EP0801545A1

EP0801545A1 - Denture covering existing teeth and gums

Info

Publication number: EP0801545A1
Application number: EP94917402A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Anthony P. Hazen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-05-12
Filing date: 1994-05-12
Publication date: 1997-10-22
Also published as: AU6914094A; EP0801545A4

Abstract

A removable prosthetic dental device consisting of upper and lower encasements (1) covering the user's existing teeth (5) and gums (6) with an exterior veneer of artificial teeth (2) for protecting teeth, replacing teeth, and improving facial appearance.

Description

DENTURE COVERING EXISTING TEETH AND GUMS

BACKGROUND OFTHEINVENTION Dentistry today works with a variety of physical problems in the mouth, including missing teeth, chipped teeth, decayed teeth, misaligned teeth (oclusal or bite problems) , jaw alignment and muscular tension problems (TMJ) , nerve and tooth sensitivity, and the cosmetic problems of sunken cheeks often associated with aging. Dentistry (or other professions such as osteopaths with TMJ or plastic surgeons with cosmetic issues) deals with these problems with a variety of devices: bridges, crowns, caps, dentures, fillings, orthodontic braces, retainers or splints, and surgery. Each of these devices addresses only one individual issue at a time. Many of them entail considerable cost to the patient and may cause discomfort. Generally, they are not preventative in nature, especially not of other dental problems not directly associated with the problem being treated.

SUMMARY OFTHEINVENTION

The present invention is directed to and encompasses as its object to provide a device that substitutes for and covers missing, chipped, or broken teeth, that corrects for and covers or realigns misaligned teeth, that corrects for and ameliorates jaw misalignment and muscular tension discomfort, that protects sensitive teeth, and that corrects and fills out sunken cheeks and facial disfigurement. The prevention of tooth decay, gum disease, and general promotion of oral hygiene and extension of tooth life is also intended to be encompassed by the appended claims.

The present invention is related to prosthetic denture devices. However, its application and relative functional use differs. Existing denture devices provide teeth where there are none, in direct position and proportion to the underlying vacated gum. The present invention goes over existing teeth and gums and bridges over missing teeth where possible.

The present invention relates to prosthetic dental caps and crowns, and in some cases can replace them. However, the application and relative functional use of this invention differs. Caps and crowns are permanently affixed to the teeth; the present invention is not permanently affixed to the teeth. In design and appearance, the present invention differs from caps, crowns, and bridges in that it is one whole unit rather than multiple units.

It is the object of the present invention to cover whole sets of teeth, palate, and gums with upper and lower arch devises in an aesthetically pleasing skeletal-dental prosthetic device constructed from any types of approved prosthetic dental material, including acrylics, plastics, vinyl, hard and soft rubbers, metals, gold, and silicone, and combinations thereof. The exterior font and sides use materials and are molded and colored to resemble teeth and gums. The interior is molded to fit loosely over existing teeth and gums, allowing a flow of saliva between existing teeth and gums and the interior walls or liner of the present invention. The present invention can produce superior functioning and oral hygiene when properly prescribed, fitted, and used, resulting in extended life for the teeth and gums.

The present invention provides aesthetically pleasing artificial teeth and gums covering disfigured teeth and gums. By adjusting the points of contact and pressure of the present invention and the original teeth, the alignment and position of the original teeth can be altered in an orthodontic mode of operation of the present invention. DETAILEDDESCRIPTIONANDEXAMPLE The present invention is a dental device which includes an all gum-tooth cap-cup encasement constructed from acceptable dental materials to which artificial veneer teeth are joined or mounted to the outer wall of the encasement cup. The encasement cup may be perforated with circulation holes. The gum and teeth encasement is created from an impression mold of the user's teeth and gums. The device may be constructed from all approved prosthetic dental materials and combinations thereof, including but not limited to acrylics, plastics, silicone, vinyls, hard and soft rubbers, metals, and gold. The variations of the construction design and use of these materials are determined by the dentist according to the user's needs.

The present invention, the different elements of the device and alternative embodiments are shown in the Drawings.

LIST OF THE ELEMENTS

1. encasement

2. side veneers

3. circulation holes

4. bottom veneers

5. tooth

6. gum

7. palate

8. molded plastic surface without bottom veneer

9. cast metal bottom

10. plastic encasement

11. brace band

12. plastic fill

13. all metal encasement

14. co-soft liner BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dental device for the upper arch.

Figure 2 is a side view of the dental device for the upper arch of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a dental device for the lower arch.

Figure 4 is a side view of the dental device for the lower arch of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a Section view along the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a bottom view of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a Section view of an alternative embodiment without bottom veneers.

Figure 8 is a Section view of an alternative embodiment having a cast metal bottom and plastic encasement.

Figure 9 is a bottom view of a lower arch of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a Section view of an alternative embodiment having brace bands.

Figure 11 is a bottom view of the upper arch of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a Section view of an alternative embodiment with a co-soft liner.

Figure 13 is a Section view of an alternative embodiment with a metal casement.

EXAMPLE A preliminary study was conducted in conjunction with a 48 year old white male who had a history of deteriorating teeth from decay which had been treated with crowns and fillings and a high degree of sensitivity to temperature changes which had not been successfully treated, leaving the subject to suffer when eating and drinking. The subject was fitted with upper and lower encasements made of acrylic with acrylic pre-formed whole teeth ground to veneer forms to fit on the encasements. The encasements had circulation holes drilled in them to promote saliva circulation. In addition the device covered four missing teeth. The subject has used the device for over four years and has been free of pain and discomfort due to tooth sensitivity. The circulation holes were functional for approximately the first eight months of the trial. No difference in function of the device or gum health were noted without the holes functional. The subject was examined every six months by a dentist familiar with his history. No tooth decay developed du ing the four years and gum health (color tone, firmness, and coverage) improved. The subject also exhibited a marked improvement in facial appearance while wearing the? device.

The example provided above is not meant to be exclusive or to limit the claims in any manner whatsoever. Many other variations of the present invention would be obvious to those skilled in the art and are contemplated to be within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

WHATIS CLAIMED

1. A removable prosthetic dental device for enhancing the facial appearance by providing aesthetically pleasing artificial teeth for non-denture wearers, for bridging spaces left by missing teeth, for protecting damaged or hypersensitive teeth from temperature extremes, and for strengthening the user's ability to more effectively masticate food comprising; an encasement constructed from approved dental materials and taken from an impression mold of the user's natural teeth and gums, said encasement having inner encasement walls for abutting the user's natural teeth and gums and outer encasement walls, and a plurality of artificial teeth ground down to veneers and mounted on said outer encasement walls.

2. The removable prosthetic dental device of Claim 1 further comprising; bottom veneers mounted on a bottom of the outer encasement walls.

3. A method for enhancing the facial appe^'arance by providing aesthetically pleasing artificial teeth for non- denture wearers, for bridging spaces left by missing teeth, for protecting damaged or hypersensitive teeth from temperature extremes, and for strengthening the user's ability to more effectively masticate food; providing an encasement constructed from approved dental materials and taken from an impression mold of the user's natural teeth and gums, said encasement having inner encasement walls for abutting the user's natural teeth and gums and outer encasement walls; mounting on said outer encasement walls a plurality of artificial teeth ground down to veneers.