Dentistry technique
AssigneeVishay Intertechnology, Inc.
InventorsMircea Arcan, Benedict Heinrich
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Qualitative as well as quantitative evaluation of bite characteristics is performed by subjecting to bite forces pieces of material which exhibits photoelastic memory and studying the resulting impression with a polariscope. A permanent record can also be obtained.
Claims58
A method of examining and determining the characteristics of a set of teeth and especially of human teeth, comprising
- placing between the teeth to be examined at least one strip-like segment of a material which is not completely elastic (i.e. elasto-plastic), optically isotropic and exhibiting mechanical birefringence (i.e. stress birefringence),
- bringing the jaws which hold the teeth to be examined to bear under pressure against the strip-like segment,
- removing the strip-like segment deformed by the teeth to be examined, and
- studying the impressions formed within the strip-like segment under polarized light.
A piece of material for use in examining and evaluating the bite of opposed teeth or sets of teeth, by first placing a piece of material between said teeth or sets of teeth, causing the arches to close upon said material and impress therein a pattern of the bite, and subjecting the resulting patterned material to polariscopic observation, the said piece of material comprising
- at least one layer of a substance of a size and shape to be placed in the mouth between the arches of teeth and which develops under the conditions of the bite residual photomemory that persists after the bite.
The piece of carbon-like 37 wherein the light reflective material is an aluminum coating.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.