Patent ID: 8226393

Claim:
A system for vacuum formation of a dental appliance, comprising: a base having a perforated top vacuum plate in communication with a vacuum source, the perforated top vacuum plate being adapted for receiving a dental impression cast; a heating unit; a controller in communication with the heating unit and the vacuum source for selective actuation thereof; a holder for a thermoplastic plate; means for selectively positioning the holder for the thermoplastic plate adjacent the heating unit; means for selectively positioning the holder for the thermoplastic plate vertically over the dental impression cast, the means being in communication with the controller, wherein the controller selectively actuates the heating unit to heat the thermoplastic plate, the heated thermoplastic plate being lowered to cover the dental impression cast and be molded therearound following selective actuation of the vacuum source; and an optical sensor positioned adjacent the perforated top vacuum plate for directly measuring thickness of the thermoplastic plate, the sensor being in communication with the controller so that when the thermoplastic plate molded about the dental impression cast achieves a desired, pre-set thickness, the controller deactivates the vacuum source.