Detent device for a removable dental prosthesis

Abstract

A detent device for removably securing a dental prosthesis in a patient's mouth, having a spring loaded plunger movably disposed in an externally threaded tubular member with an end portion of the plunger projecting outwardly therefrom. A positioning spring member is enclosed in the dental prosthesis for determining the location of the tubular member therein, and for receiving the threads of the tubular member for retention thereof in the dental prosthesis. An externally threaded plug member is engaged in the spring member when the dental prosthesis is being formed to provide an internally threaded opening in the dental prosthesis for receiving the threaded tubular member after the plug member is removed from the dental prosthesis. A dental tool engages a front portion of the tubular member for threading the tubular member into the dental prosthesis to a selected position therein. A longitudinally extending slot is provided across the threads of the tubular member to receive an adhesive for securing the tubular member in the selected position. A recess is provided in a natural tooth of the patient for receiving the plunger therein to removably secure the dental prosthesis in the patient's mouth.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.