Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02355958 2001-08-22
TITLE
Dental Typodont for Practicing the Art of Dentistry
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to dental typodonts for
practicing the art of dentistry and, more particularly, to non-human dental
typodonts
for permitting veterinarian dental students and veterinarians to practice and
learn the art
of veterinary dentistry.
To practice and learn the art of veterinary dentistry, veterinarian dental
students and veterinarian dentists typically utilize the skull of an animal
cadaver.
However, animal cadavers are impracticable and disadvantageous for several
reasons.
Animal cadavers typically must be stored under cold conditions, such as in a
freezer, to
preserve the cadavers, and further must be transported in coolers or the like.
In
addition, animal cadavers often emit a foul-smelling odor, so that
veterinarian dental
students must contend with the unpleasant odor when utilizing the cadavers.
Further,
in practicing the art of veterinary dentistry, it is often advantageous to
remove each
individual tooth of the cadaver for further examination. However, animal
cadaver teeth
are naturally firm and secured to the jaw members so that the teeth are not
easily
removable and re-insertable. Even where the foregoing disadvantages are
overcome, in
some cases, veterinarian dental students encounter difficulty in procuring
these
cadavers for use in part because of their relatively high cost and the limited
supply of
the cadavers. Additionally, unnecessary effort is often expended in preparing
the
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cadavers and chemicals must be procured to preserve the cadavers for future
use.
Consequently, animal cadavers offer limited benefits to both veterinarian
dental
students and veterinarian dentists as a learning or a practice tool.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the present invention relates to a dental typodont for
practicing the art of veterinary dentistry. The dental typodont includes a
first non-
human jaw member having a gum section containing a plurality of spaced-apart
recesses releasably receiving a corresponding plurality of teeth. Each tooth
has a root
portion and an exposed portion. The root portion is removably seated in one of
the
corresponding recesses and the exposed portion extends outwardly from the gum
section.
In another aspect, the present invention relates to an artificial non-
human tooth utilized by dental students for practicing the art of veterinary
dentistry.
The non-human tooth is constructed of an artificial material and includes a
root portion
and an exposed portion. The root portion is for being removably seated in a
corresponding recess and the exposed portion extends outwardly from a gum
section in
which the corresponding recess is formed.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description,
will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings.
For
the purpose of illustrating the invention there are shown embodiments which
are
presently preferred, it being understood, however, that this invention is not
limited to
the precise arrangement and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a dental typodont in accordance
with a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a partially exploded left side elevational view of the dental
typodont shown in FIG. 1 in the open position;
FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a dental typodont in accordance
with a second embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view of the dental typodont shown in
FIG. 3 in the open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience
only and is not limiting. The words "right," "left," "lower," and "upper"
designate
direction in the drawings to which reference is made. The words "inwardly" and
"outwardly" refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the
geometric
center of the dental typodont and designated parts thereof. The terminology
includes
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the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of
similar
import. As used herein, the word "a" as used in the claims means "at least
one."
Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate
like elements throughout, there is showing in FIG. 1 a first dental typodont
10 for
practicing the art of dentistry in accordance with a first embodiment of the
present
invention. More specifically, the dental typodont 10 simulates the jaw members
of a
feline.
The dental typodont 10 includes a first or lower non-human jaw member
12 having a gum section 14 containing a plurality of spaced apart recesses 16
releasably receiving a corresponding plurality of teeth 18. The gum section 14
of the
lower jaw member 12 is constructed of a soft and durable gum-simulating
material. It
is preferred that the soft and durable gum-stimulating material be vinyl.
However, it is
understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure that the
soft and
durable gum simulating material could be other materials, such as thermoset or
I S thermoplastic without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. The gum
section 14 is preferably formed by a molding process well understood by those
of
ordinary skill in the art in the dental typodont industry. Accordingly,
further
description of the exact molding process for forming the gum section 14 is
omitted for
purposes of convenience only and is not limiting.
The gum section 14 can be of a two-part construction (not shown). That
is, positioned on top of the vinyl gum section 14 can be a replaceable upper
softer gum
section preferably mode from a soft gum simulating material, such as a
polyvinyl
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chloride blend. In this manner, if a student damages an upper gum section
during a lab
session, the upper gum section can be replaced without having to replace the
entire
lower jaw member 12.
The recesses 16 are formed in the gum section 14 during the molding
process. However, it is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that
the recesses
16 could be machined into the gum section 14 subsequent to the molding process
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally,
the dental
typodont 10 includes a second or upper non-human jaw member 24 secured to the
lower non-human jaw member 12. As discussed with reference to the lower jaw
member 12, the upper jaw member 24 similarly includes a gum section containing
a
plurality of spaced apart recesses 16 releasably receiving a corresponding
plurality of
teeth 18. The upper jaw member 24 is constructed of the same material and in
the
same manner as the lower jaw member 12. In the present embodiment, although
the
lower and upper jaw members 12, 24 simulate the natural upper and lower jaws
of a
feline, it is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from this
disclosure that the
jaw members 12, 24 may simulate the natural upper and lower jaws of any animal
without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. A flat portion
54 parallel
to the axis of the lower jaw member 12 enables placing of the dental typodont
10 on a
flat horizontal surface.
The second or upper jaw member 24 is pivotally secured to the first or
lower jaw member 12 so that the jaw members 12 and 24 move between an open
position (FIG. 2) and a closed position (FIG. 1). When open, the lower and
upper jaw
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members 12 and 24 are spaced from each other (see FIG. 2) and when closed are
in
engagement with each other (see FIG. 1).
An interlock 30 which is located between the lower and upper jaw
members 12 and 24 releasably interlocks the jaw members 12 and 24 in the open
position. The interlock 30 includes a rod 34, a handle 36, and a hinge 32. The
rod 34
includes a proximal portion 52 which is fixedly attached to the handle 36 and
a distal
portion 60 which is externally threaded. The hinge 32 includes an upper
portion or
generally T-shaped member 32A and a lower portion or generally U-shaped member
32B. The T-shaped member 32A is fixedly attached to the upper jaw member 24 by
fitting the T-shaped member into a similarly sized T-shaped cavity 58 (located
behind
the upper jaw member 24). Thereafter, the T-shaped member 32A is fastened to
the
cavity 58 of the upper jaw member 24 by using a fastener, such as, a screw 31
a (FIG.
2) or the like. 'the U-shaped member 32B is similarly integrated into a U-
shaped
cavity 60 located behind the lower jaw member 12. After the U-shaped member
32B is
integrated, it is fastened to the lower jaw member 24 using a fastener, such
as a screw
31b (FIG. 2) or the like. Thereafter, the T-shaped and U-shaped members 32A
and
32B are pivotally attached using the interlock 30 as follows.
The U-shaped member 32B has a first bore 40 through its proximal arm
44 and a second bore 42 through its distal arm 46. While the first bore 40 is
unthreaded, the second bore 42 is threaded to engage the corresponding
external thread
on the distal portion 60 of the rod 34. Similarly, the T-shaped member 32A has
a non-
threaded bore 48 through its vertical arm 50. A user inserts the vertical arm
50 of the
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T-shaped member 32A into a recess 62 located between the proximal and distal
arms
44 and 46 of the U-shaped member 32B. The T-shaped member 32A is inserted such
that the first bore 40 of the proximal arm 44 (of the U-shaped member 32B) is
aligned
with both the non-threaded bore 48 of the vertical arm 50 (of the T-shaped
member
32A) and the second bore 42 of the distal arm 46 (of the U-shaped member 32B).
Thereafter, the rod 34 is inserted through the first bore 40, followed by the
non-
threaded bore 48, until the rod 34 is in contact with the second bore 42.
After contact
is made, the user begins to rotate the handle 36 in a clockwise direction
until the
externally threaded distal portion 60 of the rod 34 engages the internally
threaded
second bore 42 of the U-shaped member 328. The user continues to rotate the
handle
36 until the distal portion 60 has sufficiently engaged the second bore 42, so
that the
upper and lower jaws 12 and 24 are pivotally attached, and are rotatable
around the rod
34 in an open or close position.
The jaw members 12 and 24 can be locked in a designated position by
continuously rotating the handle 36 in the clockwise direction until the rod
34 is no
longer rotatable. The jaw members 12 and 24 are locked in a designated
position since
the proximal portion 52 of the rod 34 has a larger diameter relative to the
first bore 40
of the proximal arm 44 of the U-shaped member 32B. This enables the proximal
portion 52 to engage and compress the wall around the first bore 40 of the
proximal
arm 44. In turn, the proximal arm 44 compresses the vertical arm 50 of the T-
shaped
member 32A, which in turn compresses the distal arm 46 of the U-shaped member
32B, so that the vertical arm 50 is locked in the designated position. That
is, the
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vertical arm 50 is held immobile by the proximal and distal arms 44 and 46.
