Abstract: Root canal abutment devices and methods which facilitate the adjustment or removal of an oral appliance, e.g., a crown or bridge, from a reconfigurable abutment assembly are described. The adjustable abutment assembly may be secured within a pulp chamber of a pre-existing tooth. The abutment assembly has a projecting abutment portion with one or more shape memory alloy sleeves or plates or elements extending along the abutment. Each of the sleeves has a length with at least one curved or arcuate portion. Energy may be applied to the elements such that the arcuate portion flattens to allow for the oral appliance to be placed thereupon while removal of the energy allows the elements to reconfigure into its curved configuration thereby locking the oral appliance to the abutment. Removal of the oral appliance may be effected by reapplication of energy to the elements.

Abstract: A system including a method and associated structures creates efficiencies in the manufacture of prosthetic tooth support frameworks. Pre-manufactured teeth with matching internal keys are used in the setup of a patient prototype. Each key includes a shaft, a cervical platform, a retention knob and preferably at least one channel for the expulsion of excess adhesive fluid. The cervical platforms are shaped to provide intimate contact with a base of their respective tooth. The same tooth/key pairs are then used to make a framework pattern from the setup positioning. The pattern can be cast or scanned for direct machining to produce the finished framework.

Abstract: A dowel pin and sleeve combination for use with a tooth die that is part of a dental model includes a dowel pin and a sleeve that receives the pin. The dowel pin includes a tooth anchor section that is configured to be fixedly attached to the tooth die and a main body section having a bore formed therein. The main body section has a living hinge formed therein that partitions the main body section into an upper pivotable portion that pivots about the hinge and a lower portion. A section of the bore is threaded and the main body section includes an urging member that travels along the threaded bore section and can be driven into contact with the pivotable portion of the main body section.

Abstract: A dental model kit includes a set of dowel pins for successive use with at least one tooth die that is part of the dental model kit. Each dowel pin includes an upstanding tooth anchor section that is configured to be fixedly attached to the tooth die; and a main body section having a top surface from which the tooth anchor section extends. The main body section is for reception within a base of the dental model kit. According to the present invention, a location of the tooth anchor section relative to the top surface changes from an initial position associated with an initial pin that is part of the set to a final position associated with a final pin that is part. Successive movement of the tooth anchor section is translated into successive movement of the tooth die both in a desired direction and a desired distance.

Abstract: A detachment-prevented removable double-crown prosthetic appliance includes an internal crown member, which has an outside surface to which two resilient retention clamping strips are mounted, each of the resilient retention clamping strips including a root section that is fixed to the outside surface of the internal crown member and a spring section extending from the root section, the spring sections of the resilient retention clamping strips being spaced by a gap that has a reduced neck portion forming a pass; and an external crown member, which is removably mounted to the internal crown member and has a lower inner portion forming a fitting chamber for removably fitting over the internal crown member, the fitting chamber having an inside surface that forms a retention block that is engageable with the resilient retention clamping strips so as to securely but removably couple the external crown member to the internal crown member.

Abstract: The present invention provides an artificial tooth with multiple internal crowns, which includes a plurality of the internal crown members, a plurality of the connection bars, and at least one external crown member. The internal crown members are respectively fit to a plurality of the abutments. Each of the connection bars connects to at least two of the internal crown members. The external crown member forms therein a plurality of recesses. The recesses are formed to correspond to the internal crown members. The external crown member, when fit to the internal crown members, forms a tight engagement with the internal crown members.

Abstract: The present invention provides an artificial tooth with multiple internal crowns, which includes a plurality of the internal crown members, a plurality of the connection bars, and at least one external crown member. The internal crown members are respectively fit to a plurality of the abutments. Each of the connection bars connects to at least two of the internal crown members. The external crown member forms therein a plurality of recesses. The recesses are formed to correspond to the internal crown members. The external crown member, when fit to the internal crown members, forms a tight engagement with the internal crown members.

Abstract: A dowel pin and sleeve combination for use with a tooth die that is part of a dental model includes a dowel pin and a sleeve that receives the pin. The dowel pin includes a tooth anchor section that is configured to be fixedly attached to the tooth die and a main body section having a bore formed therein. The main body section has a living hinge formed therein that partitions the main body section into an upper pivotable portion that pivots about the hinge and a lower portion. A section of the bore is threaded and the main body section includes an urging member that travels along the threaded bore section and can be driven into contact with the pivotable portion of the main body section. The bore forms an entrance into the slot that defines the living hinge to permit the urging member to be driven into contact with the pivotable portion. The pin includes a locating member extending radially outward from the main body section.

