Abstract:
A dental apparatus and method of use for producing edentulous dentures, each including a lower dental tray having a removable modular contact plate with an upwardly extending shoulder surrounding a tapered opening, a ball nut retained in the tapered opening, and a post adjustably secured to the ball nut. A modular striking plate may be removably attached to an upper dental tray or an integrated striking sector on a bottom surface of the upper dental tray is utilized to accurately obtain an established occlusal vertical and centric relation positions. The contact plate and striking plate are each configured as snap-in components to the respective trays. Additionally, the contact plate may be utilized as a spacer between the dental trays once the post and ball nut are removed. Finally, the contact plate and striking plate may be removed for functional positioning and esthetic blue printing measurements.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/393,390, filed Feb. 26, 2009, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/040,457, filed Mar. 28, 2008, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates generally to an apparatus for obtaining accurate measurements and calibrations in order to produce dentures for edentulous patients and a method of using the same, and more particularly to a dental apparatus, the use of which will reduce the number of visits required in order to obtain the required measurements and calibrations while not eliminating detail of records in order to produce a set of dentures, wherein the dental trays thereof may be converted to multiple uses. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Treatment of patients that are missing teeth is often accomplished by complete dentures including an upper denture and a lower denture or accomplished by partial dentures. Prior to making new or replacement dentures, multiple measurements and calibrations are taken of the patient and the patient&#39;s mouth and any existing dental prostheses are recorded. Additionally, appropriate measurements are taken to verify the proper fit and relationships of the dental prostheses not only with the oral cavity but with each other. 
         [0006]    Ideally, dentures should mate with the mouth and function with existing mouth tissue. Poor fitting dentures can cause mouth soreness and can negatively influence a patient&#39;s facial appearance and even a patient&#39;s diet. The production of accurate partial or complete dentures requires multiple measurements and multiple calibrations. 
         [0007]    In existing practice, an impression is used to create an imprinted likeness of a jaw, any teeth and any implants, along with gingiva areas of the oral cavity. An upper tray and a lower tray are selected by size and filled with impression material, such as a resin. From this impression, an acrylic or stone cast is made. Additional measurements and calibrations include establishing the centric position or repeatable horizontal and vertical spacing. Identifying and measuring appropriate occlusal vertical dimensions and centric relation positions during treatment of edentulous patients is also necessary for predictable and successful application of dental prostheses. 
         [0008]    Additional measurements include esthetic blue printing to accommodate the shape of the patient&#39;s upper lip and mouth. This imprint will guide the laboratory in both cosmetic and tooth set up. Additionally, a set of measurements known as “neutral zone technique” will accommodate measurement of the functional tongue, cheek and lip positioning of the patient. Finally, an articulator or other similar device is often utilized to determine the position of the arches with respect to the jaws of the patient. 
         [0009]    It is therefore desirable to provide a dental apparatus and method for dentures for obtaining a series of measurements and calibrations of a patient to reduce the number of visits that the patient is required to make to the dental professional. 
         [0010]    It is further desirable to provide a dental apparatus and method for dentures that enable multiple measurements and calibrations to be made in a single fitting in order to produce a set of dentures. 
         [0011]    It is still further desirable to provide a dental apparatus and method for dentures that reduce the required inventory of different types of dental trays which are necessary to produce a set of dentures. 
         [0012]    It is yet further desirable to provide a dental apparatus and method for dentures that is convertible in order to be used for different measurement and calibration functions. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    In general, the invention relates to a dental apparatus having a lower dental tray and an upper dental tray. The lower dental tray includes a tapered, generally spherical opening with a generally spherical ball nut rotatably retained in the tapered opening through the lower dental tray. The ball nut has a cylindrical bore through a diameter thereof, and a threaded post is adjustably secured in the cylindrical bore of the ball nut. The post has an upper length and a lower length that extend beyond the ball nut. The upper dental tray has a substantially planar striking sector on a bottom surface thereof. The combination of the spherical opening, the ball nut, and the post with the striking sector cooperate to obtain occlusal vertical dimension, centric relation position, and other dental measurements. 
