Abstract:
A veneer applicator to compressively place and photo cure a restorative covering to a tooth to include a photo transmissible insert ( 2 ) having a compressible applicator ( 4 ) with at least one traversing aperture ( 6 ) and a photo transmissible insert shaft ( 14 ) to dock with an LED device ( 22 ). Docking the insert shaft ( 14 ) with the LED device ( 22 ) permits a photo curing spectrum to traverse the shaft ( 14 ) and compressible applicator ( 4 ) at least one aperture ( 6 ). This allows for direct surface bonding during veneer application.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/007,373 filed 2007 Dec. 12, by the present inventor 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable 
     SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
     Not Applicable 
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention applies to the field of Dentistry specifically to allow for the simultaneous controlled placement and curing of an indirect dental veneer to a tooth surface with a singular instrument. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Prior Art 
     To enhance the esthetic appearance of a tooth, or restore it to its anatomical original form, it may be necessary to place a tooth-like cover or veneer onto 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 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 onto the tooth&#39;s surface, positioning as best he can (the veneer has been fabricated to fit precisely on a tooth). 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 the 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 central 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. The Cure Through Laminate Veneer Applicator With Cure Light enables the clinician to affix the veneer immovably to an instrument head, accurately position it on the intended tooth surface, and spot cure it in the desired center portion of the veneer without the interruption of changing hand positions or instrumentation. The affixed veneer is in alignment with the instrument&#39;s self-incorporated instrument curing light. Thusly, the clinician has both the veneer holding instrument and curing apparatus simultaneously in his hand. 
     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. Furthermore, curing of the veneer is done as a secondary step following veneer placement requiring a change in hand positioning, and an exchange of instruments. 
     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. 
     The curing of the veneer is then done as a secondary step following veneer placement requiring a change in hand positioning, and an exchange of instruments. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,949 to Hill, Sheryl L., Feb. 19, 1991, presents as a 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. 
     The curing of the veneer is then done as a secondary step following veneer placement requiring a change in hand positioning, and an exchange of instruments. 
     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 in nature and serve to prevent light transference to the critical central portion of the veneer thus subjecting the veneering process to potential complications by requiring a change in hand positioning, and an exchange of instruments. 
     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 opaque by nature and therefore interfere with the transfer of a light source and subject the veneering process to potential complications by requiring a change in hand positioning, and an exchange of instruments. 
     OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
     Accordingly, several advantages of the present patent application of Brian D. Viscomi for Cure Through Laminate Veneer Applicator With Cure Light are:
         a. Ergonomically contoured to facilitate approach to tooth   b. Permits precise placement of veneer on a tooth surface.   c. Allows for uniform 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 a total resin cure from the center out.   f. Is disposable.   g. Contains the curing light source within the veneer applicator&#39;s handle.   h. Permits one-handed veneer application and curing       

     It is thus the object of this invention to provide a device to apply and cure dental veneers to a tooth&#39;s surface with a singular application and singular instrument. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the present invention, a cure through veneer applicator with a cure light comprises an instrument to compressively place and bond a laminate veneer to the surface of a tooth and simultaneously cure the laminate, possessing a gripping body with thereon a compressible body with at least one traversing aperture to permit the passage of a photo curing light during the operative bonding of a laminate veneer to a tooth surface, and an accompanying light source to provide the curing means. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS FIGURES 
       In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes. 
         FIGS. 1A to 1B  show a frontal three quarter view and lateral orthographical view of a cure through laminate veneer applicator with LED light. 
         FIGS. 2A to 2B  show anterior and posterior dimensional views of a cure through compressible insert undocked from the led light&#39;s docking shaft. 
         FIGS. 3A to 3B  show anterior and posterior dimensional views of the cure through compressible insert having a viewing aperture, insert shaft, and snapping protrusions. 
         FIGS. 4A to 4B  show views of a battery re-charging surface. 
