U.S. patent application number 15/878365 was filed with the patent office on 2019-07-25 for kit for measuring vertical dimension for dental restoration.
The applicant listed for this patent is KING SAUD UNIVERSITY. Invention is credited to SARA MOHAMMAD AL TAWEEL.
Application Number | 20190223992 15/878365 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 67298359 |
Filed Date | 2019-07-25 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190223992 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
AL TAWEEL; SARA MOHAMMAD |
July 25, 2019 |
KIT FOR MEASURING VERTICAL DIMENSION FOR DENTAL RESTORATION
Abstract
The kit for measuring vertical dimension for dental impression
provides a tool for measuring a difference between a dental
patient's desired vertical dimension and the patient's vertical
dimension prior to a dental restoration procedure. The kit includes
a base, a plurality of measurement sheets, and dental impression
wax. The base includes a planar member having first and second
longitudinally opposed ends and opposed upper and lower surfaces.
The upper surface has at least one longitudinally extending groove
defined therein. First and second legs are secured to the first and
second longitudinally opposed ends of the planar member and extend
downward from the lower surface. Each measurement sheet has opposed
upper and lower surfaces and at least one longitudinally extending
rib formed on the lower surface and at least one longitudinally
extending groove defined in the upper surface. Each of the
plurality of measurement sheets has a known thickness.
Inventors: |
AL TAWEEL; SARA MOHAMMAD;
(RIYADH, SA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KING SAUD UNIVERSITY |
RIYADH |
|
SA |
|
|
Family ID: |
67298359 |
Appl. No.: |
15/878365 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C 19/04 20130101;
A61K 6/90 20200101 |
International
Class: |
A61C 19/04 20060101
A61C019/04; A61K 6/10 20060101 A61K006/10 |
Claims
1. A kit for measuring vertical dimension for dental restoration,
the kit consisting of: a base consisting of: a planar member having
first and second longitudinally opposed ends, transversely opposed
side edges and opposed upper and lower surfaces, the upper surface
having a plurality of longitudinally extending parallel grooves
defined therein; and first and second legs extending from the first
and second longitudinally opposed ends of the planar member and
projecting downward from the lower surface, the first and second
legs defining a gap therebetween; and a plurality of measurement
sheets, each of the measurement sheets consisting of opposed upper
and lower surfaces and a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs
projecting from the lower surface of the sheet and a plurality of
longitudinally extending grooves defined in the upper surface of
the sheet, each of the plurality of ribs projecting from the sheet
being dimensioned and configured for alternately seating in the
corresponding groove defined in the upper surface of the base and
the upper surface of the measurement sheets in order to
interchangeably stack a variable number of the measurement sheets
on the upper surface of the base, each of the plurality of
measurement sheets having an equal thickness and being dimensioned
and configured to extend coextensively with the entire upper
surface of the base from end to end and side edge to side edge,
whereby the base is adapted for removable placement about at least
one tooth of a patient in need of dental restoration such that the
at least one tooth is positioned in the gap between the first and
second legs, at least one coronal face of the at least one tooth
being positioned below the lower surface of the planar member, so
that the vertical dimension needed to compensate for worn teeth may
be estimated by stacking the measurement sheets on the base to a
height desired for the dental restoration.
