Patent GB-1174828-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Artificial Dentures
Inventor: WASSERMAN ALBERT
IPC: A61C13/10
Filed: 1967-05-16
Abstract: 1,174,828. Artificial teeth. A. WASSERMAN. 16 May, 1967, No. 22658/67. Heading A5R. In an artificial denture comprising a denture base which has a saddle portion adapted to be mounted on the gum of the wearer and which supports at least one tooth assembly comprising an artificial tooth, the denture base includes a closed chamber which contains a compressible fluid comprised partly of a liquid; the or each artificial tooth is supported by a plunger which is disposed within the chamber for reciprocating movement therein in response to chewing movement of the tooth, pressure applied to the or each tooth thereby being transmitted via the or each plunger and the fluid to the walls of the chamber. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the artificial denture comprises a denture base 10 having a saddle 11 which is adapted to fit on the gum 12 overlying the jawbone 13 of the wearer. Within the denture base is situated a stress distribution chamber 14 which comprises a cylinder 15 in communication with an enlarged reservoir 16, the cylinder and reservoir containing compressible fluid in the form of a body of liquid (e.g. glycerine) and a body of gas (e.g. air). Disposed within the cylinder for reciprocating movement therein is a piston 17 which is in contact with the compressible fluid. Remotely attached to the piston by a screw 19 is an artificial tooth 18, which is carried by a seat member 21 having a flat base 22, which is provided with integral anchoring studs 23: which are embedded in the denture base, the material of which preferably is a plastics material, e.g.methyl methacrylate polymer. Integrally formed on the seat member is a conical radially inwardly extending flanged rim 27 within which fits the conical lower peripheral surface 33 of the tooth. Anchored to the underside of the tooth by studs 32 embedded in the material of the tooth is a plate 31. The seat member also includes an integral annular sleeve 24 which fits within the cylinder to aid in guiding the piston and in sealing the compressible fluid within the chamber. Surrounding the piston to engage the inner surface of the cylinder are O-rings 28 and 29 which accommodate lateral grinding of the teeth and aid in sealing the compressible fluid within the chamber. At the inner end of the piston are pins 37 which carry, pivotally and loosely, one end of leaf springs 34 and 36 which are adapted to engage the shoulder 38 formed between the cylinder and the reservoir thereby to ensure retention of thetooth. The sides of the tooth have a convex shape 39 to prevent entry of food between the tooth and the seat member. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the artifiicial denture may be adapted to be removably secured to a natural tooth 41. The natural tooth includes a crown 42 having protrusions 44 and 46 defining a groove 43 which receives loosely a tongue member 47 formed on the artificial tooth, the tongue and groove permitting limited pivotal and longitudinal movement of the artificial tooth relative to the natural tooth. As illustrated in Fig. 3 (not shown), the artificial denture may include a plurality of artificial teeth the plungers of which communicate with a single common stress distribution chamber.