Year: 1888

page_text: A communication from abroad by THE PORCELAIN DENTAL ART Co., of Detroit, in
the County of Wayne, in the State of Michigan, United States of America.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S. M.I.M.E. of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, & 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in
the County of Lancaster & 323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
This invention relates to new and useful improvements in restoring decayed or
imperfect teeth to their proper shape, size, and colour, and consists of the devices and
appliances hereinafter specified and set forth in the claims. This improvement is
especially applicable for restoring teeth where the deranged portion is exposed to view,
a prominent feature being the provision of veneers which may be previously prepared
of various forms and tints, and furnished to individual dentists, to be by them fitted
to metallic covers shaped to conform to the outline of the tooth to be thus repaired ;
an intermediate stratum of porcelain paste or body being employed whereby the
veneer may be fused upon the metallic cover.
In the drawings,
Figure 1 is a view of decayed incisors.
Figure view of a tooth prenared for the fitting of the cover.

page_text: .
gare Shows a metate cover.
Figure 5 represents a veneer.
Figure 6 shows a veneer engaged upon a cover by an intermediate stratum of
porcelain paste.
Figure 7 is a sectional view.
Figure 8 is a view analogous to Figure 1, showing the improvement applied.
Figure 9 shows a tooth prepared for a partial cover.
Figure 10 is a sectional view.
Figure 11 a view of a partial metallic covering.
A represents a tooth. B the jaw. In Figure 1 a indicates an imperfection of the
tooth.
A tooth may be prepared for the application of the improvement in the usual
manner, as indicated at a¹ Figure 2. B₁ is a metallic cover, which may be made,
preferably of a thin plate of platinum or other suitable material, the same being fitted
carefully upon the prepared tooth, and forming a hollow shell. A tooth, if required,
may first be built up, before the fitting of the cover thereupon, as by amalgam, at a².
C represents the improved veneer, preferably prepared of enamelled porcelain, made
to closely imitate the natural tooth, in form, size, and colour. These veneers may be
made as separate articles of manufacture, without pins or fastenings, and consisting
mainly of enamel dense in texture, purposely designed for this particular work. When
the cover has been fitted, a veneer is selected, and fitted to the cover, attention being
given to the proper colour. The cover being removable, the veneer is then engaged
thereupon by using an intermediate stratum of porcelain paste D, and thereby fusing
the parts firmly together, after which the cover is cemented upon the tooth.
It is preferable to construct the cover with a flange at its lower end, forming a
depression a³ to support the paste, and preferably with pins or loops a to assist in
retaining the paste upon the cover. When the operation is completed, the tooth is
renewed in appearance while the art and means of so doing are concealed.
Variously coloured pastes may be employed to aid in securing a desired shade
or tint.
In some cases the cover may simply be fitted upon a portion of the tooth, pins or
other fastenings being employed if required to hold the cover more securely upon the
tooth, as at a. The cover may be fitted about the fastening device and reduced
portion of the tooth, or the fastening device may project through the cover as at a
to assist in retaining the paste. In this case of a partial cover, the veneer is fused
upon the cover and the cover engaged upon the tooth as already described. The
veneer may be applied to any side of the tooth, and may be used for building up
artificial crowns upon old roots. Undeveloped teeth may thus be restored as well
as decayed teeth. Gold fillings and devitalized teeth may also be covered in this
manner. The veneers being provided as an article of manufacture, the individual
dentist is not required to provide himself with the costly appliances necessary for
their production in a hardened and tinted state, he has simply, first, to reduce or
prepare the tooth as required, fit the metal cover thereupon, then grind and fit the
selected vencer upon the desired surface of the cover, polish the veneer to a finish,
and fuse it upon the cover with the intermediate stratum of porcelain paste. As so
completed, the whole tooth crown with its veneer is then readily permanently engaged
upon the tooth by means of cements well known in the dental art.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is —
1. A tooth crown consisting of a metallic cover shaped to conform to the outline of
the tooth to be crowned, a previously prepared porcelain veneer, fitted to said cover, and
an intermediate stratum of porcelain paste whereby the veneer may be fused to the
cover, substantially as described.
2. A tooth crown consisting of a metallic cover having a flange at its outer end
forming a depression, said cover shaped to conform to the outline of the tooth to be

page_text: crowned, a previously prepared porcelain veneer fitted to said cover, and an inter-
mediate stratum of porcelain paste, whereby the veneer may be fused to the cover,
substantially as set forth.
3. A tooth crown consisting of a metallic cover shaped to conform to the outline
of the tooth to be crowned, the said cover being provided with a flange and with pins
projecting therefrom, a previously prepared porcelain veneer fitted to the said cover,
and an intermediate stratum of porcelain paste located between the veneer and the
cover and in contact with the flange, whereby the veneer may be fused to the cover
and be held firmly in position, substantially as described.
Dated this
day of
1888.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.