US2036678A - Denture - Google Patents

Description

R. W. BLAKE April 7, 1936.

DENTURE Filed June 26, 1935 A INVENTOR Robe/r Wfl/'Ze /ake, BY

ATTORNEYS Patented Apr- 7, 1936 UNITED STATESY PATENT oFFieE 10 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in dentures and more particularly to improvements in removable dentures. It is one of the objects of my invention to provide a denture which will permit of an adjustment of the denture after the same has been constructed to compensate for the gradual shrinkage of the tissues of the mouth, and particularly of the gums, whereby without rebuilding or reconstruction, this shrinkage of the tissues may be compensated for to maintain the bite.

Another object of my invention is to provide a denture which will be cushioned to thereby relieve tissues of the mouth from the full force of the bite and thus prevent soreness and pinching of the tissues, particularly of the gums.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved form of denture which, though removably anchored to an adjoining tooth, will not impose undue strain upon the anchor or the vtooth and which may be adjusted after the tissues of the gum have shrunk to prevent undue strain upon the clasp and the clamp or fastening device prevented from affecting the sound tooth or teeth with which the clamp or clamps may. be engaged.

Further objects and advantages of my denture will appear more fully in the accompanying specication and claims.

Referring to the drawing forming a part of the specification, and in which certain embodiments of my invention are illustrated,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a set of normal teeth, including one form of a removable bridge embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the bottom teeth showinga removable bridge embodying my invention, applied;

Fig. `3 is a plan view of a foundational saddle of a `bridge embodying my invention;

, Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the saddle illustrated in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a plan View of the tooth-carrying saddle of a bridge embodying my invention for association with the foundational saddle illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the tooth-carrying saddle;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the tooth-carrying and foundational saddles assembled;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section thereof;

Fig. 9 is a transverse section;

Fig. 10 is a plan View of a bottom set of teeth wherein a bridge for the opposite sides of the 'mouth is used;

Figs. 11 and 12 are plan Views respectively of the two side tooth-carrying saddles for the structure illustrated in Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a plan View showing the foundational saddle in position with the tooth-carrying saddle removed;

Fig. 14 is a sectional View of the mouth showing the structure illustrated in Fig. 10 in position;

Fig. 15 is a plan view of a full set of lower teeth embodying my invention, and

Fig. 16 is a plan view of the foundational saddle thereof.

Referring first more particularly to the structure illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive, I provide a foundational saddle or plate I which is arched and shaped to iit that portion of the gum from which the teeth have been removed. This foundational saddle, in the embodiment illustrated, is provided with a bar 2 having at its opposite end a clasp 3 adapted to embrace a sound tooth on the opposite side of the mouth, the bar being adapted to extend across the mouth behind the front lower teeth. This clasp is provided on its top with a prong or projection 4 adapted to rest on the top of the tooth to prevent the clasp from dropping down on the tooth. Clamp 3 is so arranged that it prevents lateral displacement of the saddle l but at the same time permits a limited downward movement of the saddle without throwing undue strain on the clamp or on the tooth which it embraces. This foundational saddle is provided with a series of posts or pins 5, the saddle and its associated parts being formed of any desirable material such as vulcanite, gold or the like, and where the saddle is formed of gold the pins 5 are preferably brazed or soldered in position while, if the saddle is formed of vulcanite, the pins may be embedded therein and baked in position when the vulcanite is hardened. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, this foundational saddle fits over that portion of the gum from which the teeth have been removed and removably attached to the foundational saddle is a tooth-carrying saddle 6, conforming substantially to the shape of the foundational saddle, and carrying the teeth 1. These teeth are Vsecured to the tooth-carrying saddle in the usual manner and are provided, or at least a portion of the same are provided, with hollow tubes 8 extending throughout the length of the tooth and adapted to accommodate the pins 5 of the foundational saddle. These hollow tubes need not necessarily extend through every tooth mounted on the saddle but at least a suii'icient number should be provided to make suitable provision for the connecting of the tooth-carrying saddle to the foundational saddle through the instrumentality of the pins and tubes. rIhis tooth-carrying saddle is provided with a clamp 9 adapted to embrace the adjacent sound tooth to prevent longitudinal displacement of the saddle and the clasp is also provided with a prong or projection I9 adapted to rest on the top of the sound tooth to prevent the dropping of the saddle and clasp beyond its predetermined position.

