Abstract: A method for constructing a dental bridge using a prefabricated pontic, comprising positioning the pontic between metal retainers placed on a die formed from an impression of the abutment teeth to be restored, with the pontic having an arm with a free end extending approximate each metal retainer. The pontic and metal retainers are invested with refractory investment for forming a soldering model. A dental material composed of high- and low-fusing temperature metal particles form a porous structure defining an interproximal joint between the free end of each pontic and the corresponding retainer. A dental solder is added over the dental material and the model is heat treated to a first temperature above the melting temperature of the low-fusing temperature metal particles in the dental material. The temperature is then raised to melt the dental solder which fills the voids in the porous structure to form a solid joint between the pontic and each retainer of superior strength.

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.

Abstract: The coupling device comprises a substantially spherical male element, rigidly associated with a support member, in turn adapted to be rigidly associated with the fixed part of a dental prosthesis. The device further comprises a female element defined by a prefabricated cap having an outwardly open seat. The cap is adapted to be rigidly associated with the removable part of a dental prosthesis, and the spherical male element is engageable, in snap-together engagement relationship, with the outwardly open seat, for associating the removable part of the prosthesis with the fixed part thereof.

Abstract: An artificial dental appliance for bridging the distance between two adjacent teeth. The appliance includes a bridge for filling the space between the two adjacent teeth and retaining structure for securing the bridge to the two adjacent teeth. The retaining structure includes a pin for extending transversely through a groove formed in the side of one of the teeth and through a groove formed in one side of the bridge.

Abstract: An extracoronal precise attachment comprising a male component, which is to be secured to the natural tooth or implant, and a female component, which is securable thereto and is to be connected to the tooth substitute. The female component has a plastic insert which is formed from a friction member, which encloses a portion of the male component, and a securing member, which connects thereto and is inserted in the female component.To adjust the friction between the male and female components, that is to say to activate the female component, the latter has a bore which traverses therethrough and through the securing member of the plastics insert, a screw being screwable into the bore and having a threaded pin portion and a threadless cylindrical portion, the head of the screw being supported on the female component in such a manner that, when the screw is being rotated in position, a pressure is exerted upon the plastics insert.This arrangement permits the friction to be very easily and accurately adjusted.

Abstract: The set comprises:at least one prismatic calcinable post (1) intended to be fastened to a crown and having at its base a support arm (2) and a cylindrical socket (3) arranged at the end of the support arm in a position parallel to the post,calcinable connecting parts (19) intended to be integrated in the prosthesis,fastening members (11, 12) for fastening the connecting parts on the prismatic post.The post (1) and its socket (3) in offset position constitute an extracoronary universal socket element which is easily adjustable, combined with the modular nature of the connecting parts of the set permit the mounting of several types of different attachments with a minimum number of units attachable on one and the same post.

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.

Abstract: The prefabricated dental pontic of the present invention comprises a metal body having a mesiodistal dimension shorter than the span between the abutment teeth separating an edentulous space to be filled with the pontic and an arm extending from each opposite end of the metal body with each arm having a trough-like channel. A pontic connector is preferably used to mount each arm to a retaining member mounted on each abutment tooth.

Abstract: A system for fastening a dental prosthesis comprising a support element to be fitted in the mouth and a fastening element to be fitted on the prosthesis with the support element being designed to detachably retain said fastening element. According to the invention, the support element comprises a bottom portion and a top portion. At least the top portion is made, at least in part, of magnetic material, and the support element has an essentially oval contour in sideview and includes attaching means for attaching it to at least one dental element. The fastening element comprises a cover plate of magnetically receptive material capable of at least partially embracing the support element.

Abstract: An anchoring device for dental prosthesis applicable to both the reconstruction of deteriorated teeth and as a support for artificial teeth. The anchoring device includes a T-shaped anchoring element having a flattened head or bracket pierced with a hole, and a cylindrical leg provided with parallel grooves. The anchoring element is fixed in a healthy tooth after preparation and drilling. The anchoring element forms an armature or framework for reconstructed tooth material, or provides support for a U-shaped beam made of austenitic steel wire cloth. The U-shaped beam receives artificial teeth thereon to bridge an interdental space. The U-shaped beam is prevented from pivoting by vertically staggering the T-shaped elements.