         FIGS. 5A to 5B  show details of an emulsion cover being peeled to expose the compressible applicator&#39;s adhesive surface. 
         FIG. 6  shows a laminate veneer adhesively placed onto a compressible applicator. 
         FIG. 7  shows an operator guiding a laminate veneer to a tooth&#39;s surface. 
         FIG. 8  shows the veneer applied to the tooth&#39;s surface 
         FIG. 9  shows compressive forces adhering the veneer as the operator compressively pushes the applicator against the tooth surface. 
         FIGS. 10A to 10B  show views of an operator activating the LED power switch to expose the compressible curing apertures with the photo curing light. 
         FIGS. 11A to 11B  show anterior and posterior views of a cure through compressible insert having no viewing aperture. 
         FIG. 12  shows a cure through veneer applicator having a cure through compressible insert with a photo transmitting fiber optic shaft and a LED device having a shaft aperture. 
         FIG. 13  shows a posterior dimensional view of a cure through compressible inset with a photo transmitting fiber optic shaft. 
         FIGS. 14A to 14B  show lateral internal and external orthographic views of a cure through veneer applicator having a cure through compressible insert with a fiber optic shaft. 
         FIG. 15  Shows a LED lamp transmitting photo curing light through the fiber optic shaft to the compressible curing apertures. 
         FIG. 16  shows a cure through compressible insert having a transparent compressible applicator made from a suitable compressible silicone material. 
         FIG. 17  shows a cure through compressible insert with a fiber optic shaft having a transparent compressible applicator made from a suitable compressible silicone material. 
         FIG. 18  shows a cure through compressible insert with a fiber optic shaft having a compressible applicator with a single curing aperture. 
         FIG. 19  shows a cure through compressible insert with a concave contoured surface applicator that correlates with a tooth&#39;s natural convexity. 
         FIG. 20  shows a cure through compressible insert with a concave contoured transparent surface applicator and no curing apertures. 
         FIG. 21  shows a compressible applicator with a cure through applicator attached to a transparent tubular applicator holder. 
         FIG. 22  shows a cross section of the applicator of  FIG. 21  to reveal the continuity of the applicator&#39;s aperture. 
         FIG. 23  shows the applicator of  FIG. 21  affixed to a light shaft. 
         FIG. 24  shows a compressible applicator with a cure through applicator attached to an opaque tubular applicator holder. 
         FIG. 25  shows a cross section of the applicator of  FIG. 24  to reveal the continuity of the applicator&#39;s aperture. 
         FIG. 26  shows the applicator of  FIG. 24  affixed to a light shaft. 
         FIG. 27  shows an applicator holder with flexible extensions to adjust and conform while attaching to the light shaft. 
         FIG. 28  depicts the a close up of the adjustable extensions. 
         FIG. 29  shows a cross section of the applicator holder of  FIG. 27 . 
         FIG. 30  shows an applicator holder in the form of a compressible foam sleeve whose insertion aperture compressively adapts to the light shaft. 
         FIG. 31  depicts the sleeve of  FIG. 30  attached to the light shaft. 
         FIG. 32  shows a tubular opaque applicator holder which possesses a compressible gripping ring which engages and secures the holder to the light shaft. 
         FIG. 33  shows a cross section of the applicator of  FIG. 32 . 
