Dental veneer instrument
First Claim
1. A dental instrument for use in supporting and handling a dental veneer or the like, said instrument comprising:
- an elongated handpiece having front and rear ends and defining an internal passage extending therebetween, said rear end being adapted for connection to a vacuum source; and
a substantially transparent tip mounted generally at said front end of said handpiece, said tip being formed from a resilient elastomer and defining an outwardly opening and generally cup-shaped base for engaging a dental veneer, the interior of said generally cup-shaped base being in communication with said handpiece internal passage whereby the dental veneer is vacuum-supported against said base when said handpiece internal passage is coupled to the vacuum source.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dental instrument is provided for use in facilitated placement and fixation of dental veneers of fragile porcelain-based material or the like designed for bonding onto patient teeth. The instrument includes a lightweight handpiece adapted for coupling to a vacuum source, in combination with a disposable transparent tip designed to engage and conform with surface contours of a dental veneer for vacuum-holding of the veneer during manipulation preparatory to fixation. A valve port on the handpiece can be opened or closed with a fingertip or with a movable valve member to facilitate controlled pick-up and release of the dental veneer. The transparent tip enhances dentist vision during veneer placement and further permits passage of radiation for improved curing of a light curable bonding agent conventionally used for veneer fixation. A multipurpose vacuum source adapter and alternative instrument geometries are also disclosed.
111 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A dental instrument for use in supporting and handling a dental veneer or the like, said instrument comprising:
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an elongated handpiece having front and rear ends and defining an internal passage extending therebetween, said rear end being adapted for connection to a vacuum source; and a substantially transparent tip mounted generally at said front end of said handpiece, said tip being formed from a resilient elastomer and defining an outwardly opening and generally cup-shaped base for engaging a dental veneer, the interior of said generally cup-shaped base being in communication with said handpiece internal passage whereby the dental veneer is vacuum-supported against said base when said handpiece internal passage is coupled to the vacuum source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A dental instrument for use in supporting and handling a dental veneer or the like, said instrument comprising:
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an elongated and generally tubular handpiece having front and rear ends and defining an internal passage extending therebetween, said handpiece further defining a valve port formed therein near said front end; a hollow tubular probe connected to the front end of said handpiece and extending generally forwardly therefrom, said probe defining an internal path communicating with said handpiece passage and further including a free end presented in a direction generally away from said handpiece; a valve sleeve on said handpiece for sliding movement between a first position exposing said valve port and a second position substantially covering and sealing said valve port; means for coupling said rear end of said handpiece to a vacuum source communicating with said handpiece pas and a flexible, substantially transparent outwardly presented and generally cup-shaped tip mounted at said probe free end with the interior of said cup-shaped tip communicating with said probe path, whereby said tip is adapted to conform with exterior surface contours of and to vacuum-support a dental veneer when said valve port is closed. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification