Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DENTAL PLIERS DESIGN WITH OFFSETTING JAW
AND PAD ELEMENTS FOR ASSISTING IN REMOVING
UPPER AND LOWER TEETH AND METHOD FOR
REMOVING TEETH UTILIZING THE DENTAL PLIER DESIGN
Background of the Invention
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to dental pliers or dental forcep
designs. More particularly, the present invention discloses a dental pliers
design and associated method for removing teeth and which incorporates a first
jaw portion and a second and offsetting handle portion, the advantage of which
is to permit a two force component rotation rather than a three force
component
pulling, force to be applied to a selected tooth and in order to more quickly
and
efficiently extract the tooth from the patient's mouth.
Description of the Prior Art
The prior art is well documented with various types and examples of
dental pliers (also known as dental forcep) designs. The general purpose of
such forceps or pliers designs is to extract (or pull) a decayed and damaged
tooth from a patient's mouth. All existing forcep designs require a
combination of three (~) forces to remove a tooth. These include first and
second opposing and aligned compressing forces exerted by the first and
second jaws, combined with a third pulling or withdrawing force subsequently
applied by the dentists arm. In removing the tooth, it is necessary that the
jaws
of the forceps be placed above the gum line on an equal and counteracting
hold, accounted for by the first and second holding forces.
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U.S. Patent No. 6,280,184, issued to Hamilton, teaches a method and
apparatus for removing bonded dental appliances and which includes a plier-
type apparatus having first and second lever arms pivotally connected for
rotation relative to each other and having respectively first and second
handle
portions. A hook extends from the second jaw portion and a bracing platform
is pivotally connected to the first jaw portion and facing the hook. In order
to
remove a desired appliance, the hook is engaged at the adhesive line of the
appliance and the tooth, the bracing platform further being placed against the
occlusal bonded surface of the appliance, and the debonding apparatus pivoted
clockwise or counterclockwise.
Both U.S. Patent No. 8,351, issued to Burch, as well as U.S. Patent No.
354,863, issued to Hughes, teach a dental forceps instrument having a first
jaw
terminating in a hook and a second jaw in an opposing and similarly pivotally
associated fulcrum or disk. In each instance the tip of the hook and the
center
point of the fulcrum or disk are aligned at a common point.
Finally, U.S. Patent No. 1,628,499, issued to Joesch, teaches a dental
appliance article including, in one variant, a rounded and pivotally secured
disk
to one of the pivotal jaw portions and which interengages with a jaw of
similar
design to those described in the above-discussed prior art references,
referring
in particular to the drawings in Joesch which illustrate a shank with a
pointed
end and concave angular recess below the point.
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Summary of the Present Invention
The present invention discloses a dental pliers appliance, as well as an
associated method, for removing teeth and which incorporates a first jaw
portion and a second and offsetting handle portion. As stated previously, the
advantage of the dental pliers design of the invention is to permit the user
to
apply a two force component rotating force, rather than a three force
component pulling force, to be applied to a selected tooth and in order to
more
quickly and efficiently extract the tooth from the patient's mouth and in
particular from the gum line and bone in an outward direction.
The present invention is further an improvement over prior art dental
appliances (pliers and/or forceps) in the design of the intentional offset or
misalignment of the jaw and the support (or pad). This misalignment results in
a greater and more efficient rotating force (and as opposed to a conventional
pulling or withdrawing force) capable of being exerted directly upon the
tooth,
through the incorporation of the simplified two force rotation, and in order
to
quickly and efficiently remove the tooth without any damage to the patient's
dental bridge.
The dental pliers appliance, according to any of the preferred
embodiments, includes first and second pivotally interconnected handles. Each
of the handles terminates along one end in a user-grasping portion and, at
opposite extending ends, in a further selected portion suitable for engaging
the
patient's mouth. In particular, the first handle terminates in an arcuately
extending and pointed jaw, whereas the second handle terminates in an
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opposing and offset support. In designing and understanding the forces
necessary to extract a tooth, physics is employed. In particular, it has been
found that a more efficient force is derived from a pair of offsetting and
rotating forces, than that which has been previously achieved through the
provision of the three force component associated with prior art forceps.
