Improvements in the Manufacture of Artificial Teeth.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Nov., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 13.h Aug., 1891-Accepted 14th Jan
1962
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Artificial Teeth.
ROBERT MARSTON of 4 Highfield Street Leicester in the County of Leicester
Dental Surgeon. I Robert Marston, the aforesaid, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows
In order to elucidate the nature of my invention I may explain that artificial
teeth with and without artificial gums and palate are now being made and have
for a long period been made in siliceous compounds known as dental porcelain.
Owing chiefly to the absence of practical information relative to the manufacture
of dental porcelain dentists-generally speaking-are unable to make their
own teeth so they get what they require from "tooth-makers"
teeth made without special reference to any particular case but which are, never-
who supply
theless, conformable to the individual requirements of dental patients. The teeth
supplied to dentists are classified and distinguished by their respective names these
being pin teeth. tube teeth, diatoric teeth pivot-teeth artificial crowns single-gum-
teeth sectional-blocks and shell-dentures.
A pin tooth (whatever class it belongs to) is provided with one or more
platina-pins which project sometimes from its lingual and sometimes from its basal
surface.
Tube teeth are provided with a platina-lined-hole which traverses the tooth in
the direction of its depth that is to say from its masticatory to its gingival surface
and at right angle thereto.
"Pivot teeth" and "artificial crowns" variably partake of the conformation of
both tube-teeth and diatoric teeth.
Single-gun-teeth are what their name implies namely single teeth whose cervical
margin is continuous with and terminates in a strip, flap, or other shaped appendage
of porcelain coloured to imitate the natural gums or else left uncoloured so that
subsequent treatment (enamelling) may supply the exact copy of individual
characteristics so far as that relates to the superficial appearances of the natural
gums.
A. sectional-block comprises two or more "gum-teeth" made in one piece.
" I
may
A. shell-denture represents in one continuous piece all the teeth and gums of a
full jaw and is conformed to individual maxillary surfaces by the addition of
adaptable metallic or non-metallic substances. (In order to distinguish a shell-
denture from what is known to dentists as a "continuous-gum-facing
explain that the latter is composed of previously baked teeth cemented
together with a more fusible "gum-body" which by consecutive additions firings
and shrinkages is ultimately made to assume the proportions of an individual
case only.)
Diatoric teeth differ from pin-teeth and tube-teeth only in respect of their
aving no metallic adjuncts but in lieu thereof are provided with undercut holes
rooves or projections as means of retention.
Each tooth-maker claims some originality in this manufacture and guards with
ecrecy the supposed peculiarities of his modes and formulas but although they do
dopt different modes and formulas which distinguish to the practised eye of a
entist the individuality of each "make" nevertheless, tooth makers all the
orld over are in two respects identical in their practices namely they all use high
usion porcelain and platina pins, tubes, &c. consequently dentists everywhere have
Iways and invariably been supplied with platinum adjuncts and high-fusion teeth.
Owing to the enormous rise in the value of platina it is now desirable and
ecessary to substitute for it cheaper metallic adjuncts but none of the tee:h
[Price 6d 1

