DE102012004991A1 - A dental prosthesis stabilizer - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a denture stabilizer (1) provided with two arms (2, 3) connected to each other by means of a hinge connection (4), and to an upper denture and a lower denture, which are coupled together a spring (5) is provided on the articulation (4) with which the upper dental prosthesis (37) and the lower denture (38) are moved from each other. According to the invention, the spring (5) is a tension spring and / or is made of titanium or a titanium alloy.

Description

The present invention relates to a denture stabilizer.

In particular, the present invention relates to a dental prosthesis stabilizer having two arms which are hinged together, and in which an upper dental prosthesis and a lower dental prosthesis are coupled together, wherein a spring is provided at the hinge connection with which the upper dental prosthesis and the lower dentures are moved from each other.

Such denture stabilizers are already known, for example from the Belgian Patent No. 1,006,478 wherein the resilient hinge connection between the arms is disposed at a non-variable distance from both the upper dental prosthesis and the lower dental prosthesis, and wherein the arms are hingedly connected to the upper prosthesis and to the lower prosthesis by means of screws.

A disadvantage of these dental prosthesis stabilizers is that they do not easily follow the natural movement of the jaws, since the joint of the denture stabilizer around which the upper prosthesis and the lower prosthesis move is necessarily located in the oral cavity the natural movement of the teeth follows the pines, which move with respect to the joint, which is located more in the back of the head.

As a result, prostheses equipped with the above-mentioned denture stabilizer often dislodge from the jaws. Another disadvantage of such dental prosthesis stabilizers is that, if a portion of the denture stabilizer is long used or broken, such as when the spring breaks, the repair of these denture stabilizers will result in a number of inconveniences, since the denture Stabilizer is generally handed over as a whole unit to the dental technician for the time of repair, since the denture stabilizer can not be detached from the denture by a common user.

A first improvement of the denture stabilizers of the aforementioned type is known from Belgian Patent No. 09,900,277 known. This improvement consists in telescoping one of the arms of the denture stabilizer and in providing the other arm to a point of connection in the form of a button-shaped extension which slides in a groove provided in the upper or lower prosthesis. Thus, a greater freedom of movement for the aforementioned joint between the upper and the lower dentures is achieved, so that it is easier to follow the natural movement. Furthermore, the improvement ensures that the denture stabilizer can be easily detached from the denture by a normal user, but only when the denture is removed from the mouth.

However, a major disadvantage of the last-mentioned form of known dental prosthesis stabilizers is that they consist of a large number of parts, which leads to a rather great risk of failure.

Another disadvantage of the known denture stabilizers is that the parts are exposed to a rather aggressive environment, especially with regard to all kinds of liquids and foods in the mouth, so that as a result the parts are subject to a great deal of stress. Furthermore, remnants often remain behind the parts of the known denture stabilizers, as a result, with all the corresponding inconvenience.

Furthermore, it appears that some individuals find it psychologically critical to wear the well-known denture stabilizers because they associate it with a horse bit because of the presence of visible metal parts of the denture stabilizers.

The WO 2007/016753 A1 describes a dental prosthesis stabilizer equipped with two arms hinged together and in which an upper denture and a lower dental prosthesis are coupled together with a spring provided on the articulation with which the upper dental prosthesis and the lower denture Dentures are moved by each other. At least one of the arms is telescopically configured and is shaped as a bent distal end of the aforementioned spring that can be moved axially in a curved guide, the guide being configured to rest on an upper dental prosthesis or on a lower dental prosthesis can be fixed or embedded in it. The spring in products on the market is a torsion spring.

This spring causes noise and retention of food, the life is relatively short because of an overload of a point where the active part goes over the passive part.

The present invention aims to eliminate at least some of the aforementioned disadvantages as well as other disadvantages.

To this end, the present invention provides a denture stabilizer provided with two arms connected to each other by means of a hinge connection, wherein an upper denture and a lower denture are coupled to each other, wherein a spring is provided on the hinge joint with which the upper denture and the lower denture are moved from each other, wherein the spring is a tension spring (in the original: "extension spring"). Such a spring is also known by the term tension spring (in the original: "pull spring"). The denture stabilizer according to the invention produces no noise and prevents any retention of food. The spring is more flexible and goes by itself to the ideal position and also contributes to the effect that the denture stabilizer is very user-friendly.

To this end, the present invention also provides a denture stabilizer provided with two arms connected to each other by means of a hinge connection, an upper denture and a lower dental prosthesis being coupled together, a spring being provided at the hinge connection, with which the upper denture and the lower denture are moved from each other, wherein the spring made of titanium or a titanium alloy, in particular of titanium 6-aluminum 4-vanadium (Ti6Al4V) is made.

This creates a stiffer denture stabilizer that is more resistant to mouth and saliva. The oral acceptance by the patient and the life of the denture stabilizer according to the invention are noticeably improved.

To this end, the present invention also provides a denture stabilizer provided with two arms connected to each other by means of a hinge connection, and wherein an upper dental prosthesis and a lower dental prosthesis are coupled together with a spring provided on the hinge connection with which the upper dental prosthesis and the lower dental prosthesis are repelled from each other with the spring being covered by silicone. This prevents contact with saliva and protects the spring better. The silicone in and around the spring supports the spring strength and even if the spring would break, it would remain in one piece. Also in this case, the spring works, but of course with less force.

According to a preferred embodiment of a dental prosthesis stabilizer according to the invention, both arms are telescopically configured in the shape of a bent distal end of the aforementioned spring. This embodiment leads to an even greater freedom of movement to the joint.

According to another preferred embodiment of the denture stabilizer according to the invention, the bent distal end of the spring adapted for the lower dental prosthesis is a radius of curvature corresponding to the radius of curvature of the so-called speculum of the teeth set of the person for whom the denture is intended.

The Speekurve is a curve that follows the shape of the profile of the teeth set, which will be described more clearly afterwards.

In addition, the arcuate distal end of the spring adapted for the upper dental prosthesis and the attendant guide also have a radius of curvature equal to the difference in the distance between the articulation of the denture stabilizer and the jaw point of the subject for whom the denture is intended is.

An advantage of these embodiments of a dental prosthesis stabilizer is that, as the jaws open and close, the curved distal ends of the spring, thanks to the aforementioned distal end shapes and accompanying guides, can slide perfectly within the corresponding guides without any noticeable Friction.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of a denture stabilizer according to the invention, the joint and the spring are surrounded by a capsule, which is preferably flexible. This embodiment is advantageous because the person wearing such a denture stabilizer does not feel the presence or hardly the presence of the denture stabilizer in the oral cavity because the denture stabilizer is additionally protected against negative chemical influences and there are no residues can remain behind parts of the denture stabilizer.

In order to better explain the characteristics of the invention, the following description of a dental prosthesis stabilizer according to the invention is given by way of example only with reference to the attached drawings, without being limiting in any way, the drawings showing:

1 schematically a denture stabilizer according to the invention;

2 a section along the line II-II in 1 on a larger scale;

2 : schematically the geometry of the denture stabilizer off 1 with respect to a skull;

3 and 4 the denture stabilizer according to 1 applied to a lower and an upper dental prosthesis;

5 a perspective view of the spring in a denture stabilizer according to 1 is used;
and

6 a perspective view of a silicone cover for the spring accordingly 6 ,

The denture stabilizer 1 according to the invention, as in 1 and 2 shown consists essentially of two arms 2 and 3 which are interconnected by means of a joint 4 and being a spring 5 , as also shown in the figure, at the joint 4 is provided.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the spring ( 5 ) an extension spring (in the original: "extension spring"), which is also called "pulling spring" (in the original: "pull spring"). According to a further embodiment of the invention, the spring ( 5 ) made of titanium or a titanium alloy, in particular titanium 6-aluminum 4-vanadium (Ti6Al4V). According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the extension spring (pulling spring) consists of titanium or a titanium alloy, in particular titanium 6-aluminum 4-vanadium (Ti6Al4V).

The poor 2 and 3 are designed telescopically and in particular at their ends 6 and 7 the aforementioned spring 5 bent, axially in curved guides 8th and 9 can be moved. These guides 8th and 9 are at their corresponding free ends 10 and 11 sealed, being open and with collars 14 and 15 or at the other remote ends 12 and 13 are equipped.

Furthermore, the joint 4 and the spring 5 through a flexible capsule 16 Surrounded with this capsule with the guides 8th and 9 over the collars 14 and 15 is fixed.

In the present example, the shape of the guides of the bent ends of the coil springs is circular and not arbitrary, as shown in FIG 2 is shown. In this 2 a first circle A is given which roughly follows the speek curve.

This means that the circle A with radius B heads 26 the arrangement 28 the teeth 27 touching the appropriate person and through the jaw point 29 goes.

Furthermore, the center is 30 of the circle A more or less at the height of the Vorkopfes 31 arranged, just above the eye sockets 32 , The pivot point 33 denture stabilizer 1 is preferably on this circle A at a distance B from the jaw point 29 arranged, this distance B is preferably selected in such a way that the hinge point 33 close to the last tooth 34 of the teeth set 28 is arranged.

It also ensures that the curved distal end 27 the spiral spring 18 Designed for lower dentures and accompanying guidance 11 have a radius of curvature that coincides with the radius of curvature of the set of teeth of the teeth set 28 corresponds to the person for whom the dental prosthesis is designed, which corresponds to the radius B of the circle A in the present example.

According to the invention, the hinge point 33 initially parallel to the connecting line CC between the jaw point 29 and the center 30 of the circle A arranged on the line DD 'passing through the center 30 of the circle A and parallel to the connecting line EE 'between the hinge point 33 and the jaw point 29 runs.

From the preserved projected joint 35 then a circle F with radius B can be drawn through the hinge point 33 runs.

The circle F determines the course of the bent end 7 the spiral spring 18 and the leadership 9 ,

The far end 11 the leadership 9 is preferably approximately at a distance G from the hinge point 33 arranged, the distance G between the temporomandibular joint 29 and the articulation 33 equivalent.

Furthermore, the bent end 6 the spiral spring 17 Designed for the upper dental prosthesis and the accompanying guide 8th are shaped in such a way that they essentially describe a circumference H which consists of a circle H with the distal end 11 the leadership 9 as the center and with a radius G.

The far end 10 the leadership 8th is preferably located on the vertical line II 'through the distal end 11 the leadership 9 ,

The use of a denture stabilizer 1 According to the invention is simple and is illustrated by the 3 and 4 ,

In these figures are two denture stabilizers 1 provided, with only a pattern is shown for the sake of simplicity, this on a dental prosthesis 36 made from an upper denture 37 and a lower denture 38 exists and where the dentures stabilizers 1 the connection between the upper denture 37 and the lower denture 38 form. This can be achieved by opening in the corresponding parts 37 and 38 the denture 36 be provided, what makes it possible, the guides 8th and 9 to provide and in the parts 37 and 38 the denture 36 to attach, for example by gluing.

The flexible capsule 16 connects the two above-mentioned remote ends 12 and 13 the guides 8th and 9 in the way that the mechanism as a whole out of the housing 19 with the coil springs 17 and 18 exists while it is separated from the oral cavity.

3 and 4 put the denture 36 in the open relationship, of course, in the closed position, wherein during the opening and closing of the denture 36 the distant ends 5 and 6 in the direction of and from the guides 8th and 9 to be moved.

Thanks to the curved shape of the guides 8th and 9 As described in detail above, there is virtually no friction during this movement.

