Impression Taking Or Bite Determination Patents (Class 433/214)
  • Publication number: 20110300508
    Abstract: A medical resin composition is produced by mixing a powder of a polymer (A) comprising repeating units having an ester group and a liquid of a vinyl ester monomer (B) having 6 or more carbon atoms to increase a viscosity and, according to demand, further performing a polymerization reaction. The thus produced resin composition inhibits leaching of irritative substances, reduces any adverse effects on the human body by endocrine disruptors, etc. and can be prepared with high operational efficiency. The resin composition is suitably used as a dental resin composition such as a tissue conditioner, a functional impression material, a lining material, a denture base material or a mouth piece material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: National University Corporation Okayama University
    Inventors: Jiro TANAKA, Kazuomi SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 8066512
    Abstract: The occlusal position of a patient is measured by means of light transmission through a layer of a polysiloxane which is not cross-linked. This material forms an exceptionally accurate impression of a patient's bite essentially instantaneously and enables subsequent recording and analysis of the bite in a matter of minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventors: Philip L. Millstein, Edward W. Merrill
  • Publication number: 20110281237
    Abstract: A composition for obtaining dental impressions and methods of using and making the same are disclosed. The compositions can include curable base compositions and surfactant systems. The surfactant system can include (i) 0.5 to 3 wt-% of a first surfactant comprising end-capped polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, end-capped polyoxypropylene alkyl ether, end-capped polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene alkyl ether or mixtures thereof, (ii) 0.5 to 3 wt-% of a second surfactant, selected from the group of non-ionic fluorosurfactants, (iii) 0 to 3 wt-% of a third surfactant, selected from the group of silicone surfactants, wherein the total quantity of first, second and third surfactant is from 1.5 to 6 wt-%. The mass ratio of the first surfactant to the second surfactant can be 1.4 or less when the content of the third surfactant is less than 0.5 wt-% and the total quantity of first and second surfactant is 2 wt-% or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: VOCO GmbH
    Inventors: Norman Hendrik Riedel, Manfred Thomas Plaumann
  • Publication number: 20110259345
    Abstract: Apparatus for the alleviation of sleep apnoea in which dentition engagement units or dental overlays shaped to engage the maxillary and mandibular dentition of a subject each having a laterally located pair of flanges the ends of which almost abut, magnets embedded in said flanges with their like poles adjacent or sinusoidally-shaped extension elements made from shape-memory material having a transition temperature equal to or slightly less than normal body temperature and accommodated in cavities in said flanges provide, respectively, a magnetic repulsion force or expansive force when warmed by body heat sufficient, during sleep-induced relaxation, to displace said mandibular dentition engagement unit or dental overlay forwardly in relation to said maxillary dentition engagement unit, displacing the mandible of the subject and thereby effecting a displacement of the temporomandibular joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Stewart Cullen
  • Publication number: 20110250567
    Abstract: A process for oral tissue prototyping includes the steps of forming a prototype of an oral cavity and placing a sealer on an oral tissue area of the prototype. Thereafter, the sealer is painted with a tissue-colored paint and any other remaining details are added to the prototype to mimic the anatomical tissue coloration of the oral cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: DENTAL ILLUSIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Uriel Yarovesky
  • Patent number: 8033828
    Abstract: A device for retracting gingival tissue away from a tooth or plurality of teeth prepared to receive a dental prosthesis comprising a retraction/impression material associated with a custom impression coping to be packed into a sulcus associated with the prepared tooth, and coincidentally obtaining an impression of said tooth or teeth. The device is preferably compressible, deformably rigid, extensile and non-elastic and will not stick to the gingiva or tooth structure thereby allowing for atraumatic removal. A method of use is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Allan Coopersmith
  • Patent number: 8022113