page_text: heretofore supplied are suitable as they require for their vitrification a temperature
which would melt and otherwise destroy "low-fusion-adjuncts."
My invention supplies all kinds of teeth furnished with suitable pins, tubes, and
other metallic contrivances. I distinguish my porcelain by the name low-fusion-
porcelain, and my metallic pins, tubes and other contrivances 1 call low-fusion-
adjuncts. The low-fusion-porcelain combined with low-fusion-adjuncts constitutes
my invention, and the low-fusion-porcelain and low-fusion-adjuncts as separately con-
sidered are the several parts of my invention howsoever used in tooth manufacture.
My low-fusion-porcelain is composed of the oxides of silicon, manganese,
aluminium, magnesium, sodium, platina, silver, potassium, gold, copper, nickel,
boron, chromium, barium, strontium, palladium, rhodium, molybdenum, lithium,
calcium, lead, tin, cerium, rhuthenium, uranium, titanium, zine, bismuth, antimony,
tungsten, cobalt, beryllium, yltrium, erbium, terbium, zirconium, norium, thorium,
lantanum. didymium, osmium, vanadium, iridium. The sulphide of cadmium,
antimony, and other sulphides. The fluorides of sodium, potassium, silicium,
barium, aluminium, and other fluorides. Atomized platina, gold, silver, and
other metals. These substances I get from any available source viz. natural
minerals, manufactured chemicals, or the bye-products of chemical processes,
according to the fluctuation of prices. The nature of these constituents being
well understood their selection apportionment and combination is controlled by
the requirements of the purpose which it is intended to carry out, namely, the
production of any or all of the numerous formulas of diversified colours suitable for
producing any and every variety of single-teeth, gum-teeth, sectional-blocks, and
shell-dentures, when fashioned in suitable moulds according to the general methods
of moulding and furnishing artificial teeth, sectional-blocks, and shell-dentures, and
subsequently exposed to the action of heat in the furnace.
As hereinafore shown the many and varied requirements of dentistry necessitate
the use of very many formulas and that being so it is self evident that I cannot
restrict myself to the use of any particular formula but must, necessarily, claim
the sole right to make use and sell any apportionment or modification of the afore-
mentioned ingredients capable of producing any and all suitable formulas whose
fusion-point ranges at or below the fusion-point of an alloy formed by melting
together equal parts of silver and platina. No artificial tooth possessing this
fusibility has ever heretofore been supplied to the dental profession. I claim
the sole right to use for tooth making any porcelain whose fusibility ranges at
or below the standard hereinafore mentioned whether it is intended for the
production of the aforesaid single teeth, gum teeth, sectional-blocks, or shell-
dentures, or whether it is intended only for affixing "low-fusion-adjuncts" into
high-fusion-teeth as hereinafter described or otherwise.
In other words I claim the sole right to apply my invention viz. low-fusion-
porcelain and low-fusion-adjuncts conjointly and separately to every branch of
tooth manufacture.
By the name low-fusion-adjuncts I imply and comprise all known metals and
alloys whether electroplated or otherwise whose fusion point ranges at or below
the fusion-point of nickel such adjuncts have not been, heretofore, used in tooth
manufacture. For this use I prefer alloys of gold, platina, rhodium, rhuthenium,
osmium, iridium, or palladium, severally or conjointly combined with silver or
other metals in variable proportions.
I claim the sole right to use also any and all of the baser metals either alone or
combined electroplated and otherwise, namely, iron (and its carbide-steel) copper,
zine, silver, tin, cadmium, magnesium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, and other metals.
These adjuncts shaped into pins, tubes, strips, loops, and other forms, may also
be inserted into high-fusion teeth by the methods hereinafter described.
1st. For this purpose I use ordinary teeth hereinafore called high-fusion teeth,
and which have necessarily been previously baked and already provided with suitable
holes or other shaped receptacles into which I insert the low-fusion-adjuncts and
then pack round each pin or other adjunet with sufficient of the low-fusion-

page_text: porcelain to fill up the receptacles and make each adjunct secure.
treated I subject to a temperature only sufficient to vitrify the low-fusion-porcelain
The teeth thus
after which firing each adjunct is found to be firmly and securely attached.
2nd. Another method is to cover the end of each adjunct with fused or unfused
low-fusion-porcelain and afterward make contact with the high fusion tooth at a
temperature favourable to cohesion of the porcelain.
::
I am aware that low fusion compounds have been, and are being, used by dental
practitioners for the purpose of stopping carious natural teeth, and for making
continuous-gum-facings" but any extension of their use to the purposes of tooth
manufacture would be distinctly unlawful hereafter as up to the present time their
legitimate uses have been distinctly defined by advertisements and well understood
in practice.
Dated this 13th day of November 1800.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Artificial Teeth.
1, ROBERT MARSTON of 4 Highfield Street Leicester in the County of Leicester
Dental Surgeon do hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
In order to elucidate the nature of my invention I may explain that artificial
teeth with and without artificial gums and palates are now being made and have
for a long period been made in silicious compounds known as dental porcelain.
Owing chiefly to the absence of practical information relative to dental porcelain,
dentists generally speaking are unable to make their own teeth so they get what
they require from tooth makers" who supply teeth made without special reference
to any particular case but which are nevertheless comfortable to the individual
requirements of dental patients. The teeth supplied to dentists are classified and
distinguished by their respective names. These being pin teeth, tube teeth, diatoric
teeth, sectional blocks, and shell dentures. A pin tooth whatever class it belongs
to is provided with one or more platina (platinum) pins which project, sometimes
from its lingual and sometimes from its basal surface. Tube teeth are provided
with a platina lined hole which traverses the tooth in the direction of its depth
that is to say from its masticatory to its gingival surface and at right angles thereto.
Pivot teeth and artificial crowns variably partake of the conformation of both tube
teeth and diatoric teeth. Single gum teeth are what their name implies namely;-
single teeth whose cervial margin is continuous with and terminates in a strip flap
or other shaped appendage of porcelain colored to imitate the natural gums or left
uncolored so that the subsequent treatment of enamelling may supply the exact
copy of individual characteristics so far as that relates to the superficial appear
ances to the natural gums. A sectional block comprises two or more gum teeth
made in one piece.
A shell denture represents in one continuous piece all the teeth and gums of a
full jaw and is comfortable to individual maxilary surfaces by the addition of
adaptable mettallic or non-mettallic substances. (In order to distinguish a shell
lenture from what is known to dentists as a continuous gum facing I may explain
hat the latter is composed of previously baked teeth cemented together with a
nore fusible gum body which by consecutive additions, firings and shrinkages is
ltimately made to assume the proportions of an individual case only).
Diatoric teeth differ from pin teeth and tube teeth only in respect of their
aving no mettallic adjuncts but in lien thereof are provided with undercut holes
rooves or projects as means of retention. Each tooth maker claims some originality
this manufacture and guards with secrecy the supposed peculiarities of his modes
nd formulas which distinguish to the practised eye of a dentist the individuality

