US3644998A

US3644998A - Dental instrument

Info

Publication number: US3644998A
Application number: US89835A
Authority: US
Inventors: Victor H Rubino
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-11-16
Filing date: 1970-11-16
Publication date: 1972-02-29
Anticipated expiration: 1989-02-28

Abstract

A tooth-extracting instrument having a housing and including a pair of jaws having opposing beaks defining a plurality of spaced-apart tooth-engaging surfaces for complementary clamping engagement with opposite faces of a tooth to be extracted. One of the jaws is fixedly mounted on the housing. The other of the jaws is supported in generally parallel relation to the fixed jaw by the housing for movement generally toward and away from the fixed jaw in response to rotation of an axially elongated handle journaled by the housing. The movable jaw is further arranged for slight angular movement relative to the fixed jaw to permit the various tooth-engaging surfaces to be brought into positive clamping engagement with a tooth to be extracted in response to axial rotation of the handle.

Description

United States Patent Rubino 1 Feb. 29, 1972 [54] DENTAL INSTRUMENT 1,929,258 10/1933 Petersen et a]. .....8l/l64 [72] inventor: xii ta lctgmlno, 1088 N. Mam St., West Primary Examiner Roben Peshock Attorney-McCormick, Paulding & Huber [22] Filed: Nov. 16, 1970 [211 App]. No.: 89,835 1571 ABSTRACT Related U.S. Application Data lo'ii A tooth-extracting instrument having a housing and including a pair of jaws having opposing beaks defining a plurality of spaced-apart tooth-engaging surfaces for complementary clamping engagement with opposite faces of a tooth to be extracted. One of the jaws is fixedly mounted on the housing. The other of the jaws is supported in generally parallel relation to the fixed jaw by the housing for movement generally toward and away from the fixed jaw in response to rotation of an axially elongated handle journaled by the housing. The movable jaw is further arranged for slight angular movement relative to the fixed jaw to permit the various tooth-engaging surfaces to be brought into positive clamping engagement with a tooth to be extracted in response to axial rotation of the handle.

14 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures Patented Feb. 29, 1972 3,644,998

2 Sheets-Shoot 1 0 van.

. INVENTOR.

VICTOR H. RUBINO ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 29, 1972 3,644,998

2 Sheets-Shoot 2 DENTAL INSTRUMENT CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of pending application, Ser. No. 829,187, filed June 2, 1969 and now abandoned, for Dental Instrument."

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION This invention relates in general to dental instruments and deals more particularly with an instrument for use in surgical extraction of teeth.

In extracting a tooth using conventional extracting forceps having a pair of pivoted handles, it is necessary for the dental surgeon to continually apply force to the handles to maintain the forceps in gripping engagement with a tooth to be extracted and to. simultaneously apply extracting force thereto. Since the beaks or tooth gripping parts of the instrument are usually arranged to pivot into engagement with a tooth to be extracted, it will be evident that the instrument will ordinarily engage the tooth at only two points, except in a special case when the beaks of the instrument happen to precisely complement the tooth. Any slipping or loosening of the gripping force on the tooth may cause the crown thereof to be broken off at or near the gum line requiring surgical removal of the remaining portion of the tooth below the gum line or may cause excessive damage to the gum. Premature release of the tooth after extraction may result in the tooth becoming lodged in the patient's esophagus or trachea, or in his sinus area. The risk of premature release is particularly severe when extraction is performed under general anesthesia.

Accordingly, it is the general aim of the present invention to provide an improved tooth extracting instrument which positively clampingly engages a tooth to be extracted at a plurality of spaced points of engagement in response to manipulation of a single handle. A further aim of the invention is to provide an improved dental instrumentof the aforedescribedcharacter arranged to clampingly engage a tooth in a position which facilitates maximum visibility of the mouth area during tooth extraction. Still another object of the invention is to provide an-improved dental instrument having a jaw readily removable for cleaning, sterilization or replacement.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a dental instrument is provided for use in surgical extraction of a tooth and includes a body, a single axially elongated handle rotatably mounted on the body, and a pair of clamping jaws. One jaw is fixedly mounted on the body and the other jaw is supported by the body for movement relative thereto and generally toward and away from the fixed jaw. The jaws are arranged for movement in generally parallel relation into and out of clamping engagement with a tooth to be extracted in response to rotation of the handle in one and the opposite direction. The movable jaw is preferably supported and arranged for slight angular movement relative to the fixed jaw to assure positive clamping engagement with the tooth in response to rotation of the handle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a dental instrument embodying the present invention and shows the instrument in clamping engagement with a tooth.