    Abstract: The invention relates to a composition comprising a prepolymer as component (A), wherein the prepolymer comprises aziridino groups and is characterized by an equivalent weight EW1, a crosslinker as component (B), wherein the crosslinker has a structure being different from the structure of the prepolymer and comprises aziridino groups and is characterized by an equivalent weight EW2, an initiator as component (C) being able to start curing of the composition, optionally filler(s) as component (D) and optionally additive(s) as component (E), wherein equivalent weight is defined as (molecular mass of the molecule)/(number of aziridino groups present in the molecule) and wherein EW1>EW2. The invention also relates to the use of the composition for coating, sealing, moulding, adhering, making impressions, producing a dental material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas Klettke, Cornelia B. Fuehrer, Peter Bissinger
  • Patent number: 8017666
    Abstract: The invention relates to a composition comprising a prepolymer as component (A), wherein the prepolymer comprises aziridino groups and is characterized by an equivalent weight EW1, a crosslinker as component (B), wherein the crosslinker has a structure being different from the structure of the prepolymer and comprises at least three 2-alkyl-substituted aziridino groups and is characterized by an equivalent weight EW2, an initiator as component (C) being able to start curing of the composition, optionally filler(s) as component (D) and optionally additive(s) as component (E), wherein equivalent weight is defined as (molecular mass of the molecule)/(number of aziridino groups present in the molecule) and wherein EW1>EW2. The invention also relates to the use of the composition for coating, sealing, molding, adhering, making impressions, producing a dental material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Peter Bissinger, Thomas Klettke, Cornelia B. Fuehrer
  • Patent number: 8011925
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rapid prototype overmold for locating a dental implant analog in a modified stone model for use in creating a tooth prosthesis is provided. An impression of a mouth having a first installation site that has a dental implant and a gingival healing abutment with at least one informational marker installed is taken. A stone model based on the impression is prepared. The model is scanned. A three-dimensional computer model of the installation site on a CAD program using data from the scan is created. The at least one informational marker is determined to gather information about the location of the dental implant. Abutment dimensional information based on the three-dimensional image and the at least one informational marker is developed. Overmold rapid prototype dimensional information based on the three-dimensional image is developed. The overmold rapid prototype adapted to fit over the modified stone model is fabricated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Biomet 3i, LLC
    Inventors: Theodore M. Powell, Bruce Berckmans, III, Zachary B. Suttin, Dan P. Rogers, T. Tait Robb
  • Patent number: 8007579
    Abstract: The invention relates to preparations based on polymerizable polyether materials and a fluidity improver and to the use thereof in producing dental materials, especially impression materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas Klettke, Bernd Kuppermann, Hendrik M. Grupp
  • Patent number: 8007279
    Abstract: Disclosed within is a dental restorative system including an impression coping with a body portion having a first end, a second end, and an internal chamber having non-frustoconical side walls. The body portion also has a facial aspect and a lingual aspect and the distance between the first end and second end on the facial aspect is greater than the distance between the first end and second end on the lingual aspect. The first end of the impression coping may include an opening and an interproximal, continuous slope. Certain embodiments of the impression coping include means for engaging an abutment or implant, located on the internal chamber. Other embodiments include external flange portions for retention of the coping in impression material. Alternative embodiments of the impression coping are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Zimmer Dental, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Bassett, Kent Woolf, Charles W. Howlett, Maurice Salama, Henry Salama, David Garber
  • Publication number: 20110207082
    Abstract: Methods for providing a dental prosthesis to a mouth or to prepare a mouth for receiving a dental prosthesis include obtaining an impression of an installed implant abutment and the surrounding portion of a mouth. The implant abutment is then removed from the mouth, installed in an additional fixture, and placed in a corresponding region of the impression. The impression is placed over a cavity of a transfer member containing mold material such that the mold material acquires the shape of the impression, and the additional implant fixture is retained in the mold. Modifications can then be performed to the implant abutment within the mold, as the mold approximates the surrounding region of the mouth. The modified implant abutment can then be returned to the mouth, a final impression can be made and a crown, bridge or similar dental prosthesis can be fabricated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Lon Jude Latiolais