page_text: of each make, nevertheless toothmakers all the world over are in two respects identical
in the practice namely they all use high fusion porcelain and platinum pin &c.,
consequently dentists everywhere have always and invariably been supplied with
platinum adjuncts and high fusion teeth.
Owing to the enormous rise in the value of platina (platinum) it is now desirable
and necessary to substitute for it cheaper metallic adjuncts but none of the teeth
heretofore supplied are suitable as they required for their vitrification a tempera-
ture which would melt and otherwise destroy many of my low fusion adjuncts.
My invention supplies all kinds of teeth furnished with suitable pins tubes and
other metallic contrivances. I distinguish my porcelain by the name "low fusion
porcelain. The low fusion porcelain composed with low fusion adjuncts constitutes
iny invention and the low fusion porcelain and low fusion adjuncts as separately
considered are the several parts of my invention however used in tooth manu-
facture.
My "low fusion porcelain " is made of any such like materials or mixtures of
materials examples of which I am about to give in which the fusion point arranges
at or below the fusion point of an alloy formed by melting together equal parts of
silver and platinum. Hitherto no artificial teeth have been made possessing such
a low fusibility though stopping for teeth has been used of low fusibility and also
continuous gum facings. I wish it to be understood that I retain the right to
make my "low fusion porcelain" from any known material or mixture and do not
confine myself to the examples here given whether in regard to the materials or
proportions so long as the fusion is adhered to as above given.
EXAMPLE 1.
-
-
-
3 drams, 2 scruples, 18 grains
1 dram, 1 scruple, 14 grains
1-oz., 3 drams, 16 grains.
EXAMPLE 2.
1
-
-
3 drams, 10 grains
3 drams, 8 grains
3 drams, 1 scruple, 2 grains
3 oz., 6 drams, 1 scruple, 10 grains.
Felspar
"Flux"
Silex
EXAMPLE 4.
-
6 drams, 1 scruple, 13 grains
-
1 dram, 10 grains
-
7 drams, 2 scruples, 3 grains.
The nature of these and other equivalent constituents being well understood their
selection, apportionment, and combination will be controlled by the requirements
of the various conditions met with such for instance as the large range or
diversification of color and other conditions and I do not restrict myself but in
order to state a general method tooth makers may obtain low fusion teeth by
adding to their onlinary ingredients known as fluxes then working the compounds
as ordinary tooth material. The various kinds of teeth sectional blocks &c., are
fr stened in suitable moulds according to the general methods of moulding and then
exposed to the action of the heat.
My "low fusion adjuncts" include all adjuncts where the fusion point ranges at
or below the fusion point of an alloy formed by melting together 60% of platinum

page_text: with 40% of nickel such adjuncts not having been heretofore used in tooth
manufacture.
For this purpose I prefer to use alloys of such metals as gold, platinum,
rhodium osmium, iridium or palladium severally or conjointly combined with
silver or other metal in various proportions but I do not confine myself to the
metals enumerated nor to the particular proportions or mixtures given so long as
the fusion point of the adjuncts is within the limits of fusibility hereinbefore given
but the following table will serve as examples of my "low fusion adjuncts". but
it must be distinctly understood that I claim also the right to use any and all of
the baser metals whether plated or otherwise :-

page_text: As plated pins have never heretofore been used in dentistry I claim the right to
plate metals for that purpose; by the word plating I mean the covering of my
adjuncts with platiua or other suitable metals or combination of metals whether
by the process of electrolysis, wash plating, spontaneous chemical deposition, or
overlapping. I thus claim by this means to be enabled to produce a perfect tooth
furnished with pins others than those made in platinum and by so doing to combine
perfection with cheapness. The diminution in cost of production produces corre-
sponding decrease in the sale price an advantage mutually shared by dentists and
the general public.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. The manufacture and use of adjuncts for artificial teeth made from metals
and alloys the fusion point of which ranges at or below an alloyed formed by
melting together 60% of platinum with 40° of nickel substantially as and for the
purpose herein set forth.
2nd. The use of low fusion porcelain in the manufacture of artificial teeth such
as that herein set forth where the fusion point is at or below that of an alloy formed
by melting equal proportions of silver and platinum together.
3rd. The combination of low fusion adjuncts with high fusion porcelain teeth
by means of a stopping or cement of "low fusion porcelain" or its equivalent as
and for the purpose herein set forth.
4th. The combination of low fusion adjuncts with low fusion porcelain in the
manufacture of artificial teeth substantially as herein set forth.
5th. The use in the manufacture of artificial teeth of adjuncts made of various
kinds of metal and plated with platinum or other suitable metal or alloys sub-
stantially as herein set forth.
Dated this 7th day of January 1899
GEORGE BAKKEK,
77, Colmore Row, Birmingham, Agent.