It is also clear that the coil springs 17 and 18 exert a force with which the upper dental prosthesis 37 and the lower denture 38 be pushed away from each other.

This force is only intended for the parts 37 and 38 the denture 36 Of course, this force is quite small, allowing a person to have the denture 36 wearing, which with a denture stabilizer 1 is not compromised when the teeth are positioned on top of each other.

Furthermore, it is clear that a denture stabilizer 1 according to the invention has the above-mentioned advantages in comparison with the known denture stabilizers, in particular in that only very few components are required to the denture stabilizer 1 with no leftovers behind parts of the Denture Stabilizer 1 remain thanks to the flexible capsule 16 ,

Furthermore, the dimensions of a denture stabilizer 1 according to the invention preferably low and adapted to use in the oral cavity, wherein, for example, the hinge connection 4 at most about the size of a tooth 27 lies so that the person holding a denture 36 Wear with this Denture Stabilizer 1 is equipped by the presence of the denture 36 not disturbed.

A denture stabilizer 1 may also have all other types of shapes than shown in the embodiment.

This does not exclude the above spring 5 to design as a single spring.

Also, the flexible capsule needs 16 not necessarily be a separate part, but it can, for example, in the guides 8th and 9 be integrated.

Furthermore, the bent distal ends can 6 and 7 as well as the guides 8th and 9 have other shapes than the aforementioned circular shapes, for example, to achieve even better friction characteristics when the distal ends 6 and 7 towards the guides 8th and 9 and move away from them.

5 shows a spring 5 , which is a tension spring (in the original: "extension spring"), the two arms 2 and 3 has round slots 39 and 40 , Preferably, the spring is made of titanium or a titanium alloy, in particular titanium 6-aluminum 4-vanadium (Ti6Al4V), however, the tension spring may be made of a different material or of other materials. Titanium is relatively rigid and very resistant to mouth and saliva. The spring according to the invention is more flexible and durable compared to the spring in the prior art (manufactured according to AISA 316 or DIN 1.4401 ) with a significant improvement in the life and in the oral acceptance by the patient.

Every arm 2 . 3 has a round slot 39 . 40 at its end, however, even small hooks can be used instead of round slots.

The feather 5 made of titanium or a titanium alloy, in particular titanium 6-aluminum 4-vanadium (Ti6Al4V), is produced by laser build-up of approximately 3 μ film, using stereo lithography. This production method makes it possible to use the spring 5 in one piece, wherein the active center spring member has a wire diameter of about 0.5mm and the passive members on the left and right sides of the active center member have a wire diameter of about 1mm.

6 shows a tube / silicone cover 41 for the spring 5 ,

The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments given by way of example and illustrated in the accompanying drawings; on the contrary, such denture stabilizers may have all sorts of shapes and dimensions as far as they remain within the scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

A dental prosthesis stabilizer

2, 3

poor

4

joint

5

feather

9

guide

11

distant end of the lead 9

14

collar

15

collar

16

capsule

17

spiral spring

18

spiral spring

19

casing

20

removed end of the intermediate plate

21

removed end of the intermediate plate

22

intermediate plate

23

Cover plate of the housing 19

24

Cover plate of the housing 19

27

tooth

28

Set of teeth

29

pine point

30

Circle center

33

articulation

36

Denture ( 36 )

37

upper denture

38

lower denture

39

round recess

40

round recess

41

Silicone cover of the spring 5

A

curve of spee

B

turning radius

G

turning radius

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• BE 1006478 [0003]
• BE 09900277 [0006]
• WO 2007/016753 A1 [0010]

Cited non-patent literature

• DIN 1.4401 [0057]

Claims (18)

Denture stabilizer ( 1 ), with two arms ( 2 . 3 ) is provided, which together by means of a hinge connection ( 4 ) and with an upper dental prosthesis ( 37 ) and a lower dental prosthesis ( 38 ) coupled to each other, one spring ( 5 ) at the articulated connection ( 4 ), with which the upper dental prosthesis ( 37 ) and the lower denture ( 38 ) are moved by each other, characterized in that the spring ( 5 ) is a tension spring. Denture stabilizer ( 1 ), with two arms ( 2 . 3 ) is provided, which together by means of a hinge connection ( 4 ) and with an upper dental prosthesis ( 37 ) and a lower dental prosthesis ( 38 ) coupled to each other, one spring ( 5 ) at the articulated connection ( 4 ), with which the upper dental prosthesis ( 37 ) and the lower denture ( 38 ) are moved by each other, characterized in that the spring ( 5 ) is made of titanium or a titanium alloy, in particular of titanium 6-aluminum 4-vanadium. Denture stabilizer ( 1 ), with two arms ( 2 . 3 ) is provided, which together by means of a hinge connection ( 4 ) and with an upper dental prosthesis ( 37 ) and a lower dental prosthesis ( 38 ) coupled to each other, one spring ( 5 ) at the articulated connection ( 4 ), with which the upper dental prosthesis ( 37 ) and the lower denture ( 38 ) are moved by each other, characterized in that the spring ( 5 ) through a silicone cover ( 41 ) is covered. Denture stabilizer ( 1 ) according to claims 1 and 2. Denture stabilizer ( 1 ) according to claims 1 and 3. Denture stabilizer ( 1 ) according to claims 2 and 3. Denture stabilizer ( 1 ) according to claims 3 and 4. Denture stabilizer ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the end of each arm a round recess ( 39 . 40 ) is provided. Prosthesis stabilizer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two arms ( 2 . 3 ) are telescopically configured in the shape of a bent distal end ( 6 . 7 ) the feather ( 5 ). Denture stabilizer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bent distal end ( 7 ) the feather ( 5 ), that for the lower dental prosthesis ( 38 ) and the accompanying leadership ( 9 ) have a radius of curvature (B) which corresponds to the radius of curvature (B) of the set of teeth (A) of the set of teeth (B). 28 ) corresponds to the person for whom the denture ( 36 ) is determined. Denture stabilizer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the curved distal end ( 7 ) the feather ( 5 ), for the upper dental prosthesis ( 37 ) and the accompanying leadership ( 8th ) have a radius of curvature (G) equal to the difference in the distance (G) between the hinge joint 33 ) of the denture stabilizer ( 1 ) and the jaw point ( 29 ) of the person for whom the denture ( 36 ) is determined. Prosthesis stabilizer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joint ( 4 ) and the spring ( 5 ) of a capsule ( 16 ) are surrounded. Prosthesis stabilizer according to claim 12, characterized in that the guides ( 8th . 9 ) at their free ends ( 10 . 11 ) and that the capsule ( 16 ) over the other open ends ( 12 . 13 ) of the guides ( 8th . 9 ) is fixed. Prosthesis stabilizer according to claim 13, characterized in that the guides ( 8th . 9 ) Part of the capsule ( 16 ) are. Denture stabilizer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring ( 5 ) is a double spring consisting of two coil springs ( 17 . 18 ), each on an intermediate plate ( 22 ) with a far end ( 20 . 21 ) are fixed. Prosthesis stabilizer according to claim 15, characterized in that the Spriralfedern ( 17 . 18 ) on both sides of this intermediate plate ( 22 ) are provided. Prosthesis stabilizer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, the joint ( 4 ) of the denture stabilizer ( 1 ) in the order of a tooth ( 27 ). Denture ( 36 ) consisting of its upper denture ( 37 ) and a lower dental prosthesis ( 38 ) with a denture stabilizer and preferably with two denture stabilizers ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joint ( 33 ) of the denture stabilizer ( 1 ) in a closed position of the dental prosthesis ( 36 ) is disposed approximately in the specular curve (A).

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