Abstract: A dental impression tray particularly for the lower jaw which is designed with arcuate outer walls for the buccal side of the dental arch to locate the arch and has inner lingual walls angled to encircle and avoid contact with any tori growths within the dental arch, thus allowing the tray filled with soft and hardenable material to seat well within the dental arch to obtain a full tooth impression down to and below the gum line.

Abstract: A dental impression pad is used with a dental tray for making an impression of a patient's teeth. Dental impression material, which becomes moldable when heated, is placed on one side of a strip of Mylar.RTM. material. The other side of the strip is covered with adhesive attaching the strip the dental tray. The dental impression pad also includes a protective sheet mounted to cover and protect the adhesive until use. When the pad is used, the protective sheet is peeled away to expose the adhesive. Dental impression pads are made by applying adhesive and a protective sheet to backing strips; melting a dental impression material; dripping or placing the dental impression material on the backing strips; shaping the dental impression material to the form desired; and cooling the impression material to a hardened state.

Abstract: A dental impression tray is made of thermoplastic material which may be heated in order to shape the tray to accommodate the patient's dental arch. The tray includes a channel for receiving impression material, and the channel has a folded section which may be unfolded when the tray is heated in order to increase the height, width or length of the channel. The folded section extends outwardly from the channel and provides convenient gripping structure for removing the tray from the mouth after the impression is taken.

Abstract: A dental impression tray has an outwardly extending flange that is connected to posterior portions of a trough or channel for receiving a quantity of impression materials. The flange permits the tray to be firmly gripped on the sides of the channel in areas adjacent opposite posterior regions of the patient's dental arch, so that the cured impression material may be disengaged from the arch without excessive permanent distortion of the impression. Preferably, the flange extends along the entire perimeter of the channel and adjacent an occlusal portion of the channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying fluoride to the teeth of a patient. The apparatus includes a dental tray, which is sized and shaped to fit between the upper and lower sets of the patient's teeth. The dental tray is preferably a unitary block of a disposable, deformable material, having a top surface and a bottom surface into which simultaneous dental impressions of the upper and lower sets of teeth are to be made. The side wall of the dental tray includes a groove, which extends around the perimeter of the dental tray. The apparatus further includes an evacuation tube. The evacuation tube has a first end which is adapted to communicate with a source of suction, such as a saliva ejector. The remainder of the evacuation tube has a plurality of apertures which serve as entry ports through which displaced fluoride solution, saliva and other debris are aspirated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a custom impression dental tray having a sheet of thermosetting material. The thermosetting material is preferably polycapractone which becomes pliable at a temperature between 130.degree.-140.degree. F. but becomes rigid at the temperature of the human mouth. An optional separation layer is disposed over one side of the sheet of thermosetting material with a wax or clay-like consistency. In practice, the tray is heated to a temperature of between 115.degree.-150.degree. F. and then molded around the teeth in the patient's mouth (or the impression of the patient's mouth for denture work). After the tray has ridigified, the separation layer and wax covering are removed from the tray thus providing a space for dental impression material to allow a final impression to be made.

Abstract: A dental impression tray of substantially rigid material having impression material retention means for enhancing the retention of the impression material to the tray during the removal of the tray/impression material from the mouth after taking of an impression and for facilitating the removal and cleaning of the impression material from the tray after the impression has been recorded wherein the retaining means includes one or more elastomeric members stretched between anchoring points and positioned to be enveloped by the impression material loaded into the tray.

Abstract: A dental impression tray and method of using it to form in a light-polymerizable impression material an impression of a portion of dental anatomy in an oral cavity, the tray being formed of transparent material, preferably clear plastic, and molded into a channel-like shape defined by walls capable of having visible actinic light applied to the walls transmitted both through and within the walls. At least some of the outer edge portions of the tray are beveled, guiding light that has entered the walls of the tray against exiting loss that would not be effective in initiating polymerization of the impression material.

Abstract: A dental impression package pre-loaded with dental impression material adapted for taking accurate impressions of a patient's teeth and/or gums by professional personnel is provided. The impression material used is flowable to a desired degree and has a viscosity of substantially one million centipoises. Packaging a pre-loaded dental impression tray is accomplished by first quickly immersing the loaded tray in a solution of natural latex for a few seconds and then quickly removing the coated product followed by quickly immersing it in a coagulating solution of acetic acid for a few seconds to stabilize the latex coating; withdrawing the stabilized coated product; drying it; and suitably packaging the product for storage and sale. If the impression material is of a light-curable nature, the packaging is of light-opaque nature.

