Patent US5257931A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5257931A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dental tooth shade/hue matching reference system
Assignee: AMERICAN TOOTH INDUSTRIES A Corp OF
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Filing: 1991-11-13
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Granted: 1993-11-02
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Expires: 2011-11-13
Abstract
Abstract A system for providing artificial teeth with life-like shade and hue, or for matching the shade and hue of an artificial tooth with the shade and hue of one's natural teeth, employs a double-sided master shade guide and a plurality of paired sample teeth, with each pair having a given shade and hue corresponding to a tooth on the master shade guide and attached to a holder. One side of the master shade guide includes a first set of reference teeth arranged by shade, while a second set of reference teeth arranged by hue and visually isolated from the first set are disposed on a second, opposed side of the shade guide. A support base, or carrier, is adapted to receive and support the master shade guide and the paired sample teeth holders. The carrier includes a plurality of spaced compartments, each receiving and supporting a plurality of paired sample teeth holders. All pairs of sample teeth in a given compartment are of the same shade and hue. The various compartments contain pairs of sample teeth covering the full range of shade and hue found on the master shade guide. One sample tooth is removably attached to its associated holder, while the other paired sample tooth remains with the holder. The holder is adapted to receive patient indicia as is the removable sample tooth allowing one sample tooth to be sent to a laboratory for fabrication of an appliance, while permitting the dentist to retain the matched sample tooth for his records and for verification of the fabricated appliance.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruno Pozzi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C19/00; A61C19/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A dental tooth shade and hue matching reference system for matching the shade and hue of artificial teeth with the shade and hue of a patient's natural teeth or for providing artificial teeth with a life-like shade and hue, said system comprising: a shade and hue unit having a shade and hue of a patient's natural teeth or having a lifelike shade and hue, wherein said shade and hue unit includes: a holder; and first and second shade and hue specimen teeth each having the same shade and hue, wherein at least one of said shade and hue specimen teeth includes a support arm said to be easily handled by a thumb and forefinger grip of a user and removably attached to said holder, and characterized in that said holder includes shade and hue identifying data for said specimen teeth and a patient identification area, and said support arm of said removable specimen tooth includes shade and hue identifying data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A dental tooth shade and hue matching reference system for matching the shade and hue of artificial teeth with the shade and hue of a patient's natural teeth or for providing artificial teeth with a life-like shade and hue, said system comprising: a shade and hue unit having a shade and hue of a patient's natural teeth or having a lifelike shade and hue, wherein said shade and hue unit includes: a holder; and first and second shade and hue specimen teeth each having the same shade and hue, wherein at least one of said shade and hue specimen teeth includes a support arm said to be easily handled by a thumb and forefinger grip of a user and removably attached to said holder, and characterized in that said holder includes shade and hue identifying data for said specimen teeth and a patient identification area, and said support arm of said removable specimen tooth includes shade and hue identifying data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of shade and hue units, wherein each shade and hue unit includes respective first and second shade and hue specimen teeth having the same shade and hue, and wherein the shade and hue of the specimen teeth of each shade and hue unit vary over a range of shades and hues.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 2 wherein each holder comprises a generally flat panel adapted to receive and support a respective pair or first and second shade and hue specimen teeth.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 3 wherein each holder includes mounting means for removably coupling at least one of said shade and hue specimen teeth to said holder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 4 wherein each mounting means couples at least one of said shade and hue specimen teeth to said holder in a sliding manner.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said mounting means includes frictional engaging means on said holder for engaging and retaining a support arm of said at least one of said shade and hue specimen teeth.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 4 further comprising first and second support arms for respectively coupling a pair of said first and second shade and hue specimen teeth to a respective holder.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 7 wherein each holder includes permanent affixing means for attaching said first support arm to a respective holder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 8 wherein each holder further includes first and second mounting studs respectively inserted in first and second apertures in said first and second support arms, and wherein an adhesive permanently attaches said first mounting stud to said first support arm and said second mounting stud is removably from said second aperture.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 7 wherein each holder further includes snap-acting coupling means for removably attaching said second support arm to said holder.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a shade and hue reference guide having a plurality of reference teeth each having a difference shade and hue.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system of claim 11 further comprising a plurality of shade and hue units, wherein each shade and hue unit include respective first and second shade and hue specimen teeth having the same shade and hue, and wherein the shade and hue of the specimen teeth of each shade and hue unit vary over a range of shades and hues.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said shade and hue reference guide includes a first shade guide and a second hue guide, and wherein each of said first shade nd second hue guides includes a plurality of reference teeth having a difference shade and a different hue, respectively.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said shade and hue reference guide further includes a panel having first and second sides, and wherein said first shade guide is disposed on the first side of said panel and said second hue guide is disposed on said second side of said panel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 14 further comprising a base including means for engaging and supporting said panel in a generally upright orientation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said means for engaging and supporting said panel includes an elongated, generally linear slot for receiving said panel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 16 wherein said base further include a plurality of support means for receiving and supporting said shade and hue units in a generally upright orientation, wherein each support means supports a group of shade and hue units having the same shade and hue.