GB2085303A

GB2085303A - Improvements in or relating to a device for securing dental prostheses

Info

Publication number: GB2085303A
Application number: GB8130149A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: BOSSOLA ETTORE
Current assignee: BOSSOLA ETTORE
Priority date: 1980-10-17
Filing date: 1981-10-06
Publication date: 1982-04-28
Also published as: CH649209A5; IT8049928A0; IT1129037B; GB2085303B; DE3139947C2; DE3139947A1; FR2492252A1; FR2492252B1

Abstract

Device for securing dental prostheses, in particular for dentures with unilateral and bilateral free ends, formed by the combination of a male element, in the form of a spherical pivot (1) projecting from a cylindrical element (2, 3) with a circumferential groove anchored to the remaining teeth, with a female element (4) formed by a hollow cylindrical body anchored to the prosthetic part and closed at one end, and having a longitudinal slot (6) for the introduction of the said spherical pivot (1), and an oblique slit (10) designed to impart to said cylindrical element the necessary elasticity for achieving accuracy in coupling the two elements. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to a device for securing dental prostheses The present invention relates to an improved fastening for dental prostheses, in particular for prostheses with unilateral and bilateral free ends.

The object of the invention is to devise an accurate fastening of the above-mentioned type and which, in relation to hitherto known systems, has numerous advantages of a constructional and operational nature, such as extreme simplicity in execution, the possibility of perfect adjustment to the progressive contraction of the gingival tissues, absolute stability of the prosthetic appliance, and the indeformability of the fastening elements following a prolonged series of removals of the denture for cleaning.

According to the invention, there is provided a securing device comprising, in combination, a male element in the form of a spherical pivot firmly anchored tothe remaining teeth or to a fixed denture, and a female element formed by a cylindrical seat fixed to the movable denture, designed to accommodate said spherical pivot and provided with means for controlling the exact positioning of said spherical pivot and for allowing the precise alignment of the prosthetic part with respect to the remaining teeth.

Preferably the male element is carried by an appendage of "diabolo" shape designed to be inserted in the casting of the pillar elements or in a fixed prosthesis.

Preferably the female element is closed at one end by a wall having on its inside a domed surface designed to constitute the stop member for the spherical pivot of the male element and provided with an inclined notch or slit formed nearthe closed end, which has the purpose of imparting to the element itself the required elasticity for the insertion of said male element without play and without deformation.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1 illustrates the two elements which constitute the securing device according to the invention, shown separated and on an enlarged scale; Figure 2 shows the two elements of the securing means in the coupled position; Figure 3 shows a denture with two free ends, one of which is provided with the securing device according to the invention; Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in Figure 3, on an enlarged scale; Figure 5 shows the denture of Figure 3 separated with respect to the remaining teeth; Figure 6 shows the frame for the denture in Figure 5; Figure 7 illustrates a denture with a unilateral free end and having balancing means; and Figure 8 illustrates a detail of the insertion of the balancing means.

Referring now to Figure 1, the device according to the invention is formed by a male element comprising a spherical pivot 1 integral with a collar 2 and a grooved base or coupling element 3 of "diabolo" shape, and by a female element 4 of cylindrical shape and having an inner cavity 5 designed to receive accurately the spherical pivot 1, and a longitudinal guide slot 6 for the collar 2. The cylinder 4 is closed at one end and the internal surface has a domed section 7 designed to be applied against the spherical pivot 1 in the condition of maximum insertion of the denture. The cylinder 4 is welded or soldered at 8 to the strap or bar 9 for the framework of the saddle, as will be seen more clearly in the following.

An inclined slit or notch 10 is provided in the cylindrical body nearthe closed end so as to impart to the female element 4 sufficient elasticity to accommodate accurately the spherical pivot 1 and to allow exact positioning of the denture without compromising the facility of periodical removal of the denture itself.

The elements described above are connected as indicated in Figure 2. The fitting on to the denture is effected in the manner shown in Figures 3 and 4. The "diabolo" 3 is incorporated by over-casting or welding into the cast mass 11 consisting of gold or other technologically suitable alloy. The circumferential groove of the diabolo 3 serves to attain perfect anchoring in the mass 11 which is applied to the sound tooth 12, and which is covered with an external cap 14.

The female element 4 is welded or soldered directly to the bar 9 of the saddle 15 of conventional type carrying the prosthetic teeth 16. As shown in Figure 3, the device according to the invention may also be used in the case of bilateral free saddles, also in combination with a clasp 17 of conventional type fixed to one end of the lingual bar 18. Of course, also in the case of bilateral free saddles it is possible to provide two joints like that described. The application of the prosthesis is illustrated in FigureS, whereas Figure 6 shows the possibility of providing in the vicinity of the clasp 17 a hinged joint 19 which will not be described in detail as it does not form part of the invention.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the possibility of using the securing device also in the case of a unilateral free end. In this case, in orderto have the necessary anchoring point in the opposite part of the dental arch, the free end of the lingual bar 18 is provided with a curved or bowed projection 20 which is inserted in an originally sound tooth 21 prior to capping work and protection ofthe respective seat 22. The application of the denture is effected in the manner shown in Figure 7. Firstly the curved projection 20 is inserted in the seat 22 and then the joint of the free saddle is coupled, as already described above.

