REMOVABLE HANDLE FOR USE WITH DENTURES

Removable Handle for Use with Dentures

[01] Field of the Invention: This invention relates to the field of tools for the use and manufacture of dentures.

Background of the Invention

[02] Dentures have long been used by patients for a variety of reasons. Modern dentures are relatively comfortable and not easily detectable. The process of being properly fitted for dentures typically requires numerous fittings and skill of the dentist. The typical process for being fitted for dentures requires a first trip by the patient for primary impressions to be made. A plaster model is formed from the primary

impressions from which a custom tray is fabricated.

The patient then makes another trip to the dentist where a final impression using the custom tray is made. A working model in stone is fabricated from the final impression. A wax rim formed from the working model and provided to the dentist.

[04] The patient makes a third trip to the dentist where the wax rims are marked up with data points, measurements, shades, etc. The marked up rims are mounted on an articulator to set the bite alignment and vertical spacing of the dentures. Teeth are selected from a library as well as a mold. The teeth are set up in the wax rim.

Occlusions are identified and the teeth are ground if necessary. The denture base with the full aesthetic wax up is delivered to the dentist.

The patient makes a fourth trip to the dentist for a try-in of the wax-up. The dentist looks at the bite, the speech, the shade, the mold, teeth position and the occlusions of the patient while the patient uses various jaw movements. If the dentist identifies any problems, the wax-up is sent back to the lab for additional changes. This process is repeated until the dentist and patient are satisfied.

Once the wax-up has been accepted, it is sent to the lab where a final wax -up is created. The borders are sealed out and the post dam is cased. A denture base is then created, usually by a flask molding process of investing the cast and the wax-up in a flask to make a mold that is used to form the denture base. The mold is then cured and divested from the flask. The denture is then processed by once again articulating the denture to check the bite. The denture is then analyzed and if passed, then undergoes a bulk trim. The denture then undergoes a final finish and polish. If the denture passes quality inspection it is sent to the dentist. The patient comes in for a fifth visit for a final try- in and delivery.

As can be seen, the patients may require several try in visits of the dentures before the final denture has been delivered to the patient. Currently, the dentures are inserted by pushing of the dentures into the mouth against the palate and gum until the dentures are seated and sealed.

Summary of the Invention

[08] The present invention provides a tool that is used to insert and withdraw dentures from the mouth of a user in a secure and sanitary manner. The tool can be used to insert and remove dentures during the try in visits occurring during the fabrication of the denture. The tool can also be used to create an impression tray from the denture. The tool may also be used for home use for those individuals not desiring to insert and remove the dentures with their hands.

The tool, in one preferred embodiment, includes a handle with a curved stem. An engagement member is mounted on one end of the stem that corresponds to a surface on the denture. A pressure sensitive, heat releasable adhesive is applied to the engagement member which is pressed against the denture surface. The adhesive is sufficiently high strength to allow pressure to be applied to the denture inserted in the mouth of the wearer so that it is properly positioned. Heat applied to the adhesive, such as with hot water or hot air after the denture is removed will remove the tool from the denture.

[010] The tool in another embodiment uses a mechanical engagement to secure the tool to the denture. This could be a detent and slot mechanism, a bayonet coupling, or any other coupling mechanism. This will allow the tool to be removed from the denture while the denture is still in the mouth. [Oi l] The tool may also be used to create an impression tray from an existing denture. If a denture does not properly fit, then the handle can be attached and the denture becomes a customized impression tray.

These and other features of the present invention will be evident from the ensuing detailed description of preferred embodiments, from the drawings and from the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[013] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a removable handle for dentures.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a removable handle.

Figure 3 is a view of the tool of Figure 2 attached to a denture.

Figure 4 is another view of the tool attached to a denture.

Figure 5 is an illustration of another embodiment.

Figure 6 is another view of the embodiment of Figure 5.

Detailed Descriptions of Preferred Embodiments

[019] The present invention provides a tool system that enables dentures to be more easily fitted into the patient and to allow the denture to be used as an impression tray if desired. Descriptive embodiments are provided before for explanatory purposes. It is to be expressly understood that the present invention is not be limited to these descriptive embodiments. Other embodiments are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, including without limitation the use of the present invention for other applications, such as denture duplication, dental implants, and other orthodontic applications. The descriptions below discuss the systems of the present invention as used in dental labs, but it is to be expressly understood that these systems could also be implemented in the dentist office or through a network allowing interaction between the dentist and the dental lab through the systems. The processes and systems of the present invention may also be used in combination with all or parts of the following co pending applications filed on November 3, 2010, entitled System and Processes for Forming

Anatomical Features in Dentures, Serial Number ; System and Process for Duplication of Dentures, Serial Number ; Combination Tool for

