U.S. patent number 3,822,472 [Application Number 05/328,354] was granted by the patent office on 1974-07-09 for tooth rigidity imparting device and method of implantation thereof.
Invention is credited to Leonard Garfinkel.
United States Patent |
3,822,472 |
Garfinkel |
July 9, 1974 |
TOOTH RIGIDITY IMPARTING DEVICE AND METHOD OF IMPLANTATION
THEREOF
Abstract
A tooth rigidity imparting device and method of implanting into
a pair of adjacent teeth of which at least one tooth has lost its
resistance to mobility in the jaw, including contiguous cavities
being drilled in each of the teeth, the device being a rigid
elongate beam member having the ends thereof located in the
cavities and extending between the teeth, and with the ends
encompassed by a self-hardening dental filling material in the
cavities so as to form a rigidly interconnected tooth
structure.
Inventors: |
Garfinkel; Leonard (Islip,
NY) |
Family
ID: |
23280644 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/328,354 |
Filed: |
January 31, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
433/215;
433/219 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C
5/007 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61C
5/00 (20060101); A61c 013/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;32/2,5,6,7 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Peshock; Robert
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Waters; Eric H.
Claims
What I claim is:
1. A titanium rigidity imparting device for splinting at least a
pair of adjacent natural teeth having cavities facing each other
with at least one cavity being mesial and the other distal, said
cavities being solely within the crown of the teeth, and with said
cavities being adapted to be filled with a hardenable dental
tooth-filling material, said device comprising: an elongate bar
member forming substantially an I-beam in transverse cross-section
extending between said natural teeth, a plurality of longitudinally
spaced apertures extending through the web portion of said I-beam
and being of a dimension substantially corresponding to the width
of said web portion, a first end portion of said bar member being
positioned in the cavity of one said tooth, a second opposite end
portion of said bar member being positioned in the cavity of the
other tooth, said end portions being firmly embedded in the
tooth-filling material in each of said cavities forming a
mechanical bond between said bar member, filling material and teeth
without interfering with the pulp of the teeth so as to maintain
said teeth in rigidly interconnected relationship, said bar member
being positioned in said tooth cavities with the flange portions of
said I-beam being in an upright position relative to the apical
coronal direction, and said apertures being in a vertical
relationship to said teeth.
2. A method of implanting a tooth rigidity imparting device formed
of a rigid I-beam shaped elongate bar member into at least a pair
of adjacent natural teeth, comprising, drilling at least mesial and
distal cavities in contiguous surfaces of said teeth; positioning
the ends of said bar member in said cavities so as to have said bar
member extend between said teeth; and filling said cavities with a
self-hardening dental filling material so as to encompass said bar
member ends and from a rigidly interconnected tooth structure upon
hardening of said filling material.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2, comprising forming at least one
aperture in said bar member, said dental filling material being
adapted to extend through and fill said aperture so as to enhance
the mechanical connection between said bar member and said tooth
structure upon hardening of said filling material.
4. A method as claimed in claim 3, comprising forming a plurality
of said apertures in said bar member prior to positioning thereof
in said cavities so as to be adapted to receive said dental filling
material therein.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a dental bridge and, more
particularly, to a device for imparting rigidity to a pair of
adjacent teeth and its method of implantation into the teeth.
It frequently becomes necessary to utilize an auxiliary means or
device for imparting rigidity to a pair of adjacent loose teeth, or
to at least one tooth which has lost its resistance to mobility
within the jaw. The rigidity imparting device must be generally
constructed of a dental bridge which connects at least two teeth,
or bridges at least two teeth, of which one is looser than the
other in the jaw. However, if both teeth are equally weak and loose
within the jaw then, by interconnecting the two teeth in a suitably
rigid manner, some enhanced degree of rigidity and stability within
the jaw is imparted thereto.
DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART
Heretofore, various bridging or connecting devices for supporting
and imparting rigidity to adjacent teeth have employed relatively
complex connectors or interlocking arrangements which require
extensive drilling of the teeth and accurate dimensioning and
positioning of the locking devices. Furthermore, the prior art
tooth interconnecting and rigidity imparting devices, which are
also frequently employed in supporting artificial teeth or similar
dental prosthesis, required the cutting through of a major portion
of the tooth structure in order to facilitate the insertion of the
device, thereby often causing irreparable damage to the tooth,
while subjecting the patient to extreme discomfort and pain.
Other prior art tooth bridging or rigidity imparting devices which
are prevalently utilized are tooth "crowns", requiring extensive
and extremely costly dental procedures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide
for a novel rigidity imparting device for connecting a pair of
adjacent teeth of which at least one tooth has lost its resistance
to mobility in the jaw.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel
method if implanting a device for imparting rigidity to a pair of
adjacent teeth, of which at least one tooth has lost its resistance
to mobility in the jaw.