1. Device for securing dental prostheses comprising, in combination, a male element in the form of a spherical pivot firmly anchored to the remaining teeth orto a fixed denture, and a female element formed by a hollow cylindrical seat fixed to the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to a device for securing dental prostheses The present invention relates to an improved fastening for dental prostheses, in particular for prostheses with unilateral and bilateral free ends. The object of the invention is to devise an accurate fastening of the above-mentioned type and which, in relation to hitherto known systems, has numerous advantages of a constructional and operational nature, such as extreme simplicity in execution, the possibility of perfect adjustment to the progressive contraction of the gingival tissues, absolute stability of the prosthetic appliance, and the indeformability of the fastening elements following a prolonged series of removals of the denture for cleaning. According to the invention, there is provided a securing device comprising, in combination, a male element in the form of a spherical pivot firmly anchored tothe remaining teeth or to a fixed denture, and a female element formed by a cylindrical seat fixed to the movable denture, designed to accommodate said spherical pivot and provided with means for controlling the exact positioning of said spherical pivot and for allowing the precise alignment of the prosthetic part with respect to the remaining teeth. Preferably the male element is carried by an appendage of "diabolo" shape designed to be inserted in the casting of the pillar elements or in a fixed prosthesis. Preferably the female element is closed at one end by a wall having on its inside a domed surface designed to constitute the stop member for the spherical pivot of the male element and provided with an inclined notch or slit formed nearthe closed end, which has the purpose of imparting to the element itself the required elasticity for the insertion of said male element without play and without deformation. An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1 illustrates the two elements which constitute the securing device according to the invention, shown separated and on an enlarged scale; Figure 2 shows the two elements of the securing means in the coupled position; Figure 3 shows a denture with two free ends, one of which is provided with the securing device according to the invention; Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in Figure 3, on an enlarged scale; Figure 5 shows the denture of Figure 3 separated with respect to the remaining teeth; Figure 6 shows the frame for the denture in Figure 5; Figure 7 illustrates a denture with a unilateral free end and having balancing means; and Figure 8 illustrates a detail of the insertion of the balancing means. Referring now to Figure 1, the device according to the invention is formed by a male element comprising a spherical pivot 1 integral with a collar 2 and a grooved base or coupling element 3 of "diabolo" shape, and by a female element 4 of cylindrical shape and having an inner cavity 5 designed to receive accurately the spherical pivot 1, and a longitudinal guide slot 6 for the collar 2. The cylinder 4 is closed at one end and the internal surface has a domed section 7 designed to be applied against the spherical pivot 1 in the condition of maximum insertion of the denture. The cylinder 4 is welded or soldered at 8 to the strap or bar 9 for the framework of the saddle, as will be seen more clearly in the following. An inclined slit or notch 10 is provided in the cylindrical body nearthe closed end so as to impart to the female element 4 sufficient elasticity to accommodate accurately the spherical pivot 1 and to allow exact positioning of the denture without compromising the facility of periodical removal of the denture itself. The elements described above are connected as indicated in Figure 2. The fitting on to the denture is effected in the manner shown in Figures 3 and 4. The "diabolo" 3 is incorporated by over-casting or welding into the cast mass 11 consisting of gold or other technologically suitable alloy. The circumferential groove of the diabolo 3 serves to attain perfect anchoring in the mass 11 which is applied to the sound tooth 12, and which is covered with an external cap 14. The female element 4 is welded or soldered directly to the bar 9 of the saddle 15 of conventional type carrying the prosthetic teeth 16. As shown in Figure 3, the device according to the invention may also be used in the case of bilateral free saddles, also in combination with a clasp 17 of conventional type fixed to one end of the lingual bar 18. Of course, also in the case of bilateral free saddles it is possible to provide two joints like that described. The application of the prosthesis is illustrated in FigureS, whereas Figure 6 shows the possibility of providing in the vicinity of the clasp 17 a hinged joint 19 which will not be described in detail as it does not form part of the invention. Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the possibility of using the securing device also in the case of a unilateral free end. In this case, in orderto have the necessary anchoring point in the opposite part of the dental arch, the free end of the lingual bar 18 is provided with a curved or bowed projection 20 which is inserted in an originally sound tooth 21 prior to capping work and protection ofthe respective seat 22. The application of the denture is effected in the manner shown in Figure 7. Firstly the curved projection 20 is inserted in the seat 22 and then the joint of the free saddle is coupled, as already described above. CLAIMS

1. Device for securing dental prostheses comprising, in combination, a male element in the form of a spherical pivot firmly anchored to the remaining teeth orto a fixed denture, and a female element formed by a hollow cylindrical seat fixed to the movable denture, designed to accommodate said spherical pivot and provided with means for controlling the exact positioning of said spherical pivot and for allowing the precise arrangement of the prosthetic part with respect to the remaining teeth.

2. Device according to Claim 1, wherein said spherical pivot forms one piece with a fixing element in the shape of a "diabolo" designed to be incorporated in the casting of the pillar elements or in a fixed prosthesis.

3. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein said female element is closed at one end by means of a wall having on the inside a domed surface designed to form the top member for the spherical pivot of the male element and provided with an inclined notch or slit formed near the closed end, which has the purpose of imparting to the cylindrical part the required elasticity for the insertion of the male element without play and without deformation.

4. Device according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said female element is joined by welding or soldering to the framework of a saddle and to a lingual bar.

5. Device according to Claim 4, wherein said female element, in the case of unilateral free saddles, is joined to an opposite dental element by means of a balancing elementformed buy a sectional curved projection welded or soldered to the adjacent end ofthe palatine bar.

6. Device according to Claim 5, wherein said curved balancing element is inserted in a suitable seat provided in the dental element or in a fixed bridged denture situated in a position diametrically opposite the free saddle.

7. Device for securing dental prostheses substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.