FIG. 2 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the instrument of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of another dental instrument embodying the present invention and shows the instrument in clamping engagement with a tooth, portions of the instrument being shown in longitudinal section.

2 FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line 10-10 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line ll-ll of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now to the drawing and referring particularly to FIG. 1, a dental instrument embodying the present invention and indicated generally at 10 comprises a body or hollow housing 12 and an axially elongated cylindrical: handle 14 joumaled in the housing. The instrument 10 also has a pair of clamping jaws which include a fixed jaw 18 mounted on the housing and a movable jaw 20 supported by the housing 12 for sliding movement relative thereto. The jaw 20 is movable generally toward and away from the fixed jaw 18 in response to axial rotation of the handle 14 in one and an opposite direction. In FIG. 1, the instrument It] is shown in clamping engagement with the crown portion of a tooth to be extracted indicated at 22.

The housing 12 is preferably formed by two

mating sections

24 and 26. The fixed jaw 18 forms an integral portion of the housing section 24 and projects therefrom in a generally radial direction. The section 24 is otherwise substantially identical to the section 26. Each housing section has inwardly opening recesses therein which cooperate to define an opening or chamber 28 and coaxially aligned front and rear bearing surfaces respectively indicated at 30' and 32' which communicate with the chamber 28 and provide journals for the handle. The

housing sections

24 and 26 also cooperate to define a bore 34 which extends through the housing in parallel relation to the axis of the bearing surfaces 30 and 32 and communicates with the chamber 28. The bore 34 has a generally rectangular cross section and includes at least one inwardly projecting rib 36 which extends axially thereof. Preferably and as shown, three ribs 36, 36 are provided. The two housing sections are retained in assembly by a plurality of fasteners 38, 38.

Considering now the jaws in further detail, the movable jaw 20 is generally L-shaped and has an elongated portion 40 slidably received in the bore 34 and another portion 35 which extends therefrom in generally parallel alignment with the fixed jaw 18. The portion 40 has a generally rectangular cross section complementing the cross section of the bore 34 and a plurality of longitudinally extending

grooves

42, 42 formed therein and equal in number to the ribs 36, 36. Each groove 42 receives an associated rib 36 therein to retain the movable jaw 20 in precise alignment with the fixed jaw 18. The jaw portion 40 also has a rack 44 on its inner edge. Opposing recesses respectively formed in the free end portions or beaks of the jaws l8 and 20 define clamping surfaces 50 and 52 for comrotation of the handle 14. A fastener 50 extends through the forward end of the housing and engages the handle 14 at its forward end to prevent axial movement of the handle relative to the housing.

The movable jaw 20 is preferably releasably retained in assembly with the housing 12 so that it may be readily removed therefrom for cleaning, sterilization or replacement. A fastener 52 threaded into the rear end of the jaw 20 is arranged to abut the ribs 36, 36 when the jaw 20 is moved to its fully opened position, and as best shown in FIG. 5. When the fastener 52 is removed, the movable jaw 20 may be moved out of assembly with the housing 12 by rotating the handle 14.

The enlarged gripping surface at the outer or free end portion of the handle 14 has a diameter substantially greater than the major diameter of the worm gear 48 and facilitates application of substantial torque to the worm gear 48. After the jaw surfaces 50 and 52 are brought into clamping engagement with opposite'sides of a tooth crown, further rotation of the handle 14 causes a jammed or locked condition between the rack 44 and the worm gear 48 which assures a positive grip on the tooth. Thereafter, it is only necessary for the dental surgeon to apply extracting force to the handle of the instrument to effect tooth extraction.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-11, another tooth extracting instrument embodying the present invention is indicated generally at 10a. The instrument 10a is similar in most respects to the instrument 10 previously described. However, the preferred jaw structure is illustrated and described in somewhat further detail. Parts of the instrument 10a which correspond to parts of the instrument 10 previously described bear the same reference numeral a letter a suffix and will not be further described.

