Method for removing a dental crown and apparatus therefor

A method for disintegrating the cement which adheres a crown to a tooth thereby loosening the crown for removal comprising the steps of:

• proving an adjustable clamp, wherein said clamp has two legs, one leg having a piezoelectric device comprising an elongated metal bar and having opposing flat surfaces, at least two of said opposing flat surfaces having piezoelectric crystals adhesively secured thereto, said metal bar terminating in a truncated cone, said truncated cone being covered by a first malleable shield;
• said other leg being an anvil which is covered by a second malleable shield whereby the said crown that is to be loosened is between said first shield and said second shield and said shields are in abutment with opposite sides of said crown when said device is being employed;
• activating said piezoelectric device to impinge lateral strokes through said first shield against said crown whereby said first shield and said second shields are work hardened;
• controlling the lateral strokes of the piezoelectric device whereby lateral motion imparted to said crown is less than 10 microns, whereby causing a disintegration of the cement to occur at said cap to which the piezoelectric device impinges;
• permitting the said disintegration to extend to the other side of the crown while continuing the activation of the piezoelectric device until the crown is completely loosened;
• thereafter removing said crown.