2-7. (canceled)
8. A kit for measuring vertical dimension for dental restoration,
the kit consisting of: a base consisting of: a planar member having
first and second longitudinally opposed ends, transversely opposed
side edges and opposed upper and lower surfaces, the upper surface
having a plurality of longitudinally extending parallel grooves
defined therein; and first and second legs extending from the first
and second longitudinally opposed ends of the planar member and
projecting downward from the lower surface, the first and second
legs defining a gap therebetween; dental impression wax for
attaching the base above a tooth; and a plurality of measurement
sheets, each of the measurement sheets consisting of opposed upper
and lower surfaces and a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs
projecting from the lower surface of the sheet and a plurality of
longitudinally extending grooves defined in the upper surface of
the sheet, each of the plurality of ribs projecting from the sheet
being dimensioned and configured for alternately seating in the
corresponding groove defined in the upper surface of the base and
the upper surface of the measurement sheets in order to
interchangeably stack a variable number of the measurement sheets
on the upper surface of the base, each of the plurality of
measurement sheets having an equal thickness and being dimensioned
and configured to extend coextensively with the entire upper
surface of the base from end to end and side edge to side edge,
whereby the base is adapted for removable placement about at least
one tooth of a patient in need of dental restoration such that the
at least one tooth is positioned in the gap between the first and
second legs, at least one coronal face of the at least one, tooth
being positioned below the lower surface of the planar member, so
that the vertical dimension needed to compensate for worn teeth may
be estimated by stacking the measurement sheets on the base to a
height desired for the dental restoration.
9. The kit for measuring vertical dimension as recited in claim 8,
wherein the lower surface of the planar member is textured for
engaging at least a portion of the dental impression wax.
Description
BACKGROUND
1. Field
[0001] The disclosure of the present patent application relates to
dental restoration, and particularly to a kit for measuring a
difference between a dental patient's desired vertical dimension
and the patient's vertical dimension prior to a dental restoration
procedure.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] In dental restoration, casts of the maxillary (i.e., upper)
and mandibular (i.e., lower) teeth of the patient are typically
made, and the casts are then moved to an articulator. A dental
articulator is a mechanical device to which the maxillary cast and
the mandibular cast are fixed, reproducing recorded positions of
the mandible in relation to the maxilla. An articulator assists in
the fabrication of removable prosthodontic appliances (e.g.,
dentures), fixed prosthodontic restorations (e.g., crowns, bridges,
inlays and onlays) and orthodontic appliances. With respect to the
vertical dimension (i.e., the vertical distance between the
patient's maxillary and mandibular teeth), the measured vertical
dimension may not be the desired vertical dimension. This is
particularly true for patients in whom one or more teeth have been
ground down, typically due to bruxism, injury or disease. In such
cases, the positions recorded by using the articulator will be
representative of the patient's present shortened teeth, rather
than the patient's teeth with the desired vertical dimension.
[0003] During dental restoration for patients with teeth that have
been ground down, such as those described above, the dentist
typically manually adjusts the articulator based on a visual
estimate of the desired vertical dimension. In order to provide the
patient with the highest level of care, and prevent having to
repeat the dental restoration process multiple times, it would
obviously be desirable to be able to accurately measure the
difference between the patient's desired vertical dimension and the
patient's vertical dimension prior to the dental restoration
procedure (i.e., with the patient's original worn teeth) Thus, a
kit for measuring vertical dimension for dental restoration solving
the aforementioned problems are desired.
SUMMARY
[0004] The kit for measuring vertical dimension for dental
restoration provides a tool for measuring a difference between a
dental patient's desired vertical dimension and the patient's
vertical dimension prior to a dental restoration procedure. The kit
includes a base, a plurality of measurement sheets, and dental
impression wax. The base includes a planar member having first and
second longitudinally opposed ends and opposed upper and lower
surfaces. The upper surface has at least one longitudinally
extending groove formed therein. First and second legs extend from
the first and second longitudinally opposed ends of the planar
member and project downward from the lower surface. The first and
second legs are spaced apart to define a gap therebetween.
[0005] Each measurement sheet has opposed upper and lower surfaces,
at least one longitudinally extending rib formed on the lower
surface thereof, and at least one longitudinally extending groove
formed in the upper surface thereof. Each of the plurality of
measurement sheets has an identical known thickness.
[0006] In use, the base is removably placed about at least one
tooth of the patient such that the at least one tooth is positioned
in the gap between the first and second legs. Preferably, a portion
of the dental impression wax is sandwiched between the lower
surface of the planar member and at least one coronal face of the
at least one tooth. The lower surface of the planar member may be
textured to grip the dental impression wax such that the base is
stably held on the at least one tooth with the at least one coronal
face being positioned adjacent the lower surface of the planar
member, and the first and second legs being positioned about the
side edges of the at least one tooth.
