Specification of James Thom : artificial teeth.

  • Thom, James
Date:
1857
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of James Thom : artificial teeth. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Thoms Improvements in the Construction and Mode of Fixing Artificial Teeth. The object of these improvements is to facilitate the attachment of artificial teeth, and in such manner that any one tooth of a set may be readily removed for repairs, or be exchanged, without disturbance or injury to any other tooth in the set. For this purpose a dovetailed groove is formed on the back or 5 inner surface of the tooth, which groove slides upon a corresponding dovetailed stem or wire attached to the artificial palate. In order to strengthen the tooth, I make the dovetailed groove of thin metal, and of such a shape that some of its projecting parts or edges may be imbedded in the porcelain or other material of which the tooth is constructed; the dovetailed groove may 10 however be formed in the material of the tooth itself, or it may be affixed thereto by rivetting, or otherwise. When the tooth is slid upon the dovetailed stem, it may be secured in its place by any suitable cement, the heating of which will permit the withdrawal of the tooth whenever it is necessary. Figure 1 is an enlarged representation (end view), and Figure 2, a back, 15 or inside view, of an artificial tooth, constructed agreeably to my improvement, of porcelain, or other suitable plastic material, and furnished with the dovetailed groove a, a. Figure 3 is an end view of another tooth, in which the dovetailed groove b is formed of thin metal, and inserted in the material of which the tooth is composed. Figure 4 is an end view; and Figure 5, a longitudinal edge 20 view of the metal groove detached; the edges c, c, are turned upward and in¬ ward, and jagged, and there are loops d, d, which being imbedded in the material of the tooth, give it strength and coherence, and unite the tooth and groove inseparably together. Figures 6 and 7 are end views of teeth, in which the form of the dovetailed groove is varied, as it may be without prejudice to 25 my Invention; Figure 8 is a front view of an artificial palate furnished with tooth plates e, e, on each of which there is a dovetailed stem f either solid or hollow, corresponding to the groove a or b of the tooth. Teeth of a suitable character are slid upon the stems /, up against the artificial palate, which forms a stop or abutment, and supports the tooth wrhen used for mastication &c., as 30 is shewn by Figure 10, which is a side or edge section of the palate and tooth. Figure 9 is a front view of the artificial palate and teeth complete, the teeth being kept in their places by means of a cement capable of being softened by heat. The cement commonly used by dentists, and known by the name of silpher, is well adapted for this purpose. In the event of any tooth of the set 35 requiring to be removed for repair or otherwise, heat is applied to soften the cement, when the tooth can be slid down the stem and readily withdrawn from its place. What I c!arm a> my Invention, an 1 secured to me by the before-recited
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