Abstract: A tool for measuring the inclination of maxillary incisors can accurately quantify the clinical inclination of the maxillary incisors relative to a true horizontal reference plane before and during dental treatment. The tool includes a stationary base and a measuring arm pivotably connected to the base. The base includes a main window defined therethrough and a spirit level. The movable arm includes a protractor, a sleeve connected to the protractor, and a sliding sheet slidably received within the sleeve. An adjustable incisor guide at a measuring end of the sliding sheet includes an incisor ledge for receiving an incisor edge during measurement. The spirit level can be used to align the base with the true horizontal plane and the movable arm can be raised until the incisor ledge contacts the incisor edge and the sliding sheet contacts the facial surface of the maxillary incisor.

Abstract: A 3D virtual model of an intra oral cavity in which at least a part of a finish line of a preparation is obscured is manipulated in virtual space by means of a computer or the like to create, recreate or reconstruct finish line data and other geometrical corresponding to the obscured part. Trimmed virtual models, and trimmed physical models, can then be created utilizing data thus created. The virtual models and/or the physical models may be used in the design and manufacture of copings or of prostheses.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for preparing a three-dimensional digital model of a prosthetic denture base for fabrication using a light-based three-dimensional printing apparatus. A virtual reference model of a prosthetic denture base is prepared and manipulated to establish specific spatial orientation and angular inclination with respect to the build platform surface of the printing apparatus. Methods may include performing a corrective digital scaling process on the virtual reference model in order to achieve further improvements to dimensional accuracy in the fabrication of prosthetic denture bases.

Abstract: A vertical dimension of occlusion jig includes a vertical support column, a lateral arm support base configured to slide along and rotate about a longitudinal axis of the vertical support column, a first lateral support arm pivotally coupled with the lateral arm support base, a first tooth gantry coupled with the first lateral support arm and adapted to slide along and rotate about a longitudinal axis of the first lateral support arm, a second lateral support arm pivotally coupled with the lateral arm support base, and a second tooth gantry coupled with the second lateral support arm and adapted to slide along and rotate about a longitudinal axis of the second lateral support arm. A temporary anchorage device (TAD) gantry is coupled with the vertical support column and is configured to slide along a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vertical support column.

Abstract: The invention relates to an occlusion determination device (10), with a bite frame (34) and an extraoral bracket (12) which are connected together, wherein a reference element has at least one vertical leg (19, 21) and at least one horizontal leg (14, 16) and is connected by way of a bipupillar linkage (24) to the bite frame (34). The reference element is designed as an extraoral bracket (12) which extends vertically offset from the bite frame (34).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of generating and modifying a virtual model of a set of teeth, where the method provides that a restoration can be inserted into a physical model of the set of teeth manufactured from the virtual model of the set of teeth.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for creating a personalized digital planning file for simulation of dental implant placement. After planning, the digital representation in a plaster model may be used to design and produce dedicated surgical templates to assist the surgeon in transferring the implant plan to a patient during medical intervention.

Abstract: An implant and guide are described, together with methods for configuring the same. The implant and guide are for maxillofacial osteosynthesis and may be provided as a kit. Three-dimensional models of the pre- and post-operative anatomy are used to define attachment points. These attachment points are used to define a structure for the implant and the guide.

Abstract: An electronic register device for recording movements of the lower jaw of a person relative to the upper jaw of the person, the device having a bite fork for recording a position of the upper jaw relative to reference points on the head of the person, wherein the bite fork is designed to receive a plastic compound for recording an impression of the dentition of the upper jaw. The register device further includes a lower-jaw attachment for recording movements of the lower jaw relative to the upper jaw. In addition, the register device has a reference body, wherein the register device is designed so that the reference body can be connected in a fixed position to the bite fork. The bite fork and the reference body connected thereto in a fixed position are designed in such a way that both the impression and also the reference body can be recorded by a scanning procedure. In this way, it is possible to establish a relationship between the scanned impression and the movement data recorded by the register device.