  • Patent number: 8002547
    Abstract: An implant comprising an internal bore having an opening at one end of the implant is initially fixed within a patient's mouth. A support post on which a final artificial prosthesis will be mounted is attached to the implant by allowing a portion of the post to extend into and attach within the bore of the implant. The post generally extends supragingivally from a base at or beneath the gum surface and contains a retention bulb to assist in registering the axial orientation of an impression cap and the final prosthesis. The impression cap is then placed over the post to assist in taking an impression of the relevant dental region. The impression cap contains means to allow to the retention bulb to snap onto the impression cap. After the impression material is placed to surround the impression cap, post and implant, the impression material and impression cap are removed. A healing cap is placed on the post and acts as a temporary tooth able to last within the patient's mouth for several months.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Biomet 3I LLC
    Inventors: Stephan S. Porter, Theodore M. Powell, Daniel Y. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7998264
    Abstract: A hardenable dental material, exhibiting a reflectivity in the hardened state of preferably more than about 70%, measured according to EN ISO 2813 (1999) with an angle of incidence of 60°. The material provides for improved visual readability in the hardened state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Coltene Whaledent AG
    Inventors: Dierk Lubbers, Ralf Kollefrath, Manfred Kalt
  • Patent number: 7988450
    Abstract: A dental impression tray has a base and a relator. The base has a biting portion and a handle. The biting portion is curved. The handle is formed on the biting portion and has an arc hole that is defined through the handle to receive impression material. The relator has a vertical bar and a horizontal bar. The relator is mounted in the arc hole and is fastened in the arc hole by impression material. The horizontal bar connects perpendicularly to the vertical bar. Therefore, the impression of the teeth to be crowned or veneered as well as the relation between the impression and the patient's face are obtained simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Phillip Phung-I HO
    Inventors: Phillip Phung-I Ho, Chung-Chieh Lee
  • Publication number: 20110171593
    Abstract: The present invention describes systems and methods to provide dynamically adjustable dental impression devices. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a dynamically adjustable dental impression device including a facial portion having at least a first wall and a lingual portion having at least a first wall. The facial portion is movably connected to the lingual portion to form an internal cavity enabled to receive a quantity of impression material. Furthermore, the size of the internal cavity can be reduced during the formation of an impression of a dental structure. In some embodiments, the facial portion can be contracted with the lingual portion during the formation on the impression of the dental structure, resulting in the reduction in the size of the internal cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Donald H. Ross
  • Publication number: 20110171604
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for manufacturing a dental restorative prosthesis by capturing 3D dental data from a patient; sending the 3D dental data to a laboratory for fabricating a restoration blank, the blank having material below a preparation area; receiving the restoration blank from the laboratory; determining a reduction area from the patient during an in office visit and fabricating the reduction area from the restoration blank to match the patient dentition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Duane Milford Durbin, Laurence Warden, Cory McCluskey
  • Publication number: 20110129791
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus to facilitate obtaining a dental impression including a compressible body. The compressible body has a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer border. The bottom surface is configured to abut a maxillary dental impression tray. The top surface of the compressible body is configured to substantially contact and conform to a surface of a patient's hard palate. As the top surface contacts and conforms to the hard palate, it causes the compressible body to compress. The top surface forms a seal with the patient's hard palate. This seal discourages dental impression material from flowing into the patient's palatal vault. The seal may also discourage the dental impression material from flowing into the back of the patient's mouth. Consequently, the hydrodynamic pressure of the dental impression material may be advantageously increased and the patient's comfort may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventor: Gary Rabinowitz