More particularly, the forces in moving a T-bar are applied to moving a
tooth out of its socket and which contemplates placing a forcep (or offset
support as defined in the present invention) below the gum line and on the
bone
of the patient. With existing forceps, this would cause a severe puncture
wound in the bone and soft tissue. In use, the pointed jaw portion of the
pliers
appliance is positioned to abut against an inwardly facing side of a selected
tooth, whereas the larger sized surface of the offset cushioned counter and
support aligns along the patient's gum and below the gum line. The
configuration of the dental pliers appliance is further such that the offset
support defines a center point of rotation proximate an edge location of the
gum line. During combined outwardly and downwardly actuated rotation of
the handles, the tooth is caused to pivot forwardly and forcibly dislodge from
the gum line and bone through the application of the two forces and due
further
to the configuration and positioning of the pointed jaw portion and offsetting
support.
The configuration of the handles, with associated jaw and support
portions, varies between a first variant suited for removing teeth projecting
from and along a lower gum line and jaw bone of a patient and a second variant
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likewise suited for removing teeth projecting from and along an upper gum
line. The second variant further includes first and second sub-variants, these
being mirror images of one another, and which are particularly suited for
engaging and dislodging teeth extending along respective halves of the upper
gum line.
Additional features of the dental pliers appliance include the ability of
the appliance to successfully engage and dislodge broken or fractured teeth,
such as which in particular exhibit very little tooth mass extending at or
above
the gum line and despite having an embedded root tip. Also, it is contemplated
that a sanitary, and typically flexible and plasticized, cap attachment is
provided and which is capable of being releasably secured over the configured
support and during such positioning of the support along the patient's gum
line.
A method for removing teeth from a dental patient's gum line and bone,
utilizing the dental appliance of the present invention, is also disclosed and
which includes the steps of positioning a first terminating support portion of
a
dental pliers appliance along a selection location below the gum line, as well
as
concurrently positioning a second terminating and jaw portion of the dental
pliers appliance against an inwardly facing side of a selected tooth
projecting
from tie gum line. As substantially described above, first and second
pivotally
connected handles associated with the dental pliers appliance are then rotated
- in an outward fashion away from the patient's gum line and to forcibly
dislodge the tooth from the patient's gum line and bone.
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Brief Description of the Drawings
Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in
combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference
numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a first variant of the dental pliers according to a
first variant for use in removing teeth located within a patient's lower jaw
and
according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an enlarged and sectional perspective view of the dental pliers
tool according to Fig. 1 and which further illustrates the jaw and support
according to the present invention;
Fig. 3 is an illustration of a conventional plier design according to the
prior art and further illustrating the previously known manner of withdrawing
teeth utilizing a three-component pulling or withdrawing force;
Fig. 4 is an illustration, of a nature similar to that shown in Fig. l, and
showing the tool according to Figs. l and 2 in a first engaged position
relative a
patient's tooth located along the bottom jaw;
Fig. 5 is an illustration of a furthering removal or cantilevered position
of the tooth and in which the tool, also shown in Fig. 4, is rotated utilizing
a
two-component force application and resulting in the tooth being forcibly
disengaged from the patient's lower bridge and gum line;
Fig. 6 is plan view of a second variant of the dental pliers tool for use in
removing teeth located along a first half of a patient's upper jaw and
according
to the present invention;
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Fig. 7 is a side view of the dental pliers tool illustrated in Fig. 6 and
according to the present invention;
Fig. 8 is a side view of an opposite and mirror image dental pliers tool,
with respect to that illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, and which is used for
removing
teeth located along a second half of a patient's upper jaw;
Fig. 9 is an enlarged and sectional perspective view of the dental pliers
tool according to the upper jaw variant of Fig. 8 and which further
illustrates
the jaw and support according to the present invention;
Fig. 10 is an illustration, of a nature similar to that previously shown in
Fig. 4, and showing the tool according to either of the sub-variants of Figs.
