EP1871278A2

EP1871278A2 - Articulator

Info

Publication number: EP1871278A2
Application number: EP06727885A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jürgen Amann
Original assignee: AMANN GIRRBACH GmbH; Amann Girrbach AG
Current assignee: Amann Girrbach AG
Priority date: 2005-04-11
Filing date: 2006-04-11
Publication date: 2008-01-02
Also published as: WO2006109247A3; DE102005016741A1; WO2006109247A2; US20090220927A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an articulator comprising supports (4), between a planar upper piece (1) (with a front tooth guide pin (2) embodied at the front end) and a planar lower piece (3) parallel thereto, which support the upper piece (1) and which may be supported by means of a support surface (4a, 4b) in the region of a lower end on a base. At least a part of the supports (4) are made from a carbon material.

Description

ARTICULATOR

The invention relates to an articulator with itself between a flat top with an insertable at the front end anterior guide pin, and an approximately parallel, flat lower part extending supports with an upper end which supports the upper part, and with a support surface in the region of a lower end to a Pad are supportable.

Articulators of this type are on the market and have generally been well proven. As is well known, an articulator is a motion simulator or model for simulating the chewing and closing movement of the human jaw to replicate the rows of teeth of the maxilla and mandible. This of course implies that the articulator can be placed and set up in different positions, for example with the top down and vice versa, or at a certain angular position (e.g., 45%) to have better access to the front end. All in all, when using an articulator, much manipulation is needed. Another requirement is that the articulator must be relatively rigid and stable in order to comply with the found settings and dimensions and to deliver as precise a result as possible.

The invention is based on the object to facilitate the handling, and this is done according to the invention in that at least part of the supports consists of a carbon material. It has been shown that only such a material - apart from the previously used metal - on the one hand to meet the above requirement and on the other hand facilitates the handling of setting it up in different positions by a significant reduction in the weight of the articulator. In addition, this choice of material also makes it possible to dispense with a coating (possibly apart from a clearcoat film), which leads to lower costs.

A particularly simple handling results if, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the supports have a first support section extending substantially along the lower part, with a first support surface and a second support section extending away from the front end at a second angle deviating from 90.degree. have an angle to the first engaging bearing surface, which is followed by a support section for the upper part. This unusual shape allows a more stable positioning of the articulator at an angle and also makes it easier by the fact that it is no longer necessary to secure this angle, for example by attaching or pulling support pins or other support geometries, as in the prior art so easy another, more stable bearing surface is created. Although this is of particular advantage when using carbon material, it should be understood that this form also offers an advantage when using metal and therefore represents an invention independent of the material used.

A problem with articulators is that about a tooth cast of a jaw, such as the lower jaw, must be removed again and again, in which manipulation, if necessary, the surface of the articulator can even be damaged. Of course, this is particularly tricky when using carbon material. Therefore, according to the invention, it is preferably provided that a base plate, preferably adjustable, detachably fastened, eg screwed, is on the upper part and / or on the lower part, preferably on the first support portion, to which a jaw plate, in particular a lower jaw plate, can be detachably fastened. This allows easier handling and is - despite the obvious advantages especially with carbon material - not necessarily limited to this, but represents another independent inventive idea.

It has already been mentioned above that the dimensional accuracy and durability associated with the rigidity and strength of its construction is of particular importance to an articulator. Therefore, it is preferable to select and use the carbon material so that at least one of the stiffness and strength requirements mentioned in claims 10 to 17 is satisfied with reduced weight compared with the prior art.

In the handling, inter alia, the insertion and setting of the support pin plays a role. Again, the handling can be improved if the upper part of an adjusting screw for the support pin has a enforceable by this rubber plate as a holder. Because in this way the adjustment can be done by means of the adjusting screw, whereas the support pin needs to be inserted only in a central hole of the rubber plate. Again, it is understood that this embodiment would bring advantages even if no carbon material would be used, which is why this construction is a separate invention in itself.

A kind of self-centering of the anterior guide pin results when the lower part has an anterior guide table with a front of the anterior guide pin opposite, approximately funnel-like depression. This can be particularly easily realized in the inventive design using carbon material, but this embodiment could also be applied to designs in conventional metal. Therefore, this inventive idea is independent of the use of carbon material.

If the upper part and / or the lower part is bent with its edges outwards or against the respective base, the result is on the one hand an anatomically favorable access to this area, on the other hand these edges can also be designed as a support surface. It should be noted that this is another concept of the invention, which is indeed closely related to the design of the base and the supports made of carbon material, but on the other hand would be applicable to supports of conventional type and shape.

