WO2000053116A2

WO2000053116A2 - Dental articulator

Info

Publication number: WO2000053116A2
Application number: PCT/US2000/006120
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert C. Mckinney; Roger O. Paquin
Original assignee: Mckinney Robert C; Paquin Roger O
Priority date: 1999-03-12
Filing date: 2000-03-09
Publication date: 2000-09-14
Also published as: WO2000053116A3; AU3620800A

Abstract

This invention is a dental articulator designed for precise, and rapid attachment of dental casts without the use of plaster. The articulator is characterized by a double ball, a socket mount (18, 19, 36, 37) on the maxillary arm (13) of the articulator combined with plastic clips (80) for quick removal, and reinsertion of the stone cast into the articulator. The combination of these two components allows a technician to quickly, precisely mount, remove, and later remount the working cast for equilibrating the occlusion. The use of plastic snap on clips (80) provides flexibility in the choice of technique to be used to attach the working cast to the maxillary, and mandibular arms of the articulator. The mounting clip can be part of a mold used when pouring the stone, embedded into the stome cast, or glued to the surface of the cast. In addition, the stabilizing pressure pin (25), which maintains the positional angle, is improved with a tension release setting.

Description

DENTAL ARTICULATOR

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to the field of dental apparatus, and more specifically to a dental articulator for use in the registration of dental model casts positioned in an opposing and spatial relationship. Even more specifically, this invention relates to plasterless dental articulators that detach from the cast to facilitate ease of working on the dental model.

2. Background

An articulator is designed to provide the accurate positioning of a pair of dental casts to simulate occlusal and masticatory motion in a dental model of an individual's mouth for fabricating a dental restoration. By attaching casts to the maxillary and mandibular articulator arms and moving the dentures through various centric, eccentric, lateral and protrusive movements against one another; the articulator permits the technician to locate "high spots" on the occlusal surfaces of the dentures so that the dentures can be accurately ground to a proper fitting.

Most fixed-guide articulators require the use of plaster to build up the cast to the proper mounting angle on the articulator. The use of plaster, or similar mounting materials, is expensive, time consuming and messy. Plaster mounting generally does not provide the means to remove the cast to allow the technician to work on it.

The few existing articulators, which utilize dual ball joints, lack rigidity and strength in the body of the articulator. This causes flexing which causes distortion when relating the casts together and will cause false readings of the occlusion. The rigidity of the frame in this invention permits movement of the casts in a manner that simulates movements of a denture in actual use.

Other existing articulators utilizing dual ball joints generally fall into the category of fully adjustable articulators, and are very expensive. These commonly do not allow quick disconnect and precise reconnecting of the cast to the articulator. Some articulators use the "screw retained" method of affixing the cast to the articulator. When using this method, it is very easy to misalign the cast because of working debris, which can adhere to the screw threads.

A new generation of plastic articulators requires that the articulator be glued to the casting using cyanoacrylate glue, available under the tradename SUPERGLUE-3^®. In addition to using toxic chemicals, they are frustratingly difficult to align properly. The alignment technique often result in the operator gluing their fingers together. These also tend to be expensive because they are not reusable. Cyanoacrylate glue is also notorious for instantly bonding skin, rendering its use very inconvenient.

A number of designs unsuccessfully utilize magnets to provide quick attachment and reattachment of the cast to the articulator. Common ferrite magnets tend to be too weak to support the plaster and stone casts. The newer rare earth magnets made from such materials as neodymium iron boron tend to be prohibitively expensive.

Improvements to the prior art are continually being sought.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an articulator that allows quick and rigid attachment of a working cast at the correct angle of occlusion. By advantageously incorporating a flexible dual ball joint mechanism, the difficult task of establishing the correct angle of occlusion is greatly simplified. Most other articulators require that the technician hold the models at the correct angle while plaster or glue hardens. With this device it is only necessary to tighten the retaining screw to hold the correct angle of occlusion.

