System and Method for Making Dental/Medical Devices Using Patient Mouth as Articulator

Abstract

Creating a replacement tooth or set of teeth by using the patient's mouth as an intra-oral articulator. Also, a medical appliance can be created by using the patient's mouth as an intra-oral articulator. A mechanism is fitted within the patient's mouth which can hold one or more replaceable teeth. The dentist adjusts the size, color, location and placement of the teeth within the patient's mouth until a best fit is achieved. Then, the device, with the artificial and temporary teeth secured thereto, is further processed into a final replacement tooth (teeth). Also, the present system can be used for any dental or medical appliance in or about the mouth, i.e., using the mouth of the patient as the intra-oral articulator will result in superior results.

Claims

1. A set of dental devices for use in creating a dental appliance for the mouth of a patient comprising a palatal member shaped to the general shape of the palatal arch of a patient, a lower tray shaped to the general shape of the lower gums of the patient and further comprising a temporary tooth-holding mechanism for temporarily holding one or more artificial teeth to one or more of the palatal member and the lower tray, to achieve a best fit of temporary teeth according to dental principles, thus using the patient's own mouth as a mechanical articulator prior to finalization of the dental appliance.

2. A set of dental devices as claimed in claim 1 wherein said system is further comprised of a set of temporary teeth of any one or more differing colors, shapes, or sizes.

3. A set of dental devices as claimed in claim 1 wherein either or both of said palatal member or said lower tray are intended for one time use.

4. A set of dental devices as claimed in claim 2 wherein said temporary teeth are intended for one time use.

5. A system for creating artificial teeth for a patient using the patient's mouth as an intra-oral articulator comprising: a lower dental tray for creating an impression of the patient's lower gum ridge of the patient's mouth; an upper dental tray for creating an impression of at least a portion of the patient's upper mouth portion including the palatal arch; and a tooth-holding mechanism for temporary and replaceable, secured holding of one or more artificial teeth thereon.

6. A system for creating artificial teeth for a patient as claimed in claim 5 further comprising: a set of one or more artificial teeth comprised of one or more differing color, shape, and/or size each having a mechanical securement device for temporarily and replaceable securing said artificial teeth onto said tooth-holding mechanism.

7. A system as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a thin-profile, arc-shaped, occlusal plane capable of being held outside the patient's mouth for selectively securement to and removal from said tooth-holding mechanism.

8. A method of creating at least one final dental replacement tooth for the upper and/or lower mouth of a patient, while using the patient's mouth as an intra-oral articulator for placement of said tooth (teeth) thereon prior to forming said artificial tooth (teeth) into a final dental replacement tooth comprising: a) providing a device within the patient's mouth with an artificial tooth-holding mechanism; b) replaceably providing one or more artificial teeth with a holding means for temporary and then locked securement to said tooth-holding mechanism; c) placing one or more of said artificial teeth onto said tooth-holding mechanism and adjusting the same according to dental principles; and then; d) locking said artificial teeth in position on said tooth-holding mechanism and removing from the patient's mouth said device and said artificial tooth (teeth) for further processing into finished a final dental replacement tooth (teeth).

9. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein said further processing includes the step of 3 D printing.

10. A method of making a dental/medical appliance for the mouth of a patient comprising the steps: a) providing a mechanical device sized for placement in the mouth of the patient; b) providing a mechanism for holding one or more temporary and replaceable components to said mechanical device within the patient's mouth; d) using the patient's mouth as an intra-oral articulator for determining a best fit of the temporary and replaceable components; e) removing the mechanical device from the patient's mouth; and f) further processing to form a final version of the dental/medical appliance.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein said further processing comprises the use of 3 D printing.

12. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein said mechanical device is intended for one time use.

13. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein said dental/medical appliance is selected from the group consisting of a tooth, a bridge, an implantable tooth, a set of teeth, a set of dentures.

14. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein said temporary and replaceable components comprise a set of teeth with differing sizes, shapes, and/or colors.

15. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein said mechanism for holding comprises the mechanical cooperation of a vertical set of ribs on said mechanism for holding and wax on the rear of said temporary and replaceable components.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] Description will now be given of the invention with reference to the preferred use of the same in connection with creation of dentures. The devices shown and described in the first US Patent identified above and then the disposable set of impression trays shown and described in the second issued US Patent to the same inventor are merely the currently considered best mode for accomplishing the desired end goal—a set of dentures for a patient, using the patients' own mouth as an actual articulator.

[0021] The present invention was taught and described in both of the issued and above referred to US Patents of the same inventor. It should be understood that these figures are exemplary in nature and in no way serve to limit the scope of the invention as the invention will be defined by the claims herein, as interpreted by the Courts in an issued US Patent.

[0022] The present invention concerns the concept or method for preparing a set of devices, whether dentures, teeth, implants, bridges, or other medical appliances, by using the patient's own mouth as the articulator.

[0023] The system and method contemplates placement of a device in the patient's mouth which will hold in relative place one or more teeth (or another article). When the teeth or other article is located in position, in terms of its size, placement, color, shape, with respect to the other teeth and the patient's mouth, the same is secured in place. Then, the holder and the teeth (or mouth appliance) is removed. Then, further processing by 3D printing, scanning, manufacturing, molding, CAD-CAM, dental lab processing is done to form the final version of the product. In some situations, the temporary mixed and matched components, held to the device in the mouth, can secure the components together so that no further final processing is required. But, again, the invention contemplates the use of the patient's own mouth as the “testing ground” or in the case of dentures, an intraoral articulator, for a better fit and to produce a superior end product.

[0024] It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular feature or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.