DENTAL ARTICULATOR

Abstract: Dental articulator the frame of which comprises four components. In accordance with the invention, the articulator offers a double selection system for the lower jaw; this is due to a socket (2) located on the base (1). Two gnatho-condylar springs (4), located each on either gnatho-condylar track (3), along with the guiding axis (6) and through the arrow-like pathway (5) and the lower jaw axis (4A) of component IV set the movements (lateral and protrusive) of the lower element of the articulator, said movements are harmonized with the movements of the lower jaw. There is also the choice for the said movements to be executed by the upper element of the articulator; said movements are determined by the gnatho-condylar pathways (11), the springs (12), and the axis (13) of component III. The disposable sleeve-stopper-holders (17) are fitted to the metallic drives (16) of the upper and lower element on components III and IV of the articulator, said sleeve-stopper-holders are destined to receive the dental casts with or without gypsum. The articulator base (1) bears the carrier (8); through the pathway (8A) passes the axial carrier (9). This is how the vertical movement of components II and III of the articulator is performed thus making it adjustable with relation to the desirable height of the dental casts.

Description: DENTAL ARTICULATOR The invention relates to a plane line dental articulator to be used in mounting dental casts in immobile dental prosthesis works. Plane line dental articulators used in dentistry to date are known and classified as follows: a. articulators in which the mounting of dental casts thereon is carried out by means of gypsum. b. articulators in which the mounting of dental casts thereon is carried out without gypsum. Additionally, both articulators mentioned above perform the movements of the lower jaw on the upper element of the articulator, a position that does not match the normal function of the oral cavity. The various models of the 1st case manufactured to date are of one size and non adjustable with relation to the height of dental casts; therefore, the mounting of the casts is carried out directly on the metallic frame by means of gypsum. SUBSTITUTESHEET The above result in the following drawbacks: - great dimensional changes in the gypsum used in cast mounting. That causes distortion of the articulation due to the fact that this kind of articulator models cannot be adjusted with relation to the height of the dental casts; furthermore, there is no indicative guide to preset the even quantity of gypsum used in the mounting of upper and lower jaw casts, the articulator becomes hard to handle as the operator needs to hold the articulator frame together with the mounted casts during a prosthodontic work, the removal of the casts from the articulators is carried out by breaking the gypsum in this way jeopardizing the integrity of the casts and reducing the strength of the articulator. - most plane line articulators are destined to be used for a single case each time owing to that the casts are mounted directly on the metallic frame. The models manufactured in accordance with the principles of the second type (namely, articulators in which the mounting of the casts is carried out without gypsum) have not offered a drastic solution in remedying the drawbacks; it is for this reason that to date the majority of the articulations are formed on articulators by means of gypsum. SUBSTITUTESHEET The problems raised by these types of articulators are the following: a. time consuming process for mounting the casts on the articulators due to that the systems currently in use require an additional process of the casts; a specific type of mold, which is to be used, increase the size of the cast and make it unhandy. b. another mechanical process for mounting casts is not safe nor firm, two factors necessary for the accuracy of the oral cavity articulation and even function of prosthodontic works. Moreover, said mechanical means are bulky and heavy and not suitable to work with. c. owing to the above stated difficulties, the various systems that have been used so far cannot offer a solution to the entire range of cases; instead, they are used only in one case each. Problems raised in the articulators of the 1st and 2nd type a. Neither articulator of the 1st or 2nd type is effective for mounting dental casts with or without gypsum. b. The systems used to determine and control the movements of the lower jaw are performed only by the upper element of the articulator; this is not normal SUBSTITUTESHEET for the movements of the lower jaw. The invention as claimed is intended to remedy these drawbacks. The articulator is so re-designed as to make the movements of the lower jaw take place in the area of the lower element of the articulator. In addition to that, the new articulator aspires to replacing all complicated cast mounting systems with