Dentistry – Apparatus – Work support
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-23
2001-06-19
Lewis, Ralph A. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Apparatus
Work support
C433S054000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247927
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an apparatus for making dental models for use in production of bridges, crowns, and other restorative articles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The production of restorative objects such as crowns, bridges and tooth prostheses requires use of dental models from which to work. The production of such models are first created using a negative impression of the teeth. The negative impression is then filled with casting materials which harden, thus creating models of the patient's teeth. In order to work with these models, the casting material must be sawed into smaller pieces. It is essential to be able to realign the pieces in the appropriate manner.
In making of models, the technician uses a device known as an articulator, which is an instrument which simulates the movements of the mandible and aids in the construction of dental restorations.
The prior art includes several devices for use in making the models. U.S. Pat. No. 4,398,884 to Huffman, which describes an insert which locks onto the casting material to guide removal of model teeth during insertion into and withdrawal from the dental model presents on approach to the need to divide, then reassemble the models. However, the devices disclosed therein do not provide means for relating the maxillary and mandibular dental arches with one another in such a way as to create an accurate three-dimensional model showing the arches as they were at the time the mold was made.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,466,152 to Walter discloses and claims a dental articulator system containing a plurality of holes in the tray support into which pins are inserted before the casting material is placed into the tray. The pins provide indexing means for reassembly of the model after it has been divided into smaller pieces. The need for pins has been eliminated with the instant invention.
Other articulators on the market include some which require a separable joint which must be glued in place or very expensive metal devices which require considerable time and expense to use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention provides an articulator having trays with a projection on the inferior surface which fits into a corresponding opening in a tray support. The two trays in the tray supports are assembled as mirrored parts connected with a hinge means. When two parts are interlocked with a hinge means the hinges allow movement both laterally and horizontally during interaction with the impression. The tray support opening has one or more indexing means provided by a shape which allows the projection from the inferior aspect of the tray having corresponding indexing means to fit in only one orientation into the opening. As an example, for purposes of indexing, the projection from the tray and the tray support opening may be wider at the end closest to the hinge means, with the corresponding opening of the tray support gradually narrowing as it proceeds toward the free end of the tray support. Similarly, the projection on the inferior surface side of the tray may have indexing means such as ribs (ridges), waves or other irregularities which fit snugly into complementary openings of the tray support so that said projection fits in only one orientation in the corresponding opening of the tray support. The particular variations in shape are irrelevant, so long as they allow the projection from the inferior aspect of the tray to fit in the opening of the tray support in only one orientation so that when the trays with the casting material area removed and segmented they can be reassembled in the tray supports with accuracy.
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patent: 5393227 (1995-02-01), Nooning
patent: 5957688 (1999-09-01), Van Valey
patent: 6099305 (2000-08-01), Browne
Cbite, Inc.
Hendricks Glenna
Lewis Ralph A.
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