Preloaded thermoplastic dental impression tray
AssigneeMinnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
InventorsJoel D. Oxman, F. Andrew Ubel, III, Lani S. Kangas, Todd R. Williams
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A preloaded impression tray (5a), comprising a thermoplastic impression material (7) at least partially enveloped by a shell (1a), the thermoplastic impression material being a plasticized solid and having: (i) a softening point that comfortably can be withstood by oral tissues, (ii) sufficient depth in the shell and fluidity when softened to conform accurately to adult dentition and the gingival margin, and (iii) sufficient strength and flexibility when resolidified in the mouth to permit removal of the impression material from teeth without tearing or undesirable distortion.
Claims13
A method for preparing a dental model using a preloaded impression tray, comprising the steps of:
- (a) heating a thermoplastic impression material in the tray until the material melts or softens, the material being a solid at 38.degree. C. and having:
- (i) a softening point that comfortably can be withstood by oral tissues,
- (ii) sufficient depth in the tray and fluidity when softened to conform accurately to adult dentition and the gingival margin, and
- (iii) sufficient flexibility when resolidified in the mouth to permit removal of the impression material from teeth without tearing or undesirable distortion;
- and, after a dental impression has been taken using the tray;
- (b) pouring a modeling compound into the impression to form a dental model.
A preloaded impression tray comprising a thermoplastic impression material at least partially enveloped by a shell, the thermoplastic impression material being a plasticized solid and having:
- (i) a softening point that comfortably can be withstood by oral tissues,
- (ii) sufficient depth in the shell and fluidity when softened to conform accurately to adult dentition and the gingival margin, and
- (iii) sufficient strength and flexibility when resolidified in the mouth to permit removal of the impression material from teeth without tearing or undesirable distortion, wherein the impression material has a modified consistency disk value greater than 21.
A preloaded impression tray comprising a thermoplastic impression material at least partially enveloped by a shell, the thermoplastic impression material being a plasticized solid and having:
- (i) a softening point that comfortably can be withstood by oral tissues,
- (ii) sufficient depth in the shell and fluidity when softened to conform accurately to adult dentition and the gingival margin, and
- (iii) sufficient strength and flexibility when resolidified in the mouth to permit removal of the impression material from teeth without tearing or undesirable distortion, wherein the impression material comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer or segmented polyester, together with a natural or synthetic plasticizer, further comprising a polymerizable resin and a photoinitiator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.