7
and 8, in a first engaged position relative a patient's tooth located along a
selected half of the upper jaw;
Fig. 11 is an illustration of a furthering removal or cantilevered position
of the tooth and in which the tool, also shown in Fig. 10, is rotated
resulting in
the tooth again being forcibly disengaged from the patient's upper bridge and
gum line through a two-component rotating force according to the present
invention;
Fig. 12 is a view similar to that previously shown in Fig. 10 and in
which the dental pliers design is illustrated in a further engagement position
for
forcibly removing a broken or fragmented tooth having an embedded root tip;
. and
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Fig. 13 is a sectional illustration of a plasticized and sterile cap
attachment for use with the support according to any previously illustrated
variant according to the present invention.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments
Referring now to Fig. 1, a pair of dental pliers is illustrated at 10
according to a first preferred variant of the present invention and for use in
removing teeth located along a lower jaw line of a patient. As discussed
previously the dental pliers, according to any of the design variants
disclosed
herein, is an improvement over prior art dental pliers and forceps in that it
facilitates providing an outward directed and rotating force, rather than a
pulling force, applied to a selected tooth and in order to more quickly and
efficiently extract the tooth from the patient's gum line and bone.
The present invention is again an improvement over prior art dental
appliances (pliers and/or forceps) in that the intentional offset or
misalignment
of the jaw and the pad (or support) allows a greater and more efficient two-
component rotating force (and as opposed to a conventional three-component
gripping and pulling or withdrawing force) to be exerted directly upon the
tooth, at the gum line, and in order to quickly and efficiently remove the
tooth
without any damage to the patient's dental bridge.
Refernng again to Fig.' 1, as well as to Fig. 2, the dental pliers variant
10 includes a first handle and a second handle, which are generally referenced
at 12 and 14, respectively. Each of the handles 12 and 14 include extending
and configured user grasping portions, see at 16 and 18, respectively, as well
as
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associated intermediate portions 20 and 22 and terminating portions 24 and 26.
In the particular instance of the variant of Figs. 1 and 2, the configuration
of the
dental pliers appliance 10 illustrated is specifically suited for the
dislodging
and removal of teeth located along a lower gum line and jaw bone of a patient.
The handles 12 and 14 are further hingedly interconnected at pivot
point 28. In a preferred variant, an aperture is defined along and within the
first handle 12, and such as is best illustrated in Fig. 2 by inwardly facing
side
walls 30 and 32 and interconnecting end walls 34 and 36 which define an
elongated and rectangular slot shaped aperture. The aperture in first handle
12
is located in proximity to its terminating end 24 and such that the second
handle 14, a point intersecting the first handle 12, extends through the
aperture.
A pin (again defined by pivot point 28) extends crosswise through the
intersecting location of the first and second handles 12 and 14 to define the
pivotal connection. It is further understood that both the configuration of
gripping portions of the handles, as well as the manner in which the handles
are
pivotally connected together, may be modified without departing from the
scope of the invention.
Referring again to Figs. 1 and 2, the terminating portion 24 (associated
with first handle 12) exhibits an arcuately extending and substantially
pointed
jaw 38. In contrast, the second terminating portion 26 (associated with second
handle 14) exhibits a three dimensional and offset support 40 exhibiting an
ergonomically configured and supporting surface 42 which is designed to
substantially match that of the patient's gum line.
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Prior to providing a description of the engaging and removal positions
of the appliance 10, relative to a patient's tooth and as is shown in Figs. 4
and
5, a description of the prior art and existing technique for removing a tooth
will
now be explained and with further reference to Fig. 3. In particular,
conventionally designed handles 12' and 14' are shown in the Prior Art view of
Fig. 3, are pivotally connected at 28', and terminate in associated and
opposing
ends 24' and 26' in the form of jaw portions.
As further shown in Fig. 3, the prior art technique for removing a
selected tooth 44 from its associated gum 46 and bone 48 contemplates the
Opposing jaw portions, see again 24' and 26', engaging opposite facing sides
of
the tooth 44, above a gum line 50 from which the tooth 44 projects. Upon
positioning of the prior art pliers device in the position illustrated in Fig.