The present invention further advantageously provides a novel mounting arrangement for locking the cast to the articulator arms, allowing rapid and sturdy mounting and facile dismounting without the use of magnets or glues. According to the invention, a dental articulator is provided for precise and rapid attachment of dental casts without the use of plaster. The articulator is characterized by a double ball and socket mount on the maxillary arm of the articulator combined with plastic clips for quick removal and reinsertion of the stone cast into the articulator. The combination of these two components allows a technician to quickly and precisely mount, remove, and later remount the working cast for equilibrating the occlusion. The use of novel snaps or clips provides flexibility in the choice of technique to be used to attach the working cast to the maxillary and mandibular arms of the articulator. The mounting clips can be part of a mold used when pouring the stone, embedded into the stone cast, or glued to the surface of the cast. In addition, a stabilizing pressure pin which maintains the positional angle of the maxillary arm, is improved with a tension release setting.

The present articulator is also inexpensive to manufacture and simple to use so that prosthesis may be quickly and efficiently produced. The present invention addresses a long felt need in the industry for a dental articulator that is inexpensive, allows a quick and simple setting of the occlusal angle, is rigid, and allows the cast to be easily removed and reinstalled.

The articulator according to the instant invention also advantageously allows the cast to be removed from the articulator to allow the technician to work on it. Quick release clips, preferably formed of plastic, are used to attach the cast to the upper and lower arms of the articulator. These clips, together with a raised alignment ridge between the clips, ensure that the cast can only be placed in one position when mounted to the articulator. This also ensures that the cast will be returned to the correct position when reattached to the articulator

The articulator according to the present invention is also advantageously designed to be lightweight, inexpensive and easy to use. It is also designed to provide the user with a choice of methods for attaching the stone cast to the articulator. Stone casts are connected to the articulator by a variety of inexpensive devices containing plastic clips. One variation allows the plastic clips to be a part of the actual mold used to make the cast, eliminating the need for the traditional rubber mold. Another variation utilizes a component with clips on one side and glue pads on the other to provide the means to attach to outside of the cast by using hot glue. Another variation is embedded into the cast during its preparation.

Once the plastic device becomes part of the stone cast, the entire assembly is snapped into the articulator by using the plastic clips.

This invention is an improvement over other plasterless articulators in that it provides a rigid frame with a flexible maxillary arm with a dual ball joint. The use of a rigid frame prevents flexing which can cause false readings of the occlusion.

This invention is an improvement over other articulators in its use of a dual ball joint.

The use of a dual ball joint allows the rapid and precise determination of the occlusal angle regardless of the quality or accuracy of the casting. It a common practice to spend many hours in a laboratory, using highly paid help, to do this job. This design allows it to be done in minutes.

This invention is an improvement in that it provides a number of optional methods of attachment utilizing plastic clips. All the methods use inexpensive disposable components. The articulator itself is durable and reusable.

This invention is an improvement in that it provides a mechanism for relieving the tension spring which holds the upper articulator armature assembly to the lower frame, thus making it easier to separate the upper and lower sections when needed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective of the invention, together with an assortment of devices used to connect casts to the articulator.

FIG. 3A is a partially exploded perspective of the invention illustrating the ball joint mechanism detail and glue pads used to attach casts to the articulator.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the invention showing the dual ball joint in its closed or locked position.

FIG. 4 is a top down view of the articulator, showing the maxillary mounting plate.

FIG. 5 is an assortment of devices for use in attaching the casts to the articulator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate generally a disassembled view the articulator apparatus 100 according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Articulator 100 provides a solution to the problem of proper alignment of the dental model casts by using a dual ball joint mechanism consisting of two locking clamps 18, 19 which can be securely tightened by turning an elongated locking nut 20. Articulator 100 consists of a mandibular member 1, which pivo tally mounts a maxillary member 2 by an axis crossbar 13. Axis crossbar 13 forms a hinge by pivotally resting in seats

14 and 15 formed by notches provided at the junctures of upwardly extending legs 16 and 17 of mandibular member 1. The pivoting of 13 is limited by a rear pin vertical control bolt 23 and lock nut 22.

The hinge is advantageously releasable, allowing the maxillary member 2 to be removed from the mandibular member 1. Crossbar 13 is held in place by tension spring 24, which is mounted on a pin 25. Grip nut 26 is used to pull against tension spring 24 relieving pressure from 13. When pulled and turned, stop pin 27 can be withdrawn from stop notch 28 keeping the spring compressed, and relieve all pressure from crossbar 13, allowing the hinge to be released. The end of pin 25 can advantageously be formed with a contact member for bearing against the crossbar.

A maxillary member 2 is made up of crossbar 13 which has a vertical mounting arm 29 affixed to it, into which bolt 23 is screwed. It also has a ball 36 attached.

A maxillary member supports maxillary mounting plate 30. Maxillary mounting plate 30 has ball 37 attached. Balls 36 and 37 are locked together by locking clamps 18 and 19. Locking clamp 18 is made up of two ball sockets and a partially threaded rectangular bolt 21. Clamp 19 is made up of two ball sockets and a rectangular hole, which mates to partially threaded rectangular bolt 21. Elongated locking nut 20 is threaded, and fits over partially threaded rectangular bolt 21 and, when turned in a clockwise direction, tightens clamps 18 and 19 onto balls 36 and 37 locking the maxillary mounting plate 30 at the correct angle of occlusion.

Mandibular member 1 has at its base mandibular mounting plate 31. Mounting plates, 30 and 31 perform the function of receiving the mounting devices, which in turn hold the casts. Both mounting plates are of similar shape and have notches formed therein. The notches in the depicted embodiment include two rectangular holes 33 to receive the locking clips 60 and 61 on the mounting devices, and a positioning groove 35 between the rectangular holes. A ridge 62 on the mounting devices fits snugly into groove 35 to ensure that the casts are repositioned exactly.

FIGS. 2 and 3A additionally depict various mounting devices 50, 53, 55 and 80, which are discussed in greater detail hereinbelow in connection with FIG. 5. The mounting devices are attached to the mounting plates 30, 31 to hold dental casts to the articulator. Quandrant cast device 53 is a variant of the full cast device 50.

Turning now to FIG. 3B, the articulator 100 is depicted in assembled form in perspective view. It can be seen that the tension spring 24 urges the end of the pin 25 against the axis crossbar 13, seating the crossbar 13 into the seat 14, and on the opposite side seat 15 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The double ball joint, formed by clamp member 18, 19 is also shown in the locked position, the locking nut 20 threadedly compressing the clamp members 18, 19 about the balls 36, 37 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

FIG. 4 is a top view of the articulator, showing the double ball joint in a locked configuration. Shown from the top are rectangular holes 33 and positioning groove 35. The rectangular holes receive locking clips 60, and the groove receives beveled ridge 62 on an associated mounting device, as shown hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 5. These features in the illustrative embodiment provide affirmative locking of the cast to the articulator arms, preventing the cast from movement vis-a-vis the articulator mounting plates. While locking clips and rectangular holes are utilized along with a groove to provide this releasable and affirmative locking, it should be understood that other well known mechanical expedients known in the art may be employed. For example, without limitation, various other snaps, clips, tongue-and- groove arrangements, hook and loop fastener, bayonet-type locks, clasps, hooks or detents may be used.

This invention provides the means to utilize a variety of mounting devices shown in Figure 5, to attach the cast to mounting plates 30 and 31. Die stone base cups 50 and 53 can be solid, or can have a removable base or base portions to allow access to die pins.

Die stone base cup 50 is designed to receive either maxillary or mandibular full mouth casts. Base cup 53 is designed to receive left or right, maxillary or mandibular quadrant casts. Base cups are filed with gypsum stone and a cast with or without die pins is inserted into the center of the die stone base cup which makes up a working model ready for articulation. The opposite side of the die stone base cups has two locking members in the form of plastic clips 60 and 61. Clip 60 is longer than 61 because it is used to push easily with a finger, to remove it from mounting plates 30 and 31. An orientation locking member in the form of a raised beveled ridge 62 is centered between clips 60 and 61. This raised beveled ridge is mated to groove 35 to ensure accurate positioning of cups 50 and 53 when inserted into mounting plates 30 and 31.

Die stone base cup 53 is designed for single quadrant and is utilized in exactly the same way as 50. It is similar in shape and function to 50 but it is smaller in size.

Glue pad 55 is designed to be glued to stone casts, or a cast that already has a base on it. Glue pad 55, has recessed areas to hold glue. Like 50 and 53, the opposite side of the pad has two plastic clips 60 and 61, and raised beveled ridge 62. Glue pad 55 can be used on maxillary 30 or mandibular 31 mounting plate.

Mounting device 70 is used for a full mouth cast, and is designed to be imbedded directly into a stone cast. A special rubber mold is provided (not shown) which holds 70 in a recessed position so that the plastic clip side is flush with the cast when the rubber mold is removed. Several raised protrusions 75 on the stone side of 70 are imbedded into the wet gypsum stone to provide additional retention when hardened. The opposite side of 70 has plastic clips 60 and 61 and raised beveled ridge 62. Mounting plate 80 is designed for a single quadrant cast. It is also made to be imbedded directly into the stone cast. A special rubber mold is designed which holds 80 in a recessed position so that the plastic clip side is flush with the cast when the rubber mold is removed. A single raised protrusion 85 on the stone side of 80 is imbedded into the wet gypsum stone to provide additional retention. The opposite side of 80 has plastic clips 60 and 61, and raised beveled ridge 62.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, various other changes, additions and omissions in the form and detail thereof may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A plasterless dental articulator for simulating occlusal and masticatory motion of a dental model comprising: a mandibular member; a maxillary member pivotally disposed to the mandibular member by a hinge; a double-ball joint attaching the maxillary member to the hinge member; wherein said double-ball joint has an unlocked position allowing the masillary member to be selectably positioned in space vis-a-vis the mandibular member, and a locked position for holding a selected position.

2. The articulator of claim 1, wherein the hinge comprises a crossbar received in seats located on the mandibular member.

3. The articulator of claim 1 further comprising a hinge release.

4. The articulator of claim 1 wherein the mandibular member and maxillary member each comprise a mounting plate for receiving a dental model.

5. The articulator of claim 4, wherein at least one of said maxillary mounting plate and said mandibular mounting plate comprise mounting structure for lockingly receiving cooperating structure mounted on a dental model.

6. The articulator of claim 4, wherein said mounting structure comprises notches.

7. The articulator of claim 4, wherein said notches comprise at least one of rectangular holes and grooves.

8. A glue plate for attaching a dental model to a dental articulator comprising locking members for lockingly releasably attaching the glue plate to cooperating mounting structure on a dental articulator.

9. The glue plate of claim 10, wherein said locking members comprise locking clips.

10. The glue plate of claim 11, wherein said locking members further comprise a beveled ridge.

11. A base cup for attaching a dental model to a dental articulator comprising a cup body for receiving a dental cast and locking members positioned on the body for lockingly releasably attaching the glue plate to cooperating mounting structure on a dental articulator.

12. The base cup of claim 10, wherein said locking members comprise locking clips.

13. The base cup of claim 11, wherein said locking members further comprise a beveled ridge.

14. A mounting device for imbedding into a dental model for attaching a dental model to a dental articulator comprising locking members for lockingly releasably attaching the dental model to cooperating mounting structure on a dental articulator.

15. The mounting device of claim 14, wherein said locking members comprise locking clips.

16. The glue plate of claim 15, wherein said locking members further comprise a beveled ridge.

17. A plasterless dental articulator for simulating occlusal and masticatory motion of a dental model comprising: a mandibular member having a mounting plate; a maxillary member having a mounting plate, the maxillary member being pivotally disposed to the mandibular member by a hinge; a double-ball joint attaching the maxillary member to the hinge member, said double-ball joint having an unlocked position allowing the maxillary member to be selectably positioned in space vis-a-vis the mandibular member, and a locked position for holding a selected position; wherein at least one of said maxillary mounting plate and said mandibular mounting plate comprise mounting structure for lockingly receiving cooperating structure mounted on a dental model; and a base cup comprising a cup body for receiving a dental cast and having locking members positioned on the body for lockingly releasably attaching the base cup to said cooperating mounting structure on said at least one mounting plate.

18. A plasterless dental articulator for simulating occlusal and masticatory motion of a dental model comprising: a mandibular member having a mounting plate; a maxillary member having a mounting plate, the maxillary member being pivotally disposed to the mandibular member by a hinge; a double-ball joint attaching the maxillary member to the hinge member, said double-ball joint having an unlocked position allowing the maxillary member to be selectably positioned in space vis-a-vis the mandibular member, and a locked position for holding a selected position; wherein at least one of said maxillary mounting plate and said mandibular mounting plate comprise mounting structure for lockingly receiving cooperating structure mounted on a dental model; and a glue plate having locking members thereon for lockingly releasably attaching the glue plate to said cooperating mounting structure on said at least one mounting plate.

19. A plasterless dental articulator for simulating occlusal and masticatory motion of a dental model comprising: a mandibular member having a mounting plate; a maxillary member having a mounting plate, the maxillary member being pivotally disposed to the mandibular member by a hinge; a double-ball joint attaching the maxillary member to the hinge member, said double-ball joint having an unlocked position allowing the maxillary member to be selectably positioned in space vis-a-vis the mandibular member, and a locked position for holding a selected position; wherein at least one of said maxillary mounting plate and said mandibular mounting plate comprise mounting structure for lockingly receiving cooperating structure mounted on a dental model; and a mounting member imbedded in a dental model having locking members thereon for lockingly releasably attaching the dental model to said cooperating mounting structure on said at least one mounting plate.

20. A method of positioning a dental model with an articulator comprising the steps of: providing a dental articulator having a mandibular member having a mounting plate; a maxillary member having a mounting plate, the maxillary member being pivotally disposed to the mandibular member by a hinge; at least one of said mounting plates having a dental model mounted thereto; -

15 a double-ball joint attaching the maxillary member to the hinge member, said double-ball joint having an unlocked position and a locked position; unlocking the double-ball joint; selectably positioning the maxillary member to a position in space vis-a-vis the mandibular member; locking the double-ball joint to hold the selected position.

21. A method of plasterless mounting of dental models on a dental articulator comprising the steps of: providing a dental articulator comprising: a mandibular member having a mounting plate; a maxillary member having a mounting plate, the maxillary member being pivotally disposed to the mandibular member by a hinge; a double-ball joint attaching the maxillary member to the hinge member, said double-ball joint having an unlocked position allowing the maxillary member to be selectably positioned in space vis-a-vis the mandibular member, and a locked position for holding a selected position; wherein at least one of said maxillary mounting plate and said mandibular mounting plate comprise mounting structure for lockingly receiving cooperating structure mounted on a dental model; providing a base cup comprising: a cup body for receiving a dental cast and having locking members positioned on the body for lockingly releasably attaching the base cup to said cooperating mounting structure on said at least one mounting plate; forming a dental model in said base cup; mounting the dental model in the base cup to the at least one mounting plate by engaging the mounting structure of the at least one mounting plate with the locking members of said base cup.

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22. A method of plasterless mounting of dental models on a dental articulator comprising the steps of: providing a dental articulator comprising: a mandibular member having a mounting plate; a maxillary member having a mounting plate, the maxillary member being pivotally disposed to the mandibular member by a hinge; a double-ball joint attaching the maxillary member to the hinge member, said double-ball joint having an unlocked position allowing the maxillary member to be selectably positioned in space vis-a-vis the mandibular member, and a locked position for holding a selected position; wherein at least one of said maxillary mounting plate and said mandibular mounting plate comprise mounting structure for lockingly receiving cooperating structure mounted on a dental model; providing a glue plate comprising: locking members positioned on the body for lockingly releasably attaching the glue plate to said cooperating mounting structure on said at least one mounting plate; gluing a dental model to said glue plate; mounting the dental model on the glue plate to the at least one mounting plate by engaging the mounting structure of the at least one mounting plate with the locking members of said glue plate.

23. A method of plasterless mounting of dental models on a dental articulator comprising the steps of: providing a dental articulator comprising: a mandibular member having a mounting plate; a maxillary member having a mounting plate, the maxillary member being pivotally disposed to the mandibular member by a hinge; a double-ball joint attaching the maxillary member to the hinge member, said double-ball joint having an unlocked position allowing the maxillary member to be selectably positioned in space vis-a-vis the mandibular member, and a locked position for holding a selected position; wherein at least one of said maxillary mounting plate and said mandibular mounting plate comprise mounting structure for lockingly receiving cooperating structure mounted on a dental model; providing a dental model with a mounting member imbedded therein comprising: locking members positioned for lockingly releasably attaching the dental model to said cooperating mounting structure on said at least one mounting plate; mounting the dental model with the imbedded mounting member to the at least one mounting plate by engaging the mounting structure of the at least one mounting plate with the locking members of said mounting member.