Dental prosthetic device with remoldable base

A dental prosthetic device (10,110) having a base (12,112) constructed of an inexpensive remoldable material, such as, for example, ethylene vinyl acetate, to allow for inexpensive and quick fitting and refitting to accommodate changes in dental structure (122). Harder teeth-like structures (14,114) are associated with a mounting surface (20,120) of the base (12,112), such as by overmolding the base (12,112) onto ends (38) of the structures (14,114), so that, when the device (10,110) is placed over a dental arch (122) within a user's mouth, the teeth-like structures (14,114) facilitate biting and chewing in the manner of teeth.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to dental prosthetic devices, including full and partial dentures. More specifically, the present invention concerns a dental prosthetic device having a softer base component comprising a remoldable material, such as a thermoplastic material, which conforms to at least a portion of a dental arch, and a harder component comprising one or more teeth-like structures embedded or otherwise associated with a mounting surface of the softer base component.

Dental prosthetics, which include partial and complete dentures, can help people in many ways, including improving their appearance and self-esteem as well as their ability to chew food and speak clearly. The usefulness of dental prosthetics is reflected in their at least 2700 year history, during which time they were made of materials such as bone and wood.

Modern dental prosthetics, especially the base component which contacts the dental arch, are commonly made of acrylic, other hard plastics, or metal and can require several initial appointments over one or two months to construct and achieve a proper fit and appearance, and periodic adjustments to maintain a proper fit as the shapes of users' dental tissues change. For example, following an extraction of many or all teeth, tissue and bone may take many months to heal, and, during that time, prior art dental prosthetics can suffer problems with support, stability, and retention, and can create sore spots on soft tissue because of changing fit. Furthermore, the underlying bones, particularly the mandibular arch, can continue changing for many years and require periodic refittings, possibly as often as every five to seven years. For these and other reasons, modern dental prosthetics can be prohibitively expensive for some people.

Due to these and other problems and disadvantages in the prior art, a need exists for a dental prosthetic device that is less expensive to make, fit, and maintain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the above-identified and other problems and disadvantages by providing a dental prosthetic device having a base constructed of an inexpensive remoldable material, such as, for example, ethylene vinyl acetate, to allow for inexpensive and quick fitting and refitting to accommodate changes in dental structure.

Broadly, the dental prosthetic device comprises a softer base component constructed of the remoldable material and having a contact surface and a mounting surface, with the contact surface being shaped to fit over a dental arch; and a harder component comprising one or more teeth-like structures associated with the mounting surface of the softer component, wherein, when the dental prosthetic device is placed over the dental arch within a user's mouth, the harder component facilitates biting and chewing in the manner of teeth.

In various implementations, the device may further comprise any one or more of the following features. The softer base component may be constructed of a remoldable elastomeric material. The softer base component may be constructed of a remoldable thermoplastic material, such as ethylene vinyl acetate, which, when warmed to a relatively low temperature, such as, for example, approximately 105 degrees C. or lower, between 85 degrees C. and 105 degrees C., between 65 degrees C. and 85 degrees C., or lower than 65 degrees C., is conformable to the dental arch. The harder component may be constructed of a molded acrylic material. The one or more teeth-like structures of the harder component may be embedded in the softer component, such as, for example, by overmolding the softer base component onto ends of the one or more teeth-like structures. The softer base component may be colored to resemble gum tissue. The one or more teeth-like structures of the harder component may be shaped and colored to resemble teeth. The device may further include an intermediate component positioned approximately between the softer base and harder components in order to, for example, better support the teeth-like structures.

In another embodiment, the dental prosthetic device may comprise the softer base component constructed of the remoldable thermoplastic material including ethylene vinyl acetate which, when warmed to approximately between 50 degrees C. and 105 degrees C., is conformable to the dental arch, the softer base component having the contact surface and the mounting surface, with the contact surface having a center portion shaped to fit against an oral palate and at least one sidewall shaped to fit over the dental arch, and the softer base component being colored to resemble gum tissue; and the harder component including the one or more tooth-like structures partially embedded in the softer base component and extending beyond the mounting surface of the softer base component, and the one or more tooth-like structures being shaped and colored to resemble teeth, and one or more internal support structures (resembling ribs or fingers or material) connected to the one or more tooth-like structures and embedded in and extending at least half-way into the center portion and at least half-way into the at least one sidewall of the softer base component, wherein, when the dental prosthetic device is placed within the user's mouth, the device facilitates biting and chewing in the manner of natural teeth.