Preferably interposed between the tooth-carrying saddle 6 and the foundational saddle I isa shim or cushion II. I'his shim or cushion may take various forms and may, as shown in the drawing, extend practically the full extent of the saddle on either side or may, if desired, be comparatively narrow so that it extends a short distance on either side of the center line of the saddles. Or, if desired, this cushion may take the Vform of small vannular rings surrounding each of the posts. The cushion or shim is preferably formed of rubber or any desirable resilient material, although other material, such for instance as any suitable metal, gold, hardened copper, or the like, may be used. The shim has two functions. One, to provide a more or less resilient member interposed between the toothcarrying and foundational saddle `to provide a cushioning effect for the teeth during the mastication process and to provide Ya means whereby the tooth-carrying saddle may be adjusted in the mouth. Usually in dentures of this nature the tissues of the gums of the wearer shrink for a period after the teeth have been extracted and the denture insertedand as a result the denture Will move away from the teeth of the opposite jaw. This not only destroys the bite of they denture but also throws an undue strain on the clamp 9 and an undue pressure on the adjacent sound tooth to which the clasp is attached, thus causing a soreness in the tooth and a gradual loosening of the tooth. With the present structure, as the gums shrink, from time to time, the tooth-carrying saddle with its associated teeth may be removed and a thicker shim II inserted, thus moving the top saddle closer to the corresponding teeth of the opposite jaw and compensating for this shrinkageof the gum to vvpreserve the bite of the denture without reconstructing the entire device. Furthermore, not only is the bite preserved, but-the absolute vposition of the clamp 9 is maintained, thus relieving the sound tooth of the strain of a distortion of this clamp.

In the particular construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive, ,it .will beseen that the bottom edges of the foundational saddle take somewhat of an outward iiare as at I2, however, atv the same time, conforming tothe contourof the gum or gums over whichit ts. The toothcarrying saddle preferably has a small inner bead I3 thrown up on its inner side and the outer surface of the top saddle at its lower edge becomes flush with the outer edge of the bottom saddle, thereby presenting a smooth surface and, by the bead I3 more or less sealing thespace between the tooth-carrying and foundational saddles.

In thestructures illustrated in Figs. 10 to 14 inclusive, I have shown a structure wherein a two-part denture is provided vhaving plates.` or foundational saddles :I4-for opposite sidesfof the mouth connected together by a suitable bar I5 which is provided with a guiding and positioning prong I6. In this instance the foundational saddles, as is the case in the structure illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9, are each provided with pins 5a adapted to be received in tubes on the toothcarrying saddles I1 similar to the tubes shown in Figs. 8 and 9. The tooth-carrying saddles in each instance receive the teeth and each toothcarrying saddle is provided with a clamp I8 and associated prong I9 similar Vin construction and function to the parts 9 and I0.

In this construction there is likewise provided a illustrated an embodiment of my invention in a full lower denture. As shown in this structure,

`the foundationalfsaddle 25 covers the entire lower gums from which the teeth have been eX- tracted. This saddle is provided with suitable pins 2| and for cooperation with this foundational saddleI preferably Vprovide a vtooth-carrying saddle formed vin Va plurality of sections,.as for instance three sections, A, Band C. .The teeth are suitablymounted on the three Vsections and each ofjthe sections isprovided with tubes similar to ,tubes 8 for cooperation with the pinsll. These tubes may extendthroughall vor a few` of the teeth of veach section and, as illustrated in B, mayexten'd'through the teeth proper or, as illustrated in thesections .A .and C, may extend between the teeth. In this structure, -as in connection with the structure illustratedin Figs. 1 to 9, shims yas the shims l I, are adapted to be interposed between the tooth-carrying and foundational saddlesor plates.V

In some instances it may be found, especially when the dentureis first used, that a shim of any ,character may be dispensed with, although I have found in practice that a cushioning shim even in the early stagesis advantageous.

,The `foundational .member rhas been referred to-as a saddle but .it will beunderstood that this term is intended to be comprehensive enough to embrace ,even a Aplate such as is used for a full vset rof upperteeth.