Abstract: A material pack for the preparation of plate dentures comprises an outer pack formed of a material capable of shielding active energy beams, on which the necessary particulars are specified including the size and form of the jaws, the size, form and color tone of artificial teeth and the color tone of a photopolymerizable resin and the outer pack containing therein a matrix formed of a light transmitting material, the artificial teeth provided on the matrix while a part thereof projecting from the matrix, and the photopolymerizable resin provided inside of the matrix. The matrix may be coated thereon with a material capable of shielding active energy beams.

Abstract: A dental impression tray constructed from an optically transmissive material prepared with appropriately positioned recesses to direct light towards a U-shaped channel formed in the body of the tray. The channel is dimensioned to receive a portion of a patient's teeth. The recesses are formed in the outermost surfaces of the dental tray sides. In particular, multiple, spaced-apart recesses are formed in the outermost surfaces of the tray sides to deflect light into the channel area, which may have deposited therein a light polymerizable or curable material. Light is introduced into the tray through at least a first light portal which is integrally formed in a side of the tray.

Abstract: A mold for taking impressions of upper and lower jaws has a main part including a U-shaped generally flat base plate having a rearwardly concave and open U-shaped inner periphery and a forwardly convex U-shaped outer periphery, a U-shaped rim projecting transversely of the plate from the outer periphery thereof, and a handle projecting forward from the outer periphery and formed with a rearwardly open passage. This main part can be used with either an upper-jaw or lower-jaw insert. The upper-jaw insert has a U-shaped upper-jaw wall generally complementarily fittable in an engaged position with the inner periphery of the base plate to form therewith a transversely open U-shaped recess adapted to receive molding compound, a palate plate bridging the U-shaped upper-jaw wall, and a stem projecting forward from the upper-jaw wall and engageable in the passage when the upper-jaw wall and rim define the recess.

Abstract: A print pallet composed of a dental tray holding a filler pad of thermoplastic material can be warmed to plasticize such material and inserted into the mouth of a person to be identified to be stamped by the occlusal surfaces of that person's dental arch to imprint a print of such arch occlusal surfaces on the pad. Such print record can be preserved or recorded by various media for later comparison to establish the identity of the person when deceased or incapacitated.

Abstract: A dental tray of a shape suitable for direct contact with the mucosal surface of the mouth and capable of retaining an impression making material thereon comprising a thermoplastic resin material transparent to activating light energy radiation and which is softenable at a temperature ranging from 40.degree.-70.degree. C.

Abstract: A dental impression kit to assist the dentist or a dental technician in the making of dental impressions preparatory to the formation of a mold and the manufacture of a crown or full or partial dentures. The kit contains a compact and orderly arranged array of items necessary or desirable in formation of dental impression. Such items include a selection of upper and lower dental impression trays, dental impression material base and catalyst, adhesive, polish, instructions and a mixing pad. From the kit, the dentist is able to select the appropriate type and size of impression tray, mix the impression base and material on a mixing pad, prepare the tray with the adhesive and then fill it with the impression material and take the dental impression, all the while having instructions at hand if necessary. The finished dentures can be polished using the polish kit. Secondary inventory control cases complement the primary case by making inventory available as items from the primary case are depleted.

Abstract: A method for directly preparing a plated denture having improved accuracy within a short period of time by properly using photo-polymerizable resins having varied viscosities, and using as the impression material a dough product of photo-polymerizable resins having different viscosities with preparing of a basic plate, formation of alveolar ridge portion, arrangement of artificial teeth, formation of gingival portion, whereby the impression of the details of the mucosal surface of the oral mouth is reproduced with high fidelity, and is then polymerized and cured as such by active energy beams to use it as the resin surface.

Abstract: A method of forming a two step dental impression which comprises applying a light curable impression material to a portion of the oral cavity of interest to form an initial impression while exposing said impression material to a source of activating light to set said impression material followed by applying a chemically cured impression material over said light cured impression material and allowed said chemically cured impression material to set and bond with said light curable material and removing the resulting composite impression from said oral cavity.