3, and
further upon the handles 12' and 14' being compressed in the directions
illustrated at 52 and 54, (accounting for the first and second forces)
respectively, a further (third) pulling force (referenced by directional arrow
52)
is concurrently applied in a direction opposite that of the holding force
established between the tooth 44 and the patient's gum 46 and bone 48. While
eventually effective in removing the patient's tooth 44, it has been found
that
the prior art application of Fig. 3 results in both the requirement of
extensive
time and effort necessary to successfully dislodge the tooth, resulting in the
requirement of the three pulling forces, this having a commensurate effect on
the patient's comfort level as well as increasing the likelihood of the tooth
becoming fractured or broken during the removal process.
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Referring again to Figs. 4 and 5, first engagement and second actuating
positions are again illustrated in reference to the dental appliance tool and
method of operation according to the present invention. In particular, and
referencing first Fig. 4, the said support 40, with ergonomic surface 42, is
illustrated in position along a selected location of the patient's gum 46 and
below the gum line 50.
Upon further aligning of the opposing and pointed jaw 38 in abutting
fashion against an inwardly facing side of the tooth, again shown at 44 and
above the gum line, the offset support 40 defines a center point of rotation
58
proximate an edge location of the gum line 46 and bone 48. The handles 12
and 14 are then initiated in a rotating direction in an outward fashion away
from the patient's gum line 46, as illustrated by directional arrow 60, and
resulting in the pair. of rotating forces being applied to the tooth about the
axis
of rotation.
Referring further to Fig. 5, continued rotation of the handles 12 and 14
along the direction of arrow 62 causes a cantilever or dislodging force to be
applied to the tooth 44, about the center point of rotation 58, and so that
the
tooth 44 is caused to be forcibly dislodged, along the gum line 50, and from
the
patient's gum 46 and associated bone 48. Of significant advantage is the
ability to apply a single and multiplied rotating and cantilevering force to
the
dental pliers appliance (accounted for by the pair of forces), and which is
measured by the offsetting distance between the edge of the jaw 38 and the
center point of rotation 58 established by the support 40. The configuration
of
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the support surface 40 is further such that it comfortably engages upon the
tissue and bone during the two-component rotating force and without damaging
the soft tissue and bone during the force rotation, this again not possible
with
prior art forcep designs. The ability to apply such a combined and
S unidirectional rotating force causes the tooth 44 to be much more quickly
dislodged and removed than in the instances of the prior art in which grasping
forces 52 and 54 (first and second forces) tend to cancel out a significant
degree of the pulling/withdrawing force 56 (third force) (see again Fig. 3)
and
by which no effective cantilevering or rotating forces are created to assist
in
tooth removal.
Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7, plan and side views are illustrated,
respectively, of a second variant 64 of a dental pliers appliance for use in
removing teeth according to the present invention. In particular the variant
64
of Figs. 6 and 7, and as will be further explained in reference to Figs. 10
and
l l, is suited for removing teeth located along a patient's upper jaw and gum
line.
The features of the dental pliers appliance 64 are essentially the same as
those associated with the variant 10 illustrated in Figs. l and 2 and again
include handles 66 and 68 with grasping portions 70 and 72, intermediate
extending portions 74 and 76, and configured and opposing terminating
- portions 78 and 80. The appliance 64 further includes a pivotal connection
82
constructed in substantially the same fashion as that described and
illustrated in
the first preferred and lower jaw embodiment and which again includes the
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provision of an aperture (see at 84 in Fig. 9) defined in the first handle 66
and
through which an intersecting portion of the second handle 68 passes and
which is held in place by a pin associated with the pivotal connection 82.
As also shown in Fig. 9, the terminating portion 78 is again provided
S with a pointed and angled jaw 86 and the terminating portion 80 as a support
88 with ergonomically configured surface 90. Referring further to Figs. 10 and
11, engagement and removal positions are illustrated of the appliance 64 in
relation to a tooth 92 located within an upper gum 94 and bone 96 of a
patient.
As illustrated in the initial engagement position of Fig. 10, the support
88 with ergonomic surface 90 is positioned against the gum 94, at a position
above in this instance the patient's upper jaw gum line 98. At the same time,
the angled jaw 86 is again abutted against an inwardly facing side of the
tooth
92 and in order to define a center point of rotation 100 of the support 88
which
is offset the desired distance from the j aw 86 and the upper gum line 98.
