Abstract: A method and kit and components thereof for forming an abutment for interfacing a dental prosthesis to a dental implant or duplicate inserted into a patient's jaw or model thereof. An intra-implant element that is or may be bonded to an intra-crown element via a resilient bonding material to form a deformable connection is inserted into the dental implant or duplicate. The intra-crown element is adjusted relative to the intra-implant element to form a model abutment that is properly adjusted to the dental implant or duplicate and is properly positioned to receive a dental prosthesis. The connection is strengthened so that removal of the model abutment and attached dental prosthesis from the dental implant or duplicate does not deform the model abutment, the model abutment and attached dental prosthesis are removed from the dental implant or said duplicate; and the model abutment used to form a permanent abutment.

Abstract: An accessory for use in aiding an oral surgeon to determine the optimum position and angle for a dental implant to be installed in a bone includes a probe assembly having one or more pairs of probe members pivotally mounted to each other about a pivot axis at their centers. Each pair of probe members is configured and dimensioned such that one end of the pair on one side of the pivot axis serves as a probe end to straddle the bone with their tips contacting the bone at opposed contact points thereon, and the opposite end of the pair on the opposite side of the pivot axis serves as a guide end in which the tips of the probe members are automatically located to indicate the thickness of the bone at the pair of opposed contact points. Also described are a kit including a plurality of such accessories, a tool for manually applying such accessories, and a method of using such accessories for use in determining the optimum position and angle for a dental implant.

Abstract: An accessory for use in aiding an oral surgeon to determine the optimum position and angle for a dental implant to be installed in a bone includes a probe assembly having one or more pairs of probe members pivotally mounted to each other about a pivot axis at their centers. Each pair of probe members is configured and dimensioned such that one end of the pair on one side of the pivot axis serves as a probe end to straddle the bone with their tips contacting the bone at opposed contact points thereon, and the opposite end of the pair on the opposite side of the pivot axis serves as a guide end in which the tips of the probe members are automatically located to indicate the thickness of the bone at the pair of opposed contact points. Also described are a kit including a plurality of such accessories, a tool for manually applying such accessories, and a method of using such accessories for use in determining the optimum position and angle for a dental implant.

Abstract: An accessory for use in aiding an oral surgeon to determine the optimum position and angle for a dental implant to be installed in a bone includes a probe assembly having one or more pairs of probe members pivotally mounted to each other about a pivot axis at their centers. Each pair of probe members is configured and dimensioned such that one end of the pair on one side of the pivot axis serves as a probe end to straddle the bone with their tips contacting the bone at opposed contact points thereon, and the opposite end of the pair on the opposite side of the pivot axis serves as a guide end in which the tips of the probe members are automatically located to indicate the thickness of the bone at the pair of opposed contact points. Also described are a kit including a plurality of such accessories, a tool for manually applying such accessories, and a method of using such accessories for use in determining the optimum position and angle for a dental implant.

Abstract: An accessory for use in aiding an oral surgeon to determine the optimum position and angle for a dental implant to be installed in a bone includes a probe assembly having one or more pairs of probe members pivotally mounted to each other about a pivot axis at their centers. Each pair of probe members is configured and dimensioned such that one end of the pair on one side of the pivot axis serves as a probe end to straddle the bone with their tips contacting the bone at opposed contact points thereon, and the opposite end of the pair on the opposite side of the pivot axis serves as a guide end in which the tips of the probe members are automatically located to indicate the thickness of the bone at the pair of opposed contact points. Also described are a kit including a plurality of such accessories, a tool for manually applying such accessories, and a method of using such accessories for use in determining the optimum position and angle for a dental implant.

Abstract: A video system for providing an operator with a three dimensional stereoscopic image of the oral cavity of a patient is provided. The system includes an imaging unit for providing at least two stereoscopic images of the oral cavity, a pair of switchable shutters for alternatingly blocking the view of the left eye and the right eye of the operator, a synchronizing unit for synchronizing the switching of the pair of switchable shutters with the rate of generation of the two stereoscopic video images by the imaging unit and a video display for displaying the two stereoscopic images.

Abstract: A method of displaying a point of interest on an object, comprising preparing a reference pattern of the object, which reference pattern includes the point of interest in a visually-discernible manner on the object and further includes three visually-discernible reference points on the object, superposing the reference pattern on the object, effecting relative movement between the reference pattern and the object to optically align the three reference points on the reference pattern with three corresponding reference points on the subject and displaying the reference pattern superposed on the object such that the point of interest on the reference pattern is visually indicated on the object.