Abstract: A dowel pin and sleeve combination for use with a tooth die that is part of a dental model includes a dowel pin and a sleeve that receives the pin. The dowel pin includes a tooth anchor section that is configured to be fixedly attached to the tooth die and a main body section having a bore formed therein. The main body section has a living hinge formed therein that partitions the main body section into an upper pivotable portion that pivots about the hinge and a lower portion. A section of the bore is threaded and the main body section includes an urging member that travels along the threaded bore section and can be driven into contact with the pivotable portion of the main body section. The bore forms an entrance into the slot that defines the living hinge to permit the urging member to be driven into contact with the pivotable portion. The dowel pin also includes a gear section that is located at an end of the main body section opposite the tooth anchor section.

Abstract: A glass thread adapted for reinforcing polymeric materials includes a plurality of filaments having a chemical composition that includes the following constituents within the limits defined below in weight percent: SiO2 40 to 60 Al2O3 0 to 5 CaO 1 to 15 MgO 1 to 15 BaO 2 to 15 SrO 12 to 20 ZnO 0.5 to 10 Na2O + K2O + Li2O 0 to 5 TiO2 3 to 20 Prosthetic members including such threads are also described.

Abstract: Strip fasteners and cranial plugs for use in reattaching a skull flap removed during brain surgery and methods of using the same. The strip fasteners are flexible and can be shaped to follow the perimeter contour of the skull flap. The cranial plugs can be used to reattach the skull flap or they can be installed after the skull flap is reattached using the strip fasteners. In some embodiments, the cranial plug(s) and strip fasteners can be installed at the same time. The strip fasteners and cranial plugs are designed to encourage bone growth and healing of the skull flap and they can be used to deliver medication and bone growth enhancement compositions to the surgical site.

Abstract: Impression post for a dental implant, having a sleeve-shaped impression cap (4) with a coupling section (16) configured to be connected to the dental implant (20), and a substantially cylindrical recess (6) extending in the longitudinal direction of the impression cap (4) and an attachment element (8) engaging through the recess (6) for attaching the impression cap (4) on the dental implant (20). The impression cap (4) has an inner sleeve (10) and an outer sleeve (12) radially surrounding said inner sleeve on the outside, which outer sleeve is detachably connected to the inner sleeve (10), and the coupling section (16) is at least partly an element of the inner sleeve (10).

Abstract: A temporary restoration or preform for use in a patient's body may comprise apical end, a coronal end opposite the apical end, and a portion configured to engage with an underlying structure for retention thereto, wherein a first portion of the preform comprises a hardened material and a remaining portion of the preform comprises a hardenable malleable material. Methods for fitting a temporary restoration in a patient and kits for making dental restorations are also disclosed.

Abstract: Implant structure consisting of an implant and an attachment. The attachment is provided with a first coupling part for connection to the implant and provided with a second coupling part for connection to a prosthesis. The second coupling part may include a ball, cone, polygon or cylinder or the like. It is proposed, according to the invention, to construct the attachment from two connectable attachment parts. In this manner, it is possible to achieve an angled attachment which ensures good accessibility to the connecting screw of the first coupling part without special openings having to be provided in the attachment. In addition, the angle between the two attachment parts can readily be changed to suit requirements by varying only one of the attachment parts. After fitting, a structure with a smooth wall is produced.

Abstract: Shaping cap made of ceramic, metal or plastic material, which is suitable as a solid constituent of dental pin structures.

Abstract: Dental implant component (1; 1′) for a dental prosthesis or a core part of a dental prosthesis to be fabricated on comprising a base section (3; 3′) having a proximal end (2; 2′) for engagement with a support end of a support component and a distal end (7; 7′); and an elongate post section (5; 5′) which projects distally from the distal end of the base section and has a transverse dimension which is substantially less than the transverse dimension of the base section. In a first aspect of the invention the dental implant component is made at least in part from a material which is adapted to burn-out during lost-wax casting whereby a dental prosthesis or core part of a dental prosthesis fabricated on the dental implant component by lost wax casting includes at most only a part of the dental implant component. In a second aspect of the invention the elongate post section is positioned offset on the distal end of the base section.

