Abstract:
An instrument to compressively place and bond a restorative covering to the surface of a tooth including a gripping body ( 4 ) with a gently tapered mildly angled neck ( 6 ) having an applicator holder ( 8 ) with an attached compressible applicator with traversing photo cure apertures ( 12 ) to permit the passage of a photo curing light.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     THIS APPLICATION CLAIMS THE BENEFIT OF PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION Ser. No. 60/962,567 FILED 2007 JUL. 30, BY THE PRESENT INVENTER 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable 
     SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention applies to the field of Dentistry to allow for the controlled placement and curing of a dental veneer. 
     2. Prior Art 
     To enhance the esthetic appearance of a tooth, or restore to its anatomical original form it may be necessary to place tooth-like cover or veneer to its facial or outer surface. After the tooth is prepared, an impression of it is sent to a laboratory which fabricates the veneer and returns it to the clinician for insertion into the patient&#39;s mouth. The intended tooth&#39;s surface is then prepared to receive the veneer by being etched and primed. Having done this, a bonding agent is applied to the inner surface of the veneer, which is then placed on the tooth and photo-cured to effect the veneer&#39;s adhesion to the tooth. The placement process presents with a myriad of challenging steps. This is due to the veneer&#39;s innate fragility and size. Typically the clinician will manipulate the veneer for priming and placement with his thumb and index finger. He then places the veneer on to the tooth&#39;s surface positioning as best he can (the veneer has been fabricated to fit in an exact position). Wearing the required latex gloves adds more ergonomic difficulties to an already challenging step. Slippage, mal-placement, and over expression of bonding agents, are just some of the untoward complications which can result from this. Once properly oriented on the tooth, the clinician then exposes the veneer to a curing light to bond it to the tooth. Ideally, it is desirable that upon placement of the veneer, adequate compression be applied as to express excess bonding resin from the periphery of the veneer prior to application of polymerizing light. The preferred sequence of curing is from the center of the veneer outward. Present placement systems, because of their structural design, present with an opaque attachment apparatus which prevents the transfer of the light curing medium, with a subsequent lack of cured resin in the critical central portion of the veneer. This area must be addressed after the removal of the placement device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,654 to Naussbaum, J. William, May 30, 1989 presents a dental prosthesis applicator which has a generally opaque head covered by an adhesive strip. This opacity does not allow for light transference and hence leaves the critical central portion of the veneer uncured with the initial light application. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,902 to Brown, Martin A., Sep. 4, 1990 presents a veneer placement holder that has an opaque adhesively covered transfer member which precludes the transfer of a polymerizing light in the center of the veneer during the initial application. Furthermore this device relies on a sliding plunger to release the veneer when necessary. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,949 to Hill, Sheryl L., Feb. 19, 1991 presents as thin rod which relies on the application of an adhesive globular mass to envelop the veneer in an irregular, unpredictable fashion for the purpose of transfer and placement of the intended object. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,040,981 to Oliva, William E., Aug. 20, 1991 presents as a cylindrical tip attached to an extended rod. The tip is festooned with a plurality of flexible tabs meant to engage the veneer for the placement process. These tabs plus their attachment tip are opaque by nature and therefore interfere with the transfer of a light source and subject the veneering process to potential complications. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,256,064 to Riihimaki, Roy E., Oct. 26, 1993 presents as an applicator with disposable double-sided disposable pads which adhere to the instrument head on one side, and engage the veneer with the other. The instrument head and the double-sided foam pad engage the veneer&#39;s central portion, and being opaque in nature serve to prevent light transference to the critical central portion of the veneer. 
     OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
     Accordingly, several advantages of the present patent application of Brian D. Viscomi for Cure Through Laminate Veneer Applicator are:
         a. Ergonomically contoured to facilitate approach to tooth   b. Permits exact placement of veneer on tooth surface.   c. Allows for compression of veneer onto tooth surface in order to express excess resin.   d. Allows for simultaneous light curing while maintaining the applicator in position.   e. Permits light transference into the critical central portion of the veneer to effect resin cure from the center out.   f. Is disposable.       