These and other features of the present invention are discussed in greater detail in the section below entitled DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the figures, a dental prosthetic device10is herein described, shown, and otherwise disclosed in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, including one or more preferred embodiments.FIGS. 1 and 3show the dental prosthetic device10adapted for an upper or maxillary arch, whileFIGS. 2 and 4show the dental prosthetic device110adapted for a lower or mandibular arch. The upper and lower adaptations of the device10,110may be substantially identical with regard to materials and method of construction, unless noted.

Broadly, the dental prosthetic device10,110comprises a softer base component12,112and a harder component14,114. The softer base component12,112includes a contact surface18,118and a mounting surface20,120. Referring also toFIGS. 5 and 6, the contact surface18,118is generally shaped to fit over the dental arch122. More specifically, the contact surface18,118may be generally channel-shaped with a groove24running between inner and outer sidewalls26,28, so that the dental arch122is at least partially received within the groove24. The maxillary version of the device10may include a center portion30, as shown inFIG. 1, or may exclude the center portion and be substantially U-shaped like the mandibular version110shown inFIG. 2.

The softer base component12,112may incorporate a remoldable elastomeric or thermoplastic material, such as, for example, ethylene vinyl acetate, which, when activated, such as by being warmed at ambient pressure to a relatively low temperature, such as, for example, approximately 105 degrees C. or lower, between 85 degrees C. and 105 degrees C., between 50 degrees C. and 85 degrees C., or lower than 50 degrees C., conforms more closely to the dental arch122. More specifically, a relatively close fit can be achieved by warming or otherwise activating the softer base component12,112and placing the contact surface18,118over the dental arch122so that the material of the softer base component more closely conforms to the shape of the dental arch122. Furthermore, the softer base component12,112can be rewarmed or reactivated whenever necessary or desirable to remold it to the changing shape of the dental arch122. The softer base component12,112may be colored to, for example, resemble gum tissue appropriate to the user's race.

The harder component14,114includes one or more tooth-like structures34,134associated with the mounting surface20,120of the softer base component12,112such that, when the dental prosthetic device10,110is placed within a user's mouth in the manner of a denture, the harder component14,114facilitates biting, chewing, and speaking in the manner of natural teeth. The harder component14,114may incorporate a molded acrylic material. The one or more tooth-like structures34,134may be affixed to or, as shown inFIG. 6, embedded in the softer base component12,112, such as, for example, by overmolding the softer base component12,112onto ends38of the one or more tooth-like structures34,134. The ends38of the one or more tooth-like structures34,134may be provided with grooves, holes, or other features40to better maintain their relationship with the softer base component12,112. The one or more tooth-like structures34,134may be shaped and colored to resemble natural teeth, or may be shaped and/or colored in substantially any manner of functionally or aesthetically desirable ways.

The dental prosthetic device10,110may be produced in a limited number of sizes, such as, for example, small, medium, and large, which provides a first order of fit. Heating or otherwise activating the softer base component12,112and molding it to the user's particular dental arch provides a second order of fit. As discussed, the user can thereafter reheat or otherwise reactivate the soft base component12,112to refit the device10,110whenever necessary due, for example, to changing tissue shape.

In one exemplary embodiment incorporating certain of the aforementioned features, the dental prosthetic device10,110may comprise the softer base component12,112being constructed of a remoldable material and having the contact surface18,118and the mounting surface20,120, with the contact surface18,118being shaped to fit over the dental arch122, and the softer base component12,112being colored to resemble gum tissue; and the harder component14,114comprising the one or more tooth-like structures34,134partially embedded in the softer base component12,112and extending beyond the mounting surface20,120of the softer base component12,112, and the one or more tooth-like structures34,134being shaped and colored to resemble natural teeth, wherein, when the dental prosthetic device10,110is placed within a user's mouth, the harder component14,114facilitates biting and chewing in the manner of natural teeth.

In another exemplary embodiment incorporating certain of the aforementioned features, the dental prosthetic device10,110may comprise the softer base component being constructed of a remoldable thermoplastic material which, when warmed, conforms more closely to the dental arch122, the softer base component12,112having the contact surface18,118and the mounting surface20,120, with the contact surface18,118being shaped to fit over the dental arch122, and the softer base component12,112being colored to resemble gum tissue; and the harder component14,114comprising one or more tooth-like structures34,134constructed of a molded acrylic material embedded in the softer base component12,112and extending beyond the mounting surface20,120of the softer base component12,112, and the one or more tooth-like structures being shaped and colored to resemble natural teeth, wherein, when the dental prosthetic device10,110is placed within a user's mouth, the harder component14,114facilitates biting and chewing in the manner of natural teeth.