Further details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of schematically illustrated in the drawings embodiments. It show the:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an articulator according to the invention, the

Fig. 2 shows a slightly different embodiment in a partial side view, the

3 and 4 are sections along the lines III-III and IV-IV of Fig. 2, and

5 shows a section along the line V-V of Fig. 2nd

1, an articulator with a substantially flat top 1 with an insertable at the front end anterior guide pin 2 and a parallel to the upper part 1, flat lower part 3 is shown. Between upper part 1 and lower part 3 extend supports 4, which were formed approximately columnar vertically in the prior art. In contrast to this prior art, the supports 4 have a first support section 4 'running substantially along the lower part 3, with a first bearing surface 4a, 4b and an angle a which deviates from this at a 90 ° angle extending from the front end with the anterior guide pin 2 away second support portion 4 "with a second, an angle to the first engaging support surface 4c, to which a support portion 4"'for the upper part 1 connects. As indicated by particular hatching (omitted in FIG. 2), all of these parts 3 and 4 are made of a carbon material, as will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 5. If in the following only the supports 4 is mentioned, but also the entirety of the shape of the lower part 3 and supports 4 is meant. Conceivable, however, would be an embodiment that provides a lower part 3 made of metal and really only the supports 4 made of carbon material. This carbon material advantageously satisfies at least one of the following conditions:

1. The supports 4 have in the region of their ends to such a rigidity that results in a load of 50 N in the region of the respective end a deflection deflection of 0.10 to 0.45 mm (as mentioned, the stiffness is a particularly important criterion ).

2. The supports 4 have, in the region of the upper end supporting the upper part, an adjoining the carbon material, e.g. in the carbon material pressed and / or glued, section 6 (Fig. 1) and 6 '(Fig. 2) made of a metal, preferably a light metal, such as aluminum, on, which improves the Kondylenlagerung. 1 shows an embodiment with an oblique connection surface on the carbon material, whereas FIG. 2 illustrates a straight connection.

3. The supports 4 have a bending strength in the O ° fiber direction of> 1, 5 kN / mm ² .

4. The supports 4 have a flexural modulus in the O ° fiber direction of> 80 kN / mm ² .

5. The supports 4 have an ILS in O ° fiber direction of> 75 N / mm ² .

6. The supports 4 have a tensile strength in the O ° fiber direction of> 1, 3 kN / mm ² .

7. The supports 4 have a tensile modulus in the O ° fiber direction of> 100 kN / mm ² .

8. The supports 4 have a peel strength of> 0.75 N / mm.

It is understood that the function is best assured if at least the majority of these eight conditions, but preferably all eight, are met.

In itself, the angle a can be chosen arbitrarily. In general, however, it will be about 135 ° so that the articulator can be practically tilted at about 45 ° to give better access to the front. In this case, the support surface 4c is formed by bulges of a molded or inserted rubber part 5 (or two rubber parts provided on each bend), so that support points spaced from each other ensure a stable position of the articulator.

In order to define the occlusal plane, it is expedient to provide a marking on the supports 4. This is advantageously realized in the form of a notch 7 in the region of the transition from the second support section 4 "to the support section 4" ', preferably at the beginning of the latter, in particular on the side facing away from the first support surface 4a, 4b.

While in the prior art, the supports 4 were columnar, it is inventively preferred if the first support portion 4 'itself at least partially forms the lower part 3, as is apparent from Figs. 1 and 2.

Now it has already been said above that the support body 4 may be subjected to considerable stresses during handling of the articulator. That's why it is Preferably, when the lower jaw plate 8 (and optionally alternatively or additionally the upper jaw plate 9) is formed in the manner as will now be described with reference to FIG. 2.

The parts supporting the lower jaw plate 8 are exploded. First of all, expediently integrally, a metal mount 10 is accommodated in the first support section 4 '(see also FIG. 5). At this metal frame 10, a base plate 12 is screwed on axially coincident with each other holes 1 1, that it is preferably in a certain by pressed-steel bolt 13 distance from the first support portion 4 '. At this base plate 12, a lower jaw plate 8 can now be slidably and adjustably placed. The adjustment is carried out in a known manner by a detachable connection, e.g. Bonding. In order to facilitate the centering easily, the lower jaw plate 8 (and / or the upper jaw plate 9) with lateral, down to the base plate 12 facing guide edges 18 is provided.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment (Figure 5), the metal frame 10 lies in a, e.g. metal, frame 19 and is held therein form-fitting. The metal frame 19 is inserted and secured with the already mentioned pressed-steel pins 13 in the surrounded by a carbonate shell 20 first support portion 4 '. The remaining spaces 21 and 22 may theoretically be empty, but are preferably filled with foam material. It can be seen particularly from Fig. 1 that the front end of the first support portion 4 'is equipped with two forks, in whose so limited longitudinal slot an anterior guide table 24 used and by means of a, at the same time a foot and the support surface 4b forming screw 25 is attached to to interact with the anterior guide pin 2. It is clear that other types of attachment for the metal frame 10, such as gluing, pouring or baking, are possible.

As can be seen particularly from FIGS. 2 to 4, the anterior guide table 24 is approximately funnel-shaped in its interior, in order to obtain a kind of self-centering for the table 24 and the anterior guide pin 2. Particularly clearly shows the section of Fig. 3 the course of a sagittal plane 27 at a relatively steep angle ß, whereas the section of FIG. 4 shows the much flatter (and to the vertical larger) angle γ of the plane 28 in the transverse direction.