Abstract: A denture can be coupled to a sleeve-like socket of a tooth crown by a dentent member a first portion of which is anchored in the denture and a sleeve-like second portion of which is receivable in the socket. The second portion has an open end which is remote from the first portion, a conical internal surface which diverges in a direction toward the open end and a conical external surface which diverges in a direction away from the open end. The detent member is made of a tough and wear-resistant plastic material, such as a fiber-reinforced polyamide or polycarbonate. The shank of a screw is driven into a tapped bore of the first portion of the detent member and the head of the screw has a conical outer surface which can expand the second portion of the detent member in response to rotation of the screw so that the head is driven into the second portion by way of the open end.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises an anchoring element (2), a pin (3) fixed thereto, and a pin (4) rotatingly and pivotingly connected thereto. By means of a plastic handle (15) detachably affixed in a groove (13) of the anchoring element, this element can easily be inserted by its pins into matching boreholes (39, 47) in the tooth (38) serving as a support for the anchoring element. The telescoping drilling template (40) can be attached to the drill head (35) of a dental drill so that after the first hole (39) has been drilled in the tooth with a drill bit (36), the template is inserted in that hole, thus ensuring that the second hole (47) is drilled with the desired spacing corresponding to that of the two pins.

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.

Abstract: A dental attachment for connecting a removable dental prosthesis to an adjoining fixed tooth. The attachment includes a female member and a male assembly. The female member is inserted into the fixed tooth and includes an open mouth channel at the forward face of the fixed tooth. The male assembly includes an insert member which is received within a receiving member. The receiving member includes an elongated housing having an upwardly extending face plate through which a chamber is formed into the elongated housing to receive the insert member. The insert member includes an elongated shank portion with an upright plug at its forward end. Rearward of the plug is provided a stabilizing projection. The face plate is sandwiched between the stabilizing projection and the forward plug to provide additional stability. The male member is disposed in the dental prosthesis with the plug portion projecting forward of the face of th eprosthesis. The plug is sidably received within the channel in the female member.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for supporting a partial denture on a front tooth or a molar tooth. A fixture member fixedly mounted on a supporting tooth crown is provided with a supporting member. A movable member formed of a shape memory alloy carrying out the martensite-transformation so as to be engageable and disengageable with the fixture member comprises a base portion to be fixedly mounted on the denture and movable portions which are subjected to the martensite-transformation to be transformed into a memorized form, thereby being engaged with the supporting member.

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.

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.

Abstract: A T-attachment for the detachable fastening of dental prostheses and bridges to the residual denture which is still elastic after activation and which makes possible an even friction. The T-attachment consists of a matrix and a patrix. The patrix is provided with a continuous slot and has a longitudinal beam. An activation part is attached to the longitudinal beam, and also is provided with a slot. The slot in the activation part is open adjacent the longitudinal beam of the patrix, but has a closed slot end within the activation part. Activation is achieved by means of a conical screw which is inserted parallel to the slot end, within the activation part, the cone of the screw being located in the shaft area of the screw.

Abstract: An apparatus for the preparation of a fixed bridge which includes a wax occlusal bar adapted to be positioned within a gap located between two abutments in a model of the patient's mouth and at least one removable wax pontic adapted to be carried on the occlusal bar. The wax pontic is movable and rotatable relative to the bar. The method of preparing a wax bridge employing this apparatus includes the following steps:(a) preparing a model of the patient's mouth;(b) inserting an occlusal bar into a gap between the two teeth;(c) temporarily affixing the bar in the gap;(d) movably positioning at least one pontic on the occlusal bar;(e) affixing the positioned pontic to the occlusal bar; and(f) removing the occlusal bar with the pontic affixed thereto from the model. The prepared wax bridge can then be used to cast a suitable fixed bridge.