     
    
    
     DRAWINGS 
     Numbers 
     
         
           2 . Cure through compressible insert  40 . Laminate veneer 
           4 . Compressible applicator  42 . Tooth surface 
           6 . Compressive curing aperture  44 . Compressive forces 
           8 . Light channel  46 . Photo curing light 
           10 . Adhesive surface  48 . Fiber optic shaft 
           12 . Applicator head  50 . Internal power source 
           14 . Insert shaft  52 . Shaft aperture 
           16 . docking aperture  54 . Transparent compressible 
           18 . Viewing aperture applicator 
           20 . Snapping protrusion  56 . Contoured surface applicator 
           22 . LED device  58 . Transparent applicator holder 
           24 . Insert docking shaft  60 . Compressible applicator 
           26 . LED lamp  62 . Opaque applicator holder 
           28 . Circumferential snapping ring  64 . Flexible aperture extension 
           30 . LED Power switch  66 . Gripping ring 
           32 . Detachable power source  68 . Tubular foam applicator sleeve 
           34 . Charging surface  70 . Expandable sleeve insert 
           36 . Emulsion cover aperture 
           38 . Operator 
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS.  1 A to  3 B—Preferred Embodiment 
     A preferred embodiment of the cure through veneer applicator with LED light is illustrated in  FIG. 1A  (anterior three quarter view),  FIG. 1B  (lateral orthographic view),  FIG. 2A  Anterior undocked dimensional view),  FIG. 2B  (Posterior undocked dimensional view),  FIG. 3A  (anterior dimensional view of the applicator portion) and  FIG. 3B  (posterior dimensional view of the applicator portion). The cure through veneer applicator has two primary aspects. The first is a disposable photo transmissible attachment or cure through compressible insert  2 . This insert  2  is designed to interlock and attach with a slender handheld photo curing LED device  22 . The LED device  22  is based upon currently available technologies. The attached combination of cure through insert  2  and LED device  22  desirably correlates both portions. This combined correlation permits the transmission of curing LED light from the LED device  22  through the cure through compressible insert  2  and onto to a desired surface. 
     The cure through compressible insert  2  is a hollowed tubular one piece plastic body with a soft pliant termination or compressible applicator  4 . The applicator  4  is comprised of desirably soft closed cell foam or similarly elastic photo transmissible rubberized material such as silicone. The compressible applicator  4  shape is intended to correlate with the general dimensions of a tooth&#39;s anterior surface. Thus, the superior portion of the applicator  4  has a curved, semicircular dimension to correlate with a tooth&#39;s natural gingival contour. The lateral applicator  4  aspects are optimally shaped to correlate with a tooth&#39;s buccal lingual contours while the inferior applicator  4  portion relates to incisal tooth anatomy. Additionally, the compressible applicator  4  contains two openings, holes or curing apertures  6 . These apertures  6  are integrally formed within the periphery and traverse the compressible applicators  4  body. They are desirably sized and positioned to primarily transmit photo curing light from the LED device  22  to a bonding surface. Secondarily the curing apertures  6  serve to enhance adaptive compressibility by reducing applicator  4  bulk. Formed into the applicators  4  periphery are two semicircular insets, grooves or light channels  8 . The channels  8  are desirably inset to enhance photo curing exposure and compressibility while maintaining applicator  4  surface area. To facilitate veneer placement, an adhesive application  10  for gripping veneers is applied to the compressible applicators  4  operative surface. 
     The compressible applicator  4  is attached to a flat plastic base, platform or applicator head  12 . The applicator head  12  is the terminal portion of a compressible insert&#39;s  2  hollow plastic body. It has a flat planar surface and serves as a point of adhesive attachment for the compressible applicator  4 . To ensure correlative union, the applicator head  12  shares a relative peripheral dimension with the compressible applicator  4 . Extending continuously from the applicator head  12  is the cure through inserts  2  elongated tubular portion. This hollow structure or insert shaft  14  has a mildly flaring dimension as it extends towards an opened termination. This opened second termination or insert docking aperture  16  functions to interface with the LED device  22  in a manner that will align the compressible applicator  4  and curing apertures  6  with a LED lamp  26  curing light emission. 
     The insert shaft  14  also has a secondary and conspicuously exposed opening or viewing aperture  18  that extends from the posterior surface of the applicator head  12  to a desirable distance within the insert shaft  14 . It is desirably sized and open to permit an enhanced clinical observance during operative procedures. Lastly, extruding from the interior circumference of the insert shaft&#39;s  14  docking aperture  16  are four raised bumps, humps or snapping protrusions  20 . These protrusions  20  are formed on the internal circumferential of the insert shaft  14 , just shy of the docking aperture  16  termination. They are designed to interlock with the LED devices  22  insert docking shaft  24 . 