Pertaining to the foregoing, the present invention contemplates
initially drilling a distal cavity in one of the teeth adjacent to
the second tooth which is adapted to be interconnected to the first
tooth, and a mesial cavity in the other tooth in axial alignment
with the first cavity. The rigidity imparting device is then
positioned within the cavities in the respective teeth, so as to
form a connecting link extending between the two teeth, and with
the cavities are filled with commonly used self-hardening
tooth-filling material. As the tooth-filling material hardens in
each of the cavities, it permanently and rigidly grips the
respective portions of the rigidity imparting device immersed
therein, thereby firmly fastening the two teeth together.
In its basic form the rigidity imparting device, according to the
invention, is shaped as a rod forming a bar or beam adapted to
interconnect the two teeth, with the end portions of the rod being
positioned within respectively each of the cavities and imbedded in
the tooth-filling material. However, in order to increase the
rigidity imparting effect between the two teeth, other advantageous
forms may be utilized for the elongate rod or rigidity imparting
device. For example, the rod may have an essentially rectangular
cross-sectional configuration having a higher resistance to
bending, or a rod member having enlarged end portions adapted to be
embedded in the tooth-filling material within each of the tooth
cavities so as to provide larger gripping surfaces therebetween.
Furthermore, the rigidity imparting device may be in the form of a
plate member having numerous gripping edges, a plate having
enlarged dimensioned end portions, or may be constituted of a
suitable I-beam with relatively wide upper and lower flanges.
Additionally, in order to enhance the extent of gripping between
the rigidity imparting device and the tooth-filling material
contained in each of the cavities, the rigidity imparting device
may be provided with one or more through-apertures, through which
the filling material is adapted to flow prior to hardening thereof
in the tooth cavities.
Although the rigidity-imparting device is generally utilized for
the fastening together of a pair of adjacent teeth, the rod or bar
member forming the device may bridge more than two teeth so as to,
at times, interconnect a larger number of teeth, for example, three
teeth in which a firm or healthy center tooth in the jaw may
provide an anchor for a pair of loose teeth which are positioned
one on each side thereof. This, in effect will require a cavity or
slot to be drilled across the full width of the center tooth, and
adjacent cavities in each of the two side teeth so as to allow for
passage through and positioning of a single bar member or rod in
all of the cavities, the latter of which may then be filled with a
suitable tooth-filling material, as previously described.
In accordance with the inventive method, the adjacent located pair
of teeth initially have cavities of the distal and mesial type
drilled therein in proximity to each other so as to allow for the
positioning within the cavities of a bar or rod member which
extends between the teeth, thereby constituting a rigidity
imparting device. Subsequently, the cavities, which contain the
rigidity imparting device, are filled with a suitable, commonly
used tooth-filling material which then hardens within the cavities
while encompassing the ends of the bar member so as to interlock
the pair of teeth in rigid engagement.
Since there is no chemical bonding between the rigidity imparting
bar or rod member and the dental filling material, the cavities are
dimensioned so as to be in close conformance with the shape of the
bar member. Furthermore, the cavities are under cut or protrusions
formed therein so as to enhance in the formation of a mechanical
support rigidity fastened within the teeth.
Preferably, the cavity is relatively shallow so as to avoid cutting
deeply into the teeth, and thereby possibly contacting the nerves,
root or irritate the gums. Generally, the teeth are splinted or
interconnected by cutting the cavities into the occlusal surfaces,
however, under certain circumstances the teeth may be fastened
together by the formation of cavities in the lingual or buccal
surfaces thereof.
When interconnecting or splinting together more than two teeth,
such as three or more, the cavity cut into the center tooth or
intermediate teeth extends through the full length of the tooth
surface and into the mesial and distal regions of the respective
end teeth.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference is now had to the following detailed description of
exemplary embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective elevational view of a tooth having a
rigidity imparting device according to the present invention
positioned therein;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view, partly in section, showing a pair of
adjacent teeth which are interconnected by a rigidity imparting
device according to the present invention;
FIG. 3 is an elevational front view, partly in section and on an
enlarged scale, of a pair of adjacent teeth which are
interconnected by another rigidity imparting device according to
the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line 4--4 in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a rod member forming a rigidity
imparting device according to the present invention;
FIG. 6 is another embodiment of a rigidity imparting device;
FIG. 7 is a further embodiment of a rigidity imparting device;
FIG. 8 is still another embodiment of a rigidity imparting device;
and
FIG. 9 is yet another embodiment of a rigidity imparting device in
accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now in detail to the drawings, and particularly FIGS. 1
and 2, a pair of teeth 10 are each provided with suitable mesial
and distal cavities 12 which are drilled into the sides of the
teeth facing each other. At least one of the teeth, and possibly
both, may be loose relative to the other tooth, or in effect, may
have lost its resistance to mobility within the jaw.
