Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Alan S. Korman
  • Patent number: 7648362
    Abstract: A dental restoration is provided which includes a base structure and a pre-fabricated over structure which at least partially covers the base structure. An interconnecting material interconnects hardened bite elements of the over structure with the base structure. In accordance with the method of producing a dental restoration, the interconnecting material applied onto the base structure is hardened fully after the over structure has first been applied onto the still malleable interconnecting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Ivoclar - Vivedent AG
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Foser, Urs Spirig
  • Patent number: 7083350
    Abstract: An application device for applying a composite substance onto a site is provided that operably applies a composite substance formed of at least two reaction substances which react with one another. The application device includes a receptacle for receiving a fluid. The receptacle has a support element having a working end on which a reaction substance is supported and the receptacle is operable to guide the one reaction substance into reaction contact with another reaction substance to thereby effect the formation of the composite substance. The receptacle is configured with respect to another receptacle which receives therein a reaction substance such that the receptacle comprises either a shaft portion of a grip or the grip itself of the other receptacle adapted to be gripped by a user in deploying the other receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent, AG
    Inventor: Frank Muller
  • Patent number: 6821117
    Abstract: A light hardening apparatus for effecting the photopolymerization of a light hardenable dental restoration material is provided and includes a plurality of light sources supported on semi-conductor bases, which are mounted on a substrate. The light sources are arranged in at least two light source groups such that one group of light sources is disposed for irradiating a region of the dental restoration material and another group of light sources is arranged for irradiating a different region of the dental restoration material. The two groups of light sources are controllable to irradiate their respective associated regions of the dental restoration material independently of one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Ivocler Vivadent AG
    Inventors: Peter Burtscher, Wolfgang Plank, Gottfried Rohner
  • Patent number: 6769803
    Abstract: A calibration device for performing a temperature calibration of the temperature in an oven, especially an oven adapted for thermal treatment of a dental product, includes at least one metallic
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventors: Heinrich Feichtinger, Rudolf Jussel
  • Patent number: 6767109
    Abstract: A light hardening device is provided and includes a light source having a plurality of LEDs supplied by an electrical energy source, and a cooling device arranged upstream of the light source and operable to cool the light hardening device. The LED arrangement is disposed on a rear surface of a cooling body and the light hardening device has a connection in the manner of a halogen glow lamp. Also, a light source is provided having a plurality of LEDs, a cooling body on which the LEDs are mounted, and a connector element and an overall exterior geometry, each of which corresponds to the respective connector element and overall exterior geometry of a conventional reflecting halogen glow lamp having a rated voltage of 12 volts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Plank, Gottfried Rohner, Thomas Stahl
  • Patent number: 6758670
    Abstract: A dental set plate for supporting therein a set of replacement teeth includes a support body having a channel and a deformable mass disposed in the channel of the support body for releasably adhesively retaining a row of replacement teeth pressed thereinto. The dental set plate also includes a non-opaque hood covering the support body and the replacement teeth supported on the support body and product information indicia affixed to the hood. The dental set plate is dimensioned for stocking of the dental set plate in an index structure which retains dental set plates and the walls of the hood have an extent such that the walls terminate within the index structure in which the dental set plate is stocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventor: Andreas Eggler
  • Patent number: 6755652
    Abstract: A method for preparing dental restoration which is to be secured in the mouth of a dental patient includes providing a base plate with ready made x-ray opaque restorative teeth thereon, the base plate being formed in correspondence with the mouth of the patient in which the restorative teeth are to be fixedly secured. The base plate is temporarily situated in the patient's mouth and then the temporarily situated position of the base plate in the patient's mouth is observed, preferably via an x-ray. The temporarily situated position of the base plate in the patient's mouth is assessed to determine predetermined locations at which drill holes for facilitating the fixed securement of the restorative teeth in the patient's mouth are to bored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventor: Marco Nanni
  • Patent number: 6746169
    Abstract: A substance applying apparatus is provided for applying a substance to an application location. An application element having a wetting body is partially received in an inner tube and the inner tube is received in an outer tube. A fluid connection between the inner space of the inner tube and the inner space of the outer tube is produced by the application of pressure on the substance applying apparatus. The inner tube is comprised of a softer material than the outer tube and at least the bottom of the inner tube is cut upon the application of pressure on the substance applying apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventor: Frank Muller
  • Patent number: 6741410
    Abstract: A light resolution element for a light guiding apparatus is provided that is connectable in optical communication with the light guiding apparatus for guiding and re-orienting light emitted thereto from the light guiding apparatus such that light exiting the light resolution element irradiates a dental restoration piece in a manner which effects complete hardening of the piece. The light resolution element includes a prismatic body operable to guide and re-orient a light beam passed thereto from the light guiding apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Plank, Thomas Stahl, Andreas Rathke