Measuring Dental Anatomical Features, Serial Number ; and

System and Process for Optimizing Dentures, Serial Number ; all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The tool 10 of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 1. This tool includes a handle 20, a curved member 30 and an engagement mechanism 40. The engagement mechanism includes two stems 42, 44 that have teeth impressions 46, 48 formed therein. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the dentures are seated onto the tool 10 by engagement of the teeth into the impressions 46, 48. The tool is used to insert a denture into position in the mouth of the wearer in a secure and comfortable manner. Dentures are frequently removed and inserted into the patient, particularly during the fabrication of the denture. Previously, this required the use of the hands and fingers of the wearer or the dentist. While sanitary precautions may be taken, it is still uncomfortable for the wearer. The tool 10 of a preferred embodiment serves several purposes. It can be used for the initial try in of the temporary denture. It can be used for home use by the wearer. It can also be used as a handle to enable the denture to be used as an impression tray. The use of the tool for these purposes provide a more secure engagement, ensure that the denture is in the proper position, improve the sanitary conditions of the insertion and removal of the denture and minimize the intrusion of fingers being inserted into the mouth cavity, which can cause discomfort and even gagging in some instances.

[022] The tool 10 of one preferred embodiment includes the handle 20 which is mounted onto the tool. The handle includes a curved portion 30 so that the tool will not scrape against the teeth, gums and tongue of the wearer during the insertion or removal of the denture. The engagement mechanism 40 engages the denture in a secure manner so the tool will not accidentally disengage when pressure is applied against the denture and jaw structure of the wearer.

The engagement mechanism 40 of one embodiment of the present invention includes two stems 42, 44 spaced the width of the denture. Impressions 46, 48 of the denture teeth are formed onto the stems so that the dentures clamping into those impressions as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The engagement mechanism of one preferred embodiment includes air channels that apply a vacuum through the impressions 46, 48. A vacuum seal can be applied to secure the stems 42, 44 to the dentures.

[024] Another embodiment, shown in Figure 2 includes a curved or bent handle 50 that has a flat or slightly curved member 54 that corresponds to a surface on the denture. The location of the surface of the denture is selected so that pressure can be applied not only towards in a direction to the back of the mouth but also upwardly or downwardly as well.

[025] A heat releasable adhesive, such as the MP-894 adhesive from MACtac

Incorporated and TM8946 adhesive by MACtac North America Incorporated, is applied to the member. This type of adhesive is pressure sensitive that will engage securely when pressure is exerted between the surfaces. This adhesive provides a high strength bond between the surfaces at ambient temperatures but begins to lose adhesion at temptresses above 100 degrees Fahrenheit and becomes easily releasable at temperatures around 125 degrees Fahrenheit. The tool can thus be securely attached to the denture during the try in for the denture and then easily removed from the denture with no damage to the denture. The dentist can simply apply the adhesive to the engaging member 42, push the engaging member against the surface on the denture with sufficient pressure that the adhesive bonds, then use the tool to ensure that the denture is properly seated in the mouth of the wearer. When the denture is removed, the dentist simply places it hot water or applies heat from a hot air gun or hair dryer, and the tool is easily removed. Any residue can be easily removed from the denture with hot water.

Another embodiment of the removable denture handle 60 is shown in Figures 5 and 6. The tool includes a handle 62 with stems 64, 66 extending from the handle 62 spaced from one another. Engagement members, similar to the impressions 46, 48 discussed above, extend from the stems 64, 66. A vacuum mechanism may be used as well to secure the dentures to the handle. This embodiment has particular utility for enabling the denture to be used as an impression tray. The spaced handle allows the opposing teeth to stay in occlusion with the tray/denture.

The tool can also be used for other try in process such as with impression trays, wax rims, temporarily installed dentures and other processes. A process is disclosed in the above identified co pending applications that fabricate a denture, temporarily install teeth and try this denture with the patient. Then, if the denture does not fit properly, the denture is used as an impression tray. The use of the handle 10 will allow the denture to be easily used as an impression tray.

Another embodiment of the present invention uses an engagement mechanism formed in the denture and tool. The tool includes a handle, stem and a detent engagement member on the end of the stem. The detent engagement member is engagable with a slot formed in the denture. The detent relationship engages securely when the tool is pushed forward against the denture but has a lesser engagement when pulled backwards. This tool can thus be used when the dentures are not intended to immediately removed. Alternatively, the engagement mechanism could be a bayonet style engagement so that the partial rotation of the tool will release it from the denture. Other releasable engagement mechanisms could be used as well. It is to be expressly understood that the above description is intended only for explanatory purposes and is not meant to limit the scope of the claimed inventions. Other embodiments are considered to be within the scope of the claimed inventions.