Abstract: A denture connector is provided with a hollow cylindrical female member having a retainer plate embedded in a denture crown. A male member comprises a top planar surface having a lateral projection to which there is attached a retainer block having projecting fins on outer walls thereof. A boss depends from an undersurface of the top planar member and has a bore coextensive with a threaded recess in said undersurface of the top planar member. A threaded screw with a removable expandable sleeve thereon is threaded into the threaded recess to complete the male unit. The male unit is inserted into the female unit whereby a tolerance space exists between the outer diameter of the sleeve and the inner diameter of the female cylinder. The retainer block attached to the lateral projection has a space therein whereby the combination of space and the projector fins ensure firm embedment of the retainer block in denture material.

Abstract: A connecting element is provided for detachably connecting a partial denture with the remaining set of teeth. The element is a joint whose axle extends transversely to the row of teeth and is formed by a bolt displaceably supported in the joint. The joint has two ring-shaped bolt-receiving devices, a first bolt-receiving device is connected with the partial denture and a second bolt-receiving device is connected with the remaining set of teeth and the bolt-receiving devices are connected with each other by the bolt.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with preparing fixed partial dentures consisting of abutment crowns and pontics connected through male/female attachments and being sealed together by means of a joining medium. In the most preferred embodiment, the parts of the dentures are formed from machinable glass-ceramic materials and the joining medium is curable through exposure to visible light radiation.

Abstract: An extracoronal attachment for a removable partial denture utilizes a joint comprising a fixed ball within a movable resilient tube to connect the prosthesis to the abutment teeth. The attachment is accurately constructed by a kit and applied by a method which insures that tensile and shear stresses otherwise applied to such attachments during functional loading are significantly reduced so that the male retainer may be permanently secured to the abutment teeth by means of an adhesive bond.

Abstract: Dental crowns, bridges and jointing implements or tabs for dental prostheses which are capable of being welded in the mouth are disclosed. These structures are preferably comprised of high purity titanium alloy. The dental crowns are formed as a cast or prepressed central cap in the shape of the tooth to be treated. The crown is additionally provided with one or two tabs which correspond to one or both of the linking sides of the crown with an adjacent crown. The titanium jointing tabs are designed for coupling and welding in the mouth and may be used with crowns or bridges of conventional structure such as gold or a gold alloy. Each jointing implement is provided at one end with a shaped element such as a screw to be rigidly coupled to the crown. The jointing implement is also optionally provided with one or more microindentations on the inside lateral surface to facilitate welding in the mouth with the jointing implement or tab of the crown element associated with the adjacent tooth.

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.

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.

Abstract: Arrangement for joining denture components by adhesion, in particular a prosthesis component with an anchoring or bedding part. It consists of a pair of connecting elements or model parts for connecting elements which are joined to or can be joined to the components to be joined and at least one of which encloses the other. So that the join can be closed without the danger of thermal distortion with correctly prepared individual components--if appropriate even in the mouth of the patient--the surfaces to be joined on the connecting elements or the model parts have an intermediate space which allows positioning of the components to be joined and can be filled with sealing compound which hardens, the surfaces comprising surface portions cut away in respect of the direction of loosening and hence acting on the sealing compound in a positive manner.

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.

Abstract: A system of modular components for making dental restorative bridges, and a new method of making dental restorative bridges, using bars and fittings for fixing them between abutments, and prefabricated modules which provided pontic incisal and occlusal portions in a wide variety of shapes, shades, sizes and constructions. These modules are on substructures which are precision fitted to the bars. The soft-tissue oriented portion of each pontic is affixed to the gingival aspects of the bar and the module, after occlusal adjustment of the module has been made.

Abstract: A base structure for a dental prosthesis comprises first and second anchor elements which are permanently securable to the teeth on opposite sides of a space or gap in the tooth structure of a patient and a base element which is securable to the anchor elements in the gap but which comprises slidably interfitted first and second base element portions so that it is expandable to fit the width of the gap. The method of securing and forming a dental prosthesis in the gap with the base structure comprises the steps of securing the anchor elements on the teeth on opposite sides of the gap, assembling the base element with the anchor elements in the gap, securing the first and second base element portions together, forming an outer shell on the base element and securing the base element with the outer shell thereon to the anchor elements.

Abstract: An attachment appliance for a removable partial denture, having complementary male and female interlocking members wherein the male member is bonded to a face of an abutment tooth within an oral cavity. The female member may be removably mounted in a mounting cavity in the removable partial denture.

