Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A universal occlusal matrix for application to the occlusal surface only of a tooth having a central groove forming a V-shape in cross section, the universal occlusal matrix consisting essentially of: an elastic lamina made from a material that is transparent to ultraviolet rays and to rays of the visible spectrum to permit rapid hardening by polymerization of the filling material and which material does not adhere to that of the said filling; the elastic lamina having a central groove forming a V-shape in cross-section with first and second curved concave wings extending outward from the central groove; and the elastic lamina extending away from the central groove sufficiently far to cover and mimic the occlusal surface only of a human tooth, wherein the human tooth is selected from the group consisting of the right and left maxillary first premolar, right and left maxillary second premolar, right and left mandibular first premolar, right and left mandibular second premolar, right and left maxillary first molar, right and left maxillary second molar, right and left mandibular first molar, and right and left mandibular second molar.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
A universal occlusal matrix for application to the occlusal surface only of a tooth having a central groove forming a V-shape in cross section, the universal occlusal matrix consisting essentially of: an elastic lamina made from a material that is transparent to ultraviolet rays and to rays of the visible spectrum to permit rapid hardening by polymerization of the filling material and which material does not adhere to that of the said filling; the elastic lamina having a central groove forming a V-shape in cross-section with first and second curved concave wings extending outward from the central groove; and the elastic lamina extending away from the central groove sufficiently far to cover and mimic the occlusal surface only of a human tooth, wherein the human tooth is selected from the group consisting of the right and left maxillary first premolar, right and left maxillary second premolar, right and left mandibular first premolar, right and left mandibular second premolar, right and left maxillary first molar, right and left maxillary second molar, right and left mandibular first molar, and right and left mandibular second molar.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The universal occlusal matrix of claim 1 in which the elastic lamina mimics the occlusal surface only of one of the right and left maxillary first premolar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The universal occlusal matrix of claim 1 in which the elastic lamina mimics the occlusal surface only of one of the right and left maxillary second premolar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The universal occlusal matrix of claim 1 in which the elastic lamina mimics the occlusal surface only of one of the right and left mandibular first premolar.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The universal occlusal matrix of claim 1 in which the elastic lamina mimics the occlusal surface only of one of the right and left mandibular second premolar.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The universal occlusal matrix of claim 1 in which the elastic lamina mimics the occlusal surface only of one of the right and left maxillary first molar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The universal occlusal matrix of claim 1 in which the elastic lamina mimics the occlusal surface only of one of the right and left maxillary second molar.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The universal occlusal matrix of claim 1 in which the elastic lamina mimics the occlusal surface only of one of the right and left mandibular first molar.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The universal occlusal matrix of claim 1 in which the elastic lamina mimics the occlusal surface only of one of the right and left mandibular second molar.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
183 words
A set of universal occlusal matrices for application to the occlusal surface only of teeth having a central groove forming a V-shape in cross-section, the universal occlusal matrices each consisting essentially of: an elastic lamina made from a material that is transparent to ultraviolet rays and to rays of the visible spectrum to permit rapid hardening by polymerization of the filling material and which material does not adhere to that of the said filling; each elastic lamina having a central groove forming a V-shape in cross-section with first and second curved concave wings extending outward from the central groove; and each elastic lamina extending away from the central groove sufficiently far to cover and mimic the occlusal surface only of a different one of the human teeth selected from the group consisting of the right and left maxillary first premolar, right and left maxillary second premolar, right and left mandibular first premolar, right and left mandibular second premolar, right and left maxillary first molar, right and left maxillary second molar, right and left mandibular first molar, and right and left mandibular second molar.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
183 words
A set of universal occlusal matrices for application to the occlusal surface only of teeth having a central groove forming a V-shape in cross-section, the universal occlusal matrices each consisting essentially of: an elastic lamina made from a material that is transparent to ultraviolet rays and to rays of the visible spectrum to permit rapid hardening by polymerization of the filling material and which material does not adhere to that of the said filling; each elastic lamina having a central groove forming a V-shape in cross-section with first and second curved concave wings extending outward from the central groove; and each elastic lamina extending away from the central groove sufficiently far to cover and mimic the occlusal surface only of a different one of the human teeth selected from the group consisting of the right and left maxillary first premolar, right and left maxillary second premolar, right and left mandibular first premolar, right and left mandibular second premolar, right and left maxillary first molar, right and left maxillary second molar, right and left mandibular first molar, and right and left mandibular second molar.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of filling a tooth, wherein the tooth has an occlusal surface only having a central groove forming a V-shape in cross-section, the method consisting essentially of the steps of: applying filling material to a cavity in the occlusal surface only of the tooth; selecting an elastic lamina made from a material that is transparent to ultraviolet rays and to rays of the visible spectrum to permit rapid hardening by polymerization of the filling material and which material does not adhere to that of the said filling, the elastic lamina having a central groove forming a V shape in cross-section with first and second curved concave wings extending outward from the central groove, the elastic lamina extending away from the central groove sufficiently far to cover and mimic the occlusal surface only of the tooth; applying the elastic lamina to the occlusal surface only of the tooth; hardening the filling; and removing the elastic lamina from the tooth.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of filling a tooth, wherein the tooth has an occlusal surface only having a central groove forming a V-shape in cross-section, the method consisting essentially of the steps of: applying filling material to a cavity in the occlusal surface only of the tooth; selecting an elastic lamina made from a material that is transparent to ultraviolet rays and to rays of the visible spectrum to permit rapid hardening by polymerization of the filling material and which material does not adhere to that of the said filling, the elastic lamina having a central groove forming a V shape in cross-section with first and second curved concave wings extending outward from the central groove, the elastic lamina extending away from the central groove sufficiently far to cover and mimic the occlusal surface only of the tooth; applying the elastic lamina to the occlusal surface only of the tooth; hardening the filling; and removing the elastic lamina from the tooth.