Abstract: A tray for making dental check bite records is provided with a U-shaped bite section and a raised central arch. The tray is formed of stiff but deformable metal, which is perforated in the bite section to facilitate the adherence of dental impression paste. A flange on the front of the tray facilitates centering of the tray in the patient's mouth, and serrations on the edges of the tray provide convenient gripping areas when handling the tray. A check bite record is made with each tray. After first hardening an impression of the upper teeth on the tray, a glob of quicksetting impression material is positioned on the lower side of the tray to register on a lower anterior tooth. The impression in the hardened glob is then used as a pivot point to position a patient's jaw, while slower setting material is on the tray lower surface is hardening, providing an impression of the patient's lower posterior teeth in a preferred lateral position.

Abstract: The oral impression tray is adapted for use by a non-professional in making a form fitted mouthguard of his or her own dentition and comprises a base of U-shaped configuration, an inner and outer wall projecting upright from the base for forming a trough into which impression material is removably inserted for forming the mouthguard and end stops integrally connecting the outer and inner wall. The end stops are located a predetermined distance posteriorly from the outer wall and extend upwardly a predetermined height to maintain a predetermined separation between the upper and lower teeth during centric occlusion.

Abstract: A denture is made by providing an impression tray made of material malleable at less than 150.degree. F. and rigid at body temperature, heating said tray and inserting it in the mouth while malleable and at less than 150.degree. F., conforming it to the patient's mouth, measuring the vertical dimension of the patient's mouth, removing the tray, lining it with impression material, reinserting the tray to form a final impression, removing the tray, providing a bite block, attaching such blocks to the tray, inserting the tray in the patient's mouth, recording the bite registration, and using the resultant tray and bite blocks as the basis for forming a customized denture.A disposable dental impression tray is made of material which may be rendered malleable at temperatures of less than 150.degree. F., is substantially rigid at body temperature, has anterior teeth and is arranged to simulate a denture.

Abstract: A dental apparatus for use in efficiently obtaining an accurate relationship of upper and lower jaws of a dental patient which includes a wafer and a leaf gage. The wafer is made of a substantially stable but vertically deformable material and has a generally dental arcuate shape. A slot extends through the wafer for receiving the leaf gage. The leaf gage is positionable within the slot of the wafer and thereafter placed within a patient's mouth in order to obtain an accurate centric relation record.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dental impression tray having a U-shaped rim that can be positioned about the upper teeth of a patient. The upper posterior end of the impression tray is closed by a dam made of a preferably pliable material. Openings are provided in the U-shaped rim to permit the escape of hardenable material that may be placed under pressure as the dentist moves the impression tray into proper position in order to obtain the necessary impression of the upper teeth. The dam prevents unwanted posterior flow of the hardenable material into the throat of a patient.

Abstract: A dental impression tray and method of using it to form in a light-polymerizable impression material an impression of a portion of dental anatomy in an oral cavity, the tray being formed of transparent substantially rigid material, preferably clear plastic, and molded into a channel-like shape defined by walls capable of having visible actinic light applied to the walls of the tray for transmission along and through the walls, and substantially all the exterior surfaces of the walls having light reflecting metal foil or the equivalent applied thereto for the dual purpose of preventing unintentional light exposure to material in the tray and subsequently providing a light reflecting surface operable to reflect light into the impression material.

Abstract: An impression tray for dental purposes has a shovel-like blade provided on its inside with layer forming attachments for a semi-liquid or plastic impression material which is put onto the tray when it is pressed against the lower or upper jaw for taking an impression. The layer is of uniformly distributed threads with closely-lying attachment points on the inside of the tray, the threads having a stiffness such that they can penetrate into the semi-liquid or plastic impression material when the tray with the material is pressed against the respective jaw for the purpose of the layer being incorporated as effective anchoring means in the bottom layer of the impression material when the material has solidified and the tray is to be jerked loose. The threads are in the form of a non-woven fabric and are bonded to each other at their contact points.