[0007] The at least one longitudinally extending rib of a first one
of the plurality of measurement sheets is releasably received
within the at least one longitudinally extending groove formed in
the upper surface of the planar member, the measurement sheet
defining an initial vertical dimension increment. Additional
measurement sheets are stacked on the first one of the plurality of
measurement sheets, with the at least one longitudinally extending
rib of each of the additional ones of the plurality of measurement
sheets being releasably received within the at least one
longitudinally extending groove of an adjacent one of the plurality
of measurement sheets, until the desired vertical dimension above
the at least one coronal face is achieved.
[0008] Once the desired vertical dimension has been achieved, the
base and the stacked measurement sheets are removed from the
patient's mouth and the number of stacked measurement sheets is
counted. Each measurement sheet has an identical thickness, which
is known. Thus, the number of stacked measurement sheets is
representative of the difference between the desired vertical
dimension and the patient's vertical dimension prior to the dental
restoration procedure (i.e., with the patient's original worn
teeth).
[0009] These and other features of the present invention will
become readily apparent upon further review of the following
specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a kit for measuring vertical
dimension for dental restoration.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the base of the kit of FIG.
1.
[0012] FIG. 3A is a side view of a measurement sheet of the kit of
FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3B is a bottom perspective view of the measurement
sheet of FIG. 3A.
[0014] FIG. 4A is an exploded environmental front view of a kit for
measuring vertical dimension for dental restoration, showing the
order of components used for measuring the vertical dimension of a
patient's teeth.
[0015] FIG. 4B is an exploded environmental side view of the kit of
FIG. 4A.
[0016] FIG. 4C is an environmental side view of the kit of FIGS.
4A-4B, shown in use for measuring the vertical dimension of a
patient's teeth.
[0017] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, the kit 10 for measuring vertical
dimension for dental restoration includes a base 12, a plurality of
measurement sheets 14, and dental impression wax 16. As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 12 includes a planar member 26, having
first and second longitudinally opposed ends 28, 30, respectively,
and opposed upper and lower surfaces 24, 25, respectively. The
upper surface 24 has at least one longitudinally extending groove
22 formed therein. Although FIG. 1 shows upper surface 24 having a
pair of grooves 22 formed therein, it should be understood that the
pair of grooves 22 are shown for exemplary purposes only, and that
one or more grooves 22 may be formed in the upper surface 24.
Additionally, first and second legs 18, 20 are respectively secured
to the first and second longitudinally opposed ends 28, 30 of the
planar member 26 and extend downward from the lower surface 25. As
shown, the first and second legs 18, 20 are spaced apart to define
a gap therebetween.
[0019] Although FIG. 1 shows six measurement sheets 14a, 14b, 14c,
14d, 14e and 14f, it should be understood that these six
measurement sheets of the plurality of measurement sheets 14 are
shown for purposes of illustration and simplification only, and
that the plurality of measurement sheets 14 may contain any desired
number of individual measurement sheets. Further, although FIGS. 3A
and 3B show measurement sheet 14a alone, it should be understood
that each individual measurement sheet of the plurality of
measurement sheets 14 is identical. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B,
measurement sheet 14a has opposed upper and lower surfaces 32, 34,
respectively, with at least one longitudinally extending rib 38
formed on the lower surface 34 and at least one longitudinally
extending groove 36 formed in the upper surface 32. Each of the
plurality of measurement sheets 14 has an identical known
thickness.