It is used to simplify handling when the support pin 17 (Fig. 1) is inserted into a rubber plate 29, so that a cumbersome screwing is eliminated. This rubber plate 29 can be inserted in an adjusting screw 30, which surrounds it as a socket, or, e.g. be attached by gluing on the top of this screw 30.

Another particular feature of the embodiments shown (FIG. 1) is the upward curvature of the upper part 1, which on the one hand allows better access, on the other hand with the edges of the shell thus formed more bearing surfaces 31 (upside down) creates. On these bearing surfaces 31, in cooperation with the rubber plate 29, the articulator can stand in reverse position to the whole. The other bearing surfaces 31 are preferably - as can be seen - occupied with rubber-elastic material.

Furthermore, an integral formation of the lower part 3 and the supports 4 has been achieved by the use of carbon. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

- upper part - anterior guide pin - lower part - supports ', 4 ", 4"' - support or support section ac - bearing surface - rubber part - section - notch - lower plate / plate - upper plate / upper plate - metal frame / metal frame - holes - base plate - steel stud / Steel pin - Centering disc - Centering disc - Centering hole - Support pin - Guide edge - Frame / metal frame - Carbonate shell - Rooms - Rooms - Anterior guide table / table - Screw - Sagittal plane - Level - Rubber plate - Adjustment screw / screw - Support surface

Claims

claims

1. articulator with itself between a flat upper part (1) with an insertable at the front end anterior guide pin (2), and an approximately parallel, flat lower part (3) extending supports (4) having an upper end, which supports the upper part (1) , and which are supportable with a support surface (4a, 4b) in the region of a lower end to a base, characterized in that at least a part of the supports (4) consists of a carbon material.

2. Articulator according to claim 1, characterized in that the supports (4) extending substantially along the lower part (3) extending first support portion (4 ') with a first bearing surface (4a, 4b) and one at a different from 90 ° Angle extending from the front end second support portion (4 ") having a second, an angle (a) to the first (4a, 4b) engaging support surface (4c), to which a support portion (4" ') for the upper part (1 ).

3. Articulator according to claim 2, characterized in that the deviating angle (a) is greater than 90 °, e.g. about 135 °.

4. Articulator according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the second bearing surface (4c) in each case at the end of the second support portion (4 ") is rubber-elastic.

5. Articulator according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that in the region of the transition from the second support portion (4 ") to the support portion (4" '), preferably at the beginning of the latter, a mark (7) for the occlusal plane, for example a notch, in particular on the first bearing surface (4a, 4b) facing away, is provided.

6. Articulator according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the first support portion (4 ') itself at least partially forms the lower part (3).

7. Articulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the upper part (1) and / or on the lower part (3), preferably on the first support portion (4 '), a base plate (12), preferably adjustable, releasably secured, e.g. screwed, is, on a jaw plate (8), in particular a lower jaw plate, is detachably fastened.

8. Articulator according to claim 7, characterized in that in the

Carbon material existing first support portion (4 ') a metal frame (10) for the base plate (12) integrated, e.g. poured or baked is.

9. Articulator according to claim 8, characterized in that the metal frame (10) in a in the first support portion (4 ') inserted frame (19), which is preferably fixed by means of bolts (13) on the first support portion (4').

10. Articulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supports (4) in the region of their ends have a stiffness such that at a load of 50 N in the region of the respective end of a bending deflection of 0.10 to 0.45 mm results.

1 1. Articulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supports (4) in the region of the upper, the upper part supporting end of a subsequent to the carbon material, for example, pressed into the carbon material and / or glued portion (6, 6 ') of a metal, preferably a light metal, such as aluminum.

12. Articulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supports (4) have a bending strength in the O ° fiber direction of> 1, 5 kN / mm ² .

13. Articulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supports (4) have a flexural modulus in the O ° fiber direction of> 80 kN / mm ² .

14. Articulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supports (4) have an ILS in O ° fiber direction of> 75 N / mm ² .

15. Articulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supports (4) have a tensile strength in the O ° fiber direction of> 1, 3 kN / mm ² .

16. Articulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supports (4) have a tensile modulus in the O ° fiber direction of> 100 kN / mm ² .

17. Articulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supports (4) have a peel strength of> 0.75 N / mm.

18. Articulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper part (1) on an adjusting screw (30) for the support pin (17) has a enforceable by this rubber plate (29) as a holder.

19. Articulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower part (3) has an anterior guide table (24) with a front tooth guide pin (2) opposite, approximately funnel-like recess (27, 28).

20. Articulator according to claim 19, characterized in that the funnel-like recess (27, 28) has a sagittal angle (ß) to a vertical plane which is steeper than the transverse angle (γ).

21. Articulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper part (1) and / or the lower part (3) is bent with its edges (31) to the outside or against the respective pad.

22. Articulator according to claim 21, characterized in that the upper part (1) has at its outwardly bent edges a third bearing surface (31), preferably with a rubber-elastic insert.

23. Articulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower part (3) and the supports (4) are integrally formed.

24. Use of carbon for the one-piece molding according to claim 23.