US4620841A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Porcelain fused to metal dental shade guide
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-12-24
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Granted: 1986-11-04
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Expires: 2004-12-24
Abstract
Abstract A dental shade guide, to be employed by the dentist and dental laboratory technician, to be used in comparing patient's natural teeth for color more accurately. The dental shade guide has plurality of arms or bars constructed of a dental alloy and has corresponding opaque and dental glass fired onto each arm or bar, with each arm or bar varying in color. The same materials used to construct porcelain crowns or bridges is used to construct the dental shade guide.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank C. Farrell
- 👤 Margaret P. Farrell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:19
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C19/00; A61C19/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A dental shade guide for accurately matching the color and shade of a patient's natural teeth, comprising: a metal blank; a plurality of metal bars affixed to said metal blank, said plurality of metal bars further comprising any suitable dental alloy commonly used in the manufacture of dental prostheses; a layer of any suitable opaque material firmly fused to one end of each of said plurality of metal bars and disposed so that said layer of opaque material is entirely backed by said end of each of said plurality of metal bars; a layer of any suitable dental glass firmly fused onto said layer of opaque material; and a layer of any suitable clear glaze firmly fused onto said layer of porcelain.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A dental shade guide for accurately matching the color and shade of a patient's natural teeth, comprising: a metal blank; a plurality of metal bars affixed to said metal blank, said plurality of metal bars further comprising any suitable dental alloy commonly used in the manufacture of dental prostheses; a layer of any suitable opaque material firmly fused to one end of each of said plurality of metal bars and disposed so that said layer of opaque material is entirely backed by said end of each of said plurality of metal bars; a layer of any suitable dental glass firmly fused onto said layer of opaque material; and a layer of any suitable clear glaze firmly fused onto said layer of porcelain.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The dental shade guide according to claim 1, wherein said layer of dental glass is of a suitable thickness to correspond to the amount of dental glass commonly used to fabricate actual dental prostheses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The dental shade guide according to claim 1, wherein said dental glass is contoured.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The dental shade guide according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of arms are firmly affixed to said metal blank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The dental shade guide according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of arms are each removably affixed to said metal blank.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The dental shade guide according to claim 1, wherein said opaque material comprises a plurality of colors and shades to correspond to a natural range of coloration and shading of teeth.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The dental shade guide according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of colors and shades are individually numbered on said metal blank.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The dental shade guide according to claim 1, wherein said opaque material, said dental glass and said porcelain is fused by firing in a kiln as a suitable temperature and for a sufficient period of time to permit said fusing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The dental shade guide according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of arms of said metal blank further comprises collar means for facilitating accurate disposition of said opaque material and for supporting said layer of dental glass.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
203 words
A method of manufacturing a dental shade guide for accurately matching the color of a dental prosthesis to the color of a patient's natural teeth, comprising the steps of: forming a metal blank having a plurality of arms; finishing said metal blank to eliminate surface contamination; cleaning said metal blank; mixing any suitable colored opaque material to a paste form; applying said opaque material to each of said plurality of arms of said metal blank; firing said opaque material in a kiln at a suitable temperature and for a suitable period of time to fuse said opaque material to each of said plurality of arms of said metal blank; applying a layer of dental glass paste onto said fused opaque material; firing said dental glass paste in a kiln at a suitable temperature and for a suitable period of time to fuse said dental glass paste onto said fused opaque material; contouring said layer of dental glass material to any suitable shape; applying any suitable clear glaze onto said layer of fused contoured dental glass; and firing said clear glaze in a kiln at any suitable temperature and for a sufficient time to fuse said clear glaze onto said fused contoured dental glass.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
203 words
A method of manufacturing a dental shade guide for accurately matching the color of a dental prosthesis to the color of a patient's natural teeth, comprising the steps of: forming a metal blank having a plurality of arms; finishing said metal blank to eliminate surface contamination; cleaning said metal blank; mixing any suitable colored opaque material to a paste form; applying said opaque material to each of said plurality of arms of said metal blank; firing said opaque material in a kiln at a suitable temperature and for a suitable period of time to fuse said opaque material to each of said plurality of arms of said metal blank; applying a layer of dental glass paste onto said fused opaque material; firing said dental glass paste in a kiln at a suitable temperature and for a suitable period of time to fuse said dental glass paste onto said fused opaque material; contouring said layer of dental glass material to any suitable shape; applying any suitable clear glaze onto said layer of fused contoured dental glass; and firing said clear glaze in a kiln at any suitable temperature and for a sufficient time to fuse said clear glaze onto said fused contoured dental glass.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of manufacturing a dental shade guide according to claim 10 wherein said forming of said metal blank further comprises stamping said metal blank.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of manufacturing a dental shade guide according to claim 10, wherein said forming of said metal blank further comprises casting said metal blank.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of manufacturing a dental shade guide according to claim 10, wherein said forming of said metal blank further comprises machining said metal blank.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of manufacturing a dental shade guide according to claim 10, wherein said finishing of said metal blank further comprises finishing with an aluminum oxide stone.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of manufacturing a dental shade guide according to claim 10, wherein said cleaning of said metal blank further comprises ultrasonic cleaning with alcohol.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of manufacturing a dental shade guide according to claim 10, wherein said dental glass is pre-colored.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of manufacturing a dental shade guide according to claim 10, wherein said dental glass is uncolored.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of manufacturing a dental shade guide according to claim 17, wherein said contouring step further comprises the steps of: applying any suitable color to said uncolored dental glass; and firing said color onto said uncolored dental glass material at a suitable temperature and for a suitable period of time to fuse said color onto said uncolored dental glass.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of manufacturing a dental shade guide according to claim 10, wherein said firing steps further comprise firing in a vacuum chamber kiln.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of manufacturing a dental shade according to claim 10, wherein each of said plurality of arms of said metal blank are removable.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
AT169093B
Cited
US2765534A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-11-03 | 1990-05-05 | 1990-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-11-03 | 1994-05-05 | 1994-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-11-03 | 1998-05-05 | 1998-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |