By Resiliently Biased Means Patents (Class 433/177)
  • Patent number: 5284441
    Abstract: Patent of invention of a precision device for attaching removable dental prosthesis, designed for the upper and lower dental arch free ends, consisting of a fixed male member and a removable female member, capable of absorbing, when engaged through an overlapping movement, all masticatory force due to gingival occlusive movement and therefore transferring it in a distributed manner over the mucous membrane on which the removable prosthetic portion is seated, this effect being cause by a dampening element located in the male member, member being made of a rigid material, of little thickness, formed in an approximately rectagular shape, there being two cavities on one of its faces and there being another cavity on the other face, there being, joined to cavity, a slit which engages spring inside said cavity; member consists also of a hollow rigid material piece, whose inner shape is the same as member there being on the inner walls of said member two pins and a recurved pin, positioned so that, during overlappin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Inventor: Luis A. De Siqueira
  • Patent number: 5275560
    Abstract: A friction element particularly for anchoring one removable telescopable part of a dental prosthesis on another. The one part has an opening through it in which the friction element is disposed. The friction element has a shank in the opening and has a friction head with a friction surface above the part and at one end of the opening. The friction element is of resilient plastic material. The friction head has a tapering, conical or convex bottom side and the opening in the one part is correspondingly shaped. The shank of the friction element has radial tabs which resiliently engage the inside of the opening. The shank may be of a length and the opening may be so shaped that one friction tab is behind the opening and engages the other side of the one part for preventing removal of the friction element. A detent recess in the other part receives the friction head on the telescoping of the parts together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Inventor: Adam Obersat
  • Patent number: 5242304
    Abstract: A functional dental appliance system and a method of manufacturing the same. At least one surface mounted undercut is attached to the outer surface of the tooth. The dental appliance is constructed of a semi-rigid material which has a shape generally conforming to a portion of the contour of the tooth and the attached undercut. The semi-rigid material permits the dental appliance to deform temporarily prior to engagement with the portion of the tooth and the attached undercut such that the dental appliance returns to an undeformed state when engaged with the tooth and the attached undercut to form a pressure fit engagement relationship. The dental appliance may be manufactured by attaching a surface mounted dental undercut to the outer surface of a tooth and forming the dental appliance to conform to a portion of the outer surface of the tooth and the attached undercut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Tru-Tain, Inc.
    Inventors: Lloyd H. Truax, Kevin L. Truax
  • Patent number: 5049072
    Abstract: An o-ring attachment system with opposed convex circumferential surfaces for removable dentures to be attached to a natural or an implanted fixed root system. The o-ring attachment system can be screwed into an implanted root using a manipulating means interposed between o-ring abutment and an attachment screw. In connection therewith, a tool is provided for implanting the o-ring attachment system, the tool having a captured toroidal spring for gripping the attachment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Calcitek, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Lueschen
  • Patent number: 5040985
    Abstract: An attachment which secures the removable component of a dental prosthesis to the stationary component has complementary male and female detent members one of which is mounted in or on the stationary component and the other of which is mounted on or in the removable component. The detent member on the removable component is separably locked to the detent member on the stationary component in a predetermined position by a locking device having a socket in one of the detent members and a coupling member on the other detent member. The coupling member has a hollow rotary cylindrical, spherical or barrel-shaped rolling element which is mounted on a piece of wire having end portions anchored in the other detent member, separably secured to the other detent member or received in a flat housing on the other detent member. The rolling element can penetrate into and is biased against the surface surrounding the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Inventors: Adam Obersat, Franz J. Klein, Claus-Peter Fritzen
  • Patent number: 5026280
    Abstract: An enossal or endosteal implant with a fastening head and fastening arrannt having a metal implant post screwable into a basic structure for snugly fitting a conditionally removable denture with a spacer element provided with a centering collar being inserted into the open end of the basic structure and engageable with a shoulder of an upper edge of the basic structure and an intermediate element having a portion made of an elastic material is characterized by the spacer element being made of metal and having a closed end remote from the fastening head for the denture and being threaded into the basic structure; the intermediate element is insertable in a socket formed by a counterbore at the open end of the spacer element and is provided with a ring shoulder for engaging an upper edge of the spacer element, and the intermediate element has an inner bore whose diameter, in an area facing the fastening head for the denture and remote from the spacer sleeve, is larger than the external diameter of the implant p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: IMZ Fertigungs und Vertriebsgellschaft fur dentale Technologie mbH