Abstract: Dental and other intricate technique-models to be invested in compatible plastic material have a reduced tendency to float through the association herewith of a foreign body that increases the relative weight of the model as compared with the investment material.

Abstract: Attachment device for dental prostheses includes male and female members with said male member including an elongated matrix member having a wall in which is formed a slot with a tongue defining the outside wall of the slot with the tongue being bendable to change the size of the slot and to provide resistance to relative movement between the male and female members when the male member is inserted into the female member; the tongue and slot are located in the middle section of the male member which comprises approximately 20 to 40 percent of the length of the male member.

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.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises an anchoring element having a lower recess and a continuous upper recess. Pins are rotatably and swivellably mounted in the recesses. The pins comprise a cylindrical portion and a spherical portion. The anchoring element is preferably first cemented with the lower pin into a hole drilled in an existing supporting tooth, whereupon a second hole in this tooth can then be drilled through the upper continuous opening in the anchoring element for receiving the upper pin. Thus, there is no need to drill exactly spaced, parallel holes in the supporting teeth, nor is there any necessity for a drilling template.

Abstract: The concept of resilient pressure fit is extended to permit ready modification according to the preference of the wearer. In particular, according to the invention, a telescopic connection mechanism includes a vertically disposed male element with a male railway which mates, in a telescopic relation, with a vertically disposed female element having a female guideway, wherein the male element is provided with an insert-receiving recess of predefined size and shape forming a transverse-oriented slot for receiving a selected variety of inserts which lock into the slot. The inserts cannot be removed from the recess slot while the male element is engaged by the female element, but the insert is readily removable from the male element when not engaged by the female element. The recess slot is bordered by wings transverse of the engagement axis of the male element and the female element.An insert is useful for forming a lock to a latch means transverse of and in the female guideway.

Abstract: A denture attachment comprises a hollow cylindrical female member having a laterally extending web portion and a retention plate for embedding in a denture crown. A male member having a non-metal sleeve adapted to be inserted in the female member for rotation therein. The male member has a laterally projecting attachment arm for attaching the male member to adjacent denture material.

Abstract: A prosthesis construction assembly for use in placement and alignment of dental bridge components for the fabrication of human tooth replacements, having a female member adapted to be deposited in a cavity provided in the distal side of an anchor tooth, with its longitudinal recess having two parallel side walls and a rounded mesial wall somewhat longer than the side walls so as to provide an end well in which a male member can pivot; and the male member having a rod portion also with a rounded first end and being sized to permit its sliding engagement and retention within the recess of said female portion; an outwardly oriented second flange portion integral with one arc of the rod portion surface and not extending beyond the point of said first rounded end. The second flange is adapted to provide a sliding abutment to the external surface of said first flange.

Abstract: A dental attachment for fixing a dental prosthesis to healthy teeth comprising a male portion 1 which is rigidly fixed to a healthy tooth and a female portion 2 which is rigidly fixed to the dental prosthesis, the male portion 1 comprising two independent pins 7 which are intended to be engaged and sealed in a hole formed in a living tooth, and which have a spherical head 8, and the male portion further comprises a coupling portion 3 having an opening 5 which opens at a lower face and by way of an aperture 6 at its lateral face, the assembly being so arranged that the spherical coupling heads 8 of the pins 7 may be housed and sealed in the opening 5, the pins 7 extending from the coupling portion 3 through said aperture 6, the female portion 2 then being connected to the male portion 1.

Abstract: A snap-in anchor for a denture, including an open-sided sleeve with a socket at one end, which is inset and secured directly in an existing tooth. A snap pin with an enlarged head is embedded in the denture by a retaining lug extending from the pin, the denture being anchored by sliding the pin into the sleeve and snapping the head into the socket. The sleeve has resilient side walls that frictionally grip the entire length of the pin for stability but that allow very limited movement of the denture to accommodate jaw motions.