Refernng further to Fig. 11, a rotating and cantilevering force (two-
component force) is applied along the handles of the appliance 64, in the
direction of arrow 102, and so that the selected upper tooth 92 is likewise
rotated and forcibly dislodged from the gum 94 and bone 96 defining the
patient's upper bridge. The same forces of physics apply in the upper jaw
variant 64 of the appliance, as compared to those illustrated and described in
reference to the lower jaw appliance 10 in Figs. 4 and 5, and by which the
rotating and cantilevering forces about the center point of rotation
effectively
and efficiently actuate, dislodge and remove the tooth in the desired pivoting
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fashion about the gum line with a minimum of time and effort and without
damage to the patient's soft tissue and bone.
Referring to Fig. 8, a side view of an opposite and mirror image dental
pliers tool, see at 64', is illustrated and with respect to that illustrated
at 64 in
Figs. 6 and 7. In particular, the tool 64' is an identically constructed,
albeit
again mirrored image configuration, of the variant 64 and for the specific
purpose of removing teeth located along a selected and second half of a
patient's upper jaw. In comparison, the variant 64 is suited for removing
teeth
from a first upper extending half of the patient's jaw and the particular
ergonomic configuration of either of the appliance variants 64 or 64', when
viewed in side profile, is depending upon that which is easiest to grasp and
manipulate during the engaging and dislodging procedure. The mirrored image
sub-variant 64' is otherwise identically constructed as that illustrated at 64
such
that a repetitive description of its elements is not required.
1 S Referring to Fig. 12, a view similar to that previously shown in Fig. 10
is illustrated and by which the dental pliers design, such as the variant at
64, is
illustrated in a further engagement position for forcibly removing a broken or
fragmented tooth 92' having a likewise embedded root tip within the gum 94
and bone 96 of the patient's upper jaw. The purpose of the illustration of
Fig.
12 is in illustrating that the dental appliance tool, whether of the lower jaw
variant 10 or a selected upper jaw sub-variant 64 or 64', is capable of
effectively engaging and removing even broken or fractured teeth in which
little or not tooth mass is evident above or below the associated gum line.
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Referring further to Fig. 13, a sectional illustration of a plasticized and
sterile cap attachment 104 is illustrated for use with the support (such as
for
example illustrated at 88) according to any previously illustrated variant
according to the present invention. The cap attachment 104 exhibits a three
dimensional body with a hollowed interior and is constructed of a plasticized
and flexible material. The cap 104 is further capable of being releasably
secured, in the manner illustrated by arrow 106, upon the support 88 and is
further configured for mating with the ergonomic configuration (see at 90)
associated with that support.
As previously described, a method for removing teeth from a dental
patient's gum line and bone using the dental appliance tool of the present
invention, is also disclosed and includes the steps of positioning a first
terminating portion of a dental pliers appliance along a selection location
below
the gum line and concurrently positioning a second terminating portion of the
dental pliers appliance against an inwardly facing side of a selected tooth
projecting from the gum line. The first and second pivotally connected handles
associated with the dental pliers appliance are then rotated in an outward
fashion away from the patient's gum line applying a two-component force, to
forcibly dislodge the tooth from the patient's gum line and bone.
Additional steps of the present method include offsetting the first
terminating portion from the second terminating portion and such that the
first
portion defines a center point of rotation proximiate an edge location of the
gum
line, as well as ergonomically configuring the first terminating portion to
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substantially match that of the patient's gum. Yet additional steps include
configuring the second terminating portion with a substantially pointed end,
as
well as configuring the dental pliers appliance to engage and dislodge a tooth
located along either the lower or upper gum line and associated jaw bone of a
patient. Still further method steps include angling a side profile of the
first and
second pivotally connected handles, according to either upper jaw sub-variant
- of the appliance, as well as again releasably securing a plasticized and
sterilized cap attachment over the ergonomically configured and first
terminating portion.
Having described my invention, additional preferred embodiments will
become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains and without
deviating from the scope of the appended claims.
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