The instrument 10a has a fixed jaw 18a which comprises an integral portion of the housing section 240 and which extends from the housing 12a in a generally radial direction. A movable jaw a is supported for movement generally toward and away from the fixed jaw 18a in response to axial rotation of a handle 14a in one and in opposite direction. The L-shaped movable jaw 20a has one portion 40a slidably received in the bore 34a and another portion 35a which extends from the forward end of the portion 40a in generally parallel alignment with the fixed jaw 18a. At least one rib 36a integrally formed on the housing 120 is received in a longitudinally extending groove 42a formed in the portion 40. The latter rib cooperates with the groove to maintain the movable jaw in alignment with the fixed jaw. However, it should be noted that some clearance is provided between the lower surface of the rib 36a and the upper surface of the groove 42a as indicated at 54 in FIG. 6. Thus, the movable jaw 20a is supported and arranged for slight angular movement relative to the fixed jaw 180 between full and broken line positions substantially as shown. This arrangement permits the

jaws

18a and 20a to be brought into positive clamping engagement with a tooth such as 22a in response to rotation of the handle 14a, as will hereinafter be further evident.

Considering the jaws in further detail, the

jaws

18a and 20a have opposing

beaks

56 and 58 at the outer ends thereof. At least one of the beaks has a first tooth-engaging surface proximate the outer end thereof for clamping engagement with one facial surface of the tooth 22a and a second tooth-engaging surface spaced radially inwardly from the first tooth-engaging surface for engagement with another portion of the tooth. The other of the beaks is provided with at least one tooth-engaging surface for clamping engagement with the opposite facial surface of the tooth to be extracted. Preferably, and as shown, each of the

beaks

56 and 58 is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart tooth-engaging surfaces for effecting clamping engagement with a tooth. More specifically, the beak 58 is provided with a first tooth-engaging surface 60 proximate the outer end thereof for clamping engagement with the tooth in the region of its dentoenamel junction or in the region of the junction between its root and crown. A second tooth-engaging surface 62 spaced radially inwardly from the surface 60 is provided for engagement with an associated portion of the coronal belly of the tooth 22a or in the central region of its crown. The beak 58 also includes a third tooth-engaging surface 64 spaced radially inwardly from the surface 62 for engaging an associated portion of the tooth in the region of its superior angle or near the upper portion of the crown. In like manner, the beak 56 is provided with radially spaced-apart tooth-engaging surfaces respectively indicated at 66, 68 and 70 for engaging corresponding portions of the opposite facial surface of the tooth 22a. As shown, the

beaks

56 and 58 have recesses formed therein and respectively indicated at 50a and 5221 which define the various tooth-engaging surfaces. The

recesses

50a and 52a have arcuate configurations in mutually perpendicular planes substantially as shown. More specifically, it will be noted that the

recesses

50a and 52a are arcuately contoured in vertical planes as shown in FIG. 6 and also in horizontal planes as shown in FIGS. 7-9. Preferably, and as shown, each recess is generally anatomically contoured to conform to the shape of an associated portion of a tooth to be extracted. The recesses cooperate to define a tooth-receiving pocket therebetween when the tooth-engaging surfaces are in engagement with a tooth be be extracted. Each of the beaks is adapted to engage an associated facial surface portion of a tooth such as 22a and to extend there beyond and toward the other of the beaks on opposite sides of the tooth to at least partially surround the tooth, as best shown in FIGS. 6-8. The side portions of the beak 56 which extend toward the beak 58 are indicated at 72, 72. The

numerals

74, 74 designate corresponding extending side portions of the beak 58.

When the instrument is used, the movable jaw 20a is first brought into engagement with the lingual surface of the tooth to be extracted or the facial surface of the tooth nearest the patients tongue. Thereafter, the handle 14a is rotated to move the fixed jaw 18 into engagement with the labial surface of the tooth or the facial surface nearest the patients lip. The slight relative angular motion between the fixed and movable jaw facilitated by the clearance 54 and clearance in the rack and pinion structure permits the instrument to seat in clamping engagement with the tooth to be extracted to effect maximum engagement between the various clamping surfaces and corresponding clamping regions on the tooth. Thus, for example, if the tooth is so shaped that the clamping surfaces 60 and 66 tend to engage it at its dentoenamel junction before the other clamping surfaces come into engagement with its crown, the slight angular movement of the movable jaw 20a will permit additional tooth-engaging surfaces to be brought into contact with the crown. The tooth may then be extracted by applying extracting movement to the single handle 14a to loosen the tooth from its attachment and ultimately lift it from its socket.

