CPC Definition - Subclass A61C
This place covers:
Apparatus (i.e. instruments, implements, machines, structures, tools) or processes that are specially adapted for, or limited to use in, creating artificial teeth, mounting artificial teeth, supporting artificial teeth, or repairing artificial teeth or their supports (e.g. denture articulators), and wherein the dental prostheses made or fixed by the apparatus or process are used exclusively for humans or both humans and animals.
Apparatus or methods utilized to prevent, discourage, or cure oral diseases (i.e. diseases occurring exclusively within the oral cavity such as enamel caries or periodontitis) in humans or both humans and animals.
Apparatus, devices, or methods used for one or more of the following:
- correcting abnormalities or injuries that prevent the proper or desired bringing together of the cooperating surfaces of natural teeth, or their artificial replacements that are permanently affixed within the mouth, located on opposite jaws;
- preserving or rectify the appropriate or desired relative positioning, separation gaps, or alignment of natural teeth; or
- preventing or repairing damage to natural teeth or their appropriate or desired relative positioning, separation gaps, or alignment (e.g. devices that surround or cover teeth to prevent grinding).
Apparatus (i.e. instruments, implements, machines, structures, tools) or processes that are specially adapted for, or limited to use in, the treatment, reconstruction, removal, insertion, replacement, repair, transfixing or testing of either natural teeth, artificial teeth that are permanently affixed within the oral cavity, gums, or other portions of the oral cavity having an effect on their operation (e.g. portions of jawbone supporting teeth), and wherein the apparatus or processes are used exclusively for humans or both humans and animals.
Apparatus, devices, or methods used for
- sanitizing the oral cavity or dental prostheses (e.g. gargling devices, washing means);
- removing foreign matter (e.g. food) or undesirable naturally occurring matter (e.g. plaque, calculus) from the surfaces of teeth, gums, or dental prostheses; or
- stimulating gums.
Dental prostheses devices or artificial dental implant devices per se or their components (e.g. artificial teeth, mounting or attaching means for artificial teeth, devices for supplementing jawbones, crowns) used within the oral cavity.
Dental implants formed from biological material or consisting of oral cavity parts originating either from a donor source or from the patient that are intended to be introduced, or reintroduced, into the patient's oral cavity to correct a dental or oral hygiene problem (e.g. modified natural teeth or jawbone material from a donor).
Adjunct, auxiliary, or supplementary means or structures that contribute to the effectiveness or safety of dental procedures or their products and are specially adapted to be used either:
- during dentistry procedures (e.g. saliva removers, medication suppliers, drainage treatment);
- with the products of dental procedures (e.g. artificial teeth supports); or
- during the making of dental prostheses (e.g. stands for impression trays).
Specially adapted components of apparatus having structural features limiting them to use with at least one of the dental apparatus types specified above (e.g. dust collectors, illumination devices).
Accessories specially adapted for use with at least one of the above types of apparatus, means, or structures (e.g. devices for measuring the length of the root canal of a tooth).
Subclass A46B covers manually moved or powered brushes, and in particular toothbrushes, used for cleaning that are not specifically provided for elsewhere. It also covers arrangements of brush bristles per se and the handle structure for brushes.
Subclass A61D covers devices used by individuals to remove foreign matter from the surface of the teeth of animals or enhance the appearance of the teeth of animals when the device is not specifically provided for elsewhere and is limited to use solely on animals.
Subclass A61G covers dental work stands and dental or operating chairs.
Subclass A61K covers preparations that are used for medical, dental, or cosmetic purposes in the oral cavity.
Subclass A61Q covers preparations for care of the teeth, of the oral cavity or of dentures e.g. toothpastes,mouth rinses.
This place does not cover:
Positioning or arrangements of toothbrush bristles per se for manual or powered toothbrushes | |
Tongue scrapers | |
Dental work stands | |
Dental hypodermic syringes |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Apparatus for passive exercising | |
Gum massage | |
Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body |
In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
Oral cavity | The part of human or animal mouth that includes the inside lining of the lips and cheeks (buccal mucosa), the teeth or their artificial permanently affixed replacements, the gums, the front two-thirds of the tongue, the floor of the mouth below the tongue, the bony roof of the mouth (hard palate), and the area immediately behind the wisdom teeth (retromolar trigone). |
This place covers:
Dental hand-pieces used by the dentist;
the control system of said hand-pieces;
the power and fluid supply to said hand-pieces;
the design of said hand-pieces;
the mechanical drive of said hand-pieces;
accessories and details of said hand-pieces.
This place does not cover:
Dental working tool itself (e.g. drill, burr) | |
Handpiece holder |
This place does not cover:
Fluid temperature control in air and water supply systems of dental machines or apparatus |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Control means or display unit for bone cutting tools | |
Dental chair control |
This place covers:
The electrical or electronic control systems.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Control means or display unit for bone cutting tools | |
Driving circuit for apparatus generating mechanical vibrations |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Pedal operated surgical instruments | |
Controlling members actuated by foot |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Surgical lasers | |
Working by laser beam in general | |
Lasers per se |
This place does not cover:
Duck for supplying driving or cooling fluid | |
Rinsing or air-blowing devices |
This place does not cover:
Sterilisation of liquid substances in general |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Filters in general |
This place does not cover:
Container filling apparatus for tooth cleansing handpieces with fluid jets |
Electrical motors H02K.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Electromotors casing | |
Electromotors |
This place does not cover:
Vibrating working tool itself | |
Vibrating tooth cleaning device, e.g. ultrasonic toothbrush |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Vibrating surgical tool in general |
This place covers:
Mechanical or electronic device to assist positioning of the tool in the jaw.
This place does not cover:
Root canal depth control | |
Guide for jaw with no dental, orthodontic or dental prosthesis/implant purpose |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Surgical tool tracking system | |
Surgical abutting means | |
Surgical depth measuring means |
This place covers:
Guiding/positioning means for dental implanting purpose.
Marker e.g. radio-opaque A61B 90/39.
This place covers:
Illuminating devices for the dental handpiece.
Light guide G02B 6/00.
This place does not cover:
Dental laser | |
Dental curing device by radiation | |
Diagnostic using light for oral/dental tissue e.g. carry detection | |
Illuminating arrangement in general ceiling or like overhead structure |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Instrument for medical examination of mouth / with illuminating arrangements | |
Instrument for medical examination of the mouth | |
Device for illuminating surgical field (in relation with image producing) |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Enabling torque transmission without clamping the tool |
This place covers:
Systems for clamping the tool.
This place covers:
For instruments not being part of the tool holder, e.g. separate instrument for removing the tool.
This place covers:
Devices for protecting hand-pieces,e.g. covers to prevent cross-contamination.
Bearing F16C.
This place does not cover:
Implanting tools | |
Tools for fastening artificial teeth | |
Visual inspection devices, e.g. dental mirrors |
Brushes in general A46B.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Vibration producing handpiece | |
Chiselling scalers | |
Ultrasonic dental scalers |
This place does not cover:
Prophylactic cups |
This place covers:
Implements for filling or restoring the teeth, e.g. onlays, inlays.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Prophylactic cups |
This place covers:
Pins fixing the filling to the rest of the natural crown. The following drawing shows dental anchors.
Examples of places where the subject matter of this place is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:
Root pins |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Measuring instruments for measuring the length of the root canal of a tooth | |
Devices for measuring the length of the root canal of a tooth |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Guiding of dental instruments e.g. of drills | |
Depth control | |
Protective casings, e.g. boxes for instruments; Bags |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Stops for surgical instruments | |
Stops for drill |
This place covers:
Instruments, devices for filling/sealing a root canal, pins made of gutta percha.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Fastening of peg-teeth in the mouth | |
Rinsing tooth nerve channels | |
Composition of the fillings |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Brushes for applying dental materials | |
Trays for mixing substances |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Dispenser for dental impression materials |
Mixing of materials B01F.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Two barrel syringes |
This place covers:
Structure, shape of crowns.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Dental implants | |
Superstructures for dental implants | |
Creation of the colour of crowns | |
Methods or devices for soldering, casting, moulding or melting dental prostheses |
This place covers:
Methods or devices specifically for manufacturing crowns.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Making bridge-work, inlays, implants or the like | |
Computer-assisted sizing or machining of dental prostheses | |
Methods or devices for soldering, casting, moulding or melting dental prostheses |
This place covers:
Dental dams or holders or clamps. The following illustration shows an example of a dental dam and clamp.
This place covers:
Filling bands or manipulating tools for filling bands. The following illustration shows an example of a matrix filling band.
This place covers:
Wedges for tooth crowns or for making tooth crowns. The following illustration shows an example of a tooth crown wedge.
This place does not cover:
Dams or Holders or clamps for tooth crowns |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Instruments for opening or keeping open the mouth for medical examinations | |
Mouthpieces for tracheal tubes |
This place does not cover:
Tools for placement of brackets | |
Instruments for attaching elastic bands |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Arch-shaped medicament applicators for teeth or gums | |
Anti-snoring devices, bruxism protective devices | |
Exercising devices | |
Mouthguards for protecting the teeth of sportsmen |
This place covers:
Brackets with two or more slots for receiving arch wires.
This place does not cover:
Fastening of peg-teeth in the mouth |
In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
Analog | transfer copings |
This place does not cover:
Instruments for sinus lifting | |
Sinus surgical tool | |
Compression or distraction mechanisms for jaw bones | |
Bone prostheses for mandibular reconstruction | |
Support means for endoprosthetic bone substitute or bone graft implants | |
Tools for implanting bone graft |
This place does not cover:
Juxtaosseous implants |
This place covers:
Implants which are introduced laterally.
Materials for dental implants A61K 6/00.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Special external bone-contacting surfaces, e.g. coating for improving bone ingrowth | |
Materials for coating prostheses |
This place does not cover:
Roughness aspects |
This place covers:
Dental implants with an outer surface treated chemically.
This place covers:
Threaded dental implants.
This place does not cover:
Pins, needles; Head structures therefor |
This place does not cover:
For consolidating natural teeth | |
For stabilising dental implants |
This place does not cover:
Implants with microthreadings |
This place covers:
The upper structure is the part connected on top of the abutment or implant head; the "upper structure" can be the prosthesis (crown, bridge, etc) or an intermediate part connecting the prosthesis to the abutment/implant head.
This place does not cover:
Connection to the remaining teeth |
This place covers:
Dental implant abutments connecting the upper structure with the implant.
This place covers:
The abutment and the prosthesis form a one-piece element.
This place covers:
Monobloc implants; abutment being integral with the implant.
This place does not cover:
Separable abutments |
This place covers:
Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this group.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Sinus surgical tool |
This place does not cover:
Computer-assisted sizing | |
Instruments for determining occlusion |
This place covers:
Means for repositioning cut teeth of a dental model on a base.
This place does not cover:
Flow mixers | |
Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles |
This place covers:
Articulators with non-pivoting upper model supporting part.
This place covers:
The distance between the upper and the lower dental casts is adjustable.
This place covers:
Pens or drawing devices mounted on the articulator for drawing marking lines.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Digitized impressions | |
Computer assisted design | |
Image analysis | |
Healthcare informatics |
This place does not cover:
Stereolithographic techniques |
This place covers:
Layer of a denture contacting the soft tissue or palate of a user.
This place does not cover:
Shade guides |
This place does not cover:
Preparations |
This place does not cover:
Forming processes of shaped ceramic products |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Palates made by casting |
This place covers:
Tools for dental technicians to make or work with prostheses (not for use in the mouth).
This place does not cover:
Dust removing on dental workplaces |
Apparatus for curing, e.g. vulcanising, of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29C.
This place does not cover:
Curing by radiation |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Sintering of metal powders | |
Oven for dental parts |
This place does not cover:
Securing tooth crowns in capping teeth |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Fastening on dental implants |
This place does not cover:
Magnetic dental implant retention systems |
This place does not cover:
Implants supported restorations, connecting bars | |
Magnetic fastening | |
Fastening by spring action between upper and lower denture |
This place covers:
Pins or posts for fixing a prosthesis like an artificial crown to a natural tooth root.
This place does not cover:
Interdental cleaning band without sharp tip |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Brushes fitted with a toothpick |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Chemical aspects |
This place does not cover:
Containers integrated in a flossing tool |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Packages and dispensers for sutures |
This place does not cover:
Instruments acting like a sandblast machine | |
Tooth polishing discs or holders therefor | |
Devices for cleaning between the teeth |
This place covers:
Cups to put pastes in, e.g. abrasive paste, fluoride paste; tools for rotating the cups.
This place does not cover:
Combined with receptacles for spittle | |
Combined with power-driven cleaning or polishing devices |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Air and water supply systems in dental machines | |
Instruments acting like a sandblast machine |
This place does not cover:
Specially adapted for rinsing the teeth of at least one jaw simultaneously |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Manual brushes for cleaning dentures | |
Cleaning in general by methods involving liquid and sonic or ultrasonic vibrations |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Similar devices for medical use |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Aspiration combined with rinsing or liquid medication |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Illuminating devices for the dental handpiece |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Dentists' mirrors for medical examination of the mouth |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Other power driven brushes |
This place does not cover:
Cleaning or polishing devices using ultrasonics |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Instruments operated by vibration |
This place covers:
Ultrasonic dental scalers, ultrasonic toothbrushes.
This place does not cover:
Time brushing control | |
Control of brush life | |
Controlling pressure applied to the teeth |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Manual toothbrushes with reservoirs | |
Power driven brushes with reservoirs |
This place does not cover:
With a nutating movement |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Power driven brushes |
This place covers:
Power toothbrushes characterized by movements of the oscillating brush body.
This place covers:
Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this group.
This place covers:
Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this group.
This place covers:
Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this group.
This place covers:
Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this group.
This place covers:
Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this group.
This place covers:
Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this group.
Brushes with combined motions are classified in A61C 17/3472 (but not A61C 17/3418 - A61C 17/3463) and are given separate Indexing Codes (A61C 17/3418 - A61C 17/3463) for each movement.
This place covers:
Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this group.
The movements of the individual brush bodies are classified with the Indexing Codes (A61C 17/3418 - A61C 17/3463) and not the classes (A61C 17/3418 - A61C 17/3463).
This place does not cover:
Dental chairs or accessories therefor, working stands whether or not combined with chairs | |
Model tooth/jaw for teaching |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Absorbent pads per se |
This place does not cover:
Boxes for endodontic files |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Support for drills |
This place does not cover:
Means for controlling working depth | |
Testing vitality of teeth | |
Radiation diagnosis |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Detecting caries with light | |
Detecting tooth mobility | |
Measurement of masticatory force |
This place does not cover:
Dental hypodermic syringes |
This place does not cover:
Measuring colour of teeth |