Abstract: An impression tray of rigid massive material is disclosed. The tray forms a generally U-shaped channel for impression paste, and it is split along the smooth bottom of the channel into two releasably connectible sections. Paste retention grooves are formed in the sidewalls of the channel, and these grooves are undercut to retain the paste in the channel when the tray sections are connected. A screw assembly facilitates release of the sections and consequent release and nondestructive removal of the cured dental paste impression. A handle is also formed as an integral extension of the outer section of the tray.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for obtaining precisely registered, articulated castings of upper and lower dental impressions. The dental impressions are obtained through use of a dental tray. The tray has an upper and a lower section, each having a non-porous, bite-deformable central septum. Each tray section has a U-shaped peripheral wall. The tray sections are placed back-to-back so that the septums are in movable contact with each other. Means are provided to maintain the upper and lower tray sections in position with respect to each other once they have been adjusted. A cavity is formed in the upper or lower tray section, or both, adjacent to the anterior portion of the peripheral retaining wall. The cavity extends past the dividing septums to accommodate gross overbite and/or underbite conditions.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a dental tray having a base extending in a dental arch an arcuate distance at least sufficient such that a portion of one surface of the base is disposable generally above some of the occlusal surfaces and such that a portion of the surface of the base is disposable generally above some of the incisal surfaces in one operating position of the dental tray. A lingual sidewall is connected to one side of the base and a buccal sidewall is connected to the opposite side of the base, each sidewall extending a surface molding distance generally perpendicularly from the base and the sidewalls cooperating with the base to form a space for accommodating molding and impression material.

Abstract: A preform consisting of a planar section of a thermoplastic having a glass transition temperature a few degrees above body temperature and a softening point below about 160.degree. F. is used to form custom, quadrant, dental impression trays. The preform is of uniform thickness except for a raised ridge, extending across both sides of the sheet, terminating in an elongated handle at one end, and dividing the preform into a pair of asymmetrical sections shaped to fit the buccal and the lingual musculature along a dental arch. The tray may be heated above its softening point and the side sections bent in a common direction about the central ridge so that their ends extend substantially parallel with one another to form a trough having a U-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing reciprocal adhesion at the interface between two contacting layers of condensation crosslinking and addition crosslinking polysiloxanes, aluminum hydroxide being added to one or both polysiloxane layers prior to crosslinking, so that a firmly adhering joint is obtained.

Abstract: A disposable dental impression tray is provided in its bottom with a number of inlets for injection of the impression material, preferably one inlet at each tooth. Each inlet has a connecting member, preferably defining a conical opening snugly receiving a tubular nip at the discharge end of a syringe. The syringe can thus be removably applied at any selected inlet of the tray to substantially reduce the pressure required for an accurate impression of the required area, as compared with known impression trays having only a single opening for injecting the impression material to obtain impression of several teeth, which often produces relatively poor impressions of the teeth remote from the opening. The readily detachable connection between the syringe and the tray provides for quick and convenient selective injection at the desired location. The tray is preferably produced from a generally transparent plastic material by injection molding and can thus be made as a disposable element.

Abstract: A combined dental impression tray with a syringe is provided, wherein the communication between the syringe and the tray is effected, in the most preferred embodiment, by way of a side opening in the wall of the barrel of the syringe. The opening communicates with the bottom section of the tray and is very short compared to the diameter or cross-sectional area of the passage for the impression material. The opening is arranged such that it can be closed by the piston of the syringe while a first impression of the tissue area is taken. A device detachably secured to the tray apparatus is also provided to facilitate cutting out of a portion of the dental mixture, the cutting device being preferably of the type of a reciprocating tubular cutting die whose edge engages the bottom wall of the tray at a close spacing about the said opening.

Abstract: A dental impression forming apparatus including a dental impression tray in which a negative impression of a dental area is to be formed in dental impression material. Apertures are provided in the tray for passage of dental impression material therethrough. A cover member is supplied with the dental impression material, and is fitted over the tray. Upon application, in situ, of the cover member onto the tray, the dental impression material is forced through the apertures into the tray and around the dental area so that the negative impression can be formed. Preferably, guide pins are provided on the tray and corresponding holes are provided in the cover member to align the cover member with the tray, and guide the cover member toward the tray when a force is applied on the cover member.

Abstract: A system and materials for making oral impression trays in situ is disclosed, including a transporter member, tray member, and spacer member. Materials are disclosed for use as mold materials for polymerization in situ against or in close proximity to living tissue without high exothermal polymerization and its attendant discomfort and damage and with reduced polymerization shrinkage to produce a more accurate and stable custom tray.

Abstract: A dental impression tray for forming a negative impression of a dental area to be restored. Application devices on the tray permit injection of dental restorative material into a mold cavity defined between the negative impression formed in the tray and the dental area after preparation thereof for restoration. In this manner, a dental prosthesis can be formed in situ utilizing the dental impression tray itself as part of the mold forming device. In a modified form, the tray can be separated into two half sections, whereby in further embodiments thereof, the half sections can be joined together and are interchangeable with half sections of different sizes.

Abstract: A teeth-protecting device structured to cling to the teeth with sufficient tenacity to remain secure throughout oral exploration and/or corrective measures and yet to be removable without dislodging pre-existing dental repair work and/or weakly anchored teeth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating the formation of dental castings utilizing a dental impression tray. A collar assembly is provided which is substantially oval and forms an upstanding peripheral enclosure around the dental impression tray. A rod transversely spans across the oval member and is retained in notches at the upper edge of the oval member. The rods pass through spherical coupling members from which depend dowel pins which can enter into the negative impression and are used for retaining the teeth which are subsequently formed by a casting process.

Abstract: An assembly for and a method of fabricating dental restorations. Dental impression material is disposed in a dental tray having a pair of spaced side walls, and an impression of teeth is taken. A die cavity is formed directly around the dental tray and a solidifiable plastic mass is injected into the die cavities, which mass solidifies to form dies. Vertical serrations, including alternating vertically tapered ridges and valleys, are formed on the bases of the dies during the solidification thereof, and these vertical serrations interfit with similar surfaces formed on a dental articulator to position the dies against displacement in a horizontal plane in the dental articulator, yet allowing ready removal thereof vertically when desired.

Abstract: An edentulous impression correlator includes a support of adjustable configuration and a handle. The support is adjusted to fit an individual patient's mouth and a quantity of impressionable material placed on it. Then the support and material is positioned within the patient's mouth, with the handle protruding, and an impression is made to form a bite record including the upper vault and the lower ridge crest. The support is removed from the mouth and the material is removed from the support by sliding it over the handle.

Abstract: The method incorporates the use of an impression tray having replicas of the artificial teeth to be used in the denture. A final impression is formed using the tray and a mold is formed from the tray; artificial teeth that are to be used in the denture are then inserted into the mold and the denture base material is then packed in the mold to form the dentures.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for obtaining precisely registered, articulated castings of upper and lower dental impressions. The dental impressions are obtained through use of a dental tray having a non-porous, bite-deformable central septum. The impression material for the upper dental impression is contained in the upper portion of the tray. The impression material for the lower dental impression is contained in the lower portion of the tray and is supported by a bottom cover which is removed subsequent to placement of the tray in the mouth. As the patient bites, the impression material in the upper and lower portions of the dental tray is molded to the contour of the teeth and gums in their proper relationship with the teeth closed. After the material has set, the tray containing registered upper and lower impressions is removed from the mouth and placed into a mold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an article for use in creating a prosthetic denture device that is an impression tray or a denture component formed of a set of hard teeth bonded within a frame assembly formed of a permanent substantially rigid hard frame portion and an adjustable frame portion that is integrally joined to the rigid frame portion and forms part of the frame assembly. The adjustable frame portion is formed from a second composition that is centrifugally cast, and which when cured becomes rigid but not completely polymerized and therefore capable of being subsequently remolded with finger pressure when elevated in temperature. In this manner the adjustable frame portion is remoldable and conformable to desired portions of the oral cavity in the creating of an artificial denture, and the rigid frame portion formed from the first composition concurrently remains fixed as the adjustable frame portion is remolded.

Abstract: Dental impression trays, full, quadrant and anterior, shaped to closely conform to either the maxillary or mandibular ridges for either dentulous or edentulous cases have sections which anatomically approximate surrounding tissue areas with peripheral border relief for muscle attachments and contiguous tissue areas. The trays are formed of an acrylic having a glass transition temperature slightly above body temperature so that they may be heated above their softening temperature exteriorly of the oral cavity, positioned over the oral area of which an impression is to be made, and then manually molded to approximate intimate conformity to the desired oral structures before they harden. A pleat formed in the central vault of a maxillary tray accommodates transverse adjustment. When the tray cools and hardens it is removed, allowing a custom final impression to be thus formed in a single procedure.

Abstract: A dental method and apparatus wherein a plurality of tooth covers, shells, laminates or veneers are suitably configured for respective congruent facing relation with the labial surfaces of a patient's dental cast teeth, removably affixed thereto, and encompassed by a flexible mold for removal from the dental cast and transfer in proper orientation to the patient's teeth for securement thereto of the veneers and removal from the veneers of the mold.