  • Patent number: 6695614
    Abstract: A light beam hardening apparatus is provided for hardening a material, such as dental material, exposed to light emitted by the light beam hardening apparatus. The light beam hardening apparatus includes a semi-conductor light emitting source operable to emit light in the visible light spectral range of a light strength of at least 200 mW/cm2, a base receptacle for supporting the semi-conductor light emitting source, and a heat conducting connection for conducting heat from the semi-conductor light emitting source to the base receptacle. The semi-conductor light emitting source includes a plurality of light emitting chips or light emitting diodes (LED). The base receptacle includes a plurality of cradles each for supporting therein a respective one of the light emitting chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Plank
  • Patent number: 6638069
    Abstract: Shaping cap made of ceramic, metal or plastic material, which is suitable as a solid constituent of dental pin structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventors: Konrad Hagenbuch, Gerhard Zanghellini
  • Patent number: 6612767
    Abstract: A substance applying apparatus for applying a substance to an application location. An application element having a wetting body is partially received in an inner tube and the inner tube is received in an outer tube. A fluid connection between the inner space of the inner tube and the inner space of the outer tube is produced by the application of pressure on the substance applying apparatus. The inner tube is comprised of a softer material than the outer tube and at least the bottom of the inner tube is deformable upon the application of pressure on the substance applying apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventor: Frank Muller
  • Patent number: 6524103
    Abstract: A cartridge for receiving and dispensing a paste has a cartridge body having a front end with a lateral outlet opening for dispensing the paste material. The cartridge body has a longitudinal center axis and the outlet opening has a central axis inclined forwardly relatively to the longitudinal center axis. The outlet opening has a width measured in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis and an axial length measured in the direction of the longitudinal center axis. The width and the length are different, and the width is preferably greater than the axial length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Ivoclar AG
    Inventors: Siegbert Winkler, Peter Kunkel, Franz Hohenegger
  • Patent number: 6524105
    Abstract: A dental model, in particular for practice purposes, is provided, and has a support plate with recesses for artificial teeth, each of which has a tooth stump that fits into the associated recess. A gum mass overlaps both the teeth of a row of teeth and the recesses. The teeth are each disengageably held on the plate and in their associated recess with friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventor: Oscar Raffeiner
  • Patent number: 6482004
    Abstract: A light curing device has a light source for curing light-polymerizable dental materials. A control circuit controls the light output of the light source according to a pre-determined output profile. The output profile has a starting time period with a decreased output relative to a maximum output, followed by a main curing time period. In the main curing time period, a pulsed output with alternating high output value and low output value is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Ivoclar AG
    Inventors: Bruno Senn, Gottfried Rohner, Peter Burtscher
  • Patent number: 6450717
    Abstract: An applicator kit, for dental purposes. has an application element with a grip area for handling, and also has a shaft, on a tip of which is disposed an application member, preferably in the form of a micro-brush that is provided with a reaction substance. A cup shaped sealing mechanism surrounds the shaft and the application member. The cup shaped sealing mechanism is slidably received within a housing which also receives a low velocity fluid initially spaced away from the cup-shaped sealing mechanism. The reaction substance on the application member is activated by pressing the sealing mechanism and application member into the fluid within the housing which causes the fluid to wet the application member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Ivoclar AG.
    Inventors: Ulrich Salz, Andre Rumphorst, Alexandros Gianasmidis, Frank Muller, Volker Rheinberger
  • Patent number: 6394803
    Abstract: A mixing arrangement and method for mixing a substance for the field of dentistry are provided, with the production of the substance requiring at least one base material and one reactant. A catalyst is applied to a base surface as reactant in a solid or semi-solid layer. The unit comprising catalyst and base is prefabricated, and the base material, particularly in liquid form, can be applied or introduced to the base surface that is provided with the catalyst prior to using the substance. The substance can be applied ready for use by means of an application element after the catalyst and base material have been mixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Ivoclar AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Salz, Andre Rumphorst, Alexandros Gianasmidis, Frank Muller, Volker Rheinberger
  • Patent number: 6382967
    Abstract: A dental apparatus has a display and an actuating device for selecting and activating operating programs for operating the dental apparatus. The display has a tooth schematic that is divided into indicator fields. The indicator fields may be distributed over a plurality of teeth so that each indicator field represents one tooth or may be used to indicate certain locations of an individual tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Ivoclar AG.
    Inventors: Gottfried Rohner, Bruno Senn
  • Patent number: D487314
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee Culp, Frank R. Lauciello
  • Patent number: D618799
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Plank, Bruno Senn, Reinhard Goerge