  • Publication number: 20110129787
    Abstract: A method for creating a custom dental tray is made by filling a dental tray with an elastomer material, obtaining a first impression of a patient's teeth in the elastomer material by pressing the elastomer-filled dental tray against the patient's teeth, heating a polymer sheeting, and placing the heated polymer sheeting over the first impression in the elastomer-filled dental tray. In addition, the custom dental tray is made by obtaining a second impression of the patient's teeth in the polymer sheeting by pressing the elastomer-filled dental tray having the first impression and the heated sheeting over the patient's teeth and removing the polymer sheeting from the elastomer-filled dental tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventor: Daniel Henry Darnell
  • Patent number: 7947757
    Abstract: The invention relates to an initiator comprising at least one structural element characterized by the following formula (I) wherein X? is a non or low coordinating anion, R1, R2, R3, R4 are independently linear, cyclic or branched C1-C20 alkyl or alkylene groups, wherein one or more of the methylene groups contained in the alkyl or alkylene group can be substituted by —CO—, —CONH—, —CON(CH3)—, —S— and/or —O—, and wherein R1, R2, R3 and/or R4 can act as a bridging element connecting two or more structural elements. The invention is also related to a process of producing the initiator and to a curable composition comprising the initiator, a process for producing the curable composition a kit comprising a cationically curable composition and the inventive initiator and the use of the initiator or the curable composition comprising the initiator for various applications, especially in the dental field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas Klettke, Cornelia B. Fuehrer, Andrea Hailand, Markus Mikulla
  • Publication number: 20110104632
    Abstract: An ablation procedure. The ablation procedure may be applied to tooth buds 120 and result in tooth agenesis. The ablation procedure may be applied to lesions or tumors. A tooth bud ablation system for use in a tooth bud ablation procedure that results in tooth agenesis. A method for volume scanning both hard tissues and soft tissues of a patient. A method for manufacturing or fabricating a custom surgical stent 110. A custom surgical stent 110 for use in a tooth bud ablation procedure that results in tooth agenesis, the custom surgical stent 110 for use with an ablation probe tip 108 having a center of ablation 130a.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Leigh E. Colby
  • Publication number: 20110088703
    Abstract: A custom mouthguard has a resilient U-shaped body with an anterior wall and a posterior wall. A post dam on the posterior wall forms a seal with palatal tissue to increase retention of the mouthguard in a wearer's mouth. The increased retention allows a wearer to speak and open mouth breath while wearing the mouthguard. The mouth guard also has an indexed region that serves to mutually stabilize maxillary teeth, mandibular teeth, mandible and TMJ components. Mouthguard methods and processes are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: SMARTGUARD MOUTH GUARDS, LLC
    Inventor: Edward J. Ambis, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110088701
    Abstract: A method for forming a custom-molded oral appliance for positioning a user's jaw proximate to centric occlusion is disclosed. The method includes heating a thin sheet of material comprising a polycaprolactone polymer. The thin sheet of material is positioned within the user's mouth. The user's jaw is positioned proximate to centric occlusion. The thin sheet of material is molded around at least respective portions of the user's upper and lower dental arches such that each of the respective portions of the user's upper and lower dental arches form respective impressions on opposite sides of the thin sheet of material. The thin sheet of material is transitioned to a substantially non-deformable state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: AirWay Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: W. Keith Thornton
  • Publication number: 20110086327
    Abstract: A UCLA castable abutment and impression taking component are combined into one unit. The shape of the plastic distal end of the UCLA abutment is fabricated so that it will have one or more undercuts as well as one or more anti-rotation features to allow it to be used while taking an impression of the abutment's relationship to the implant using the indirect transfer method. The combination of an anti-rotation and undercut feature allow the UCLA abutment to be gripped by the impression. The unit includes a bore to allow a fixation screw to fixate the unit to either an implant or implant analog.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Sheldon Lerner, Albert Zickmann
  • Publication number: 20110086324
