Abstract: A protective carrier for a dental model which is used in the production of a dental prosthesis. The carrier includes three sections which are hinged together so that the sections can be folded over each other to close the carrier. A first section includes a centrally disposed tray section provided with a recessed cavity to receive a pedestal portion of the dental model. A second section includes a retaining sheet hinged to one side of the tray section, which can be folded onto the tray section and be slid between a locking position which secures the dental model in the cavity, and a release position permitting removal of the dental model from the cavity. A third section is a cover member which is hinged to an opposing side of the tray section and which closes onto the retaining sheet when folded on the tray section for protectively securing the dental model in the carrier. The cover member can also receive a die tray retaining the dental model therein.

Abstract: A retaining device for removably securing a dental prosthesis in position. The retaining device includes a male section which can be secured to the side of a fixed tooth and a cooperating female section which can be secured within the dental prosthesis. The male section includes a projection which is received in an inverted U-shaped housing at the forward end of the female section. A channel member upwardly extending from the housing provides a keyway for receiving a key upwardly extending from the projection, to maintain a secure stability between the male and female sections. A spring loaded plunger member positioned within the female section extends into the housing and engages a recess formed in the projection, thereby locking the two sections together.

Abstract: A placement assembly which is received in a dental handpiece and is utilized for insertion of a threaded dental pin into a preformed bore in a tooth. The assembly includes an elongated manipulating body portion with the dental pin projecting from an operating end of the body portion. A shank is frangibly coupled to a driving end of the body portion for driving engagement with the dental handpiece to thread the dental pin into the bore. The shank automatically severs from the body portion prior to the final seating of the dental pin in the bore. The body portion is utilized as a hand tool for the final seating of the dental pin in the bore. The body portion is then disengaged from the dental pin to leave the dental pin properly seated in the bore.

Abstract: A bonding dental pin for aiding in the retention of a thin layer of bonding material onto a tooth structure, the bonding dental pin including a lower anchoring portion for securement into the tooth structure. A coaxial cylindrical neck portion of the pin is embedded into the bonding material, and an upper manipulating portion of the pin is available for securing the anchoring portion into the tooth structure. A first stop flange is interposed between the anchoring and neck portions, and a second head portion flange is interposed between the neck and manipulating portions. The confronting surfaces of the flanges are respectively concave to define a pocket therebetween for aiding in maintaining the bonding material around the neck portion.

Abstract: A dental post system for use in the formation and retention of a dental restoration on a tooth stub. The system includes a dental post having an elongated cylindrical pin with a lower anchoring portion which is secured into a prepared bore in the tooth stub, and an upper end portion which projects from the tooth stub and is secured in a metallic core upon which the restoration is fabricated. An interlock arrangement coacts with the upper end portion to provide permanent securement of the metallic core on the cylindrical pin. The interlock arrangement prevents axial lift off of the metallic core from the dental post as well as preventing rotational displacement between the metallic core and the dental post. A core pattern is used to form the metallic core, where the core pattern can be fabricated from a preformed plastic core or can be built up directly onto the upper end portion when the dental post is disposed in the bore of the tooth stub.

Abstract: A contoured dental post for retaining a dental restoration onto a prepared tooth stub, the dental post includes an elongated cylindrical body portion having peripheral grooves for anchoring the body portion within a cement prepared bore in the tooth stub. A pair of radially projecting ribs extends on opposite sides of the body portion, along at least a portion of the length of the body portion. The ribs suitably fit the approximate oval shape of the canal in the tooth stub into which the bore is formed. Preferably, one rib is longer than the other rib. A drill jig is also provided for contouring the canal to receive the dental post. The drill jig includes a stepped head block having a depending shaft extending therefrom for insertion into the bore. A pair of offset apertures is laterally positioned on either side of the shaft and extend through respective stepped portions of the head block and into a portion of the shaft.

Abstract: A dental post for retaining a dental restoration in a secured position on a prepared tooth stub, the dental post including a cylindrical elongated pin having grooves disposed about the periphery thereof, the pin being insertable within a bore provided in the tooth stub. A head portion of the pin projects from the tooth stub to secure the restoration thereon. The head portion includes a substantially conical neck section from which projects a flattened tang. The tang is substantially wider than the diameter of the pin and is angularly oriented with respect to the elongated axis of the pin. The head portion provides improved retention of the superstructure upon the tooth stub and permits orientation of the tang in the same angled direction as the angular orientation of the tooth prosthesis so as to be centrally located within the tooth superstructure for improved retention and strength.

Abstract: A dental die tray assembly for the production of a dental working model for use in producing a prosthetic dental device, the assembly including a die tray body member having upper and lower surfaces, and a peripheral outer wall. A hollow arcuate mold cavity extends entirely through the body member in an outwardly widening direction from the lower surface to the upper surface. The mold cavity is bounded by facing outer and inner walls, with the outer cavity wall being foreshortened by a recessed seat bounding an outer periphery of the mold cavity. Continuous teeth are disposed on the facing cavity walls and extend into the mold cavity. A pair of removable arms are pivotally coupled to respective side portions of the peripheral outer wall of the die tray body member and embrace at least a portion of the body member circumscribing the mold cavity to releasably hold the model in the mold cavity.