[0020] Although FIGS. 1, 3A and 3B show each of the measurement
sheets 14 having a pair of grooves 36 formed in the upper surface
32 and a corresponding pair of ribs 38 projecting downward from the
lower surface 34, it should be understood that the pair of grooves
36 and the pair of ribs 38 are shown for exemplary purposes only,
and that one or more grooves 36 and one or more ribs 38 may be
formed in each of the measurement sheets. The selected number of
grooves 36 and number of ribs 38 are equal for each of the
measurement sheets 14 (which, as noted above, are each identical
with respect to one another), and are also equal to the number of
grooves 22 formed in the upper surface 24 of the planar member 26
of the base 12. The ribs 38 are dimensioned and configured for
alternately seating in the groove 22 defined in the upper surface
24 of the base 12 and the groove 36 defined in the upper surface 32
of the measurement sheets 14a-14f in order to interchangeably stack
a variable number of the measurement sheets 14a-14f on the upper
surface 24 of the base 12 to the height required for the dental
restoration.
[0021] In use, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the base 12 is
removably placed about at least one tooth T of the patient, such
that the at least one tooth T is positioned in the gap between the
first and second legs 18, 20. Preferably, a portion of the dental
impression wax 16 is sandwiched between the lower surface 25 of the
planar member 26 and at least one coronal face of the at least one
tooth T. The lower surface 25 of the planar member 26 may be
textured, serrated, or knurled to grip the dental impression wax 16
such that the base 12 is stably held onto the at least one tooth T
with the at least one coronal face being positioned adjacent the
wax 16 beneath the lower surface 25 of the planar member 26, and
the first and second legs 18, 20 being positioned about the side
edges of the at least one tooth T. It should be understood that any
suitable type of wax or other biocompatible and easily removable
material may be used to temporarily secure the lower surface 25 to
the at least one tooth T.
[0022] The at least one longitudinally extending rib 38 of a first
one of the plurality of measurement sheets (measurement sheet 14d
in the example of FIGS. 4A-4C) is releasably received within the at
least one longitudinally extending groove 22 formed in the upper
surface 24 of the planar member 26, defining an initial vertical
dimension increment. If further increments of vertical dimension
are to be added, additional ones of the plurality of measurement
sheets (measurement sheets 14a, 14b and 14c in the example of FIGS.
4A-4C) are stacked on the first one of the plurality of measurement
sheets 14d, with the at least one longitudinally extending rib 38
of each of the additional ones of the plurality of measurement
sheets being releasably received within the at least one
longitudinally extending groove 36 of an adjacent one of the
plurality of measurement sheets, until the desired vertical
dimension above the at least one coronal face is achieved. FIG. 4C
represents the completed stacking of the desired number of
measurement sheets 14 to achieve the desired additional vertical
dimension for the at least one tooth T.
[0023] Once the desired vertical dimension has been achieved, the
base 12 and the stacked ones of the plurality of measurement sheets
(14a, 14b, 14c and 14d in the example of FIG. 4C) are removed from
the patient's mouth and the number of stacked measurement sheets is
counted (four measurement sheets in this example). Each measurement
sheet has an identical thickness, which is known. Thus, the number
of stacked measurement sheets plus the thickness of the planar
member of the base is representative of the difference between the
desired vertical dimension and the patient's vertical dimension
prior to the dental restoration procedure (i.e., with the patient's
original worn teeth).
[0024] It should be understood that the kit 10 may be provided with
bases 12 and measurement sheets 14 manufactured in a variety of
different sizes, thus providing kits which may be used, for
example, with adult teeth, children's teeth, different types of
teeth, etc. Each of the plurality of measurement sheets 14
preferably has a thickness that may be easily counted for the
overall vertical dimension difference applied to the dental
articulator during the dental restoration process. For example,
each of the measurement sheets may have a thickness of 1 mm.
[0025] It is to be understood that the kit for measuring vertical
dimension for dental restoration is not limited to the specific
embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all
embodiments within the scope of the generic language of the
following claims enabled by the embodiments described herein, or
otherwise shown in the drawings or described above in terms
sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and
use the claimed subject matter.
* * * * *