I claim as my invention:

Y1..A removable denture comprising in completed form a foundational saddle adapted .tofbear on the gums, a tooth-carrying saddle vertically movable on said foundational saddle having one or more .artificial Yteeth mounted thereon and means secured to the foundation saddle veng-aging the teeth of the tooth-carrying saddle and holding the same against lateral displacement while permitting vertical movement.

2. vA removable denture comprising in its completed form, a foundational saddle adapted to bear on the gums, vertically extending pins mounted on said foundational saddle, a toothcarrying saddle, one or more artificial teeth mounted-on the tooth-carrying saddle and provided with tubular members removably receiving said pins, said tubular members being embraced by the teeth on the tooth-carrying saddle, f

3. 'Aremovable .denture comprisng in its completed form, a foundational Ysaddle adapted tobear on vthe gums, vertically-extending pins mounted on the foundational saddle, a .toothcarrying saddle resiliently supported on the foundationa-l saddle, one or more teeth mounted on the tooth-carrying saddle, and tubular members-on said tooth-carrying saddle receiving ysaid vpins and embraced by the teeth of the tooth-carrying saddle.

4. A removable denture comprising in its cornpleted form, a foundational saddle'adapted to bear on the gums, vertically extending pins mounted on the foundational saddle, a toothcarrying saddle, one or more teeth secured to the tooth-carrying saddle, tubular members receiving s-aid pins mounted on said tooth-carrying saddle and embraced by the teeth, and a shim interposed between the tooth-carrying and foundational saddles.

5. A removable denture comprising in its completed form a foundational saddle adapted to bear on the gums, vertically-extending pins mounted on the foundational saddle, a toothcarrying saddle having one or more teeth secured thereon provided with tubular members for receiving said pins embraced by the teeth of the tooth-carrying saddle, and a resilient shim interposed between the tooth-carrying and foundational saddles.

6. A detachable denture comprising in its completed form, a foundational saddle adapted toy bear on the gums, vertically-extending pins mounted in said foundational saddle, a toothcarrying saddle having one or more teeth mounted thereon and having tubular members embraced by the teeth receiving said pins and means for anchoring said tooth-carrying saddle to a sound tooth in the mouth.

7. A removable denture comprising in its completed form a foundational saddle adapted to bear on the gums, vertically-extending pins secured to said saddle, a tooth-carrying saddle having one or more teeth secured thereon and provided with tubular members receiving said pins and embraced by the teeth on said tooth-carrying saddle, a clamp on said tooth-carrying saddle for embracing a sound too-th in the mouth and means for anchoring said foundational saddle to a sound tooth against lateral displacement.

8. A full denture comprising a one-piece foundational saddle adapted to embrace and bear upon the gums, receiving pins exten-ding from said saddle, and a tooth-carrying saddle comprising a plurality of sections separably supported upon said foundational saddle in nal assembly, each section having a pin-receiving socket slidably receiving a pin on the foundational saddle and maintaining said tooth-carrying saddle from lateral displacement on the foundational saddle while permitting a vertical movement between said saddles and the separation of said saddles.

9. A full denture comprising a one-piece foundational saddle adapted to embrace and bear upon the gums, receiving pins extending from said saddle, a tooth-carrying saddle comprising a plurality of sections separably supported on said foundational saddle in final assembly, each section having a pin-receiving socket slidably receiving a pin on the foundational saddle and maintaining said tooth-carrying saddle from lateral displacement on the foundational saddle and permitting a relative vertical movement between and vertical separation of said saddles and a shim interposed between one or more of said sections and the foundational saddle.

10. A full denture comprising a one-piece foundational saddle adapted to embrace and bear upon the gums, receiving pins extending from s-aid saddle, a tooth carrying saddle comprising a plurality of sections separably supported on said foundational saddle in final assembly, each section having a pin-receiving socket slidably receiving a pin on the foundational saddle and maintaining said tooth carrying saddle against lateral displacement on the foundational saddle while permitting -a relative vertical movement between and separation of said saddles and resilient shims interposed between one or more of said sections and the foundational saddle.

ROBERT WHITE BLAKE.

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