Apparatus, system, and method for readapting a dental appliance
US5667386A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 1995 |
| Grant date | Sep 16, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61C13/0024
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus, system, and method for readapting a dental appliance to better fit a model of a wearer's teeth using a vacuum forming table and a heating element is disclosed. The readaptation apparatus is provided with an elastic membrane for closely conforming the dental appliance to the contours of the model upon application of negative pressure to the model and with a drum head adapter for retaining the elastic membrane to the surface of the vacuum forming table in order to efficiently readapt the dental appliance. The disclosed system includes the described readaptation apparatus, as well as a specialized vacuum forming device. The vacuum forming device positions the dental appliance a specific distance from a heating element on the vacuum forming device for bringing the dental appliance to a proper state of plasticity and then smoothly relocates it to the surface of the vacuum forming table, where the dental appliance is vacuum formed using the readaptation apparatus. The inventive method comprises forming the dental appliance using the vacuum forming device, trimming the dental appliance, and then readapting the dental appliance to better fit the model. This is done by heating…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.