a simple one. - in order to secure accurate movements on the articulator and the harmonization thereof with the normal movements of the lower jaw, the new articulator offers a new system located on the lower element of the articulator which executes the movements while making available the upper element of the articulator for the same movements of the lower jaw. - due to the triple function rubber sleeve-stopper and holder, the dental articulator can be applied to cases of cast mounting with or without gypsum. it offers a solution to the problem of adjusting the articulator with relation to the height of the cast, because its new design is based on a vertical guide meant for the vertical movement of the upper element of the articulator which can be adjusted depending on the height of the dental casts. SUBSTITUTESHEET the mounting of the dental casts on the articulator by means of gypsum is now carried out on the disposable rubber sleeve-stopper and not directly on the metallic frame; this makes easier the removal and exact remounting of the casts thereon. the use of the sleeve-stoppers prevent the gypsum from dimensional changes due to that the stoppers, which are rubber pins built in the sleeve-stoppers, come into absolute contact with the casts which they support during their mounting on the articulator and limit to minimum any dimensional change. The stoppers function also as guiding points determining an even gypsum quantity used for the mounting of the casts on the upper and lower jaw. thanks to the use of the disposable rubber sleeve- stopper-holder on the metallic drives of the articulator, the same articulator can be used in multiple dental cases provided that a new rubber sleeve-stopper-holder is adapted thereon. The dental casts can be stored for later use of the articulator without any occlusion in the articulation. The problems solved by the articulator to the 2nd type of plane line articulators are the following: - the mounting of the casts is fully controlled thanks SUBSTITUTESHEET to the double function sleeve-holder, which first is mounted on the metallic drives of the articulator, and the screwing system (holders). The holder (17,1) holds the cast firmly as it penetrates the cast at its center. Holders (17,2 and 3) (2+3) are blind and destined to prevent the cast from circular displacement. additionally, the sleeve-stopper system can be mounted and built directly in the cast in this way offering an automatic mounting of the cast on the articulator. The advantages offered by the present invention are the following: a. the double movement system of the lower jaw; for the movement thereof the operator has the choice of either the upper element of the lower element of the articulator. b. the triple function sleeve-stopper-holder can be applied to both types and this is made possible by the different use of the sleeve-stopper-holder. c. the articulator can be adapted in accordance with the height of the dental casts. SUBSTITUTESHEET d. the sleeve-stoppers used in the mounting of the casts on the articulator the stoppers hold the casts firm and prevent the gypsum from dimensional changes. One way of carrying out the invention is described below with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the articulator with the rubber double-function sleeve-stoppers adapted to the metallic drives of the upper and lower element of the articulator. Figure 2 shows the upper element of the articulator whereas figure 3 shows the lower element of the articulator. Figures 4 to 15 show the components of the articulator: the first (I) is the basic carrier of the articulator, the second (II) is the head of the articulator, the third (III) the upper element of the articulator and the fourth (IV) the lower element of the articulator. Component I comprises the articulator base (l) with a socket (2) bearing two gnatho-condylar pathways (3) on either side with an inclination of 15 each; a plate (4) is attached thereto. SUBSTITUTESHEET An arrow-like pathway (5) located at the bottom of the articulator base (1A) . The base socket (2) is destined to hold the lower element (component IV) with the vertical guiding axis (6) which is located at the starting point of the arrow-like pathway (5) . The arrow-like pathway (5) and the articulator base (1), the guiding axis (6) of component IV and the gnatho- condylar springs (4) on the gnatho-condylar pathways (3) are the means by which the gnatho-condylar movements of the lower jaw, lateral and protrusive are set. When the lower element of the articulator is not used for the lower jaw movements, it can be immobilized by the securing means (7) which screws component IV, i.e. the lower element of the articulator against the articulator base (1A) . The securing point is determined by the position of the axis (6) when at the starting point, i.e. at the top of the arrow-like pathway; likewise, the gnatho-condylar plates (4) on the lower jaw axis (4A) . This position symbolizes the centric occlusion of the articulation. The articulator base (l) also receives the carrier (8); the axial carrier (9) is inserted therein, said carrier is fixed on the head (10) of component II of the SUBSTITUTESHEET articulator. The carrier (8) of the base (1), the axial carrier (9) and the head (10) are intended to determine the vertical movement of components II and III of the articulator; this is made possible owing to the pathway (8A), the carrier (8) of the base (1) and is secured by means of the thread (8B) . The head (10) of component II of the articulator supports the two gnatho-condylar tracks (11) each of 15 and a gnatho-condylar plate (12) at each gnatho-condylar track; said parts along with the axis (13) of component III are meant for the movements of the upper element of the articulator. When the upper element of the articulator (III) is not used to perform the movements (lateral and protrusive), it is secured by the securing means (14) at a point determined by the starting point of the axis (13) and the gnatho-condylar plates (12) which are in fact the frontal part of the gnatho-condylar tracks, said point is the centric occlusion of the articulation. A vertical dimension axis (15) pierces the lower part of the head (10), said axis regulating the inclination of the upper element of the articulator with relation to the base; this symbolizes the vertical dimension of the oral cavity. SUBSTITUTESHEET The sleeve-stopper-holders (17) are inserted in the metallic drives (16) of components III and IV of the upper and lower element of the articulator; the mounting of dental casts is done on said sleeve-stopper-holders. The sleeve-stopper-holders (17) have three functions: a. they are used for the mounting of casts by means of gypsum in which case the three rubber pins act as stoppers, i.e. they limit to minimum the dimensional change of gypsum while holding firm the casts during solidification of gypsum. b. in the second case the three rubber pins function as pathways; three screwing holders (17, 1, 2, 3) pass through said pins and are destined to hold the cast firm without any use of gypsum. c. in the third case, the sleeve-stopper-holder (17) can be directly built in the cast during manufacturing; in this way the cast is automatically mounted on the articulator. SUBSTITUTESHEET

Claims: Claims 1. Dental articulator comprising four basic components: on component II of the articulator, the head (10) bears therein the two gnatho-condylar tracks (11) of 15 , the two gnatho-condylar plates (12) which, along with the axis (13) determine the movements of the upper element of the articulator; this is one of the two movement selection modes of the lower jaw. In component I, the articulator base (1) is characterized in that it has a socket (2) on the right and left of which there are the gnatho-condylar pathways (3) each of 15 , a plate (4) on each side and in that through the arrow-like pathway (5) of the base (1A) and the guiding axis (6) of component IV; this is one of the two movement selection modes of the lower jaw. In component I, the carrier (8) of the articulator base (1) and the axial carrier (9) which enters the pathway (8A) of the carrier (8) of the articulation base (1) handle the vertical movement of the head (10) of component II of the articulator in accordance with the height of the dental casts. The disposable, triple function rubber sleeve-stopper- holders (17) meant for the mounting of the casts are fitted on the upper and lower element of the articulator III and IV and on the metallic drives (16) . SUBSTITUTESHEET 2 . Dental articulator in accordance with claim 1 in which component IV, i.e. the lower element of the • articulator, is characterized in that it has a guiding axis (6) which fit in the arrow-like pathway (5); said parts along with lower jaw axis (4A) and the plates (4) control the movements, lateral and protrusive. This occurs when component IV is set in operation for the movements of the lower jaw. 3. Dental articulator in accordance with claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the arrow-like pathway (5) through the guiding axis (6) determines the movements of the lower element of component IV of the articulator. 4. Dental articulator in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that the triple function rubber sleeves (17) have three ''stoppers" or "holders" that can be used in three different ways with or without gypsum. a. in the case of mounting using gypsum the rubber sleeves (17) prevent from dimensional changes. b. in the case of mounting without gypsum the rubber sleeves play the role of pathways used for the insertion of the screwing holders. c. in a third case the entire sleeve (17) is incorporated to the cast. SUBSTITUTESHEET

Inventors: KOUTAVAS IOANNIS, KOUTAVAS, IOANNIS
Applicants: KOUTAVAS IOANNIS, KOUTAVAS, IOANNIS
Application year: 1992
Main classification: A61C11
IPC codes: A61C11