     The Insert docking shaft  24  is a cylindrical and desirably long extension designed to fit within the compressible cure through applicators  2  hollow insert shaft  14 . Insertion is accomplished by inserting the docking shaft  24  into the docking aperture  16 . Internally housed within the insert docking shaft  24  is a photo light source or LED lamp  26 . The lamp  26  is one that is commonly found in commercially available dental devices and emits light from the insert docking shafts  24  termination. Extruding from the docking shafts  24  posterior area is a circumferential extruded band or snapping ring  28 . This raised circumferential ring  28  shares an interlocking relationship with the cure through compressible inserts  2  snapping protrusions  20 . When a cure through insert  2  is fully inserted into the LED devices  22  insert docking shaft  24 , the snapping protrusions  20  engage the circumferential snapping ring  28  to securely fasten for operative procedures. This is similar to a snap on marker cap. 
     The led lamp  26  is activated by a finger operated LED power switch  30  and is ergonomically positioned to permit optimal finger depression during an operative procedure. To provide the necessary power, an external power source  32  is used. Located on the inferior portion of the external power source  32  are a series of charging surfaces  34  designed to interface with an external charger. 
     The cure through compressible insert  2  and compressible applicator  4  may be made by injection molding. The applicator  4  can also be fabricated as a separate portion by die stamping. The LED device  22  can be created by modifying existing light devices to permit an interlocking attachment with the cure through compressible applicator  2   
     FIGS.  12 - 33  Alternative Embodiments 
     There are various possibilities with regard to the configuration of the cure through compressible insert and also the method of photo transmission.  FIGS. 11A to 11B  show a cure through compressible  2  insert with no viewing aperture  18 .  FIGS. 12 through 15  show a compressible cure through insert  2  having a fiber optic shaft  48 . The shaft  48  is designed to dock with the LED devices  22  docking shaft apertures  52 . Upon docking, an internally located LED lamp  26  transmits photo curing light  46  through the fiber optic shaft  48  to the compressible applicators  4  curing apertures  6 . The LED light device uses an internal power source  50 .  FIG. 16  shows a cure through compressible insert  2  having a transparent compressible applicator  54  made from a suitable compressible silicone material.  FIG. 17  shows a cure through compressible insert  2  with a fiber optic shaft  48  having a transparent compressible applicator  54  made from a suitable compressible silicone material.  FIG. 18  shows a cure through compressible applicator  2  with a contoured surface applicator  56  that correlates with a tooth&#39;s natural convexity.  FIGS. 19-20  show a tubular, transparent cure through applicator holder  58  with an insertion aperture  16  to frictionally engage an LED device  22  on one end, and compressible applicator  54  with a cure through aperture  6  having an adhesive surface  10  on the opposite end.  FIGS. 21-23  show a tubular, transparent cure through applicator holder  62  with an insertion aperture  16  to frictionally engage LED device  22  on one end, a compressible applicator  4  with a cure through aperture  6  having an adhesive surface  10  and a solid transparent light channel  8 . 
       FIGS. 24-26  show a tubular, opaque cure through applicator holder  62  with an insertion aperture  16  to frictionally engage an LED device  22  on one end, a compressible applicator  4  with a cure through aperture  6  having an adhesive surface  10  and a light channel  8  having an aperture.  FIGS. 27-29  show a tubular opaque  62 , cure through applicator holder with an insertion aperture  16  to frictionally engage an LED device  22  by means of flexible aperture extensions  64 .  FIGS. 30-31  show a foam tubular cure through applicator sleeve  68  with an expandable sleeve insertion aperture  70  to allow for the insertion of a LED device  22  and, a cure through aperture  6  with an adhesive surface  10  on the opposite end.  FIGS. 32-33  show an opaque cure through applicator holder  62  with a circumferential, expandable gripping ring  66  to frictionally engage and retain an LED device  22 . 
