Fascinating
facts about the invention
of Smooth Staple by John G. Knapp in
1988. |
SMOOTH STAPLE® |
AT A GLANCE:
In 1988,
dentist John Knapp of Livonia, Michigan invented the Smooth Staple. The
invention is concerned generally with a staple bone plate of the type
which is used to retain dental appliances, namely dentures, in contact
with the lower jaw |
THE
STORY
RELATED INFO
BOOKS
WEB SITES
WHERE TO FIND |
|
Invention: |
Smooth
Staple® |
|
|
Function: |
noun /
Mandibular staple bone plate |
|
Definition: |
Mandibular
staple bone plates are used by denture wearers to anchor the lower
denture to the lower jawbone. |
| Patent: |
4,906,189
(US) issued March 6, 1990 |
|
| Inventor: |
John G. Knapp |
|
|
Criteria; |
First to invent. First
to patent. First practical. Entrepreneur. |
| |
|
| |
|
|
Nationality: |
American |
|
Milestones:
1988 On June 17, Knapp files a patent application for Mandibular
staple bone plate
1990 Patent issued for Mandibular
staple bone plate
1992 Trademark registration issued for Smooth Staple® |
|
The Story:
In accordance with the present invention, a mandibular staple bone plate
assembly, for use in retaining a dental appliance, namely dentures, within
the wearer's mouth comprises a flat elongated support plate having an
accurate configuration which corresponds to the curvature of the lower
surface of the front of the jawbone. Fixedly mounted to the support plate
are parallel, vertically extending cylindrical mounting posts, each having a
first end which is fixedly mounted to the support plate and a second end
extending outwardly from the plate. There are at least two posts, each of a
length sufficient to extend through the jawbone when the support plate is in
abutment with the lower surface of the front of the jawbone. The posts pass
through parallel bores formed in the jawbone which correspond in number and
size to the posts.
Threads are formed on the lower exterior surface of each post to increase
post surface area available for contact with bone tissue. The threads do not
extend upwardly far enough to enter the mouth or contact gum tissue which
may easily be irritated. The remainder of the post has a smooth outer
surface which eliminates irritation and facilitates mounting of a dental
appliance.
Additionally, formed in the second end of each mounting post is a threaded
bore to which a retaining means may be attached. The retaining means may be
utilized to mount, fixedly or releasable, a dental appliance, namely
dentures.
One such embodiment of the retaining means may comprise an elongated
appliance plate which has an accurate configuration similar to that of the
support plate described above. The appliance plate has receiving means
carried on a bottom portion thereof which engage corresponding mounting
means disposed on the second ends of the mounting posts. Engagement of the
mounting post mounting means with the appliance plate receiving means will
rigidly hold the appliance plate within the wearer's mouth in a fixed
position relative to the jawbone. The appliance plate will thereby provide a
rigid mounting base for a dental appliance, namely dentures.
A second embodiment of the retaining means may comprise a threaded adapter
which is threaded into the bore formed in the second end of the mounting
post. The adapter is utilized to retain one portion of a standard attachment
apparatus which is well known in the art. The other portion of the
attachment apparatus is mounted in the underside of the denture thereby
providing easy mounting and removal of the denture.
To assure that the mounting posts, extending into the wearer's mouth, are of
a proper length to engage the receiving means carried on the bottom portion
of the denture, thereby correctly positioning the denture within the mouth,
a flat elongated gauge plate, having an accurate configuration substantially
similar to the support plate is provided. The gauge plate may be of any
predetermined thickness corresponding to the desired mounting configuration
of the denture, and has mounting post bores, which correspond to the
mounting post locations. The gauge plate is placed over the second ends of
the mounting posts protruding from the lower jaw and the posts are
subsequently cut at the top surface of the gauge plate, thereby leaving the
mounting posts with a correct protruding length for proper engagement with
the denture. The gauge plate is then removed leaving the post ends at a
desired, uniform height.
In the case of post breakage, a replacement post may be provided which
threading engages the mounting post threads at a location below the gum
level. The replacement post utilizes a fixing screw which allows the
retention of the denture on the new post location. |
TO
LEARN MORE
RELATED INFORMATION:
History of Healthcare from The Great Idea Finder
ON THE BOOKSHELF:
Show Me Your Smile!: A Visit to the Dentist (Dora the Explorer)
by Christine Ricci, Robert Roper / Paperback: 24 pages / Simon
Spotlight/Nickelodeon (January 6, 2005)
It's time for Dora's checkup at the dentist. Dora explores the dentist's
office, gets her teeth cleaned, and more! She even gets a special treat for
being such a good patient!
Dental Implant Prosthetics
by Carl E. Misch / Hardcover: 656 pages / Mosby (September 20, 2004)
This new book focuses on dental implants used in conjunction with other
prosthetic devices in the general dentist's office, designed to help the
partially or completely edentulous patient recover normal function,
esthetics, comfort, and speech. Step-by-step procedures guide practitioners
through challenging clinical situations and assist them in refining their
technique.
ON THE WEB:
Smooth
Staple
Interphase Implants is a socially responsible company providing innovative
products and services for the improvement of patient health. Interphase
Implants Inc. does this by providing the health care practitioner with the
information, products and instruments to make their effort the most
efficient and successful .
(URL: www.smoothstaple.com)
John G. Knapp, D.D.S.,
M. S.
Specialist in Prosthetic Dentistry.
(URL: www.knappdds.com)
Post Doctoral Dental Studies Institute
We provide fully interactive online Continuing Dental Education Courses for
Dentists, Hygienists and Technicians. Apply now to earn high quality CDE
credits, conveniently, at your own time and pace, and at greatly reduced
costs. All Digital, All Downloadable, Interactive Online Continuing Dental
Education Courses. Listing of classes authored by Dr. John Knapp.
(URL:
www.postdds.com/fastcgi/dispatch.prod.cgi?q_mod=catalog;q_app=class_open)
A computer simulation of a dental articulator - Co-author John Knapp
The research described in this paper concerns a model of an articulator,
which is itself a mechanical model of the human jaw. These devices have
numerous adjustments which allow the user to simulate movement patterns
recorded previously from a patient. A mathematical model was devised to
duplicate the articulator movement patterns and display the results on a
graphics terminal. By varying adjustments in the simulated articulator, the
user may observe on the terminal the effects these changes have on the tooth
morphology.
(URL:
portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=800245.807327&coll=&dl=ACM&type=series&idx=800245&part=series&WantType=series&title=Annual%20Simulation%20Symposium&CFID=15151515&CFTOKEN=6184618)
Internet Participation for PDDSI
The Post Doctoral Dental Studies Institute uses a variety of teaching
modalities. Participant involvement is an important part of learning. One
method of facilitating the education process is to use non-structured
off-site learning. The technology of computer assisted, Internet based
information exchange is used to assist the PDDSI participant in the learning
process. John G. Knapp DDS MS is the course author.
(URL:
www.postdds.com/fastcgi/dispatch.prod.cgi?q_mod=catalog;q_app=class_open)
WHERE TO FIND:
Smooth Staple®
implants can be ordered from
Interphase
Implants
|
|
Designated
trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. |
| Reference
Sources in BOLD Type. |
This
page revised
October
27, 2006. |
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