An elongate bar member 14, shown in this instance formed as a
rectangularly cross-sectioned plate extends between the two teeth
10 and is positioned so as to have the ends thereof located within
the respective cavities 12 in each of the teeth, as shown in more
particularity in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The bar member 14 is
formed of a corrosion-resistant material, preferably of an inert or
noble metal such as, gold, silver, titanium, platinum, stainless
steel or any other metallic or rigid inert material suited for
dental usage. In order to provide for or enhance mechanical bonding
between the dental filling material and the bar member 14, the
latter preferably has roughened or irregular surfaces or peripheral
edges. The cavities 12 containing the bar member 14 are filled with
a self-hardening tooth-filling material 16, in a manner as usual
with respect to filling of tooth or dental cavities, whereby the
filling material prior to its hardening completely encompasses the
ends of the bar member 14 which project into the cavities 12, and
with the material then being permitted to harden about the bar
member so as to form a rigid interconnecting bridge between the two
adjacent teeth 10. Although many commonly used dental filling
materials may be used, preferred materials employed in conjunction
with the inventive rigidity imparting device are amalgam composite
or filled resins.
The outer surface of the tooth-filling material 16 may then be
shaped or ground so as to conform to the natural contours of the
respective teeth.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawing, the teeth 10,
each having respectively a cavity 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, are
interconnected by a bar member 18. The bar member 18 essentially is
formed of an elongate I-beam having relatively wide upper and lower
flanges 20 interconnected by a vertical web 22. The utilization of
the horizontal flanges 20 will provide space therebetween which,
when the cavity 12 is filled with the tooth-filling material 16
enhances the gripping effect between the latter, the teeth and the
bar member 18 upon hardening of the tooth-filling material.
Consequently, this will impart a greater degree of rigidity and
support between the two adjacent teeth 10. In order to still
further increase the degree of gripping between the tooth-filling
material 16 and bar 18, the vertical web 22 may be provided with a
plurality of through-apertures 24 into which the tooth filling
material is adapted to flow prior to hardening, so as to provide
additional gripping surfaces and zones between the rigidity
imparting device and the tooth-filling material after positioning
of the device within cavities 12.
Various embodiments of tooth rigidity imparting devices may be
employed in connection with the present invention. Thus, for
example, having reference to FIG. 5 of the drawing, in its basic
configuration the device may simply comprise an elongate rod 26
having enlarged "nail-head" ends 27 of essentially circular
cross-section. This type of device, which is relatively inexpensive
to manufacture, will in all likelihood be suitable and sufficient
for most ordinary requirements in which one tooth is adapted to
impart rigidity to an adjacent loose tooth.
However, in order to obtain somewhat more stringent or greater
degrees of support between at least two adjacent teeth, more
complex forms of rigidity imparting devices may preferably be
utilized.
Thus, in FIG. 6, the device takes the form of an elongate bar
member 28 of essentially rectangular cross-sectional configuration.
The bar member 28 corresponds substantially to that of bar member
14 as shown in FIG. 1 and 2 of the drawings. However, in this
instance, the bar member 28 is provided with a plurality of
through-apertures 30 which permit the flow therethrough of the
tooth-filling material 16 when the bar member 28 is positioned in
the respective cavities 12 in each of the teeth 10, so as to
increase the gripping extent between the tooth-filling material and
the bar member, thereby affording a somewhat greater degree of
rigidity to the attached adjacently located teeth. Although the bar
member 28 is shown whereby the axes of the through-apertures 30 are
horizontal and extend through the side of the bar member, it
becomes readily obvious that the bar may be positioned within the
tooth cavities in a flat manner, in effect, rotated through an
angle of 90.degree., so as to have the apertures 30 extend
vertically.
FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a rigidity imparting
device formed of a generally flat plate 32 having a narrow central
portion 34 which extends into opposite widening end portions 36. As
shown the end portions 36 each are of substantially triangular
configuration, however, these shapes are only illustrative, and
circular, rectangular or polygonally-sided end configurations may
also be employed in lieu of the triangular shapes. At least the end
portions 36 may be each provided with a through-aperture 28 to
enhance gripping between the bar member 32 and any tooth-filling
material 16 when the bar member 32 is positioned within the
cavities 12 in the respective teeth 10.
In the embodiment of FIG. 8 of the drawings, the tooth rigidity
imparting device has the shape of an elongate flat plate 40 having
a plurality of extending gripping edges or surfaces 42 at the sides
thereof along the longitudinal direction of the bar member or plate
40. The gripping edges or projections 42 will enhance engagement
between the rigidity imparting device and the tooth-filling
material 16 into which the former is embedded. If required, so as
to still further increase the gripping engagement between the
tooth-filling material and the bar member or plate 40, the latter
may be provided with a plurality of through-aperatures similar to
that formed in the bar members 28 or 32, in, respectively, FIGS. 6
and 7.
The tooth rigidity device illustrated in FIG. 9 of the drawings is
primarily a modification of the bar 26 of FIG. 5, in that it
provides for a circular bar 44 having enlarged spherical members 46
fastened thereto at each of its ends and with the spherical members
46 affording an enhanced gripping engagement between the rigidity
imparting device and the tooth-filling material 16 into which it is
embedded when positioned in the cavities of the teeth.
Numerous other shapes and configurations readily suggest themselves
for the rigidity imparting device according to the invention, and
it is to be noted that the embodiments shown are not limited in any
particular physical sense.
While there has been shown what is considered to be the preferred
embodiment of the invention, it will be obvious that modifications
may be made which come within the scope of the disclosure of the
specification.
* * * * *