Dentistry – Prosthodontics – Denture liner or cushion
Patent
1997-09-16
2000-02-01
Lucchesi, Nicholas D.
Dentistry
Prosthodontics
Denture liner or cushion
433169, A61C 1302, A61C 1328
Patent
active
060196041
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of dental prosthesis structures and is particularly concerned with a resilient connecting structure for individually and resiliently connecting a dental prosthesis structure to a base component.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
The field of dental prosthesis structures is replete with various types of connections for connecting a dental prosthesis to a base component in order to form an artificial dental structure. Some of the prior art structures provide a fixed connection between the dental prosthesis and the base component. Because of the rigidity of the assembly, such prior art structures have proven to be particularly susceptible to wear and are also quite uncomfortable for the intended patient.
Accordingly, there has been an effort towards providing an artificial dental structure incorporating some resilient component. One example of such prior art structure is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,295 naming Walter Durr and Axel Kirsch as inventors and issued Mar. 24, 1992. U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,295 discloses a plug connection for the detachable fitting of a prosthesis structure that includes a bearing ring in the cavity of an elastic material for relieving impact stresses occurring substantially in the direction of a longitudinal axis of symmetry of the post.
While the patent recognizes the need for a reduction of the impact stresses generated on the dental prosthesis, the structure disclosed in the document nevertheless suffers from a set of drawbacks. First, the structure only allows for a relative movement between the dental prosthesis and the tooth peg in the direction of a longitudinal axis of symmetry of the peg. Second, the structure does not allow for the individual movement of the dental prosthesis since all the dental prosthesis structures are rigidly mounted on a common rail acting as a base component.
Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved connecting structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved connecting structure for connecting a dental prosthesis structure to a base component.
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a connecting structure for connecting a dental prosthesis to a base component, the dental prosthesis defining a crown section, a neck section and a root section, the base component having at least one base recess formed therein for receiving the root section: the connecting structure comprising a membrane made of a resilient membrane material; the membrane being configured and sized so as to be fittingly mountable over the root section of the dental prosthesis; the membrane having a membrane thickness; the resilient membrane material and the membrane thickness being such that when the root section with the membrane mounted thereon are fittingly inserted in the base recess, the membrane allows the prosthesis structure to move from a first position to a second position in response to a pressure applied thereon and the membrane resiliently biases the prosthesis structure from the second position to the first position when the pressure is released.
Preferably, the membrane material is an elastomeric having a Young Modulus between 0.2 and 2.5 MPa and a shore hardness coefficient between 25% and 75%, and is an hydrophobic material.
Conveniently, the membrane material is chosen from a group of elastomeric resin including polysulfide organic rubbers, first generation siliconed elastomeric resins, second generation elastomeric resins and elastomeric polyethers.
Preferably, the membrane thickness has a value substantially in the range of between 0.1 mm and 1.5 mm.
Conveniently, the membrane defines a membrane bottom wall and a membrane peripheral wall; the membrane peripheral wall defining a peripheral wall oral segment and an opposed peripheral wall lingual segment; the membrane peripheral wall also defining a peripheral wall medial segment and an opposed peripheral wall distal segment; the peripheral wall further defining a p
REFERENCES:
patent: 1219019 (1917-03-01), Magnus
patent: 2420570 (1947-05-01), Shapiro
patent: 2473515 (1949-06-01), Egger
patent: 3197866 (1965-08-01), Barron
patent: 3785054 (1974-01-01), Van Handel
patent: 4634381 (1987-01-01), Kusano et al.
Fincham Eric
Lucchesi Nicholas D.
LandOfFree
Resilient dental prosthesis connecting structure does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Resilient dental prosthesis connecting structure, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Resilient dental prosthesis connecting structure will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-932940