lclaim:

l. A tooth-extracting instrument comprising a body, a single axially elongated handle joumaled for axial rotation at one end in said body and projecting axially outwardly therefrom, a pair of jaws, one of said jaws supported in fixed relation to and extending generally radially outwardly from said body, the other of said jaws supported by said body for movement relative thereto and having one portion thereof associated with said body and another portion thereof extending generally radially outwardly from said one portion in generally parallel alignment with said one jaw, said one jaw and said other portion having opposing beaks at the outer ends thereof, at least one of said beaks having a first tooth-engaging surface proximate the outer end thereof for clamping engagement with one facial surface of the tooth to be extracted in the region of its dentoenamel junction and a second tooth-engaging surface radially inwardly spaced from said first surface for engagement with an associated portion of the crown of the tooth to be extracted when the tooth to be extracted is positioned between said beaks with its vertical axis generally aligned in the radial direction relative to said instrument, the other of said beaks having at least one tooth-engaging surface for clamping engagement with the opposite facial surface of the tooth to be extracted, and means associated with said single handle and operatively engaging said other jaw for moving said other portion generally toward and away from said one jaw in parallel relation thereto in response to axial rotation of said handle in one and the opposite direction relative to said body and for releasably retaining said other portion in fixed position relative to said one jaw to secure said tooth-engaging surfaces in releasable clamping engagement with the tooth to be extracted to permit extraction thereof by manipulation of said single handle.

2. A tooth-extracting instrument as set forth in claim 1 wherein said one tooth-engaging surface is located proximate the outer end of said other beak for engaging the other facial surface of the tooth to be extracted in the region of its dentoenamel junction and said other beak includes another tooth-engaging surface radially inwardly spaced from said one tooth-engaging surface for clampingly engaging as associated portion of the crown of the tooth to be extracted.

3. A tooth-extracting instrument as set forth in claim 2 wherein said second tooth-engaging surface and said other tooth-engaging surface are arranged to engage opposite facial surface portions of the tooth to be extracted in the region of its coronal belly, said one beak including a third tooth-engaging surface radially inwardly spaced from said second tooth-engaging surface for engagement with the tooth to be extracted in the region of its superior angle, said other beak including an additional tooth-engaging surface radially inwardly spaced from said other surface for engagement with the tooth to be extracted in the region of its superior angle.

4. A tooth-extracting instrument as set forth in claim 2 wherein each of said beaks has a recess formed therein having a generally arcuate configuration in mutually perpendicular planes and generally anatomically contoured to conform to the shape of an associated portion of the tooth to be extracted, said recess in said one beak and said recess in said other beak defining said tooth-engaging surfaces.

5. A tooth-extracting instrument as set forth in claim 4 wherein said recess in said one beak and said recess in said other beak cooperate to define a tooth-receiving pocket therebetween when said tooth-engaging surfaces are in engagement with the tooth to be extracted, each of said beaks being adapted to engage an associated facial surface portion of the tooth to be extracted and to extend there beyond and toward the other of said beaks on opposite sides of the tooth to be extracted to at least partially surround the tooth to be extracted.

6. A tooth-extracting instrument as set forth in claim 2 wherein said other portion is supported and arranged for slight angular movement relative to said one jaw to permit said tooth-engaging surfaces to be brought into positive clamping engagement with the tooth to be extracted in response to axial rotation of said single handle.

7. A tooth-extracting instrument as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body comprises a hollow housing having a chamber therein, said means for moving said other portion operably engaging said one portion within said chamber.

8. A tooth-extracting instrument as set forth in claim 7 wherein said housing comprises two mating sections, each of said sections having recesses therein, said recesses cooperating to define said chamber, a pair of axially spaced, coaxially aligned bearing surfaces communicating with said chamber for journaling said one end, and a bore extending through said housing in parallel relation to the axis of said bearing surfaces and communicating with said chamber, said other portion being slidably received in said bore.

9. A tooth-extracting instrument as set forth in claim 7 wherein said means for moving said other portion comprises a rack formed on said other portion and a worm gear on said handle and drivingly engaging said rack.