    Abstract: A method for making a template for a dental implant osteotomy in an edentulous space of a patient's mandible or maxilla, and components relating thereto. The method includes the steps of forming a dental cast of the patient's mandible or maxilla, drilling a hole into the dental cast wherein the location and orientation of the hole correspond to a desired location and orientation of the dental implant osteotomy, inserting a guide post into the hole, magnetically attaching a sleeve having a longitudinal gap to the guide post, applying a molding material to a portion of the dental cast and to a portion of an outer surface of the sleeve, allowing the molding material to cure, and removing the cured template including the sleeve embedded therein from the dental cast, whereby using the template in the patient's mouth provides a guide means for drilling the osteotomy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventor: Sean W. Meitner
  • Patent number: 7922488
    Abstract: A method for isolating a work object to achieve a predetermined operational objective, the method including the steps of encapsulating at least a portion of the work object in a housing in a work position so as to establish a zone of isolation relative to the portion of the work object; releasibly interconnecting the housing and the portion of the work object so as selectively to maintain said zone of isolation for a period of time sufficient to achieve the predetermined operational objective; and occluding an area proximate to the housing to resist incursion into the area during the period of time. An apparatus for isolating a work object, the apparatus including a housing having an interior dimensioned to permit the housing to be disposed in a work position with the work object received in the interior of the housing; and means for retaining the housing in the work position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Institut Straumann AG
    Inventors: Theodore S. Falk, Thomas E. Bramanti
  • Patent number: 7923485
    Abstract: The invention relates to preparations based on aziridino polymers and comprising monofunctional aziridines and to the use thereof in producing dental materials, especially impression materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: 3M ESPE AG
    Inventors: Thomas Klettke, Cornelia Führer, Adrian Eckert, Gunther Eckhardt, Erich Wanek
  • Patent number: 7916911
    Abstract: Method and system for managing multiple impressions of a patient's jaw for an orthodontic treatment is provided. The method includes scanning at least a first impression and a second impression of same jaw for the orthodontic treatment; determining if the first jaw impression and the second jaw impression have distortion in different areas; selecting the first jaw impression or the second jaw impression as a base impression; and replacing a distorted tooth data from the base impression with data for the same tooth from a non-base impression. The method also includes scanning at least a first jaw impression for the orthodontic treatment; scanning a bite impression for the orthodontic treatment; matching the scanned first jaw impression with the scanned bite impression; comparing bite information with a tooth occlusal surface; and determining if reconstruction is to be performed on the tooth occlusal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas Kaza, Bob Grove
  • Publication number: 20110065061
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a periodontal interdental tray and to a periodontal medicament tray syringe that can be used in conjunction with the periodontal interdental tray of the present invention, or can be utilized by itself or in conjunction with other periodontal trays already on the market. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to treatment of periodontal disease, and in particular to a dental tray syringe and method for delivering medicaments into areas of the mouth either supragingival or subgingivally to treat the infected areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Florman
  • Publication number: 20110059413
    Abstract: A method for deriving shape information of a person's skull and dentition, comprising the steps of: taking an impression of the person's dentition, taking a first scan of the person's head, while the person is wearing the impression, taking a second scan of the impression alone, combining the scans, deriving the shape information from the combined scans. Advantageously the method further comprises the step of taking a third scan of the person's head alone without the impression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: MEDICIM NV
    Inventors: Filip Schutyser, Pieter De Groeve, Tinne Van Delm, Wouter Mollemans, Kevin Suestens, Gwen Swennen, Nasser Nadjmi
  • Patent number: 7902269