Abstract: A dental post for retaining a dental restoration in a secured position on a prepared tooth stub, the dental post including a cylindrical elongated pin having a plurality of spaced apart, individual, external helical flutes longitudinally disposed about the longitudinal axis of the pin. The pin is insertable within a bore provided in the tooth stub with a portion of the pin extending upwardly from the stub to secure the restoration thereon. The flutes functions to, both retain the pin secured within the cement prepared bore, and also provides a vent for the insertion of the pin into the bore.

Abstract: A dental impression tray for forming a dental prosthesis, the dental tray including a trough-like configuration. A valve device is provided for adjustable placement within slots in the outer walls of the tray, the valve device being suitably placed with respect to a mold cavity defined within the tray. The tray is placed over a positive restored model of dental area and a negative impression is formed in the tray. The restored area is then removed from the positive model and the tray is replaced onto the unrestored model. The mold cavity is defined between the negative impression and the unrestored dental model. Casting material is then inserted through the valve device to form a dental prosthesis, which can be used directly as the final prosthesis, or can be used as a model for further forming of the final dental prosthesis.

Abstract: A detent device for removably securing a dental prosthesis in a patient's mouth, having a spring loaded plunger movably disposed in an externally threaded tubular member with an end portion of the plunger projecting outwardly therefrom. A positioning spring member is enclosed in the dental prosthesis for determining the location of the tubular member therein, and for receiving the threads of the tubular member for retention thereof in the dental prosthesis. An externally threaded plug member is engaged in the spring member when the dental prosthesis is being formed to provide an internally threaded opening in the dental prosthesis for receiving the threaded tubular member after the plug member is removed from the dental prosthesis. A dental tool engages a front portion of the tubular member for threading the tubular member into the dental prosthesis to a selected position therein.

Abstract: A dental anchor for securing a superstructure to a tooth understructure, the dental anchor having a forward elongated anchoring portion for insertion into a channel extending into the tooth understructure. A coaxial, elongated retaining portion extends from the anchoring portion and has a non-circular cross sectional configuration to provide displacement resistant properties for retaining the superstructure. A depth-limiting portion is integrally disposed between the anchoring portion and the retaining portion for limiting the depth of insertion of the anchoring portion into the channel. The depth-limiting portion has a frustro-conical section which sits into a countersink formed at the upper end of the channel in the tooth understructure. A dental tool is provided to form a limited depth channel simultaneously with a countersink in the tooth understructure for use in conjunction with the dental anchor.

Abstract: A variable connector for supporting a dental prosthesis between opposing spaced apart supporting teeth, the connector including a pair of elongated bar-like body members, each of the body members being disposable in its own channel in at least one supporting tooth on opposite sides of the prosthesis being retained. At least one tubular member depends from each body member and is received in a respective bore provided in the respective supporting tooth, each bore extending through a bottom wall of its respective channel. Each tubular member includes an axial opening extending therethrough. A pair of elongated straps are provided with each strap having at least one depending pin, the straps being respectively disposable over a body member with the pins extending into the axial openings of the tubular member of that body member. The straps terminate in arms which are disposed outwardly from the supporting teeth.

Abstract: An overhandle for enclosing the handle or the shank of a tool, such as a dental tool. The overhandle is formed of two mating semi-cylindrical sections having respective forward end faces which are confrontingly opposed in the opened condition and are in a single plane in the assembled closed condition. Laterally spaced apart hinges interlock the sections at their forward end faces. An elongated channel is respectively formed in each of the sections and extends through the forward end face of the respective section. The channels matingly confront in the assembled closed condition to define an internal chamber with an open forward end so that the chamber receives the end of the tool with the remaining tool portion axially extending through the open forward end. A coupling mechanism is provided for retaining the sections in the assembled closed condition. In modified embodiments, the same overhandle can enclose either the handle of one tool or the shank of another tool.

Abstract: A detent device for removably securing a dental prosthesis in a patient's mouth, having a spring loaded plunger movably disposed in an externally threaded tubular member with an end portion of the plunger projecting outwardly therefrom. A positioning spring member is enclosed in the dental prosthesis for determining the location of the tubular member therein, and for receiving the threads of the tubular member for retention thereof in the dental prosthesis. An externally threaded plug member is engaged in the spring member when the dental prosthesis is being formed to provide an internally threaded opening in the dental prosthesis for receiving the threaded tubular member after the plug member is removed from the dental prosthesis. A dental tool engages a front portion of the tubular member for threading the tubular member into the dental prosthesis to a selected position therein.

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 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 lingual dental splinting device having an elongated bar-like body member with at least two tubular members extending perpendicularly from one side thereof, the tubular members being received in corresponding holes which respectively extend transversely through adjacent teeth when the body member is disposed in a side wall channel laterally extending between the adjacent teeth, the tubular members including axial openings therethrough. A brace member is disposed in an opposing side wall channel which also laterally extends between the adjacent teeth. A U-shaped wire has its legs passing through or extending from the brace member. The legs extend from the opposing side wall through the axial openings in the tubular members so as to extend from the bar-like body member. Restraining devices are then disposed at the distal ends of the legs so as to hold the body member in place.