     Further objects and advantages are to provide an applicator which is easy to use and is readily disposable, simple to manufacture. Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the present invention, a cure through veneer applicator comprises a an instrument to compressively place and bond a laminate veneer to the surface of a tooth having a gripping body with thereon a compressible body with at least one traversing aperture to permit the passage of a photo curing light during operative bonding of a laminate veneer to a tooth&#39;s surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A to 1D  shows various views of a preferred embodiment for the cure through laminate veneer applicator. 
         FIGS. 2A to 2C  shows various views of a cure through laminate veneer applicator with a cure through aperture formed into the applicator holder&#39;s back side. 
         FIGS. 3A to 3D  show various views of a cure through laminate veneer applicator with double neck struts and a concave applicator surface. 
         FIGS. 4A to 4C  show various views of a veneer applicator with a stick on compressible applicator having a peel off emulsion. 
         FIGS. 5A to 5B  shows a cure through applicator insert docking with a handle. 
         FIG. 6  shows an autoclavable metal cure through applicator insert with a cure through aperture in the applicator&#39;s holder. 
         FIG. 7  shows a disposable transparent cure through applicator insert. 
         FIGS. 8A to 8C  show a cure through laminate veneer applicator with an adhesive gripping face and an attached peel off emulsion. 
         FIGS. 9A to 9C  show various views of a cylindrical compressible veneer applicator. 
         FIG. 10  shows a compressible applicator with a photo reflective coating. 
         FIG. 11  shows an applicator with an aperture-less compressible applicator. 
         FIG. 12  shows a cylindrical compressible applicator with light channels. 
         FIG. 13  shows the compressible dental instrument of claim  9  wherein said interlocking insert is comprised of a reusable material having one or more photo transmissible apertures. 
         FIG. 14  shows an applicator with a flat flared compressible applicator holder and a photo transmissible rubberized compressible applicator. 
         FIG. 15  shows a conventional dental instrument having a flat applicator holder with photo curing grooves to accept a compressible applicator with correlating photo curing grooves. 
         FIGS. 16A to 16B  shows an upward looking view of an applicator applying a laminate veneer to a tooth. 
         FIGS. 17A to 17B  show an eye level view of a laminate veneer being applied to a tooth. 
         FIG. 18  shows an operative point of view of the applicator, applied veneer and the compressible applicator&#39;s cure through apertures. 
         FIGS. 19A to 19B  show a lateral view of a veneer applied to a tooth with an uncompressed applicator and an applicator applying compressive forces. 
         FIG. 20  shows an inferior maxillary view of an applicator compressively applying a veneer. 
         FIG. 21  shows a photo curing light curing a compressively applied veneer to a tooth. 
     
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           2 . Cure through veneer applicator 
           4 . Gripping handle 
           6 . Neck 
           8 . Applicator holder 
           10 . Compressible applicator 
           12 . Photo cure aperture 
           14 . Photo cure groove 
           16 . Holder curing aperture 
           18 . Metal neck 
           20 . Double neck strut 
           22 . Concave applicator surface 
           24 . Transparent neck 
           26 . Stick on applicator 
           28 . Peel off emulsion 
           30 . Adhesive layer 
           32 . Applicator docking insert 
           34 . Applicator docking extrusion 
           36 . Insert aperture 
           38 . Metal applicator insert 
           40 . Transparent plastic applicator insert 
           42 . Adhesive face emulsion 
           44 . Emulsion peel tab 
           46 . Adhesive gripping face 
           48 . Cylindrical compressible applicator 
           50 . Reflective coating 
           52 . Aperture-less compressible applicator 
           54 . Photo cure channel 
           56 . Transparent compressible termination 
           58 . Transparent neck 
           60 . Multi-use instrument applicator 
           62 . Prepared anterior tooth 
           64 . Laminate 
           66 . Compressive applicator forces 
           68 . Photo Curing Light 
           70 . Polymerizing light 
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  A shows a frontal three quarter view of the preferred embodiment.  FIG. 1B  shows a partial posterior three quarter view of the preferred embodiment.  FIG. 1C  shows an orthographic lateral view of the preferred embodiment.  FIG. 1D  shows an orthographic partial posterior view of the preferred embodiment. 
