US1794128A - Artificial tooth - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 24, 1931-.

C. A. WALSH ARTIFICIAL TOOTH Filed March 13, 1929 Patented Feb. 24, 1931 i Price I CARLIN A. WALSH, OF OAMBlE-ZZDGE; MASSACHUSETTS ARTIFICIAL TOOTH Application filed March 13, 1929. Serial No. 346,732.

My present invention relates to artificial teeth, and includes novel features of construction which enable teeth constructed accordingto said invention to be used either as pivot teeth or in association with bridgework.

An important object of the present invention'consists in the provision of an artificial tooth formed with metallic backing and reinforcing plate, and in providing said backing plate with a substantially vertically extending pin which preferably projects above the gingival'edge for attachment to a. root, when used as a pivot tooth.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing said metallic backing plate with a laterally projecting lip or lips, integral with said backing plate, to provide a strong incisal edge or surface. 7

A further object of the invention resides in providing the main body portion of the tooth, which is preferably formed of porcelain or other ceramic material, with a plurality of ledges or shoulders, against which portions of thebacking plate will bear, to provide reinforcements for said backing plate to prevent vertical movement thereof during biting or chewing.

Another object of the invention consists in inclining one of said ledges in such manner as to prevent any rocking of the backing plate.

A still further feature of the invention re-' sides in providing the porcelain body of the tooth with a substantially vertical recess, adjacent to one of said shoulders, through which the aforesaid pin will pass, said pin preferably extending substantially above the gingival edge of the tooth and by means of which the tooth may be fixed as a pivot tooth to a natural root.

In the event that it is desired to ailin my novel tooth to a bridge, instead of to a natural root, the pin may be sheared ofi at the top of the porcelain body and cemented or otherwise secured to the bridge.

My present tooth is strong, efficient, simple and economical to manufacture, easy to apply or install, and since I believe the same is novel, I have-therefore claimed said tooth broadly in the present application.

The above and other features ofthe invention, details of constructlon, combinations of parts, and advantages, will be hereinafter more fully pointed out, described and claimed.

Referrin to the ClIlWlINS illustratin a b b 7 a:

preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 1s a front elevation of an 11161801'6111- bodying my invention;

Fig, 2 is a side elevation of said incisor; Flg. 3 ma rear elevation of said inclsor; Fig. 41s a sectlonal side elevation of said incisor;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a molar embodying my invention;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of said molar;

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of a bicuspid with a slightly modified form of shoulder construction; and

Fig. 8'is a side elevation ofthe loicuspid illustrated in Fig. 7 I I Referringnow to the drawings for a particular description of the invention, its construction and assembly, 1 designates a body portion of porcelain or other ceramic material having a labial face 2and a face 3, forming a portion only of the lingual face of the tooth' The entire gingival, or. gum-contacting edge 4 is formed directly in the porcelain body portion 1, thus eliminating any contact of metal at the gingival margin with the gum of the patient.

The'body portion 1 isprovided with a downwardly inclined shoulder or ledge 5, and with a bottom edge 6, whichis preferably substantially straight, although it also be inclined somewhat if desired. substantially vertically through the upper portion of the body 1 is an aperture 7, the bottom of saidaperture opening onto-the shou'l der 5, and the front wall of said aperture be- Extending ing preferably a continuation of the straight appreciated. This plate has a straight con tacting face 10 adapted to contact with the straight rear face 8 of the body 1, and tofbe cemented thereto- The p ate 9 also a face 11, which with the face 3 of the body 1, forms the complete lingual face of the tooth. The backing plate 9 extends below the body 1 a sufficient distance to form the incisal or biting edge 12, and the lower portion of the plate has a ledge or shoulder 13 adapted to abut against the ledge or shoulder 6 of the body 1. This construction compels all bitingto comeon the metallic incisal edge 12, and prevents any chipping or splitting of the labial face of the 'body l. V I

The plate 9 is also constructed or formed with an inclined upper edge 14, adapted to abut against the shoulder 5 of the body 1, the upper portion of the plate 9 being thus securely housed in the recess formed by the shoulder 5, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4, which will entirely eliminate any rocking of the plate. Vertically extendingfrom the top of the plate 9 is a post or pin 15, this pin passing through the aperture 7 in the body 1 and here illustrated as extending above the gingival edge v4 for a substantial distance. The tooth illustrated" in Figs. 1 to 4, with the pin or post 15 as shown, is adapted for a pivot tooth, the pin 15 being embedded and anchored in a. natural root. (not shown). If, however. it should be desired to utilize this tooth in. a bridge, the pin 15 would either be sheared off flush with the top of the body 1, or would be initially constructed of such a length as not toeXtend above the top of said bodyl- It will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in this art that my novel tooth is strong, rugged and efficient, is simple to manufacture, assemble and install. either as a pivot tooth or asa component part of a bridge, and is possessed of numerous advantages and benefitsv to the wearer thereof.

While Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive illustrate my invention as applied to an incisor, my inven tion is nevertheless equally applicable to molars or bicuspids, and in Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive I have illustrated the invention as applied to these types of teeth.

