Claims
- 1. A dowel assembly for casting models of individual tooth impression into dental impression tooth recesses comprising an alignment sleeve having spaced first and second bores therein, a rigid dowel pin received within a first bore and extending therethrough, and adapted to extend into an individual tooth recess, and a rigid alignment pin received within the second bore and extending therefrom and adapted to extend into the said individual tooth recess.
- 2. A dowel assembly according to claim 1 in which the dowel pin is tapered for at least a portion of its length and the said tapered portion is on non-circular cross section.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application is a division of an application filed July 16, 1973 entitled Dental Restoration Jig, Abraham Cooper, inventor, Ser. No. 379,856, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,871,804.
During the manufacture of certain kinds of dental restorations, an impression of the patent's teeth and gums is made in wax or other suitable material. Then, after spreading a thin film of grease or oil on the impression, a quantity of casting material is poured into the impression to produce a simulation of the patent's teeth and gums knows as a "model" or "mold". Dowels or pins are then embedded in the model for each tooth and the casting material poured around them. Thereafter individual teeth in the form of dies and their supporting dowels are carefully cut away and removed from the casting. The individual tooth castings or dies serve as supports around which the artificial added teeth, caps, or crowns are built. In the course of completing the restoration it is necessary to remove the dies and dowels many times from the model and return them in the same orientation.
The above described procedure has many idsadvantages. When the dies are removed from the model, considerable time and careful work is required to prevent destruction of the model. When the dies are returned to the model, it is difficult to retain their proper alignment. Repeated insertion and removal of the dowels enlarges the holes in the model into which they fit, further contributing to the poor alignment of the teeth dies and causing the dies to fall out as they are being worked on.
The present invention provides a reproducible arrangement whereby dental restorations can be manufactured in less time and at a reduction in cost.
A feature of the invention is the use of a dowel and an alignment pin for removably and accurately holding a tooth die within a mold or model.
Another feature of the invention is the use of an adjustable rack which facilitates the pouring of the model forming material and the placement of tooth location members therein.
A further feature of the invention is the use of an adjustable rack having several positions whereby teeth models of varying sizes can be accommodated.
The invention comprises a cylindrical base including a plurality of vertical pins secured to the base in spaced position. The base is formed with a central recess. A cup is provided for placement into the recess in the base for supporting an impression of a patient's teeth. The cup includes two wings, each formed with a recess for accurate placement on two of the vertical pins. A plurality of tables is provided, each formed with at least two hollow vertical tubes, for placement over selected pins on the base. The tubes also includes horizontal arcuate support bars, for supporting a plurality of dowel holders. The tables and their attached dowels may be readily removed or secured to the base during casting operations. The dowel holders are secured to the top surface of the support bars by putty or caulking material.
Additional details of the invention will be disclosed in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
US Referenced Citations (4)
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
| Parent |
379856 |
Jul 1973 |
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Patent Grant
4001938
