Abstract: A three dimensional guidance system for locating the correct or optimal angles of implant insertion into a dental patient's jawbone is described. The optimum angles, depths, and positioning are obtained as follows: a surrogate of the patient's mouth is provided in the form of stone model of the intended implant region with the edentulous area being exposed, a diagnostic work-up, usually in wax, of the stone model, and perforce of the patient's mouth, is produced and fitted with a pontic tooth or teeth in the proper occlusal relationships, a three-dimensional guidance system in the form of a drill press containing a platform or table movable through all directions about a fixed point defined by the drill point. In practice, the radiographic guide is placed on the patient and a CT-scan taken.

Abstract: A drill instrument with calibrated depressions as markings on the shaft set at determinable distances apart, e.g. at 1 mm increments is disclosed. These calibrations are designed to give a visible depth gauge indication when the tip or point of the drill is at the full length of the depth of a drilled hole. A stop means is variably fixable to the drill at determinable locations. This stop defines a predetermined length available for drilling a hole into bone or a tooth canal up to the precise location of the stop on the drill corresponding to the depth desired to be drilled.An organizer block or kit accommodates the drills and stops of the invention and preferably provides an alignment device for preparing drills having the pre-determined lengths according to the invention via a drill-length determining device for applying the stop means to the drill at the desired pre-determined length.

Abstract: A dental implant is described which has greater stability in the jawbone and greatly reduces the potential for infection. The implant is made from an anatomically precise reproduction of the affected site of the jawbone, which reproduction is produced from computer generated data defining the affected site. The reproduction is used as the base for a cutting jig to fit on an exposed mandible or maxilla and the jig is used to route out a channel which will accommodate the implant. The technique allows the identification and location of sinuses, nerves, and compact bone and thus favors the placement of anchoring means in appropriate areas.

Abstract: A dental articulator comprises an upper frame, a lower frame and a pair of condyle assemblies which permit articulating relative motion of the frames. The condyle assemblies each permit individual adjustment in an antero-posterior direction and a superior-inferior direction thus making possible the simulation study and correction of temporo-mandibular joint dysfunctions.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a locket portably suitable to be worn on a chain or cord around a person's neck, opens as a base and lid, of which the base supports the pivotally opening lid and also from within space thereof a microfilm support carrying removable, replaceable and disposable transparent plastic-encased microfilm viewable in magnification through a replaceable plastic magnifying glass wedge-mounted in the wall of the lid, the microfilm support being a short frame circumscribing a through space across which the microfilm is mounted, the microfilm transparent casing being stepped at its base and being mounted slidably into an insertion-slot space, and the frame being inexpensively a single structure formed into a hinge and mounting slot spring-biased outwardly to a viewing state and position from a compacted collapsed storage position down-position at which the lid is closed upon the base to form enclosure space storing the microfilm mounted on the microfilm support.