Abstract: A device for determining or measuring temporomandibular joint positions and movements of a patient. A method for determining or measuring one or more than one temporomandibular joint position or movement of a patient. A method of diagnosing a condition or disease of a temporomandibular joint of a patient.

Abstract: A device for determining or measuring temporomandibular joint positions and movements of a patient. A method for determining or measuring one or more than one temporomandibular joint position or movement of a patient. A method of diagnosing a condition or disease of a temporomandibular joint of a patient.

Abstract: A skeletal positioning method and apparatus includes a splint having a main body coupled to a skeletal structure of a patient and a positioning guide having a skeletal footplate, a splint footplate, and an arm coupling the skeletal footplate and the splint footplate, the skeletal footplate including at least one aperture formed therein and the splint footplate including connectors for releasably coupling the positioning guide to the splint, wherein a relative position and orientation of the skeletal footplate and the splint footplate is pre-determined to align a portion of the skeletal footplate with a pre-defined portion of the skeletal structure of the patient.

Abstract: Methods and systems for making a computer model of a patient's jaws on the basis of digital information from computed tomography and non-radiographic digital imaging of the patient's teeth or dental casts of their teeth.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a registering system for the transfer of a jaw model in relation to a hinge axis, for example, in an articulator, and to a connection device for connecting a lower jaw adapter (1) to a measuring carrier (4), and a bite carrier (3) for producing a bite key. The invention is characterized in that the transfer of the mandibular joint geometry, especially the exact position of the hinge axis of the patient, can be carried out in a state of assembly or an articulator using only a hinge axis determination relative to the lower jaw of the patient. The transfer of the facial arc required until now in prior art is rendered superfluous by the invention. Moreover, the possibilities of use of the transfer in relation to the hinge axis are extended, modularised and simultaneously simplified and accelerated. Sources of error are eliminated, the expenditure on equipment and costs of the transfer of the model can be critically reduced.

Abstract: A head positioning instrument is provided for accurately modeling the position of a patient's jaw for orthodontic, prosthodontic, dental, or orthognatic surgery treatment planning The horizontal distance between a pair of reference points that are visible on an x-ray are measured. These reference points are then utilized to ensure that substantially true vertical and substantially true horizontal are reflected in a radiograph. The patient's lower jaw hinge is accurately located, and the upper jaw is located using a bite fork attached to the lower jaw hinge axis locator. The bite fork assembly contained within the lower jaw hinge axis locator is removed from the head positioning instrument and transferred to an axis mounting stand for accurate reproduction of the spatial positioning of the patient's upper jaw. The patient's individual characteristics are accurately preserved throughout the transfer and modeling process, resulting in accurate correspondence between the model and radiograph.

Abstract: An electronic register device for recording movements of the lower jaw of a person relative to the upper jaw of the person, the device having a bite fork for recording a position of the upper jaw relative to reference points on the head of the person, wherein the bite fork is designed to receive a plastic compound for recording an impression of the dentition of the upper jaw

Abstract: A medical/dental instrument that is a temporomandibular joint dislocation reduction roller is provided. The temporomandibular joint dislocation reduction roller assists reduction of a dislocated temporomandibular joint. The temporomandibular joint dislocation reduction roller reduces the risk of injury to the patient as well as to the health care professional during the reduction procedure. A method for using the temporomandibular joint dislocation reduction roller for efficient reduction of an anterior dislocation of the temporomandibular joint is also provided.

Abstract: A dental impression tray has a base and a relator. The base has a biting portion and a handle. The biting portion is curved. The handle is formed on the biting portion and has an arc hole that is defined through the handle to receive impression material. The relator has a vertical bar and a horizontal bar. The relator is mounted in the arc hole and is fastened in the arc hole by impression material. The horizontal bar connects perpendicularly to the vertical bar. Therefore, the impression of the teeth to be crowned or veneered as well as the relation between the impression and the patient's face are obtained simultaneously.

