An anchor comprising a tubular housing adapted to be threaded into a tapped opening in a simulated tooth forming a part of a dental prosthesis. An axially movable, spring biased plunger is mounted in the housing for movement into an extended position of use in the natural undercut area of a fixed tooth in a patient's mouth and into a retracted position within the housing. The plunger is provided with an annular shoulder engagable with an abutment shoulder in the housing for limited movement into the extended position and an inner end engagable with a plug mounted in the housing for limited movement into the retracted position.
A detent device for removably securing a dental prosthesis in a patient's mouth, having a spring loaded plunger movably disposed in an externally threaded tubular member with an end portion of the plunger projecting outwardly therefrom. A positioning spring member is enclosed in the dental prosthesis for determining the location of the tubular member therein, and for receiving the threads of the tubular member for retention thereof in the dental prosthesis. An externally threaded plug member is engaged in the spring member when the dental prosthesis is being formed to provide an internally threaded opening in the dental prosthesis for receiving the threaded tubular member after the plug member is removed from the dental prosthesis. A dental tool engages a front portion of the tubular member for threading the tubular member into the dental prosthesis to a selected position therein. A longitudinally extending slot is provided across the threads of the tubular member to receive an adhesive for securing the tubular member in the selected position. A recess is provided in a natural tooth of the patient for receiving the plunger therein to removably secure the dental prosthesis in the patient's mouth.
A permanent dental prosthesis and a method of installing the prosthesis in the mouth of a patient to replace a missing tooth. The prosthesis comprises a body portion, first and second lugs which project outwardly from opposite side edges of the body portion and which are inwardly slidable with respect to each other, a spring element for biasing the lugs apart and a cap receivable on the body portion for defining an outer tooth-like configuration for the prosthesis. In accordance with the method, the prosthesis is installed between a pair of spaced teeth by first forming elongated notches in the inwardly facing edges of the teeth and then assembling and cementing the prosthesis between the teeth so that the lugs are received and cemented in the notches. The spring element is preferably then removed, and a cap is formed over the body portion to provide an outer configuration for the prosthesis which simulates a natural tooth.
A dental support structure for crown restoration which may be screwed into a hollow dental implant. The support structure has a stem which is adapted to receive a crown and which is moveable along the axis of the support structure in resistance to spring pressure and whose axis may tilt without substantial resistance from said spring pressure.
A detent device for removably securing a dental prosthesis in a patient's mouth, having a spring loaded plunger movably disposed in an externally threaded tubular member with an end portion of the plunger projecting outwardly therefrom. A positioning spring member is enclosed in the dental prosthesis for determining the location of the tubular member therein, and for receiving the threads of the tubular member for retention thereof in the dental prosthesis. An externally threaded plug member is engaged in the spring member when the dental prosthesis is being formed to provide an internally threaded opening in the dental prosthesis for receiving the threaded tubular member after the plug member is removed from the dental prosthesis. A dental tool engages a front portion of the tubular member for threading the tubular member into the dental prosthesis to a selected position therein. A longitudinally extending slot is provided across the threads of the tubular member to receive an adhesive for securing the tubular member in the selected position. A recess is provided in a natural tooth of the patient for receiving the plunger therein to removably secure the dental prosthesis in the patient's mouth.
A base structure for a dental prosthesis comprises first and second anchor elements which are permanently securable to the teeth on opposite sides of a space or gap in the tooth structure of a patient and a base element which is securable to the anchor elements in the gap but which comprises slidably interfitted first and second base element portions so that it is expandable to fit the width of the gap. The method of securing and forming a dental prosthesis in the gap with the base structure comprises the steps of securing the anchor elements on the teeth on opposite sides of the gap, assembling the base element with the anchor elements in the gap, securing the first and second base element portions together, forming an outer shell on the base element and securing the base element with the outer shell thereon to the anchor elements.
