Means for use between a dental prosthesis and a jaw/palate
The invention relates to a means for use between a dental prosthesis and a jaw/palate.
Such a means is known from practice and is used for stabilizing a bottom or upper denture in the oral cavity. Such a known means usually takes the form of an adhesive paste. It is also known to stabilize a bottom or upper denture in the oral cavity by means of a good fit . However, due to the jaw undergoing change and/or becoming deformed, a good fit cannot be sustained for long. Due to lack of underpressure, which is required to keep the prosthesis in place, the fit of the dentures will deteriorate. Hence, until now an adhesive paste was often used.
The drawback of using adhesive paste is that said adhesive paste may cause problems with cleaning the dental prosthesis, as rests of the adhesive paste may stay behind on the prosthesis. Also, after removing the dental prosthesis, rests of the adhesive paste may stay behind on the palate, which feels very unpleasant. Another drawback of the prior art means is that there is no relief for the pressure points that have developed due to the jaw's changing or growing deformed.
It is the object of the present invention to remove the above drawbacks . In accordance with the invention this objective is realized by using a means for use between a dental prosthesis and the jaw, wherein the means is a thin, flexible film made from a non-toxic material .
Surprisingly it has been found that the means according to the invention prevents or relieves painful pressure points.
A further advantage of the means according to the invention is that it levels the bearing surface for the dental prosthesis and that in addition a underpressure is
created that keeps the prosthesis in place.
By filling up spaces between jaw and prosthesis, the means according to the invention also prevents food rests accumulating between jaw and prosthesis. A further advantage of the means according to the invention is that the means will stimulate the oral tissue, thereby promoting healing after dental surgery or extraction. In addition, the means according to the invention eliminates the "numb feeling" experienced after dental surgery or extraction.
It has also been found that the means according to the invention fills up the "incision" if present (the incision being the space formed due to the gum in the upper denture above the teeth, and in the bottom denture below the teeth receding. This again prevents the occurrence of painful pressure points, while improving the adhesion of the prosthesis to the jaw/palate.
Moreover, the means according to the invention can in practice easily be cleaned and replaced. Generally speaking, the film may be produced from any non-toxic, non-allergenic and non-irritating material, although the non-toxic material is preferably plastic.
An example of a useful plastic is polyethene, but also a softer plastic such as silicones, latex, etc. The outside of the film may optionally be provided with a bactericide, in order to prevent an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Usually the plastic chosen will be neutral with respect to taste, however, the film may also be provided with, for example, a fresh minty taste. The plastic, or the material in general, may also be provided with a moulded structure such as ridges.
Conform a preferred embodiment of the means according to the invention the film is double-walled.
This further augments the effect of pressure relief, levelling and pain-reduction of the means.
Conform another embodiment of the means according to the invention, the wall of the double-walled film that is directed toward the jaw, is perforated.
This stimulates the oral tissue. Conform a further preferred embodiment of the means according to the invention, the film is filled with a non-toxic fluid, preferably a fluid selected from the group consisting of air, gel, oil, fat, wax (e.g. beeswax) , emulsion, paste, a powder suspended in liquid, or a mixture of these.
The inclusion of a fluid in the film of the means according to the invention creates a kind of cushion that is able to follow the shape of the space between jaw and prosthesis. In this way the space is filled up completely or partially without the fluid coming into contact with the saliva or the oral tissue, creating a underpressure that keeps the prosthesis in place. In addition, the inclusion of the fluid optimizes the effect of pressure relief and of levelling out the pressure.
Conform one embodiment of the means according to the invention, the shape of the film is substantially a rounded semicircle. This endows the means with a shape that is very suitable for use between a dental prosthesis and the upper jaw. The means according to the invention may, of course, also have a different shape to suit the user such as, for example, an oval shape . Conform another embodiment of the means according to the invention, the shape of the film is a substantially rounded flat horseshoe.
This makes the means according to the invention suitable for use between a dental prosthesis and the bottom jaw.
If desired, the film may be provided at the side directed toward the dental prosthesis with means for fixing the same to the dental prosthesis. The fixing means is preferably an adhesive strip, which strip may have any desired width. However, other fixing means such as, for example, glue may also be used.
The thickness of the means according to the invention may in principle cover a wide range, preferably
however, the means ranges in thickness from 0.01 to 5.0 mm, more preferably the means ranges in thickness from 0.02 to 3.0 mm. The means according to the invention may have a uniform thickness, but may also be divided into sections of different thicknesses.
If desired, the means according to the invention may be slightly preformed in order to fill out even better. The means may further be embodied as a "disposable version" for single use, or in contrast, as a permanent embodiment. In general the permanent embodiment will be fabricated to be more durable.
The present invention also relates to a dental prosthesis provided with the means according to the invention. Hereinbelow the present invention will be illustrated with reference to a description of the Figures . Shown is in
- Figure 1, a top view of the means according to the invention suitable for use between a dental prosthesis and the top jaw;
- Figure 2, a top view of the means according to the present invention suitable for use between a dental prosthesis and the bottom jaw; and
- Figure 3, a cross-sectional front view of the means according to the invention, wherein the means is a double-walled, film with a filling.
Figure 1 shows a means 1 for use between a dental prosthesis (not shown) and a top jaw (not shown) . The means is a thin flexible film made from a non-toxic material such as, for example, polyethylene. The shape of the means 1 is substantially a rounded semicircle, which in use provides a good fit between prosthesis and top jaw.
The exact dimensions of the means 1 will, of course, depend on the dimensions of the user's oral cavity. Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of Figure
1, wherein the means 1 according to Figure 2 is suitable for use between a dental prosthesis and the bottom jaw. The shape of the means 1 is a substantially rounded flat
horseshoe, which in use provides a good fit between prosthesis and bottom jaw.
Figure 3 shows a double-walled film 1, wherein the film is filled with a non-toxic fluid 2 such as, for example, air, oil, fat, wax (e.g. beeswax), emulsion, paste, and powder suspended in liquid, or a mixture of these. The film has a thickness of 0.02 mm as illustrated by the distance 3 - 3 ' . In use, the fluid, for example gel, may be displaced to localities exhibiting spaces between prosthesis and jaw/palate. In this way the pressure on the jaw is distributed more evenly. In addition, the underpressure thus created holds the prosthesis in place.
The present invention is not limited to the above- described embodiments, but may be varied in numerous ways, all deemed within the scope of the appended claims.