In Figs. 5 and 6 illustrating a molar, 16 designates the main body portion of the tooth, of: porcelain or other ceramic material-having a labial face 17 and having a posterior face 18, together with a gingival edge 19. At the lower portion ofthe body 16 is providedan abutment 20, here illustrated as straight, while the posterior portion of the body is also provided with an abutment 21, also illustrated a as straight. r

It: will be appreciated, however, that i ,clined shoulders or abutments may-be utilized if desired. Extending vertically through the body portion 16, from the bottom of the pos-' terior-portion of the tooth, are apertures 22, the front walls: of these apertures being continuations oftheve'rtical-wall 28; A metallic backing plate or member 23 has incisal or grinding surfaces 24 and a shoulder- 25 would have an contact withthe gums. shoulders 20' and 21' Wlll effectually prevent.

ture .37 and to serve above the gingival edge 19 to act as pivot pins,

although they may be sheared off at the top of the porcelain body portion if desired for attachment to a bridge. lVhile I have illustrated two pins 29 for use in a molar, it will be appreciated that I may utilize but a single pin if desired, the double post or pin structure, however, resulting in amuch stronger and more ruggedtooth. The posterior face 30 of the member 23 cooperates with the posterior face 18 of the porcelain portion 16 to form the lingual face of the completed tooth. In this tooth. as in the tooth illustrated in Figs. 1 to- 4 inclusive,

there will be no metallic portions to come in contact with the gums of the wearer, the porcelain gingi val edge bein g-the only part which The anupwa-rd'movement of the metallic mem ber 23, while the shoulder 25 will eliminate splitting or chipping ofthe porcelain on the labial surface.

Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate theinvention applied to a bicuspid, the porcelain body portion 31 having a labial face 32 and'aposter-ior face 33, and a' gingival edge 34. The bottom of the porcelain body 3.1, at the front there of, terminates in an inclined surface. 35, while an inclined surface or abutment36 is provided at the bottom of the tear. or posterior portion. An aperture 37 is provided through the body 311, extending,upwardly from the surface 36., the front wall of this aperture being a continuation of the straight surface 43. A metallicmember 38 has grinding surfaces 39. and has an inclined shoulder 40 to engage the surface-35 Said member 38 also has an inclined surface 41 to engage the surface orshoulder 36, the straight surface 42 of this member 38 contacting with the wall 43 of the porcelainbody 31. All of these aforementioned contacting surfaces and walls are adapted-to be cemented-0r otherwise united. The posteriorwallor face 44 of the member 38 cooperates with the posterior surface 33' of theporcelain body 31 to form the lingualfacej' of the completed tooth. I

- iroy'ecting upwardly from thesurface 41 is alpinor post 45, passing; through the aperthe same function as the ins 15'and 29heretofore;describedi In all the forms of teethil-lustratediand le scribed herein the outer surfaces thereof will be smooth and even, there being no projecting members to annoy the wearer, and there being no objectionable recesses or crevices to retain food. All these forms of teeth present a neat and attractive appearance, and are strong and durable.

The construction of each form of tooth illustrated herein provides an extremely strong retention for the backing plate or member of metal, in addition to the cementing feature. The further feature of the pin or post in each instan e passing through the porcelain body portion further increases the strength and immovability of the metallic member.

All of these advantages will be instantly apparent to those skilled in the art, and the benefits derived from the use of my novel teeth will be appreciated by the wearers thereof.

lVhile I have necessarily described my present invention somewhat in detail, it will be appreciated that I may vary the size, shape and arrangment of parts within reasonably wide limits without departing from the spirit of the invention.

My invention is further described and defined in the form of claims as follows:

1. An artificial tooth comprising a body portion of ceramic material and a metallic backing for said body portion, said body portion and said backing cooperating with one another to form an artificial tooth simulating a natural tooth in size and shape, said backing having a front surface abutting a rear surface of the body portion and said body portion having an apertured inwardly directed extension providing a shoulder extending the entire width of the tooth and to the rear face thereof at the gingival end of the tooth against which the adjacent end of the backing abuts, said aperture extending entirely through said extension, said backing having a pin extending through the aperture in said inwardly directed gingival extension.

2. An artificial tooth comprising a body portion of ceramic material and a metallic backing for said body portion, said body portion and said backing cooperating with one another to form an artificial tooth simulating a natural tooth in size and shape, said backing having a front surface abutting a rear surface of the body portion and said body portion having an inwardly extending shoulder adjacent to the gingival end of the tooth against which the adjacent end of the asking abuts, said shoulder and the adjacent end of the backing being inclined inwardly towards the gingival end of the tooth, the said body portion having a vertical opening through said shoulder, and a pin on said backing extending through said opening. 7

8. An artificial pivot tooth comprising a body portion of ceramic material and a metallic backing for said body portion, said body portion and said backing cooperating with one another to form an artificial tooth simulating a natural tooth in size and shape, said backing having a front surface abutting a rear surface of the body portion and said body portion havin an apertured inwardly directed extension providing a shoulder extending the entire width of the tooth and to the rear face thereof at the gingival end of the tooth against which the adjacent end of the backing abuts, the front Wall of saidaperture being a continuation of the rear surface of the body portion, said-shoulder and the adj acent end ofthe backing being inclined inwardly towards the gingival end of the tooth, and a pin on said backing extending through the aperture in said inwardly directed extension beyond the gingival end of the tooth to constitute means for fastening the tooth in the mouth. I

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

GARLIN A. WALSH.

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