Denture retention
AssigneeThe University of Sydney
InventorBarrie R. D. Gillings
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A denture is fitted with a U-shaped magnet element which provides for enhanced denture retention by coupling magnetically with a magnetizable element which is located in a decoronated tooth or dental implant in the mouth of a person to whom the denture is fitted. The magnet element is substantially totally enclosed within a base of the denture but pole caps are mounted to respective pole faces of the magnet element and are exposed to engage in abutting contact with the magnetizable element. The pole caps are formed from ferro-magnetic stainless steel and function to protect the magnet element from chemical attack and/or mechanical damage in the oral environment.
Claims6
A denture comprising a base having a gum tissue conforming surface, at least one artificial tooth mounted to the base, and at least one magnet element located in the base;
- the magnet element comprising a generally U-shaped magnet of strongly magnetic material and having spaced-apart pole faces which are disposed in a common plane, the magnet element being substantially totally enclosed within the denture base and having very thin pole caps located on the respective pole faces thereof, the pole caps being exposed at the tissue conforming surface of the denture base for engaging in abutting contact with a magnetisable element when the denture is fitted to a wearer, and the pole caps being formed from a material which exhibits magnetic permeability and which is substantially resistant to corrosion by oral juices.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.