that the strip isolates at least a portion of one of the teeth from the other tooth.

26. A method of applying dental material onto a tooth comprising the steps of: a. providing an elongated strip having first and second portions, wherein the thickness of the first portion is different than the thickness of the second portion, and wherein the first and second portions have a constant thickness across a lateral width of the strip;b. inserting one of the first and second portions between a pair of teeth;c. sliding the strip between the pair of teeth until a desired thickness of strip is between the teeth; andd. applying dental material on one of the teeth such that the strip isolates at least a portion of one of the teeth from the other tooth.