    Abstract: The invention relates to condensation cross-linked dental materials based on alkoxysilyl-functional polyethers and at least one catalyst, the catalyst consisting of a salt and at least one anion of a saturated and/or unsaturated (cyclo)aliphatic carboxylic acid. The salt is formed from at least one cation selected from the group consisting of: complexes of alkali metal cations or ammonium cations and crown ethers and/or cryptands; tetraalkyl-, tetraaryl-, trialkylaryl-, dialkyldiaryl-, and monoalkyltriaryl-ammonium cations, tetraalkyl-, tetraaryl-, trialkylaryl-, dialykyldiaryl-, and monoalkyltriaryl-phosphonium cations, tetraalkyl-, and monoalkyltriaryl-stibonium cations; cations formed by the protonation of a base with a pKBH+ value of at least 20, measured in acetonitrile; and combinations of the complexes and cations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Kettenbach GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Bublewitz, Jens-Peter Reber
  • Publication number: 20110053114
    Abstract: A human body implant structure includes: a support anchor which is embedded into a bone body; a support base which is placed on and fixed to an upper portion of the support anchor; and a lost-part compensation part which is mounted on an upper portion of the support base, wherein the support anchor and the support base are configured to be detachably fitted to each other by way of the taper fitting structure where the support anchor and the support base are brought into close contact with each other, and a stepped portion which is formed of an upper surface of the support anchor is formed on a boundary between a female threaded hole which is vertically formed in the support base and a vertical hole formed in the upper surface of the support anchor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: ARTHRO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tsunehisa SHIMODA
  • Publication number: 20110020761
    Abstract: An invisible removable orthodontic repositioning appliance with a lower modulus inner lining for systematically aligning teeth from an initial tooth arrangement to a final tooth arrangement while minimizing propensity for root and bone resorption due to the lower modulus is disclosed. The aligning of the teeth may be accomplished by taking impressions at various intervals for greater accuracy in the event of a distorted impression. Patient impression and/or model may then be digitally scanned. Using 3D software, tooth position may be incrementally modified toward idealized position and associated stress analyzed. Final modified model and associated appliance may be fabricated for orthodontic movement using 3D printing. Each appliance may be numerically identified to maintain uniformity of application from start of treatment to completion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas Kalili
  • Publication number: 20110020770
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a device and method for reconditioning the muscles and tissues, in particular, the gums, of an edentulous patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: Prasad Adusumilli
  • Patent number: 7871269
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved dental impression tray and related methods. In one embodiment, a dental impression tray includes a first portion for receiving impression material from a source and a second portion is configured for receiving a patient's upper or lower teeth and will at least partial define a cavity shaped to receive the teeth during use. In use, impression material introduced into the first portion can pass through openings and into the second portion and around a patient's teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Wu, Jon Moss, Ryan Kimura, Heng Cao
  • Publication number: 20110008756
    Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device which is used to determine the end of the processing time of hardenable materials, especially dental molding materials, comprising a display unit and a sensor unit which detects a modification of at least one of the rheological properties of the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Gerd Brandhorst, Günter Hertlein, Hermann Nirschl, Marc Peuker, Ingo Wagner, Erich Wanek
  • Publication number: 20110008752
    Abstract: An abutment clip for use in a dental implant system for orienting an abutment relative to features on a patient's teeth and jawbone so that a prosthesis, which is attachable to the abutment, will be correctly oriented. The abutment clip comprises a housing that includes a chamber sized to receive the abutment therein. The housing has at least one position indicator provided at one end thereof. The dentist engages the abutment clip over the abutment when it is still attached to a manufacturer's plaster model. He notes the position of the indicator on the housing in reference to features on the model and then detaches the abutment clip, abutment and abutment screw as a unit from the model. The combined abutment clip, abutment and screw are then positioned on an implant post in the patient's jaw bone and the position indicator is used to verify the orientation of the abutment before it is secured to the implant post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: IMPLANT INGENUITY INC.