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 17 wherein each of said support means includes a recessed compartment in said base having a plurality of spaced slots, and wherein each slot is adapted to engage a respective holder.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 11 further comprising a base with a cover, wherein said base is adapted to receive and support said shade and hue reference guide and each of said shade and hue units in a generally upright orientation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said base further includes means for receiving and supporting a holder with a pair of specimen teeth tabs adapted for the fabrication of a pair of specimen teeth having a custom-made shade and hue.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
125 words
A dental tooth shade and hue matching reference guide for matching the shade and hue of artificial teeth with the shade and hue of a patient's natural teeth or for providing artificial teeth with a life-like shade and hue, said reference guide comprising: a panel having first and second opposed sides, wherein said first and second opposed sides are provided with a solid color; a first plurality of reference teeth each having a difference shade, wherein said first plurality of teeth are disposed on said first side of said panel and arranged by shade; and a second plurality of reference teeth each having a difference hue, wherein said second plurality of teeth are disposed on said second side of said panel and arranged by hue.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
125 words
A dental tooth shade and hue matching reference guide for matching the shade and hue of artificial teeth with the shade and hue of a patient's natural teeth or for providing artificial teeth with a life-like shade and hue, said reference guide comprising: a panel having first and second opposed sides, wherein said first and second opposed sides are provided with a solid color; a first plurality of reference teeth each having a difference shade, wherein said first plurality of teeth are disposed on said first side of said panel and arranged by shade; and a second plurality of reference teeth each having a difference hue, wherein said second plurality of teeth are disposed on said second side of said panel and arranged by hue.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The dental tooth shade and hue matching reference guide of claim 21 wherein said solid color is white, blue or neutral gray.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
58 words
The dental tooth shade and hue matching reference guide of claim 21 wherein said first plurality of reference teeth are arranged by shade from light to dark and said second plurality of reference teeth are arranged by hue into a plurality of groups, with said second plurality of reference teeth arranged by shade within each of said groups.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
The dental tooth shade and hue matching reference guide of claim 21 further comprising a plurality of support arms each coupling a respective one of said first or second pluralities of reference teeth to said panel.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
260 words
The dental tooth shade and hue matching reference system for matching the shade and hue of artificial teeth with the shade and hue of a patient's natural teeth or for providing artificial teeth with a life-like shade and hue, said system comprising: a plurality of shade and hue units each having a difference shade/hue and covering a range of shades and hues of a patient's natural teeth or having a range of like-like shades and hues, wherein each shade and hue unit includes: a holder; and first and second shade and hue specimen teeth each having the same shade and hue, wherein at least one of said shade and hue specimen teeth is removably attached to said holder, and wherein said holder includes shade and hue identifying data and a patient identification area; a shade and hue reference guide having a plurality of reference teeth each having a different shade and hue, said shade and hue reference guide including a first shade guide and a second hue guide, wherein each of said first shade and second hue guides includes a plurality of reference teeth having a difference shade and a different hue, respectively, and wherein said shade and hue reference guide includes a panel having first and second sides, with said first shade guide disposed on the first side of said panel and said second hue guide disposed on the second side of said panel; and a base with a removable cover for receiving and supporting said plurality of shade and hue units and said shade and hue reference guide.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
260 words
The dental tooth shade and hue matching reference system for matching the shade and hue of artificial teeth with the shade and hue of a patient's natural teeth or for providing artificial teeth with a life-like shade and hue, said system comprising: a plurality of shade and hue units each having a difference shade/hue and covering a range of shades and hues of a patient's natural teeth or having a range of like-like shades and hues, wherein each shade and hue unit includes: a holder; and first and second shade and hue specimen teeth each having the same shade and hue, wherein at least one of said shade and hue specimen teeth is removably attached to said holder, and wherein said holder includes shade and hue identifying data and a patient identification area; a shade and hue reference guide having a plurality of reference teeth each having a different shade and hue, said shade and hue reference guide including a first shade guide and a second hue guide, wherein each of said first shade and second hue guides includes a plurality of reference teeth having a difference shade and a different hue, respectively, and wherein said shade and hue reference guide includes a panel having first and second sides, with said first shade guide disposed on the first side of said panel and said second hue guide disposed on the second side of said panel; and a base with a removable cover for receiving and supporting said plurality of shade and hue units and said shade and hue reference guide.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
213 words
A dental tooth shade and hue and size and shape matching reference system for matching the shade and hue and size and shape of artificial teeth with the shade and hue and size and shape of a patient's natural teeth or for providing artificial teeth with a life-like shade and hue and size and shape, said system comprising: a shade and hue and size and shape unit having a shade and hue and size and shape of a patient's natural teeth or having a lifelike shade and hue and size and shape, size and shape, shade and hue and size and shape unit includes: a holder; and first and second shade and hue and size and shape specimen teeth each having the same shade and hue and size and shape, wherein at least one of said shade and hue and size and shape specimen teeth includes a support arm sized to be easily handled by a thumb and forefinger grip of a user and removably attached to said holder, and characterized in that said holder includes shade and hue and size and shape identifying data for said specimen teeth and a patient identification area, and said support arm of said removably specimen tooth includes shade and hue and size and shape identifying data.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