    Inventors: Walter Durr, Axel Kirsch
  • Patent number: 4957438
    Abstract: A dental coupling assembly for anchoring a prosthesis in the mouth in which a holding member has a recess defined by a straight right circular cylindrical wall and a closed bottom which confronts the outer right circular cylindrical wall of a plug member whose end receivable within the recess is likewise closed so that the plug member forms a displacement body for displacing a fluid adhesive throughout the cylindrical gap between the two members and between the bottom wall of the recess and the end surface of the plug. Because the walls are cylindrical and not undercut or tapered, the parts can be machined with greater precision and ease while allowing adjustment because of the adhesive field gap. The T-shaped slots and other lateral openings need not be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: CEKA N.V.
    Inventor: Arthur Bax
  • Patent number: 4813873
    Abstract: A dental prosthetic construction comprising a pontic and a connector limb attached to the pontic, the connector limb having a joint portion received in a socket of an abutment tooth to retain the pontic in an intended position, the joint portion of the connector limb being introduced into the socket in the abutment tooth along a path of insertion which is substantially parallel to the dental arch containing the abutment tooth and having bearing surfaces engaging bearing surfaces in the socket such that there is limited freedom of angular movement of the connector limb about the joint portion so as to permit stress-breaking relative movement between the connector limb and socket while maintaining contact between the connector limb and socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Inventor: Peter Seaton
  • Patent number: 4789338
    Abstract: A dental prosthesis having multiple components is provided with flexibility by connecting individual components of the prosthesis with flexible buffer components that are connected to the individual components of the prosthesis through dovetail slots that are located between adjacent components. The flexible buffer components are inserted in the dovetail slots to connect adjacent components of the prosthesis. The connection of tooth crowns and bridge components by the flexible means of the present invention fixes in place the remaining teeth to which the crown or bridge is connected but it preserves the flexibility of the teeth that support the crown or bridge. This contributes to a healthy mouth. The mobility of the dental prosthesis can be adjusted to approximate that of the normal teeth by varying the flexibility of the buffer part or parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: Implantec GmbH
    Inventor: Friedrich Eisenmann
  • Patent number: 4787851
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided for an attachment for a dental prosthesis comprising: (a) a male member made of a rigid material provided at a retentive tooth or a dental root; and (b) a female member provided at the dental prosthesis and facing to the male member, wherein the female member has an elastic part made of an elastic material in order to grip at least an engaging portion of the male member, and the elastic part is formed as one body with an elastic lining layer made of an elastic material and being provided at an inner surface of the dental prosthesis to be in contact with an alveolus ridge. Whereby, the dental prosthesis can be stably and softly supported on the alveolus ridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignees: Molten Corporation, Kabushiki Kaisha Four Brain
    Inventors: Takae Kusano, Masato Ueno
  • Patent number: 4773859
    Abstract: The detachable component of a dental prosthesis is releasably secured to the permanently installed component by one or more pairs of male and female detent members. Each male detent member has a miniature flat brick-shaped compartment for a flat serpentine (particularly U-shaped or S-shaped) or a flat block-shaped spring whose front portion can bias or constitute a plunger which extends from the compartment and snaps into the respective female detent member. The male detent member or members are mounted on the detachable component and the female detent member or members are provided in or on the permanently installed component, preferably very close to the gum of the respective jaw. The casing which defines the compartment of the male detent member can be a prefabricated part or it may be formed, at least in part, during casting of the metallic part or parts of the detachable component. The overall dimensions of the male detent member need not exceed 5.times.3.5.times.1 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Inventor: Adam Obersat
  • Patent number: 4768957
    Abstract: A denture-retaining male coupling portion (5) is fixed to a tab (4) which is itself glued to an inside face of an anchor tooth (1). The denture includes a metal plate having a corresponding female coupling portion (6). There is no need to use clasps or to remove healthy tissue from the anchor teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Inventor: Claude Segura
  • Patent number: 4764115
    Abstract: The present invention entails a partial denture formed of a relatively hard acrylic material. Molded into a selected portion of the denture is an area of relatively soft material. A teeth opening is formed in the soft material, the opening being at least slightly elongated to receive at least two successive existing teeth of the subject. Forming a part of the soft material and the existing teeth opening is an elastic retainer strip that engages the gum area of the subject adjacent the existing teeth. The elastic retainer strip engages or grips the subject's gum, resulting in the partial denture being secured within the subject's mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Denture Clinic, Inc.
    Inventors: William G. Willits, Thomas T. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 4756691
    Abstract: The supports for removably fixing a dental prosthesis on a crown covering a pivot teeth are comprised of a single hollow base fixed to the crown and a laterally cross-split stud engaged in the base. To avoid an exclusively annular engagement and consequently prevent rapid wear of the parts, the base (1) and the stud (2) have a bearing surface (6) tapered in the engagement direction (5), preferably in the form of a truncated cone. Thus, there is provided a substantially more reliable fixing without unfavorably influencing the fabrication costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Inventor: Miroslaus Pilarek
  • Patent number: 4735570
    Abstract: This invention relates to a false tooth attachment and in particular to one including a fixed member having a side plate and an engaging end, a front retainer made of a resilient metal wire bent into a shaped of an inverted letter V engageable with the engaging end, and a rear retainer formed of a resilient metal wire shaped into a letter U having two legs spaced apart by a distance equal to that between two recesses of the engaging end, whereby the false tooth can be easily removed from a supporting tooth simply by pushing a long leg of the front retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Inventor: Tan S. Chen
  • Patent number: 4731085
    Abstract: The invention relates to an enossal implant, which comprises a primary cylinder (10) with a central longitudenal bore (13) which can be introduced into the jawbone and is anchored therein in positive and/or non-positive manner, as well as a secondary cylinder (100) insertable into the primary cylinder (10) and which has an oscillating rod (211) inserted and held in the longitudenal bore (13) and guide tube (30) of primary cylinder (10), said rod carrying an upper modular tube (220) made from an elastic material arranged at a distance from guide tube (30), accompanied by the formation of an air gap (225) and which is constructed at its free upper end for the connection of the dental prosthesis, whereas its lower end is connected in fixed or detachable manner to the primary cylinder (10), so that an implant is obtained which not only leads to a positive and non-positive connection to the bone and a load-free stabilization of the primary cylinder (10), but whose oscillating rod (211) absorbs the horizontal, vert
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: Implanto-Lock Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung fur Implantatforschungund Entwicklung
    Inventor: Werner-Lutz Koch
  • Patent number: 4728330
    Abstract: A prosthetic bone or tooth implant device is disclosed which includes a generally U-shaped cap portion (69) with an upper convex surface. The implant used in bone prosthesis after an osteotomy is performed by an elongated osteotome (30) having a blade comprised of at least one curved portion (38) and at least one flange portion (42). The underside of the U-shaped cap conforms identically to the shape of the osteotome blade, so that when the device is implanted its lower surface will lay perfectly flush against the surface of the bone which has been cut. The implant is affixed to the bone by means of a pin (62) connected at one end to the underside of the implant and which is inserted at its other end into the medullary canal (55) within the bone which has been severed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Inventor: John E. Comparetto
  • Patent number: 4715817
    Abstract: An attachment structure for securing a denture in an oral cavity comprises an insert member for securing to the denture and a retainer member for mounting in a cut-out in an existing tooth. One of the members has an elongate channel and the other member has a corresponding elongate tongue for sliding engagement in the channel in the direction of insertion of the denture in the oral cavity. The channel and tongue have cooperating interengageable snap-fit formations at their lower end which are elongated in a direction transverse to the tongue and channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Inventors: Max Zuest, Paul Zuest
  • Patent number: 4698020
    Abstract: In order to activate, through a fine adjustment, the retention element (16) of an attachment for a partial, removable, dental prosthesis made up of two coulisses (1, 51), one of which being incorporated in the prosthesis (P) and the other (51) secured to a pillar tooth (D) there are utilized: a horizontal pivot (14) mounted in a sheath (2) and carrying, at one end, a retaining small head (16) and, at the other end, a bevel gear (5); and a cylindrical body (4') with vertical axis, mounted in a box (3) and carrying a bevel gear (4) which is in meshing engagement with the other hand gear (5). The base of the body (4') is provided with an operative groove (12) surfacing in the alveolar saddle (5) of the prosthesis (P). The rotation of the element (4') causes the displacement, along the pivot (14), of a plate (19) which compresses a counteracting spring (18) whose tensioning determines the retaining force of the attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Inventor: Ivano Menicacci
  • Patent number: 4609355
    Abstract: A permanent dental prosthesis and a method of installing the prosthesis in the mouth of a patient to replace a missing tooth. The prosthesis comprises a body portion, first and second lugs which project outwardly from opposite side edges of the body portion and which are inwardly slidable with respect to each other, a spring element for biasing the lugs apart and a cap receivable on the body portion for defining an outer tooth-like configuration for the prosthesis. In accordance with the method, the prosthesis is installed between a pair of spaced teeth by first forming elongated notches in the inwardly facing edges of the teeth and then assembling and cementing the prosthesis between the teeth so that the lugs are received and cemented in the notches. The spring element is preferably then removed, and a cap is formed over the body portion to provide an outer configuration for the prosthesis which simulates a natural tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Inventors: Arthur E. Harvey, Sr., Thomas J. Harvey
  • Patent number: 4586902
    Abstract: The detachable component of a dental prosthesis is releasably secured to the permanently installed component by one or more pairs of male and female detent members. Each male detent member has a miniature flat brick-shaped compartment for a sepentine (particularly U-shaped or S-shaped) flat spring whose front portion extends from the compartment and snaps into the respective female detent member. The male detent member or members are mounted on the detachable component and the female detent member or members are provided in or on the permanently installed component, preferably very close to the gum of the respective jaw. The casing which defines the compartment of the male detent member can be a prefabricated part or it may be formed, at least in part, during casting of the metallic part or parts of the detachable component. The overall dimensions of the male detent member need not exceed 5.times.3.5.times.1 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Inventor: Adam Obersat
  • Patent number: 4547156
    Abstract: The invention relates to a female part of a coupling for fixing a dental prothesis in the mouth. It comprises a casing 5 having a central void 7,8 provided with a shoulder 9. A contact piece 10 of synthetic ruby has a waisted aperture defining a fixing edge 11 of smaller diameter. This contact piece 10 is maintained against the shoulder 9 through a fixing ring 12 welded to the casing 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Inventor: Helmut Hader
  • Patent number: 4518357
    Abstract: A fastening system for a mucous membrane-supported denture is composed of a removable, mucous membrane-supported denture (3) and holding devices which effect a secure support during the wearing of the denture. The holding devices are composed of two greater than hemispherical heads (1) arranged either on natural teeth or on implants. The ball heads (1) are engaged in retaining caps (8) fastened in recesses (7) of the denture (3), the caps being composed of smooth, elastic plastic which contact the ball heads (1) only in the area of their equators M. Adapting rings (12) composed of a plastic material which is more elastic than that of the retaining caps (8) are arranged in the area of the openings (9) of the retaining caps (8) and effect a uniform contact of the retaining caps (8) on the ball heads (1). As a result, a secure support of the denture is achieved without a rigid connection between the ball heads (1) and the denture (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1985
    Assignee: Fedlmuhle Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Egon Brinkmann, Mandred Putenat, Erhard Dorre
  • Patent number: 4488874
    Abstract: A device for use in attaching a dental prosthesis to a tooth, comprising cooperating male and female portions having a base and a head, respectively, for attachment to and between the dental prosthesis and the tooth, and a post assembly forming part of the male portion and comprising a base member adapted for attachment to the base of the male portion and having an aperture extending through central portions thereof, a stud extending through the aperture of the base member and having one end which is rotatingly associated with the base member, an engagement member attached to another end of the stud and adapted for engagement with a retention device associated with the female portion, and a resilient washer surrounding the stud and separating the base member from the engagement member. Also, a method for attaching a dental prosthesis to a tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Inventor: Jack Soifer
  • Patent number: 4488875
    Abstract: A pillar attached directly or indirectly to the jawbone, has an accessible snap-in ball socket. A ball attached to and projecting from an overdenture or other removable prosthesis is sized to enter the socket after being forced through its restricted opening. The overdenture is fitted in such manner that in the absence of occlusal forces, the ball lies at or just inwardly of the restriction. The socket is extended inwardly so that, upon the application of occlusal forces, the ball moves deeper into the socket without imposing stress upon the pillar or its supporting structure. Yet lateral stability is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Assignee: A&L Investment Company
    Inventor: Gerald A. Niznick
  • Patent number: 4474499
    Abstract: An attachment connection between a dental prosthesis body and/or a dental bridge and an anchoring tooth and/or a crown consists of a female die hollow space (5) provided in an anchoring tooth and/or the crown, for acceptance of a male die (7) which, with its anchoring part (9), is capable of being introduced into a housing (23) for attachment of the male die (7). In order to simplify the precision of fit of the attachment connection and the construction process for this attachment connection, the housing (23), which is arranged on a dental prosthesis body and/or a dental bridge, is structured in one piece with this dental prosthesis body and/or the dental bridge by means of a bonding substance with the housing (23) surrounding the anchoring part (9) of the male die (7) in box-fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Inventor: Francesco Pedrazzini
  • Patent number: 4406622
    Abstract: The present invention provides a removable attachment for a partial denture having assembly with body member which is to be the connector body therein and a slider member. The assembly is provided with the body member including a slot having a relatively wide and a relatively narrow slot or recess, in which a corresponding portion of slider member can be slid, and a neck portion of slot, which has a major axis which is horizontal and at a right angle to the row of teeth, a slider member including a lock rod and a protruding member suitable for being retained in a notch of the body member and has an aperture which may be engaged by the lock rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1983
    Inventor: Han S. Yoon
  • Patent number: 4403960
    Abstract: A holding member assembly comprises a shell-like female part with an annular cavity and a male part with a torus adapted to mate with the cavity. The torus contains a slot with an annular spring which, on insertion of the male into the female, engage in a holding slot of the female part. The female part is embedded into a tooth crown, whereas the male part is connected to a dental prosthesis part. Through constructing the female part with the cavity, it is possible to produce holding members with reduced overall height compared with the known holding members, but which still have an excellent stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1983
    Inventors: Robert Hauri, Peter Reinhard
  • Patent number: 4380434
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1983
    Inventor: Bernard Weissman
  • Patent number: 4345901
    Abstract: Connecting apparatus for removable dental prostheses comprises a frustoconical male element attached to a base and including a cylindrical transverse groove and an oblique groove. A female part is essentially composed of a block having a frustoconical cavity matching the male element so that the female part can be fitted over the male element. A tubular sleeve accommodates a sliding member which is biased axially by a spring held in place by a cap screwed on one end of the sleeve. A tip attached to a threaded section at the end of the sliding member remote from the spring makes it possible to displace the sliding member axially against the bias of the spring. When the block is fitted over the male element, a section of the sliding member is caught by the edge of the oblique groove and moved axially, then enters the transverse groove, thereby interlocking the male element and the female part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1982
    Assignee: Metaux Precieux S.A.
    Inventor: Mario Romagnoli
  • Patent number: 4302187
    Abstract: The present invention provides a removable attachment for a partial denture with a sliding locking assembly. The locking assembly is provided with a relatively wide slot and narrower sliding slot or recess which has a major axis which is horizontal and at a right angle to the row of teeth, a locking member including a lock pin and a protruding member suitable for being retained in a recess of the denture and has a hole which may be engaged by the lock pin. The lock member is retained in position by a spring loaded pin and detent to receive the pin. The attachment may be easily operated by a fingertip without injury to the finger and no sudden separation of the partial denture is experienced. It may be used in cases where only the canine teeth of both sides exist as well as in cases where bilateral and/or unilateral teeth are missing. General dental instruments can be adapted for use with this attachment and no special instruments are necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1981
    Inventor: Han S. Yoon
  • Patent number: 4293303
    Abstract: A joint for connecting a partial dental prosthesis to remaining natural teeth has a compression spring (10) acting on joint portions (1, 7) displaceable in a sagital direction, which spring relieves the prosthesis (13) connected to one of the joint portions (7) in the unstressed state. The displacement of the joint portions when the prosthesis is stressed is delimited by the stop surfaces (14, 15) in such a manner that the spring (10) cannot be completely compressed. This protects the spring and its functional capacity is permanently ensured and an optimal distribution of the biting and chewing pressure acting on the prosthesis over the anchor tooth (3) and the gums (6) is also attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1981
    Inventor: Hans Dalla Bona
  • Patent number: 4259073
    Abstract: An extra coronal attachment (denture) comprises a cylindrical anchor member formed as part of a crown to be attached to a natural tooth, including a cylindrical anchor surface having a predetermined angular relation to the jaw. A replaceable clip is included in a socket formed in the partial denture, and has a semi-cylindrical cavity constructed to fit closely over the anchor surface, having sufficient flexibility to be forced onto and off of the anchor surface. The anchor surface preferably is a groove formed in the cylinder, and the clip is proportioned to snap into the groove. Also, the clip is dimensioned so as to allow its side walls to flex during attachment and removal of the denture. The denture, when in place, has essentially stress free or stress isolated connections to the crowns. The clip may be constructed as an integral part of the denture, but preferably is a replaceable piece snapped into a socket integrated into a partial denture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1981
    Inventor: James D. Emmons
  • Patent number: 4253834
    Abstract: According to the invention, a device is provided for removably mounting dental bridge works and the like to an area to be bridged which comprises a retention bar having an arcuate transverse cross-section adapted to be secured to an abutment spanning an area to be bridged, and a clip adapted to be secured to a bridge piece and operative to resiliently couple onto the retention bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1981
    Inventor: Peter E. Staubli
  • Patent number: 4209904
    Abstract: According to the invention, a device is provided for removably mounting dental bridge works and the like to an area to be bridged which comprises a retention bar having an arcuate transverse cross-section adapted to be secured to an abutment spanning an area to be bridged, and a clip adapted to be secured to a bridge piece and operative to resiliently couple onto the retention bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1980
    Inventor: Peter E. Staubli
  • Patent number: 4204321
    Abstract: This invention involves a novel dental post having a groove provided thereon which facilitates the seating of the denture on the dental post, eases the masticatory load on the tooth root, and increases the retentive capabilities of the dental post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1980
    Inventor: Edward S. Scott
  • Patent number: 4193194
    Abstract: Apparatus for attaching a removable denture to a natural or an implanted fixed root system. The invention embodies a small resilient ring that provides circumferential retention of the denture and the inherent resiliency of the ring enables ease of placement and removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1980
    Inventor: David D. Dalise