Adjustable dental impression tray and methods for using same
OwnerGregory C. Skinnerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An adjustable dental impression tray includes a first and second arcuate member movably attached at a proximal end of each arcuate member. The adjustable dental impression tray includes a handle to facilitate removal of the tray from a person's mouth. The dental impression tray also includes an adjustment mechanism which allows the user to position the first arcuate member relative to the second arcuate member to form a U-shaped channel which approximates the patients dentition. The dental impression is further configured with a locking member to receive and retain impression material into the tray.
Claims33
An adjustable dental impression tray, comprising:
- a first arcuate member having an outer wall and an opening, wherein said outer wall comprises at least one notch formed along a length thereof;
- a second arcuate member configured to selectively engage said first arcuate member, said second arcuate member having an outer wall, wherein said outer wall comprises at least one notch formed along a length thereof;
- a fastener member monolithically formed as part of the second arcuate member;
- said arcuate members forming a channel adapted to receive a quantity of impression material;
- and
- an adjustment mechanism for selectively adjusting said first arcuate member in at least one fixed position relative to said second arcuate member, wherein said fastener member of said second arcuate member is configured to selectively engage said opening of said first arcuate member to provide adjustable securement of the first arcuate member relative to the second arcuate member to define a width of said dental impression tray.
An adjustable dental impression tray, comprising:
- a first arcuate member having an outer wall and an opening, wherein said outer wall comprises at least one notch along a length thereof;
- a second arcuate member configured to selectively engage said first arcuate member, said second arcuate member having an outer wall, wherein said outer wall comprises at least one notch formed along a length thereof;
- a fastener member monolithically formed as part of the second arcuate member;
- said arcuate members forming a channel adapted to receive a quantity of impression material;
- an adjustment mechanism for selectively adjusting said first arcuate member in at least one fixed position relative to said second arcuate member, wherein said fastener member of the second arcuate member is configured to selectively engage said opening of the first arcuate member to provide adjustable securement of the first arcuate member relative to the second arcuate member to define a width of said dental impression tray;
- and
- a handle monolithically formed with said first arcuate member.
A method of using an adjustable dental impression tray, said method comprising the steps of:
- selecting a dental impression tray having a first arcuate member and a second arcuate member, said second arcuate member having an opening selectively engaging a post monolithically formed as part of said first arcuate member to form a channel for receiving impression material;
- approximating a dentition;
- selectively adjusting said first arcuate member relative to the second acuate member such that said channel approximates said dentition;
- selectively adjusting a length of at least one of said arcuate members;
- introducing an amount of said impression material into said channel;
- positioning said channel in relation to said dentition;
- allowing said impression material to at least partially set;
- and
- removing said impression tray from engagement with said dentition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.