10. A tooth-extracting instrument as set forth in claim 9 wherein said handle is generally cylindrical and the diameter of the outer portion thereof is substantially greater than the major diameter of said worm gear.

11. A tooth-extracting instrument as set forth in claim 9 wherein at least one said sections has at least on rib formed therein projecting into said bore and extending longitudinally thereof and said one portion has at least one longitudinally extending groove therein receiving said one rib to retain said other portion in alignment with said one jaw.

12. A tooth-extracting instrument as set forth in claim 1 including means for releasably retaining said other jaw in assembly with said body.

13. A tooth-extracting instrument as set forth in claim 12 wherein said means for releasably retaining said other jaw is a fastener threadably engaging said one portion and adapted to engage an associated portion of said body to limit movement of said other portion away from said one jaw, said other jaw being movable out of assembled relation with said body in response to rotation of said handle in said opposite direction when said fastener is removed from said one portion.

14. A dental instrument for surgically extracting a tooth comprising a hollow housing including two mating sections having a plurality of recesses formed therein and cooperating in assembly to define a chamber, an axially elongated bore extending therethrough and communicating with said chamber, and a pair of coaxially aligned cylindrical bearing surfaces at opposite ends of said chamber, one of said sections having an integral jaw extending radially outwardly therefrom including a generally L-shaped jaw having one portion slidably received in said bore, said one portion having a rack formed thereon, said other jaw having another portion extending radially outwardly from the forward end of said one portion in generally parallel alignment with said integral jaw and having an arcuately rearwardly curving free end portion, said free end portions defining beaks having opposing recesses formed therein adapted for generally complementary engagement with opposite surface portions of a tooth to be extracted when the tooth to be extracted is received therebetween with its vertical axis aligned in said radial direction relative to said instrument, each of said recesses defining a first tooth-engaging surface proximate the free end of an associated one of said beaks for engagement with the tooth to be extracted proximate its dentoenamel junction, each of said recesses defining a second tooth-engaging surface spaced radially inwardly from said first tooth-engaging surface for engagement with an associated portion of the crown of the tooth to be extracted, an axially elongated generally cylindrical handle having a forward end portion of reduced diameter extending into said housing and journaled by said bearing surfaces for coaxial rotation therein, said forward end portion having a coaxial worm gear thereon disposed in said chamber and in driving engagement with said rack, said handle including a rearwardly extending portion having a diameter substantially greater than the major diameter of said worm gear, said other jaw being movable toward and away from said integral jaw in response to axial rotation of said handle in one and the opposite direction respectively, and a fastener threadably received in said one portion and adapted to engage an associated portion of said housing to limit movement of said other jaw away from said integral jaw and to releasably retain said other jaw in assembly with said housing, said other jaw being movable out of assembled relation with said housing in response to rotation of said handle in said opposite direction when said fastener is removed from said one portion.

Claims

1. A tooth-extracting instrument comprising a body, a single axially elongated handle journaled for axial rotation at one end in said body and projecting axially outwardly therefrom, a pair of jaws, one of said jaws supported in fixed relation to and extending generally radially outwardly from said body, the other of said jaws supported by said body for movement relative thereto and having one portion thereof associated with said body and another portion thereof extending generally radially outwardly from said one portion in generally parallel alignment with said one jaw, said one jaw and said other portion having opposing beaks at the outer ends thereof, at least one of said beaks having a first tooth-engaging surface proximate the outer end thereof for clamping engagement with one facial surface of the tooth to be extracted in the region of its dentoenamel junction and a second tooth-engaging surface radially inwardly spaced from said first surface for engagement with an associated portion of the crown of the tooth to be extracted when the tooth to be extracted is positioned between said beaks with its vertical axis generally aligned in the radial direction relative to said instrument, the other of said beaks having at least one toothengaging surface for clamping engagement with the opposite facial surface of the tooth to be extracted, and means associated with said single handle and operatively engaging said other jaw for moving said other portion generally toward and away from said one jaw in parallel relation thereto in response to axial rotation of said handle in one and the opposite direction relative to said body and for releasably retaining said other portion in fixed position relative to said one jaw to secure said tooth-engaging surfaces in releasable clamping engagement with the tooth to be extracted to permit extraction thereof by manipulation of said single handle.