CLAIMS
We Claim:
1. A dental matrix comprising:
a facial portion configured to correspond to the shape of a tooth, the facial portion
5 including oppositely disposed edges, and first and second sides; and
a flange extending from each of the oppositely disposed edges from the first side of the
facial portion, each of the flanges including a portion of a thickness for engaging an
operative tooth along the interproximal surface of the operative tooth and the
interproximal surface of an adjacent tooth, such that the matrix is engaged between the
10 teeth with forces sufficient to maintain the matrix in a position around at least a portion
of the operative tooth.
2. The dental matrix of claim 1, wherein each flange includes a tab and a wing, the tab in
communication with the oppositely disposed edge of the facial portion, and the wing
extending from the tab, the tab including the portion of the thickness for engaging the
15 operative tooth along the interproximal surface of the operative tooth and the adjacent
tooth.
3. The dental matrix of claim 2, wherein each flange includes a separator between the tab
and the wing, allowing the flange to be bent about the separator.
4. The dental matrix of claim 2, wherein for each of the flanges, the tab is of a thickness
20 less than the thickness of the wing.
5. The dental matrix of claim 1, additionally comprising a column extending from the facial
portion at the second side of the facial portion, the column including a channel extending
therethrough, and the channel in communication with an area formed by the facial
portion and the flanges.
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6. The dental matrix of claim 5, wherein the column includes a cylindrical tube, the
cylindrical tube including inner walls configured to receive an instrument in a frictional
engagement, allowing for the matrix to be maneuvered by the instrument.
7. The dental matrix of claim 5, wherein the column includes a cylindrical tube including
5 oppositely disposed first and second openings, the first opening including an end
opening and the second opening in communication with an area formed by the facial
portion and the flanges, and the channel extending between the first opening and the
second opening, the cylindrical tube including tapered inner walls with the taper
extending and increasing from the first opening to the second opening.
10 8. The dental matrix of claim 7, wherein the tapered inner walls are dimensioned to receive
an instrument in an engagement, allowing for the matrix to be maneuvered by the
instrument.
9. A dental matrix comprising:
a facial portion configured to correspond to the shape of a tooth, the facial portion
15 including oppositely disposed edges, and first and second sides;
a flange extending from each of the oppositely disposed edges from the first side of the
facial portion, each of the flanges for engaging an operative tooth along the interproximal
surface of the operative tooth and the interproximal surface of an adjacent tooth, such
that the matrix is engaged between the teeth with forces sufficient to maintain the matrix
20 in a position around at least a portion of the operative tooth; and
a column extending from the facial portion at the second side of the facial portion, the
column including a channel extending therethrough, and the channel in communication
with an area formed by the facial portion and the flanges.
10. The dental matrix of claim 9, wherein each of the flanges includes a including a portion
25 of a thickness for engaging the operative tooth along the interproximal surface of the
operative tooth and the interproximal surface of an adjacent tooth