System for forming dental impressions
OwnerGeorge S. Mayweatherinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A block member is selectively positioned on a dental impression tray with an outer engagement surface of the block member in engagement with the tray portion defining a lingual recess to block entry of plaster or other casting material into the lingual recess.
Claims12
A device for use with a dental impression tray having a tray top, a tray bottom and a tray portion defining a lingual recess to block entry of plaster or other casting material into the lingual recess when a cast is being made in the dental impression tray, said device comprising a block member including an outer engagement surface, said block member being selectively positionable in the lingual recess of a dental impression tray with the outer engagement surface thereof in engagement with the tray portion defining the lingual recess or removable from the lingual recess, said block member being of a size and configuration to be releasably retained in the lingual recess due to engagement between said dental impression tray and said block member, said block member being of unitary and compressible construction and said block member including a primary block member segment having said outer engagement surface, said outer engagement surface being curved, and a secondary block member segment attached to said primary block member segment and including an outwardly projecting lip extending beyond said outer engagement surface and positioned over said tray top when said block member is releasably retained in the lingual recess due to frictional engagement between said dental impression tray and said block member.
In combination:
- a dental impression tray having a tray top, a tray bottom and a tray portion defining a lingual recess;
- and
- a device for blocking entry of plaster or other casting material into the lingual recess of the dental impression tray when a cast is being made in the dental impression tray, said device comprising a block member having an outer engagement surface, said block member being at least partially formed of compressible material and releasably retained in the lingual recess due to engagement between said dental impression tray and said block member with the outer engagement surface of said block member sealingly engaging said dental impression tray at said lingual recess, said block member including an outwardly projecting lip disposed above said outer engagement surface engaging said tray top or teeth impression material in the tray.
A method of forming a dental cast, said method comprising the steps of:
- taking an impression of an individual's teeth by pressing the teeth into impression material disposed in a dental impression tray having a tray top, a tray bottom and a tray portion defining a lingual recess;
- after the step of taking the impression, placing a block member into the lingual recess of said dental impression tray;
- bringing the block member into engagement with the dental impression tray while the block member is in the lingual recess of said dental impression tray;
- during engagement between the block member and the dental impression tray releasably retaining the block member on the dental impression tray due to engagement between said block member and the dental impression tray;
- while said block member is releasably retained on said dental impression tray, forming a cast by filling the impression with casting material;
- employing the block member to block entry of said casting material into the lingual recess of said dental impression tray during the step of forming a cast;
- and
- removing the block member from the dental impression tray after the step of forming a cast, the step of releasably retaining the block member on the dental impression tray being accomplished by applying compressive forces to the block member with the dental impression tray.
In combination:
- a dental tray having a tray top, a tray bottom and a tray portion defining a lingual recess;
- a device for blocking entry of the plaster or other casting material into the lingual recess of the dental impression tray, said device comprising a block member being at least partially formed of compressible material and releasably retained in the lingual recess due to engagement between dental impression tray and said block member, with the outer surface of said block member sealingly engaging said dental impression tray at said lingual recess;
- and
- a mounting post for mounting the dental impression tray and the block member at a predetermined location, said block member defining a mounting hole for receiving the mounting post.
A device for use with a dental impression tray having a tray top, a tray bottom and a tray portion defining a lingual recess to block entry of plaster or other casting material into the lingual recess when a cast is being made in the dental impression tray, said device comprising a block member including an outer engagement surface, said block member being selectively positionable in the lingual recess of a dental impression tray with the outer engagement surface thereof in engagement with the tray portion defining the lingual recess or removable from the lingual recess, said block member being of a size and configuration to be releasably retained in the lingual recess due to engagement between said dental impression tray and said block member, said block member being of unitary and compressible construction and formed of foam material.
A device for use with a dental impression tray having a tray top, a tray bottom and a tray portion defining a lingual recess to block entry of plaster or other casting material into the lingual recess when a cast is being made in the dental impression tray, said device comprising a block member including an outer engagement surface, said block member being selectively positionable in the lingual recess of a dental impression tray with the outer engagement surface thereof in engagement with the tray portion defining the lingual recess or removable from the lingual recess, said block member being of a size and configuration to be releasably retained in the lingual recess due to engagement between said dental impression tray and said block member, said block member defining a mounting hole for mounting the block member and a dental impression tray connected thereto on a mounting post.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.