213 words
A dental tooth shade and hue and size and shape matching reference system for matching the shade and hue and size and shape of artificial teeth with the shade and hue and size and shape of a patient's natural teeth or for providing artificial teeth with a life-like shade and hue and size and shape, said system comprising: a shade and hue and size and shape unit having a shade and hue and size and shape of a patient's natural teeth or having a lifelike shade and hue and size and shape, size and shape, shade and hue and size and shape unit includes: a holder; and first and second shade and hue and size and shape specimen teeth each having the same shade and hue and size and shape, wherein at least one of said shade and hue and size and shape specimen teeth includes a support arm sized to be easily handled by a thumb and forefinger grip of a user and removably attached to said holder, and characterized in that said holder includes shade and hue and size and shape identifying data for said specimen teeth and a patient identification area, and said support arm of said removably specimen tooth includes shade and hue and size and shape identifying data.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
65 words
The system of claim 26 wherein each of said first and second shade and hue and size and shape specimen teeth further includes a tab coupled to a respective support arm and providing a base for building up a specimen tooth having a shade and hue and size and shape of a patient's natural teeth or a life-like shade and hue and size and shape.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 27 wherein each specimen tooth is built up of a composite material to match the patient's natural teeth or life-like teeth.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 27 wherein each specimen tooth is built up of a cold cure colored powder to match the patient's natural teeth or life-like teeth.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
80 words
The system of claim 26 further comprising a plurality of shade and hue and size and shape units, wherein each shade and hue and size and shape unit includes respective first and second shade and hue and size and shape specimen teeth having the same shade and hue and size and shape, and wherein the shade and hue of the specimen teeth of each shade and hue and size and shape unit vary over a range of shades and hues.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 30 wherein each holder comprises a generally flat panel adapted to receive and support a respective pair of first and second shade and hue and size and shape specimen teeth.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 31 wherein each holder includes mounting means for removably coupling at least one of said shade and hue and size and shape specimen teeth to said holder.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 32 wherein each of said mounting means couples at least one of said shade and hue and size and shape specimen teeth to said holder in a sliding manner.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 32 wherein said mounting means includes frictional engaging means on said holder for engaging and retaining a support arm of said at least one of said shade and hue and size and shape specimen teeth.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 26 further comprising first and second support arms for respectively coupling a pair of said first and second shade and hue and size and shape specimen teeth to a respective holder.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 35 wherein each holder includes permanent affixing means for attaching said first support arm to a respective holder.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 36 wherein each holder further includes first and second mounting studs respectively inserted in first and second apertures in said first and second support arms, and wherein an adhesive permanently attaches said first mounting stud to said first support arm and said second mounting stud is removably from said second aperture.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 37 wherein each holder further includes snap-acting coupling means for removably attaching said second support arm to said holder.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 26 further comprising a shade and hue reference guide having a plurality of reference teeth each having a difference shade and hue.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
76 words
The system of claim 39 further comprising a plurality of shade and hue and size and shape units, wherein each shade and hue and size and shape unit includes respective first and second shade and hue and size and shape specimen teeth having the same shade and hue and size and shape, and wherein the shade and hue of the specimen teeth of each shade and hue unit vary over a range of shades and hues.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 39 wherein said shade and hue reference guide includes a first shade guide and a second hue guide, and wherein each of said first shade and second hue guides includes a plurality of reference teeth having a difference shade and a different hue, respectively.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 41 wherein said shade and hue reference guide further includes a panel having first and second sides, and wherein said first shade guide is disposed on the first side of said panel and said second hue guide is disposed on said second side of said panel.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 42 further comprising a base including means for engaging and supporting said panel in a generally upright orientation.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 43 wherein said means for engaging and supporting said panel includes an elongated, generally linear slot for receiving said panel.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 44 wherein said base further includes a plurality of support means for receiving and supporting said shade and hue and size and shape units in a generally upright orientation, wherein each support means supports a group of shade and hue and size and shape units having the same shade and hue.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 45 wherein each of said support means includes a recessed compartment in said base having a plurality of spaced slots, wherein each slot is adapted to engage a respective holder.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 39 further comprising a base with a cover, wherein said base is adapted to receive and support said shade and hue reference guide and each of said shade and hue and size and shape units in a generally upright orientation.
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| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-01 | 2001-05-03 | 2001-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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