While it is
preferred that the lower and upper jaw members 12 and 24 be pivotally secured
together, it is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from this
disclosure that
the jaw members 12 and 24 could be permanently mounted in the open position
(not
shown).
Referring now to FIG. 2, each tooth 18 has a root portion 20 and an
exposed portion 22. When the root portion 20 is removably seated within one of
the
corresponding recesses 16, the exposed portion 20 extends outwardly from the
gum
section 14. The recesses 16 are tapered to receive the root portion 20 which
is
similarly tapered to fit snugly into the corresponding recesses 16. It is
preferred that
teeth 18 and recesses 16 be sized such that the teeth 18 are fractionally
secured within
the recesses 16. 'the teeth 18 may be removed by firmly tugging on the exposed
portion 22 and is reinsertable by applying an upward or downward force on the
exposed portion 22 to secure the teeth 18 into place. Although not shown,
various
I S mechanisms known in the art may be utilized for releasably or fixedly
securing the
teeth 18 in position including adhesives, binding rings, or the like. The
teeth 18
simulate natural teeth found in a feline including the incisor, molar and
bicuspid teeth.
The teeth 18 are preferably made of an artificial material which simulates the
characteristics of natural teeth, such as Ivorine/Cymel, manufactured by AC
Molding
Co. of Wallingford, Connecticut. It is understood by one of ordinary skill in
the art
from this disclosure that the teeth 18 could be made from any material that is
deemed
appropriate. For example, the teeth could be made out of thermoset or
thermoplastic
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without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
It is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that dental typodonts
are typically used with mannequins to locate the typodont in a position which
corresponds to the position of natural use during dentistry. In the veterinary
field, the
subject is anesthetized for a dental procedure. It is within the present
invention to
include a releasable mount (not shown) on the typodont 10 to secure the
typodont 10 to
a mannequin. For instance, such a mount could be located on the back surface
of the
upperjaw 24.
In use, a veterinarian dental student unlocks the interlock 30 by rotating
the handle 36 (FIG. 1) in an counterclockwise direction to release the lower
and upper
jaw members 12 and 24. Next, the lower and upper jaw members 12 and 24 are
opened, preferably, so that the lower and the upper jaw members 12 and 24 are
generally perpendicular to each other (FIG. 2). Thereafter, the handle 36 is
rotated
clockwise to lock the jaw members 12 and 24 in the open position. To examine a
tooth
18 more closely, the veterinarian dental student may remove the tooth 18 by
firmly
tugging on the exposed portion 22, and reinserting the tooth 18 by applying an
upward
or downward force on the exposed portion 22. When removably in place, each
tooth
18 may be operated upon in the same manner as would be in actual dental
practice.
Such operations include without limitation, drilling, replacing of teeth, and
the like.
Similarly, by following the procedure for use as discussed above, veterinarian
dentists
can use the present invention for demonstrating a dental procedure or for
illustrating a
dental problem to feline and canine owners.
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F1GS. 3 and 4 show a second dental typodont I 10 in accordance with a
second embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, the second
dental
typodont 110 as illustrated simulates jaw members of a canine in a closed
position.
The second dental typodont 1 10 is generally identical to the first dental
typodont 10,
except it is in the form of a canine and the interlock is different.
Accordingly, only the
differences between the first and second typodont 10, 110 are described
hereinafter.
Element numerals having a "100" prefix have been used for like elements,
without a
repeat of the description thereof.
A flat proximal end 142 of the upper jaw member 124 is fixedly
attached to an upper curved bar 144 using a fastener such as, a screw 152 for
example.
A lower curved bar 146 is fixedly secured to a proximal end 148 of the lower
jaw
member 112 by similarly using a fastener, such as a screw 158. Thereafter, a
thumbscrew 150 is utilized to pivotally attach the terminal end of the upper
curved bar
144 to the lower curved bar 146. The thumbscrew I 50 pivotally attaches the
lower and
upper curved bars 144 and 146 so that the lower and upper jaw members 112 and
124
are rotatable around the thumbscrew 150 and can be locked in an opened or
closed
position (see FIG. 4). Also, the jaw members 112 and 124 are detachable by
unscrewing the thumbscrew I50 until the jaw members 112 and 124 have been
completely detached.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be
made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad
inventive
concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not
limited to the
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particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications
within the
spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
II
