Apparatus and methods of making denture devices
AssigneeJames R. Glidwell Dental Ceramics, Inc.
InventorsDavid Morales, Gilbert A. Rivera, Nhung Tieu Truong
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present application describes a method for designing and manufacturing a denture device for a patient. A method is described for designing a virtual denture and manufacturing a functional fitting replica denture from the virtual denture. An apparatus comprising a functional fitting replica denture is prepared having denture teeth having a fit substantially similar to the final denture. The methods and apparatus described herein reduce the number of visits required to manufacture the final denture.
Claims20
A denture device comprising
- a first portion comprising a physical model of a denture that fits securely in the mouth of a patient comprising a first material, comprising
- first and second posterior teeth regions,
- a gap between the posterior teeth regions corresponding to an anterior teeth region;
- and
- an anterior gingival region adjacent the gap;
- and
- a second portion comprising a second material that is different from the first material, that at least partially fills the gap in the physical model and forms a gingival region;
- and
- a plurality of anterior denture teeth positioned in the gap, each of the denture teeth comprising a portion that is embedded in the second material.
A denture device comprising
- a physical model of a denture that fits securely in the mouth of a patient, comprised of a first material comprising
- lingual and buccal gingival regions and a ridge between the gingival regions;
- one or more denture teeth adjacent the ridge of the physical model;
- and
- a formable, second material that abuts the ridge, and a portion of the tooth of the one or more denture teeth that is adjacent the ridge is embedded in the formable material, and the formable material replicates a portion of the patient's gingival architecture.
A denture device comprising
- a physical model of a denture that fits securely in the mouth of a patient comprised of a first material that comprises
- anterior and posterior teeth regions,
- a gingival region adjacent the teeth regions that substantially replicates a portion of the patient's gingival architecture, and
- a portion of the gingival region comprising a gingival indentation;
- and
- a formable, second material introduced in the gingival indentation, having a structure that replicates a portion of the patient's gingival architecture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.