    Inventors: Allan Schaffran, Andy Doug-Lun Wong, Robert G. Dickie
  • Publication number: 20100316973
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and mandibular protruders and positioning devices, comprising, for example: an upper mounting bracket having an upper dental appliance; a lower mounting bracket having a lower dental appliance; and a rail system configured to couple the upper mounting bracket to the lower mounting bracket. Some embodiments comprise a drive motor and/or an initial position adjustment mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: John E. Remmers, Hugo Tam, Terry MaCartney, Peter Santosham
  • Patent number: 7845942
    Abstract: A dental impression analyzer including a housing having two opposite open ends. A lower end of the two opposite ends fits over a tooth of a patient. A plurality of pins are slidably mounted in the housing. The pins are of equal length, extending parallel to each other, and at least a portion of sidewalls of the housing extending parallel to each other and parallel to the plurality of pins to maintain the pins parallel to each other and to guide movement of the pins. The plurality of pins are tightly compressed together in an interior of the housing. A lower end of the pins are positioned to engage an uppermost surface of the tooth of the patient when the housing is fitted over the tooth of the patient. An upper end of the pins replicates the uppermost surface of the tooth when the lower end of the pins engage the uppermost surface of the tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Inventor: Alfred Harper Ben Wilkinson
  • Publication number: 20100304338
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for single component photoinitiated dental impression materials. The impression material is workable in its pre-cured state, cures rapidly upon exposure to light, and exhibits desirable processing conditions such as short setting time, long working time, no void formation, good wettability, mechanical properties, and detail reproduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of Colorado
    Inventors: Neil Cramer, Sheldon Newman, Tai Yeon Lee, Kathleen Schreck, Christopher N. Bowman, Cora B. Bracho-Troconis
  • Publication number: 20100297581
    Abstract: A denture is manufactured in a single visit using a pre-formed dental template chosen from a plurality of different sized dental templates, based on the size of a patient's alveolar edentulous ridge. The dental template includes a base acrylic with prosthetic teeth attached thereto. A viscous material such as an acrylic is added to the selected dental template and the dental template with the added viscous material is placed on the patient's alveolar edentulous ridge. The viscous material is then allowed to solidify to form a rigid or semi-rigid material with the template in proper position in three planes and properly border molded. After solidification a denture is formed that consists of a first base acrylic portion in conterminous relation with a second portion formed of the solidified material that had been added as a viscous material, and with teeth joined to the base acrylic portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: LARELL SURGICAL CONSULTANTS, INC.
    Inventor: Lawrence Norman Wallace
  • Patent number: 7838572
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition with enhanced speed of set, especially to a method of making rubber-like elastomers with improved hardening characteristics. In this respect the present invention provides a composition comprising with respect to the cured composition a ethylene imine group containing component A, a SO2—NH group containing component B and an initiator C. Optionally additives like modifiers, fillers, dyes, pigments, thixotropic agents, flow improvers, polymeric thickeners, surfactants, odorous substances, diluters and flavorings can be added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas Klettke, Cornelia Fuehrer
  • Publication number: 20100269836
    Abstract: Oral appliances adapted to for spacing the occlusal surfaces of the teeth of a user are disclosed. The oral appliances have an integral retention band interconnecting a first bite pad and a second bite pad. The first bite pad can include a first spacer and the second bite pad can include a second spacer that are configured to maintain the spacing of the occlusal surfaces of opposing teeth of a user during clenching or upon an impact to the jaw. Methods for the manufacture of composite oral appliances are also disclosed. The methods include forming a composite oral appliance over a model of a user's mouth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Mark Roettger, Robert C. Molhoek, Jon D. Kittlesen, Henry D. Cross, III, Paul A. Broadbent, Paul L. Bradshaw, Paul C. Belvedere, William L. Ballanoff
  • Patent number: 7819963
    Abstract: To provide a dental alginate impression material composition capable of solving a problem that the permeation rate of water with respect to the whole powder of an alginate impression material is slow at the time of use so that a kneading time is long and a sufficient operational time cannot be secured, and a problem that a kneaded material drops into a throat due to aging of the material at the time of taking an impression, the dental alginate impression material composition comprises 0.001 to 1% by weight of one or more kinds selected from oils mainly consisting of a fatty acid and an ester of alcohol, waxes mainly consisting of a fatty acid and an ester of glycerin, and a fatty acid ester; 0.01 to 10% by weight of a surfactant; and 0.01 to 10% by weight of one or more kinds of specific polysaccharides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: GC Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kamohara, Hiroki Morita
