Device for holding an abutment

A tweezer-like device for holding a dental abutment having a central axis, the device comprising:

• a substantially identical first and second member each having a joined end and a free end, the members being disposed in a V-like configuration with the joined ends interconnected and the free ends spaced apart such that when the members are urged towards one another, the free ends are urged into contact;
• each of the members further having:
• a handle portion including the joined end, the handle portion extending in a first direction,
• a junction segment joined to the handle portion and extending in a second direction which is at an angle to the first direction, and
• a grip segment having a first end joined to the junction segment and a second end configured to grip the dental abutment through cooperative action with the second end of the grip segment of the other member, the grip segment extending in a third direction which is at an angle to the second direction;
• wherein the angle between the first direction and the second direction is in the range of 70 to 110 degrees and the angle between the second direction and the third direction is in the range of 70 to 110 degrees;
• a locking device operable to selectively retain the first and second members in a position such that the free ends are in contact, the locking device comprising a locking arm extending from the first member and having a locking end with a detent defined thereon, the second member having an opening defined therein, the locking arm configured such that the locking end passes through the opening when the members are urged toward one another and the detent engages the opening in the second member to retain the free ends of the members in contact;
• and
• a travel limiter disposed on the first member and an alignment hole defined in the second member, the travel limiter comprising a protrusion extending from the first member towards the second member and an alignment pin defined on the protrusion in alignment with the alignment hole such that when the first and second members are urged towards one another, the protrusion contacts the second memeber and the alignment pin enters the alignment hole, wherein the travel limiter limits the travel of the first and second members towards one another.

A tweezer-like device for holding a dental abutment having a central axis, the device comprising:

• a substantially identical first and second member each having a joined end and a free end, the members being disposed in a V-like configuration with the joined ends interconnected and the free ends spaced apart such that when the members are urged towards one another, the free ends are urged into contact;
• each of the members further having:
• a handle portion including the joined end and having an opposite end;
• the handle extending in a first direction between the joined and opposite ends,
• a junction segment joined to the opposite end of the handle portion and extending in a second direction, and
• a grip segment having a first end joined to the junction segment and a second end configured to grip the dental abutment through cooperative action with the second end of the grip segment of the other member, the grip segment extending in a third direction;
• wherein a handle plane is defined by the joined ends and opposite ends of the handle, a junction plane is defined by the junction segments, and a grip plane is defined by the grip segments, the junction plane being at an angle of 70 to 110 degrees to the handle plane and the grip plane being at an angle of 70 to 110 degrees to the junction plane;
• and
• a locking device operable to selectively retain the first and second members in a position such that the free ends are in contact, the locking device comprising a locking arm extending from the first member and having a locking end with a detent defined thereon, the second member having an opening defined therein, the locking arm configured such that the locking end passes through the opening when the members are urged toward one another and the detent engages the opening in the second member to retain the free ends of the members in contact.

A tweezer-like device for holding a dental abutment having a central axis, the device comprising:

• a substantially identical first and second member each having a joined end and a free end, the members being disposed in a V-like configuration with the joined ends interconnected and the free ends spaced apart such that when the members are urged towards one another, the free ends are urged into contact;
• each of the members further having a handle portion including the joined end, and an offset gripping portion;
• the gripping portion of each member having a junction segment joined to the handle portion and forming an interior angle in the range of 70 to 110 degrees with the handle portion, the gripping portion further having a grip segment having a first end joined to the junction segment, a main portion including the first end, a second end, and a mid-portion adjacent the second end and disposed between the main portion and the second end, the main portion of the grip segment forming an interior angle in the range of 70 to 110 degrees with the junction segment, the second end of the grip segment configured to grip the dental abutment through cooperative action with the second end of the grip segment of the other member such that the central axis of the dental abutment is retained at an angle in the range of 60 to 90 degrees to the handle portion;
• and
• a locking device operable to selectively retain the first and second members in a position such that the free ends are in contact, the locking device comprising a locking arm extending from the first member and selectively engaging the second member.