Referring also toFIGS. 7 and 8, the dental prosthetic device10,110may further comprise an intermediate component13positioned approximately between the softer base component12,112and the harder component14,114. The intermediate component13may be constructed of a harder material than the softer base component12,112in order, for example, to provide greater durability or wear-resistance or to better maintain or secure the harder component14,114relative to the softer base component12,112. Thus, the intermediate component13may be constructed of, for example, a harder version of the material of the softer base component12,112, a material having a hardness which is intermediate to that of the softer base component12,112and the harder component14,114, or a hardness which is as hard or harder than the hardness of the harder component14,114. Furthermore, the intermediate component13may take a first form42in which it touches or does not touch (as shown inFIG. 7) one or both of the other components12,112,14,114, or may take a second form44in which it engages one or both of the other components12,112,14,114(as shown inFIG. 8).

With reference toFIGS. 9,10, and11, a second embodiment of the dental prosthetic device210is now described, shown, and otherwise disclosed. The second embodiment may be substantially similar or identical to the first embodiment except as follows. Although the device210is shown only adapted for the upper or maxillary arch, it will be appreciated that the following may apply also to the device as adapted for the lower or mandibular arch.

Broadly, the second embodiment of the dental prosthetic device210comprises the softer base component212and the harder component214as discussed above. The harder component214includes the one or more tooth-like structures234and one or more internal support structures240that are embedded within the softer base component212and may function to support the tooth-like structures234in relation to the softer base component212or to achieve or maintain a better fit within the user's mouth.

More specifically, as best seen inFIG. 9, the internal support structures240may take the form of ribs or fingers of material extending from the tooth-like structures234into the center portion230and/or the sidewall(s)226(which are best seen inFIG. 6as reference numerals26and28) of the device210and covered by (e.g., overmolded with) the softer base component212, thereby providing increased support while still benefiting from the remoldability of the softer base component212. The center portion internal support structures242extend into the center portion of the maxillary version of the device210, and may be sufficiently flexible to substantially conform to differently shaped (e.g., rounder or flatter) palates. The sidewall internal support structures244extend into the inner and/or outer sidewalls26,28of either the maxillary or the mandibular versions of the device210and, again, may be sufficiently flexible to substantially conform to differently shaped dental arches. In both cases, the internal support structures240may extend at least half-way, between half-way and three-quarters of the way, or substantially all of the way (possibly even joining at the apex of the center portion) into the center portion230and at least half-way, between half-way and three-quarters of the way, or substantially all of the way into the sidewall(s)226for better support. In various implementations, there may a single internal support structure, one internal support structure shared by several of the tooth-like structures, or one internal support structure for each of the tooth-like structures.

The tooth-like structures234may be made of acrylic or of a more flexible or softer material such as polyethylene or polycarbonate. The latter softer materials may wear faster than the former harder material, but it is anticipated that the relatively low cost of the device210(as compared to traditional dentures) will allow for more frequent replacement. The internal support structures240may be constructed of the same material as, a more flexible or softer version of the material of, or a different material than the tooth-like structures234. In particular, at least a flexible or softer version of the material of the tooth-like structure may be desirable to minimize the risk that the internal support structures240may tear through the softer base component212in which they are embedded and come into direct contact with the user's oral tissues. Relatedly, the tooth-like structures234and the internal support structures240may be molded or otherwise formed simultaneously or at different times or as a single piece or as multiple pieces.

In one implementation, for example, the tooth-like structures234and the internal support structures240are molded simultaneously as a single piece but the tooth-like structures234are constructed of a harder version of a material (e.g., acrylic) and the internal support structures are constructed of a softer or more flexible version of the material. This may be accomplished, for example, by creating a continuous gradient of one or more additive materials in the mold such that little or none of the additive material(s) is present in the portion of the mold corresponding to the tooth-like structures234and more of the additive material(s) is present in the portion of the mold corresponding to the internal support structures240, resulting in a gradient of hardness of other characteristic(s) from the harder and/or relatively inflexible tooth-like structures234to the softer and/or relatively flexible internal support structures240. Such a gradient may be created, for example, through careful positioning or orientation of the mold, the use of gravity to separate heavier or denser material from lighter or less dense material, or by creating the device210from the tooth-like structures234to the internal support structures240and slowly introducing more of the additive material into the latter once the former has partially cured or will otherwise no longer accept the additional additive material.

Although the invention has been disclosed with reference to various particular embodiments, it is understood that equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as recited in the claims.

Having thus described the preferred embodiment of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent includes the following: