Patents by Inventor Devon O. Howe

Devon O. Howe has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20210015591
    Abstract: A method of making a denture comprised of fabricating a mold form, including a mold surface corresponding to an external surface of the denture; casting a liquid mold block material against the mold surface of the mold form, and curing the liquid mold block material to form a solid mold block including a second mold surface corresponding to the external surface of the denture. Denture teeth are placed in the tooth sockets of the mold block. Denture base material is delivered against the denture base surface portion of the second mold surface and bases of the denture teeth. The liquid denture base material is cured into a solid state to form a denture base block including embedded denture teeth. The denture base block is placed in a milling fixture; and milled to form the internal surface of the denture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventor: Devon O. HOWE
  • Patent number: 10463455
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a denture, comprising milling a preliminary try-in denture from denture material comprising a layer of denture base material contiguous with a layer of denture tooth material. Denture base material is removed from the block to form a first part of the, labial, buccal, gingival, and flange regions of the denture base to form a preliminary denture. A preliminary mold is created from this preliminary denture. The preliminary denture is then further modified with deformable waxes in gingival and anterior tooth recesses to form a preliminary try-in denture, which is fitted to a patient and adjusted to optimal dimensions. The adjusted try-in denture is then reproduced by further molding methods, producing the final denture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: GLOBAL DENTAL SCIENCE, LLC
    Inventor: Devon O. Howe
  • Publication number: 20180042705
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a denture, comprising milling a preliminary try-in denture from denture material comprising a layer of denture base material contiguous with a layer of denture tooth material. Denture base material is removed from the block to form a first part of the, labial, buccal, gingival, and flange regions of the denture base to form a preliminary denture. A preliminary mold is created from this preliminary denture. The preliminary denture is then further modified with deformable waxes in gingival and anterior tooth recesses to form a preliminary try-in denture, which is fitted to a patient and adjusted to optimal dimensions. The adjusted try-in denture is then reproduced by further molding methods, producing the final denture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: CMP INDUSTRIES LLC
    Inventor: Devon O. HOWE
  • Patent number: 9662189
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a denture base disc that is used subsequently to form a removable denture. A vessel with an elastomeric lining is used to form the denture base disc so that the compression of the elastomeric material is approximately equivalent to the shrinkage of the denture base disc material during its polymerization. The vessel and elastomeric lining contained therein work cooperatively to cause the denture base disc to cure in a homogenous manner with consistent pressure on all sides so that residual stresses in the finished disc are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: CMP Industries LLC
    Inventors: Richard McDermott, Devon O. Howe
  • Patent number: 9610145
    Abstract: A device for making artificial teeth for a denture. The device is comprised of a nest comprised of a lower portion formed of a rigid material and having an upper planar surface, and an upper portion contiguous with the upper planar surface of the lower portion, and formed of an elastomeric material and configured to receive a plurality of the artificial teeth and hold the teeth in predetermined positions relative to the upper planar surface. A method for making artificial teeth using the nest and a fixative applied thereto is also disclosed. The method may include milling of the artificial teeth by a CAD-CAM operated mill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: CMP Industries LLC
    Inventor: Devon O. Howe
  • Patent number: 9492252
    Abstract: A method of molding artificial teeth in denture base material comprising forming a U-shaped cavity in a block of denture base material, forming socket cavities in the bottom of the U-shaped cavity, casting a fluid artificial tooth material into the cavities, and causing the fluid tooth material to solidify into solid artificial tooth material while applying pressure. Causing the solidification may include heating the fluid tooth material. The method may include casting a liquid elastomer into a bottom portion of the U-shaped cavity following forming that cavity and prior to the forming the socket cavities, curing the liquid elastomer into a solid elastomeric cushion, and removing the cushion from the U-shaped cavity. Subsequently, the cushion may be inserted into the U-shaped cavity and contacted with the fluid tooth material. A die may then be contacted with the cushion to apply pressure to it and the fluid tooth material during curing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: CMP Industries LLC
    Inventors: Richard McDermott, Devon O. Howe
  • Patent number: 9468509
    Abstract: Dental prostheses and methods for making them are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises a sequence of steps including milling a cavity in a block of a coping material, filling the cavity with a green ceramic material, milling a portion of the green ceramic material away to leave a layer of green ceramic material on an occlusal surface formed in the coping material, milling the underside of the block of coping material to form the coping with green ceramic material, and sintering the coping with green ceramic material to complete the prosthesis. The milling steps may be performed by a computer-controlled mill. The computer may execute a CAD-CAM program that includes data from a three dimensional model of a tooth that is to receive the prosthesis. The dental prosthesis may be a dental crown or a dental bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: CMP Industries LLC
    Inventor: Devon O. Howe
  • Publication number: 20160100917
    Abstract: A method for making a denture comprising creating three-dimensional models of top denture base, bottom denture base, and denture tooth molds; fabricating the molds by an additive manufacturing process; joining the bottom denture base mold to the top denture base mold to form a denture base mold cavity; injecting fluid synthetic denture base material into the mold cavity and curing the material to form the denture base; removing the bottom denture base mold from the top denture base mold, while leaving the denture base in the top denture base mold; joining the denture tooth mold to the top denture base mold to form a mold cavity defining the shape of denture teeth; and injecting fluid synthetic denture tooth material into the denture teeth mold cavity and curing the material to form the denture teeth joined to the denture base. An apparatus for making the denture is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Applicant: CMP INDUSTRIES LLC
    Inventor: Devon O. HOWE
  • Patent number: 9192456
    Abstract: A method for making a denture comprising a base and a plurality of teeth joined thereto. The method comprises forming a first cavity in a block of a denture base material, the first cavity being formed to match the contour of natural teeth as arranged on maxillae or on a mandible; filling the first cavity with a first fluid synthetic tooth material and solidifying the first fluid synthetic tooth material into a first solid synthetic tooth material; removing a portion of the first solid synthetic tooth material to form the plurality of teeth; and removing a portion of the block of denture base material to form the denture base. The steps of the method may be implemented by a computer. An apparatus for making the denture according to certain embodiments of the method, and a denture comprised of a base and artificial teeth are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: CMP Industries LLC
    Inventor: Devon O. Howe
  • Publication number: 20140272800
    Abstract: Dental prostheses and methods for making them are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises a sequence of steps including milling a cavity in a block of a coping material, filling the cavity with a green ceramic material, milling a portion of the green ceramic material away to leave a layer of green ceramic material on an occlusal surface formed in the coping material, milling the underside of the block of coping material to form the coping with green ceramic material, and sintering the coping with green ceramic material to complete the prosthesis. The milling steps may be performed by a computer-controlled mill. The computer may execute a CAD-CAM program that includes data from a three dimensional model of a tooth that is to receive the prosthesis. The dental prosthesis may be a dental crown or a dental bridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CMP INDUSTRIES LLC
    Inventor: Devon O. HOWE
  • Publication number: 20140272777
    Abstract: A device for making artificial teeth for a denture. The device is comprised of a nest comprised of a lower portion formed of a rigid material and having an upper planar surface, and an upper portion contiguous with the upper planar surface of the lower portion, and formed of an elastomeric material and configured to receive a plurality of the artificial teeth and hold the teeth in predetermined positions relative to the upper planar surface. A method for making artificial teeth using the nest and a fixative applied thereto is also disclosed. The method may include milling of the artificial teeth by a CAD-CAM operated mill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CMP INDUSTRIES LLC
    Inventor: Devon O. HOWE
  • Publication number: 20140272798
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a denture base disc that is used subsequently to form a removable denture. A vessel with an elastomeric lining is used to form the denture base disc so that the compression of the elastomeric material is approximately equivalent to the shrinkage of the denture base disc material during its polymerization. The vessel and elastomeric lining contained therein work cooperatively to cause the denture base disc to cure in a homogenous manner with consistent pressure on all sides so that residual stresses in the finished disc are minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CMP INDUSTRIES LLC
    Inventors: Richard McDERMOTT, Devon O. HOWE
  • Publication number: 20140234802
    Abstract: A method of molding artificial teeth in denture base material comprising forming a U-shaped cavity in a block of denture base material, forming socket cavities in the bottom of the U-shaped cavity, casting a fluid artificial tooth material into the cavities, and causing the fluid tooth material to solidify into solid artificial tooth material while applying pressure. Causing the solidification may include heating the fluid tooth material. The method may include casting a liquid elastomer into a bottom portion of the U-shaped cavity following forming that cavity and prior to the forming the socket cavities, curing the liquid elastomer into a solid elastomeric cushion, and removing the cushion from the U-shaped cavity. Subsequently, the cushion may be inserted into the U-shaped cavity and contacted with the fluid tooth material. A die may then be contacted with the cushion to apply pressure to it and the fluid tooth material during curing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: CMP INDUSTRIES LLC
    Inventors: Richard McDERMOTT, Devon O. HOWE
  • Publication number: 20140080094
    Abstract: A method for making a denture comprising a base and a plurality of teeth joined thereto. The method comprises forming a first cavity in a block of a denture base material, the first cavity being formed to match the contour of natural teeth as arranged on maxillae or on a mandible; filling the first cavity with a first fluid synthetic tooth material and solidifying the first fluid synthetic tooth material into a first solid synthetic tooth material; removing a portion of the first solid synthetic tooth material to form the plurality of teeth; and removing a portion of the block of denture base material to form the denture base. The steps of the method may be implemented by a computer. An apparatus for making the denture according to certain embodiments of the method, and a denture comprised of a base and artificial teeth are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventor: Devon O. HOWE
  • Patent number: 8641938
    Abstract: A method for making a denture comprising a base and a plurality of teeth joined thereto. The method comprises forming a first cavity in a block of a denture base material, the first cavity being formed to match the contour of natural teeth as arranged on maxillae or on a mandible; filling the first cavity with a first fluid synthetic tooth material and solidifying the first fluid synthetic tooth material into a first solid synthetic tooth material; removing a portion of the first solid synthetic tooth material to form the plurality of teeth; and removing a portion of the block of denture base material to form the denture base. The steps of the method may be implemented by a computer. An apparatus for making the denture according to certain embodiments of the method, and a denture comprised of a base and artificial teeth are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: CMP Industries LLC
    Inventor: Devon O. Howe
  • Publication number: 20130101962
    Abstract: A method for making a denture comprising a base and a plurality of teeth joined thereto. The method comprises forming a first cavity in a block of a denture base material, the first cavity being formed to match the contour of natural teeth as arranged on maxillae or on a mandible; filling the first cavity with a first fluid synthetic tooth material and solidifying the first fluid synthetic tooth material into a first solid synthetic tooth material; removing a portion of the first solid synthetic tooth material to form the plurality of teeth; and removing a portion of the block of denture base material to form the denture base. The steps of the method may be implemented by a computer. An apparatus for making the denture according to certain embodiments of the method, and a denture comprised of a base and artificial teeth are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventor: Devon O. HOWE
  • Patent number: D377099
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development Corp.
    Inventor: Devon O. Howe