     The cure through veneer applicator  2  is an elongated body or gripping handle  4  with an applicator holder  8 . The handle  4  is desirably similar dimension to currently available instrumentation. The handle&#39;s  4  gripping portion extends to a tapered portion or neck  6 . The neck  6  has a gentle angle with relation to the handle  4  that desirably accommodates optimal patient/clinician ergonomics and related oral anatomical considerations. Emerging from the neck&#39;s  6  tapered terminal regions is a flattened planar expanse or applicator holder  8 . The holder  8  is made from a desirably transparent material and has a general tooth shaped dimension. It can, however assume any desirable form as clinical demands merit. The applicator holder  8  is planar structure is designed to attachably accept and hold a compressible termination or compressible applicator  10 . The applicator holder  8  can be flat to accept an applicator with an adhesive layer  30  or desirably recessed to accept the applicator with no adhesives  10 . 
     The compressible applicator  10  is a similarly tooth shaped dimension and has a number of traversing holes, perforations or photo cure apertures  12 . The apertures  12  extend through the applicators  10  body and are designed to allow direct transmission of a photo curing light source directly to a tooth or a porcelain veneer&#39;s surface ( FIG. 21 ). Located on the sides of the compressible applicator  10 , integrally formed into the periphery are two laterally opposing grooves or photo grooves  14 . The grooves  14  are designed to selectively reduce the compressible applicators  10  area. Selective reduction desirably maximizes the available photo curing footprint to permit maximum light exposure to the surface of a tooth while maintaining broad surface area compressive capabilities. 
     The cure through laminate veneer applicator  2  can be made and constructed form any number of materials and manufacturing processes. The handle  4  can be made from any desirable metals such as stainless steels or titanium. The handle may be milled, cast, or machined into configuration. The handle may also be made from a synthetic that is injection molded into configuration. Additionally, the applicator  2  can combine both metal and synthetic portion. The handle may be made from metal and have an attached synthetic neck and applicator holder that is comprised of a photon transmissible transparent plastic. The compressible applicator  10  may be made form any suitable compressible material such a foam, silicone, or any other material suitable compressible. The applicator  10  may be injection molded or stamped into configuration. 
     Alternative Embodiments—FIGS.  2 - 13   
       FIGS. 2A through 2C  show an applicator  2  with a metal neck  18  and a holder curing aperture  16  located on the posterior face of the holder  8 .  FIGS. 3A to 3D  show an applicator  2  with a double strut neck  20  and a compressible applicator  10  having a concave applicator surface  22 .  FIGS. 4A to 4C  show an applicator  2  that accepts an independent stick on applicator  26 . The stick on applicator  26  has an attached peel away emulsion  28  that exposes and adhesive layer  30  designed to communicate with the cure through applicator&#39;s  2  applicator holder  8 .  FIG. 5A  shows an applicator  2  that has an applicator docking insert  32  with a docking extrusion  34  that is designed to interface with a insert docking aperture  36  incorporated into the handle  4 .  FIG. 5B  shows a docking insert  32  with an insert aperture  36  and a handle with a docking extrusion  34 .  FIG. 6  shows a re-usable metal applicator insert  38  that is has a holder curing aperture  16 .  FIG. 7  shows a disposable transparent plastic applicator insert  40  with an aperture-less compressible applicator holder  8 .  FIGS. 8A to 8C  shows an applicator  2  with an adhesive gripping face  46  applied to the facial portion. The gripping face  46  has an adhered adhesive face emulsion  42  with an emulsion peel tab  44 . 
       FIGS. 9A to 9C  show an applicator  2  with a cylindrical compressible applicator  48 .  FIG. 10  shows an applicator having a reflective coating  50  applied to the compressible applicators  10  facial surfaces. The coating  50  is designed to channel reflected light back onto the curing surfaces.  FIG. 11  shows an applicator  2  with an aperture-less applicator  52  having no light curing apertures  12 .  FIG. 12  shows a cylindrical compressible applicator  48  with photo cure channels  54 .  FIG. 13  shows an anatomically shaped compressible applicator  10  with photo cure channels  54 . 
       FIG. 14  shows an applicator  2  with a flared planar applicator holder  8  to accept an adhesively applied transparent compressible applicator  56 .  FIG. 15  shows an applicator  2  with a flared planar applicator holder  8  with photo cure grooves  14  to accept an adhesively applied compressible applicator with photo cure grooves  14   
     Operation 
     To use the cure through laminate veneer applicator  2 , an operator first obtains a laminate veneer  64  to be applied to the surface of a prepared tooth  62 . Next, the operator adheres the veneer  64  to the applicators  2  compressible applicator  10  (not shown). Adhering the veneer  58  to the applicator  10  can be accomplished by independently applying a suitable adhesive substance or by using a pre applied adhesive layer  30  on the compressible applicators facial surface. Once applied, the operator can desirably prepare the veneer  64  for direct application to the tooth  56  surface. Next, gripping the handle  4 , the operator guides the adhered veneer  64  to the surface of the prepared tooth  54  ( FIGS. 14A ,  14 B,  15 A,  15 B,  16 ). 
     After desirable alignment, the operator proceeds to correlate and place the veneer  64  on the tooth. Next, applied gentle force compresses the applicator  10  creating compressive forces  66  against the veneer  64  to express uncured bonding substances and create a uniform placement ( FIGS. 17A ,  17 B,  18 ). During compression (and prior to curing), the operator can proceed to clean up any expressed excess bonding material (not shown). Next, while under compression, a photo curing light  68  is positioned to the posterior aspect of the applicator holder  8  and turned on ( FIG. 19 ). The position of the emitting light source  68  should be in alignment with the cure through apertures  12  and light channels  14 . Proper alignment allows the passage of the curing light  70  to directly contact the veneer  64  surface and achieve final bonding. 
     Conclusion Ramifications and Scope 
     Accordingly, the reader will see that the cure through laminate veneer applicator can be used to ergonomically prepare, place and bond a porcelain laminate veneer to the surface of a tooth. Compressively applying the veneer with a broad surface provides optimal adhesion, correlation, and expression of bonding agents. Cure through aperture furthermore allow for a pervasive area curing of the veneer to the tooth surface without having to release or diminish the holding compressive forces. The result is a superiorly bonded veneer with maximum ergonomic ease of placement and photo curing. Furthermore, the cure through compressible veneer applicator has additional advantages in that:
         The adaptable compressible applicator permits custom tooth veneer conformation regardless of tooth shape   Soft compressible surface is gentle to gingival tissue   Cure through apertures can have any configuration   Can be made in a number of sizes and configurations       

     Although the description above contained much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but merely as providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Namely, the handle portion of the applicator can have any dimension and size that permits optimal grasping. The handle can include recessed apertures to accept any number of docking inserts and necessitated by clinical needs. The neck portion of that applicator can have any size or dimension and may contain a plurality of struts as clinical needs. 
     The compressible applicator can be of any size or dimension and contain any number of apertures, channels or grooves. It may additionally have any number of specialized attachments, protrusions or extensions. For example, thin semi photo transmissible wings may be incorporated onto the compressible applicator. These wing extensions occlude the inter-proximal areas of a tooth to allow for reduced light exposure which results in partial curing. This partial cure facilitates inter-proximal cleanup. Applicators may be of any shape: They may be oval, asymmetric or even geometric. The compressible applicator may have any number of specialized coatings or substrates. The compressible applicator can also be multilayered or multi cored thus allowing compressible materials of different densities or porosities to be combined. 
     Additionally, the cure through compressible applicator may be developed as docking parts. The gripping handle may contain any number of docking apertures to accept inserts having any number of docking extrusions. Conversely, the handle may have any number of docking extrusions or extensions to accept compressible inserts with any number of docking apertures or adhesively applied inserts with any number of extensions or apertures. Inserts with docking apertures may further allow them to be attached with a number of pre existing armamentarium. Furthermore, inserts with docking apertures may assume any structural form as to optimally transmit light from a source while affixed to an pre existing instrument. Lastly, the inserts and handle may include any number of mechanisms to facilitate a stable communication. This includes snap in place mechanisms, screw threading, frictional engaging mechanisms, magnets and exteriorly applied adhesive to any surface necessary. 
     Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.