         [0014]    The lower dental tray may include a contact plate having the tapered opening therethrough, and which may be removably securable to the lower dental tray. The lower dental tray can include a plurality of apertures along a top surface of an intaglio channel, with the contact plate having outwardly extending opposing tabs sized and spaced such that the tabs fit within the apertures of the lower dental tray. The lower dental tray can also include a preformed, upwardly extending ridge running along a top surface. The ridge has preformed periodic gaps at predetermined locations, and the contact plate has outwardly extending tabs sized and spaced such that the tabs fit within the gaps in the ridge of the lower dental tray and allow the contact plate to snap onto the lower dental tray. 
         [0015]    A top surface of the lower dental tray may be substantially planar. The lower dental tray may include a border positioned along a terminal end of the periphery of the lower dental tray. The border can be substantially annular in shape and have a predetermined diameter slightly greater than the thickness of the lower dental tray. 
         [0016]    The upper dental tray of the integrated modular dental measuring apparatus may be unitary in construction. The upper dental tray can also include an arched intaglio channel and an upwardly contoured palatal ledge spanning the intaglio channel. The palatal ledge of the upper dental tray may include an upper surface having a smooth, posterior portion and an anterior portion having a plurality of substantially vertical and parallel fins to aid in retaining an impression material. In addition, the palatal ledge of the upper dental tray may include a bottom surface having a substantially curved posterior portion for capturing the hard-soft throat palate and accommodating the sublingual gland and fatty tissue of the mylohyoid space of a patient and the striking sector near an anterior portion, which is coplanar with the bottom surface of the intaglio channel of the upper dental tray. 
         [0017]    The planar striking sector of the upper dental tray may be a striking plate removably securable to the upper dental tray. The upper dental tray can also include a preformed, downwardly extending ridge running along a bottom surface, and the ridge having preformed periodic gaps at predetermined locations. The striking plate may have outwardly extending tabs sized and spaced such that the tabs fit within the gaps in the ridge of the upper dental tray and allow the striking plate to snap onto the upper dental tray. 
         [0018]    In addition, the upper dental tray can include a border positioned along a terminal end of the periphery of the upper dental tray. The border may be substantially annular in shape and have a predetermined diameter slightly greater than the thickness of the upper dental tray. Moreover, the lower dental tray and/or the upper dental tray can be modular and convertible. Lastly, the upper dental tray can include a plurality of body openings at predetermined locations. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example of a dental measuring apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the dental apparatus and method of dentures disclosed herein; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a posterior perspective view of the dental apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the dental apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is an anterior perspective view of the dental apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the dental apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of an example of a lower dental tray in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the dental apparatus and method for dentures disclosed herein; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the lower dental tray shown in  FIG. 6  with the contact plate removed; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a bottom perspective view of an example of an upper dental tray in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the dental apparatus and method for dentures disclosed herein; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a bottom perspective view of the upper dental tray as shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the dental apparatus utilized to obtain and establish proper occlusal vertical and centric relation positions of a patient in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the dental apparatus and method for dentures disclosed herein; 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an example of a upper impression tray seated on a lower dental tray in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the dental apparatus and method for dentures disclosed herein; 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an example of the upper impression tray shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is an elevated perspective view of an example of a lower impression tray seated on a upper dental tray in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the dental apparatus and method for dentures disclosed herein; 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an example of the lower impression tray shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of another example of an dental apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the dental apparatus and method for dentures disclosed herein; 
           [0034]      FIG. 16  is a posterior perspective view of the dental apparatus shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 17  is an anterior perspective view of the dental apparatus shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 18  is a bottom perspective view of the dental apparatus shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 19  is an exploded perspective view of the dental apparatus shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 20  is a top perspective view of an example of a lower dental tray with a contact plate inserted thereon in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the dental apparatus and method for dentures disclosed herein; 
           [0039]      FIG. 21  is a bottom perspective view of the lower dental tray shown in  FIG. 20  with the contact plate removed; 
           [0040]      FIG. 22  is a top perspective view of an example of an upper dental tray in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the dental apparatus and method for dentures disclosed herein; and 
           [0041]      FIG. 23  is a bottom perspective view of the upper dental tray as shown in  FIG. 22 . 
       
    
    
       [0042]    Other advantages and features will be apparent from the following description and from the claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0043]    The apparatuses and methods discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific manners in which to make and use this invention and are not to be interpreted as limiting in scope. 
