The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 27, 2001
Filed:
May. 14, 1999
Bruce Willard Hultgren, Victoria, MN (US);
Iris Development Corporation, Eden Prairie, MN (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method for forming dental impressions to record the bite registration of a patient's teeth. In accordance with the present invention, an impression is taken of a predetermined set of teeth on each side of the patient's mouth in the buccal region thereof to record the bite registration of the upper and lower teeth. The impression is preferably formed by a buccal impression apparatus which includes a rigid frame member having first and second arms and a central section interconnected therebetween, with the frame member defining an open area. A mesh material is connected between the first and second arms and the central section within the open area. The mesh material permits a moldable material to adhere to the frame member during the formation of the impression, with the frame member supporting the moldable material and providing a means to support the impression upon a scanning apparatus. The buccal apparatus has a length such that it extends over a predetermined set of teeth on one side of the patient's mouth. In this manner, only a partial impression of the bite registration is recorded.