Abstract: A disposable, self-inflatable, matrix (tooth dam) used to form a temporary, removeable side wall for the placement of a tooth filling material. It has an array of three concavities (distal, central and proximal) formed in a polymer wrap that has a planar substrate sheet affixed across the front face of the wrap. The distal air chamber has a volume that equals or exceeds the combined volume of the central and proximal air chambers. Directly below the distal concavity on the inner face of the planar substrate is an adhesive region. When the distal air chamber is depressed, the air within inflates the other air chambers and it is retained in its compressed state by the adhesive region. The remaining air chambers press against one tooth and exert enough force to elastically secure the planar panel around the adjacent tooth. It prevents the tooth filling material from leaving the prepared tooth and entering the space between.

Abstract: A disposable, inflatable, matrix (tooth dam) used to form a temporary, removeable side wall for the placement of a tooth filling material. It establishes the original dental anatomy of the tooth, and maintains the correct contact between adjacent teeth for flossing purposes and gingival health. It accomplishes this by inflating a pair of self-sealing air chambers that extend from the back face of a planar panel that they are formed on, such that these chambers contact and press against the adjacent tooth and exert enough force to elastically secure the planar panel without wedges and clamps. It prevents the tooth filling material from leaving the prepared tooth and entering the space between the teeth to enhance flossing and proper dental hygiene. This device will greatly enhance patient comfort, procedural efficiency and consistency.

Abstract: A disposable, self-inflatable, matrix (tooth dam) used to form a temporary, removeable side wall for the placement of a tooth filling material. It has an array of three concavities (distal, central and proximal) formed in a polymer wrap that has a planar substrate sheet affixed across the front face of the wrap. The distal air chamber has a volume that equals or exceeds the combined volume of the central and proximal air chambers. Directly below the distal concavity on the inner face of the planar substrate is an adhesive region. When the distal air chamber is depressed, the air within inflates the other air chambers and it is retained in its compressed state by the adhesive region. The remaining air chambers press against one tooth and exert enough force to elastically secure the planar panel around the adjacent tooth. It prevents the tooth filling material from leaving the prepared tooth and entering the space between.

Abstract: A disposable, inflatable, matrix (tooth dam) used to form a temporary, removeable side wall for the placement of a tooth filling material. It establishes the original dental anatomy of the tooth, and maintains the correct contact between adjacent teeth for flossing purposes and gingival health. It accomplishes this by inflating a pair of self-sealing air chambers that extend from the back face of a planar panel that they are formed on, such that these chambers contact and press against the adjacent tooth and exert enough force to elastically secure the planar panel without wedges and clamps. It prevents the tooth filling material from leaving the prepared tooth and entering the space between the teeth to enhance flossing and proper dental hygiene.

Abstract: An adaptive surface for supporting an analyte to be examined, includes a support layer, a metal island layer, and an adhesive layer by which the metal island layer is attached to the support layer, the adhesive layer and metal island layer being interactive with an analyte containing solution to permit movement of at least some of the islands on the adhesive layer into increasingly close proximity during drying of the analyte solution.