  • Patent number: 7806687
    Abstract: An occlusal state correction-supporting apparatus, a program therefor, and a recording medium thereof are provided, which can generate necessary, effective information in order to complete the shape of teeth excellently bitten. A shape-extracting means 10 extracts and stores shaped data of an upper jaw and a lower jaw. A position-extracting means 20 extracts and stores absolute coordinate data of reference points. A condition setting and distance-computing means 30 computes the distance between a upper jaw model 100 and a lower jaw model 200 while gradually bringing them close in a perpendicular direction. The condition setting and distance-computing means 30 also sets a condition of occlusal contact point, executes such approach movement again, and computes the distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: National University Corporation Okayama University
    Inventors: Shogo Minagi, Kazuhiro Oki
  • Publication number: 20100248180
    Abstract: A dental implant abutment arrangement for use with a dental implant has an abutment with a proximal retaining member and an axial bore. The retaining member is rotationally asymmetrical and has a transverse area that is large enough to resist rotation and axial motion of the abutment in a dental impression material. The axial bore has a tapered distal bore portion with an inner taper for matching an outer taper of an abutment receiving portion of an implant, a cylindrical proximal bore portion and an intermediate threaded portion having a small diameter than the distal and proximal bore portions and a larger diameter than an internal thread of the implant. The axial bore has distal and proximal steps between the distal bore portion and a distal end of the threaded portion and between the proximal bore portion and a proximal end of the threaded portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: Vitali Bondar
  • Patent number: 7790781
    Abstract: Condensation-crosslinked dental materials based on alkoxysilyl-functional and/or hydroxysilyl-functional polyethers are useful in dentistry for taking tooth impressions, bite registration, denture rebasing, or as temporary and permanent dental cement, temporary closure material, or dental prosthodontic material. The dental material has a composition containing at least one alkoxysilyl-functional and/or hydroxysilyl-functional polyether a), at least one catalyst b), and optionally water c) and at least one acidic compound d) that has a water solubility (20° C.) of no more than 150 g/l.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Kettenbach GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Bublewitz, Jens-Peter Reber
  • Patent number: 7789664
    Abstract: Apparatus and method enabling implant supported dental prostheses to be fabricated for reconstruction of both maxillary and mandibular arches from a procedure requiring only one surgery. At least three pairs of reference points in the maxillary arch and in the mandibular arch are connected by adjustable members which are subsequently fixed in length and in mutual orientation to enable necessary impressions and casts to be made. The adjustable members engage anchoring members such as ball headed screws which are fixed to the maxillary and mandibular anatomy. Subsequently fabricated mechanical models of the patient anatomy, such as impressions and casts, capture critical geometric relationships from the adjustable members and their associated anchoring members, thereby enabling both maxillary and mandibular implant mountable prostheses to be fabricated from information gathered during only one surgical session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventor: Richard W. Toth
  • Publication number: 20100209875
    Abstract: Described is a method for producing a denture, wherein the method includes the following steps: A Producing a model from a material which does not bond with the denture material, B Fixing the teeth, C Filling the interspace between the artificial tooth/teeth and the model, wherein in step C melted thermoplastic material is applied in layers and after each layer is hardened by cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: FRANK UWE STANGE, NOVICA SAVIC, KARL HEINZ RENZ
  • Publication number: 20100209877
    Abstract: A system for taking an impression of an implant implanted in a patient's body may comprise an abutment comprising an implant engaging portion and a component supporting portion. The implant engaging portion may be configured to engage with an implant configured to be implanted in a patient's body and the component support portion may comprise at least one retention groove. The system may further comprise an impression coping configured to receive the component supporting portion and comprising at least one protrusion feature configured for snap-fit engagement with the at least one retention groove, wherein the impression coping is made from a material comprising metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen Hogan, Anatoli Krivoruk, Roger S. Ranck