Abstract: A construction for a fixed or a removable tooth replacement between two sound or restored abutment elements includes an individually cast plate made of a metal of choice (1), which is provided with an opening of defined size on the approximal side, at the level of the contact point of the abutment, and which is secured on the respective abutment by means of an etching/adhesive bonding technique. An oval adaptation piece (3), (17) with a wedge-shaped or loop-shaped engagement incision at its top, with a tapering opening at the center, and provided with a thread, is cast welded or cemented onto the plate. A movable pin (8) which is milled from metal is guided through the congruent openings of the oval adaptation piece and the plate is cemented in the small channel prepared in the abutment element (20). The pin is secured from the outside by a fastening screw (12).

Abstract: There is disclosed an implant for anchoring in bone and/or fibrous connective tissue and to which a prosthesis such as a dental bridge may be connected through connecting components. The implant is of tapered design defining a wide top portion for connection to the connecting components and a tapered body comprising upper and lower regions. The lower bone-engaging region of the implant is provided with a porous surface into which bone may grow thereby anchoring the implant. The upper region of the implant has a surface suitable for bone attachment which is different from the surface of the lower region. In one embodiment, the upper portion has a larger taper angle than the rest of the implant for increased stability and stress transfer to the surrounding bone. In another embodiment, the surface of the upper region is coated with a bioreactive coating to allow direct bonding of bone and/or soft connective tissue (gingival tissue) thereby inhibiting epithelial migration apically.

Abstract: Device for producing quick couplings for dental prostheses, of the type which includes at least one substantially spherical male element, which is intended to be monolithically integrated with a fixed part of the prosthesis, and a female element, whose inner shape is complementary to the shape of the male element, which is correspondingly provided on a removable part of said prosthesis, includes a pair of auxiliary bars, made of a calcinable plastic material, which are connectable one on top of the other, and which cooperate so as to define at least one compartment whose shape is complementary to the outside shape of a cap which defines the female element, the bars being arrangeable about the male element in order to obtain a model of a metallic piece of the removable part of the prosthesis to be produced by lost-wax casting.

Abstract: A device for use in attaching artificial teeth to the bone which supports the natural teeth. The device may have an anchoring member comprising a tooth support receiving member, at least one arm extending laterally from the member, means for coupling the arm with the bone and a spike adapted to be lodged into the bone and extending outwardly from the receiving member. In addition to an anchoring member, the device may comprise a tooth support adapted to be removably positioned upon the anchoring member and designed to allow for limited movement of the artificial teeth.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for a tooth in an artificial dental jaw model, especially in an artificial denture skull, and which is utilized for teaching and practice purposes. The tooth which is to be exchanged or replaced can be pulled out with an ordinary pair of extracting pliers and in an imitation of an actual extracting procedure, and the new tooth can be inserted with the application of a forcible or strong finger pressure.

Abstract: A dental prosthesis including a secondary member coupled to at least one prosthetic tooth suitable for being effectively mounted onto or readily removed from a primary member coupled to a remaining tooth or implant. A bar member is accommodated inside a common bore in the primary and secondary members for coupling thereof. An arresting disc member is introduced into a recess inside the prosthetic toth to block off a leading shaft portion of the bar member having the largest cross-section and preventing the bar member from falling out. The entire bar member is suitable for freely moving along the bores of the primary and secondary members. Between an intermediate portion of the bar member and the recess inside the prosthetic tooth is a space which is filled with plastic material. A trailing head portion of the bar member is ground off to correspond with the buccal exterior surface of the prosthetic 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: Dentures are formed having a spring steel frame with a curved base and on one side of which pairs of diverging flanges extend at missing tooth positions. Barbed pins extend through the base at the missing tooth positions, and the frame is encased in a resilient, flexible plastic which is molded and colored to resemble the gums of a wearer. Artificial teeth are impaled on the barbed pins. The denture is a generally horseshoe shaped structure which provides a flexible support for the artificial teeth. The diverging flanges of the frame are resiliently deformed so as to grip the gums of a wearer when the dentures are worn. The upper denture requires no stabilizing structure extending across the roof of the mouth of a wearer.