Abstract: Denture fixture for connecting a denture to an existing tooth in a patient's mouth. The denture fixture includes an anchorage permanently joined to the denture and retention means mounted to a tooth and formed to interlock with anchoring means extending from the anchorage. The anchoring means includes two projecting stems arranged in an approximately horizontal plane. One stem has an enlarged end for mating with an aperture in the retention means; the other stem mates with a groove on one side of the retention means.The apparatus has a low profile and is easily hidden from view. The denture is securely but flexibly positioned in the patient's mouth, is conveniently manufactured, and has no mechanism which can be obstructed by bits of food. The apparatus is not retained in position by forces exerted against the tooth and thus reduces wear on the tooth and the denture.

Abstract: A dental attachment structure for a dental appliance, such as a partial denture, an overdenture or bridgework, including female member adapted to be permanently attached to a natural tooth, and a male member having a body of a resilient non-metallic material which supports the appliance. The male and female members are provided with interengaging elements for snap retention of structure. A retention plate secures the female member to a crown or inlay of an abutment tooth. The plate is contoured to provide more securement and a base supporting a socket is angled from the plate toward the edentulous ridge. Securement of members is at a location closer to the center of rotation of the abutment. It is also an aspect of the invention that the male member which supports the appliance may be replaced with a second and subsequent male member with complete accuracy. Replacement of male members will permit the return of the restoration to the original state as problems of wear, retention, or other problems may develop.

Abstract: A dental attachment for fixing a dental prosthesis to healthy teeth comprising a male portion 1 which is rigidly fixed to a living tooth and a female portion 2 which is fixed to the dental prosthesis, the male portion 1 comprising two pins 8 which are intended to be engaged and sealed by one of their ends in holes in a living tooth, the other end of the pins 8 having a heel portion 9 which is retained in a recess 5 provided in a male connecting member by means of a plate 6 having a T-shaped slot 7 through which the pins 8 extend, the thickness of a head portion 9 of the pins 8 being less than the depth of the recess 5, the male portion 1 also having a coupling portion 10 comprising three frustoconical drillings 11, 12, 13 having their axes parallel, the drillings 11, 12, 13 flaring outwardly upwardly and being disposed in a triangular configuration.

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.

Abstract: A partial denture for the mandibular region is at least partially supported by brackets bonded to the lingual surfaces of one or more of the mandibular anterior teeth. The support brackets are mounted on the lingual tooth surfaces which are prepared by grinding a small horizontal ledge and a generally planar support surface for bonding the brackets to the tooth surfaces for transferring forces in a generally vertical direction directly to the teeth and along a line relatively close to the longitudinal vertical axis of the tooth. The support brackets are provided with a U shaped recess forming spaced apart upstanding legs to maximize the distribution of supporting loads between the bracket and the tooth.

Abstract: A dental prosthesis and process of making and installing the same, wherein a plurality of individual artificial teeth are assembled on an arched contoured longitudinal support, are disclosed, as well as a kit containing detailed instructions and necessary supplies and equipment for carrying out the process. The artificial teeth are made of an acrylic resin, other composites or plastics or porcelain. Anterior natural teeth adjacent the space to be filled are step shaped lingually and etched to provide a base for bonding. Posterior teeth adjacent the space have the fossae deepened if needed. The arched contoured longitudinal support carrying the proper number of artificial teeth integrated with the support and each other is placed in the formed steps or deepened fossae on opposite sides of the space and bonded in place, lapped and smoothed.

Abstract: A connector for a dental appliance such as a partial denture, an overdenture or bridge, including a male member, a female member and an element including a body of resilient material mounted by one of the members. The element will be disposed between and in surface-to-surface engagement with the members when they are moved together and engaged telescopically. Mechanical latching structure is provided to latch the element to each member, with the latching structure between the element and the member that supports the dental appliance providing a stronger mechanical latch than that between the element and the member attached to the abutment within the oral cavity.

Abstract: A base structure for a dental prosthesis comprises first and second anchor elements which are permanently securable to the teeth on opposite sides of a space or gap in the tooth structure of a patient and a base element which is securable to the anchor elements in the gap but which comprises slidably interfitted first and second base element portions so that it is expendable to fit the width of the gap. The method of securing and forming a dental prosthesis in the gap with the base structure comprises the steps of securing the anchor elements on the teeth on opposite sides of the gap, assembling the base element with the anchor elements in the gap, securing the first and second base element portions together, forming an outer shell on the base element and securing the base element with the outer shell thereon to the anchor elements.