         [0044]    While the apparatuses and methods have been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be noted that many modifications may be made in the details of the construction and the arrangement of the apparatuses and components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the apparatuses and methods are not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for purposes of exemplification. 
         [0045]    Three sets of trays may be used to take multiple measurements and calibrations in a single visit to a dentist or technician. The first set of dental trays may be used to take an impression of the patient&#39;s jaw, any teeth, and any implants, along with gingiva areas of the oral cavity. 
         [0046]    Once the first set of dental trays has been utilized and removed, a second set of dental trays may be utilized for establishing the occlusal vertical dimensions and centric relation positions. Referring to the figures of the drawings, wherein like numerals of reference designate like elements throughout the several views, and initially to  FIGS. 1 through 5 , the second set of dental trays comprises an dental apparatus  100  having a lower dental tray  102  and an upper dental tray  104 . The lower dental tray  102  includes a contact plate  106  removably secured to and attached to the lower dental tray  102 . The lower dental tray  102  may include an upwardly extending ridge  108  running along a top surface  110 . The ridge  108  has small slots or gaps  112  located at various points. Into these slots or gaps  112  fit a plurality of tabs  114  extending outward from the contact plate  106  on corresponding locations, such as the anterior portion  116  and side portions  118  of the contact plate  106 . The tabs  114  may be slightly larger than the slots or gaps  112  so that the tabs  114  snugly fit therein. Thus, the contact plate  106  snap fits into place on the lower dental tray  102 . Accordingly, the lower dental tray  102  may be used with or without the contact plate  106 .  FIG. 6  illustrates the lower dental tray  102  with the contact plate  106  attached thereto apart from the upper dental tray  104  to be described herein.  FIG. 7  illustrates the lower dental tray  102  with the contact plate  106  removed, with the ridge  108  and slots or gaps  112  visible. As exemplified throughout the Figures, the lower dental tray  102  may be arcuate in form and may include a border  158  along its terminal periphery. The border  158  has a predetermined diameter such that the diameter of the border  158  is slightly larger that the thickness of the lower dental tray  102 . 
         [0047]    The lower dental tray  102  may be made in varying sizes to accommodate different sizes of mouths. For example, the lower dental tray  102  may come in small, medium and large sizes. However, every size of lower dental tray  102  has the same size ridge  108  and slots or gaps  112  at the same locations, so that one size of contact plate  106  fits into all sizes of lower dental tray  102  thereby reducing the required inventory of contact plates  106 . 
         [0048]    The contact plate  106  includes a tapered opening  120 , and a ball nut  122  is retained in the tapered opening  120 , which permits the bail nut  122  to rotate within the tapered opening  120 . The ball nut  122  may be spherical in shape and may have a cylindrical bore through a diameter thereof. A post  124  is adjustably secured to the ball nut  122  so that the length and the angular position of the post  124  may be altered. 
         [0049]    Returning to consideration of  FIGS. 1 through 5 , the upper dental tray  104  includes a striking plate  126  removably secured to and attached to the upper dental tray  104 . The upper dental tray  104  may include a downwardly extending ridge  128  running along a bottom surface  130 . The ridge  130  has small slots or gaps  132  at various points. Into these slots or gaps  132  fit tabs  134  extending outward from the striking plate  126  at corresponding locations, such as from the anterior portion  136  and side portions  138  of the striking plate  126  as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 10 . The tabs  134  may be slightly larger than the slots or gaps  132  so they snugly fit therein. Thus, the striking plate  126  snap fits into place on the upper dental tray  104 .  FIG. 8  illustrates the upper dental tray  104  with the striking plate  126  attached thereto apart from the lower tray  102 , while  FIG. 9  illustrates the upper dental tray  104  with the striking plate  126  removed, with the ridge  128  and gaps  132  visible. 
         [0050]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 5  and  8  through  10 , the upper dental tray  104  of the integrated modular dental measuring apparatus  100  may include a plurality of body openings  152  at predetermined locations. The body openings  152  have a variety of sizes, shapes and orientations depending on where they are located in the upper dental tray  104 . In addition, a border  154  may be positioned along a terminal end of the periphery of the upper dental tray  104 . The border  154  is substantially annular in shape having a plurality of border channels  156 . The border  154  has a predetermined diameter such that the diameter of the border  154  is slightly larger that the thickness of the upper dental tray  104 . Border channels  156  comprise substantially V-shaped cuts or notches. The plurality of border channels  156  may be positioned perpendicular to the border  154  at predetermined locations. 
         [0051]    The upper dental tray  104  may be made to accommodate different sizes of mouths; for example, the upper dental tray  104  may come in small, medium and large sizes. However, every size of upper dental tray  104  has the same size ridge  128  and slots or gaps  132  at the same locations, so that one size of striking plate  126  fits into all sizes of the upper dental tray  104 . This reduces the required inventory of striking plates  126 . 
         [0052]    As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the combination of the adjustable post  124 , the rotatable ball nut  122  and the striking plate  126  on the upper dental tray  104  are utilized to obtain and establish proper occlusal vertical and centric relation positions. By adjusting the length and the angular position of the post  124 , thereby varying the location at which the post  124  contacts the striking plate  126 , proper occlusal vertical and centric relation between the lower dental tray  102  and the upper dental tray  104  of the integrated modular dental measuring apparatus  100  may be obtained and established. Additionally, the post  124  and ball nut  122  may be removed from the lower dental tray  102  and the contact plate  106  may be used as a spacer between the upper dental tray  104  and the lower dental tray  102 . 
         [0053]    Once the desired positions have been established, the upper dental tray  104  and the lower dental tray  102  of the integrated modular dental measuring apparatus  100  may be removed. A third set of dental trays may then be utilized to take an impression of the patient&#39;s lips and mouth and to determine the patient&#39;s tongue, cheek, and lip positioning. The third set of dental trays may be the same lower tray  102  and upper tray  104  used in the previously described procedure without the contact plate or striking plate. 
         [0054]    As exemplified in  FIGS. 11 and 12  and with the contact plate  106  removed from the lower dental tray  102 , the lower dental tray  102  may be seated onto a preformed upper impression tray  140 . The upper impression tray  140  may be formed of any suitable dental impression material, such as wax or resin. The upper impression tray  140  may be preformed to fit onto the lower tray  102 .  FIG. 12  illustrates the upper impression tray  140  having channels  142  for receipt of the upwardly extending ridge  108  running along the top surface  110  of the lower dental tray  102 . The channel  142  of the upper impression tray  140  can include stubs  144 , which may be sized to frictionally engage the gaps  112  of the ridge  108  of the lower dental tray  102 . 
         [0055]    During a procedure known as esthetic blue printing, the shape of the patient&#39;s upper lip and mouth are recognized in the upper impression tray  140 , which may be preheated slightly prior to insertion into the oral cavity of the patient. The combination of the lower dental tray  102  and the upper impression tray  140  is then inserted into the oral cavity of the patient. Once the shape of the patient&#39;s upper lip and mouth are registered with the upper impression tray  140 , the lower dental tray  102  and the upper impression tray  140  are removed from the patient&#39;s mouth. 
         [0056]    With the striking plate  126  removed from the upper dental tray  104 , as shown in  FIG. 13 , a lower impression tray  146  may be seated on the downwardly extending ridge  128  running along a bottom surface  130  of the upper dental tray  104 . As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the lower impression tray  146  may include channel  148  and stubs  150  to respectively mate with the ridge  128  on the upper dental tray  104 . Similar to the upper impression tray  140 , the lower impression tray  146  may be constructed of any suitable moldable dental composition, such as wax or resin. 
         [0057]    Using a neutral zone technique, the lower impression tray  146  and the upper dental tray  104  are inserted into the oral cavity of the patient in order to determine the shape of the patient&#39;s lower lip and mouth and to determine the patient&#39;s tongue, cheek, and lip positioning. The lower impression tray  146  may be preheated, and once the lower impression tray  146  registers the particular portions of the patient&#39;s oral cavity, the upper dental tray  104  and the lower impression tray  146  are removed. 
         [0058]    By way of another example, the integrated modular dental measuring apparatus  100  may comprise the lower dental tray  102  and the upper dental tray  104  as exemplified in  FIGS. 15 through 19 . The lower dental tray  102  includes a contact plate  106  removably secured to and attached to the lower dental tray  102 . The lower dental tray  102  may be arcuate in form and includes an arched intaglio channel  160  for receipt of the patient&#39;s lower teeth. The intaglio channel  160  of the lower dental tray  102  may include at least one retention post  180  to aid in retaining an impression material (not shown). Small apertures  162  may be formed at various points along the intaglio channel  160  of the lower dental tray  102 , such as on opposing arches as illustrated. Into the apertures  162  fit a plurality of tabs  114  extending outward from the contact plate  106  on corresponding locations, such as the side portions  118  of the contact plate  106 . The tabs  114  may be slightly larger than the apertures  162  so that the tabs  114  snugly fit therein. Thus, the contact plate  106  snap fits into place on the lower dental tray  102 . Accordingly, the lower dental tray  102  may be used with or without the contact plate  106 .  FIG. 20  illustrates the lower dental tray  102  with the contact plate  106  attached thereto apart from the upper dental tray  104  to be described herein, while  FIG. 21  illustrates the lower dental tray  102  with the contact plate  106  removed, with the apertures  162  visible. 
         [0059]    The lower dental tray  102  may be made in varying sizes to accommodate different sizes of mouths. For example, the lower dental tray  102  may come in small, medium and large sizes. However, every size of lower dental tray  102  has the apertures  162  at the same locations, so that one size of contact plate  106  fits into all sizes of lower dental tray  102  thereby reducing the required inventory of contact plates  106 . 
         [0060]    The contact plate  106  includes a tapered opening  120 , and a ball nut  122  is retained in the tapered opening  120  to permit the ball nut  122  to rotate within the tapered opening  120 . The ball nut  122  may be spherical in shape and may have a cylindrical bore through a diameter thereof. A post  124  is adjustably secured to the ball nut  122  so that the length and the angular position of the post  124  may be altered. 
         [0061]    Returning to consideration of  FIGS. 15 through 19 , the upper dental tray  104  includes an arched intaglio channel  164  for receipt of the patient&#39;s upper teeth and an upwardly contoured palatal ledge  166  spanning the arches of the intaglio channel  164 . The intaglio channel  164  of the upper dental tray  104  may include at least one retention post  182  to aid in retaining an impression material (not shown). As shown in  FIG. 22 , an upper surface  168  of the palatal ledge  166  may include a smooth, posterior portion  170  and an anterior portion  172  having a plurality of substantially vertical and parallel fins  174 . As shown in  FIG. 23 , a bottom surface  176  of the palatal ledge  166  may include a substantially planar striking sector  178  near the anterior portion  172 , which is coplanar with the bottom surface  130  of the intaglio channel  164  of the upper dental tray  104 . The posterior end  170  of the bottom surface  176  of the palatal ledge  166  is substantially curved for capturing the hard-soft throat palate of the patient and accommodates the sublingual gland and fatty tissue of the mylohyoid space. The upper dental tray  104  may be made to accommodate different sizes of mouths; for example, the upper dental tray  104  may come in small, medium and large sizes. 
         [0062]    The combination of the adjustable post  124 , the rotatable ball nut  122  and the striking sector  178  on the upper dental tray  104  are utilized to obtain and establish proper occlusal vertical and centric relation positions. By adjusting the length and the angular position of the post  124  thereby varying the location at which the post  124  contacts the striking plate  126 , the proper occlusal vertical and centric relation between the lower dental tray  102  and the upper dental tray  104  of the integrated modular dental measuring apparatus  100  may be obtained and established. Additionally, the post  124  and ball nut  122  may be removed from the lower dental tray  102  and the contact plate  106  may be used as a spacer between the upper dental tray  104  and the lower dental tray  102 . 
         [0063]    Utilizing the foregoing sets of measurements and calibrations, an accurate set of dentures may be produced. A cast impression (not shown), which may be formed at any time following the use of the first set of dental trays, may be combined with the upper and lower dental trays  102  and  104  of the dental apparatus  100  disclosed herein. Using an articulator (not shown) in conjunction with the occlusal vertical and centric relation positions obtained and registered with the integrated modular dental measuring apparatus  100 , the cast impression may be related to ensure proper positioning of the arches with respect to the jaw of the patient. The dental apparatus  100  may be used for multiple measurements and calibrations. In addition, all of the foregoing measurements and calibrations may be taken in a single visit to a dentist or technician. 
         [0064]    Whereas, the apparatuses and methods have been described in relation to the drawings and claims, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.