     Operation 
     The manner of using the cure through veneer applicator with LED light is first requires an operator to attach a cure through compressible insert  2  to an LED device  22 . To accomplish this, the LED devices  22  docking insert docking shaft is placed within compressible cure through inserts  2  docking aperture  16  until the snapping protrusions  20  interlock with the circumferential snapping ring  28  (not shown). Once in place, an attached emulsion cover  36  is peeled away from the compressible applicator  4  to expose the adhesive surface  10  ( FIGS. 5A and 5B ). 
     Next, the anterior portion of a laminate veneer  40  is placed against the adhesive surface  10  to securely but temporarily hold it for placement ( FIG. 6 ). After the veneer  40  is desirably attached to the adhesive surface  10  the operator  38  guides the bonding surface of the veneer  40  to a tooth surface  42  ( FIG. 7 ). Once proper alignment is achieved, the veneer  40  is placed on the tooth  42 . Next, the veneer  40  is placed onto the tooth surface  42  and the compressible applicator  4  is compressed against the veneer  40  ( FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 ). This creates compressive forces  44  which enable to applicator  4  to adaptively adhere the veneer  40  to the tooth surface  42 . 
     Next, while still maintaining compressive forces  44 , an operator  38  depresses the LED power switch  30  to transmit a photo curing light  46  from the LED lamp  26  through the compressible applicator&#39;s  4  compressible curing apertures  6  and light channels  8  ( FIGS. 10A and 10B ) an onto the veneer  40  surface. Finally, with the veneer  40  now bonded to the tooth surface  42 , the applicator is removed from the bonded veneer  40  (not shown). 
     CONCLUSION RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE 
     Accordingly, the reader will see that the cure through veneer applicator with LED can be used to safely place and bond a veneer onto a tooth&#39;s surface. Furthermore, the addition of adaptive compressibility will minimize potential veneer fracture. Veneer fracture would result in additional appointments and loss of capital to both operator and associated lab facilities. Lastly, the cure through apertures and attached LED will allow for a one step place and bond process. Furthermore, the veneer applicator with LED has additional advantages in that
         It permits safe placement of veneers with broad gripping coverage.   Greatly reduces chances of improper bonding that may result from multi-step placement and curing techniques.   Insert design can allow for any possible compressible applicator sizes and configuration.   Insert design ensures that the LED portion will remain contaminate free.       

     Although the description above contains much specificity, this should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but merely as providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments on this invention. For example, the inserts can have any necessary size, length or structural configuration to optimally attach to the curing light. This includes cylindrical shafts, geometric shafts or a combination of the two. Any number of apertures may be incorporated into any aspect of the insert or compressible applicator. To more securely attach the inserts to LED devices, threading, adhesives or even magnets may be incorporated into insert design. 
     Furthermore compressible applicators may be made from any material that is suitably compressible. This includes open cell foams, closed cell foams, rubberized materials, or any proprietary amalgamation of suitably compressible materials. Such amalgamations may includes applicators with two or more layers of varying materials or densities of similar materials, multi core applicators (materials within materials), or any suitable material fusion. Compressible applicators may be opaque or transparent or may have any degree of opacity which optimally transmits the desired amount of photo curing light to a surface. Compressible applicators may also have any number of curing apertures. The may be of any size or shape and may be eliminated all together in the event of a transparent photo transmissible material such a clear silicone. Lastly any number of specialized coatings may be incorporated for optimal operation. 
     Additionally, If the cure through compressible insert is made from fiber optic materials, the insert may assume any configuration which optimally transmits light to a bonding surface. Lastly, the LED device may assume any shape that desirably accommodates cure through inserts and is ergonomically comfortable. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.