Abstract: Dental devices are disclosed which allows a dental laboratory to accurately create upper front teeth and dentures to the dentist's specific instructions. The interpupillary line and the incisal lines are used to fabricate teeth which are more symmetrical and therefore are more esthetically pleasing than prior devices and procedures. The angle and the distance between the interpupillary line and the incisal line are measured and recorded with a smile guide device.

Abstract: An occlusion correction improvement instrument includes an upper mold-mounting member provided with a plate-shaped member that is parallel to a Camper's plane of an upper model having a tooth model-shaped surface of a maxillary tooth row and with a plane parallel to the Camper's plane when the upper mold-mounting member has been mounted on the upper model; and a lower mold-mounting member mountable on a lower model having a tooth model-shaped surface of a mandible tooth row and provided with a pin-shaped projection portion that can be fixed, with a position thereof adjusted from side to side and up and down, and with an adjustment member that can adjust a position of the lower mold-mounting member relative to the upper mold-mounting member on the plane parallel to the Camper's plane, with the projection portion abut on the plate-shaped member of the upper mold-mounting member.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for providing patient data useful for dental procedures, including scanning a dental structure of a patient when coupled to a geometric structure to provide a virtual model representative of the coupling and the dental structure, and relating the virtual model to a body reference of the patient.

Abstract: A dental face-bow comprising a base part, two side arms that extend from the base part and two positioning elements, for example ear pieces for positioning the face-bow on the head of the patient. The positioning elements are situated on the side arms and can be displaced in relation to the side arms. The face-bow is also provided with a displacement device which is used to simultaneously displace the two positioning elements in relation to the side arms. To drive the positioning elements, a dial, which is situated on the base part, can be used for example to turn a flexible shaft that is rotatably mounted inside the two side arms. the two ends of the shaft are equipped with gears that co-operate with gear rods on the positioning elements. This arrangement permits the face-bow to be placed on a patient extremely gently, as there is in particular no relative displacement of the side arms.

Abstract: This present invention concerns a locating and measuring device of facial anatomical parameters of a human face. It includes in particular a frame intended to be positioned in front of a face, and a bite yoke mounted on a cross member of the frame, intended to be inserted into the mouth and bitten onto by a patient. In a manner that is characteristic, the invention also includes materialization and positioning for an incisive line, materialization and positioning for a bi-pupillary line, and materialization and positioning for a Camper's plane on at least one profile of the face. The device of the invention finds a particular application in the fields of dental and periodontal reconstruction and repair in accordance with the aesthetic harmony of the face.

Abstract: An occlusion correction improvement instrument includes an upper mold-mounting member provided with a plate-shaped member that is parallel to a Camper's plane of an upper model having a tooth model-shaped surface of a maxillary tooth row and with a plane parallel to the Camper's plane when the upper mold-mounting member has been mounted on the upper model; and a lower mold-mounting member mountable on a lower model having a tooth model-shaped surface of a mandible tooth row and provided with a pin-shaped projection portion that can be fixed, with a position thereof adjusted from side to side and up and down, and with an adjustment member that can adjust a position of the lower mold-mounting member relative to the upper mold-mounting member on the plane parallel to the Camper's plane, with the projection portion abut on the plate-shaped member of the upper mold-mounting member.

Abstract: The dental device of the present invention is used to transfer information about registration of an anterior midline between central incisors and a horizontal plane of the teeth after the teeth have been drilled and final impressions have been taken. This information is communicated to the lab technician for fabrication of crowns and or veneers. The dental device allows the dentist to consistently communicate the location and position of the anterior midlines and horizontal plane to the dental laboratory. The dental device is placed between the patient's upper and lower teeth after tooth preparation. The dental device is positioned in a correct midline and horizontal plane. After alignment, the dental device is secured to the teeth using a bite registration material. The dental device is forwarded to the lab technician together with the model of the teeth after preparation.

Abstract: The invention provides an orthodontic facebow of the type, having an inner bow consisting of two inner arms, each including an end portion, and an interconnected outer bow consisting of outer arms, characterized in that the free end portion of each inner arm is self-locking element to realize by means of placing lever in form of segment of a circle or placing lever into split and fixing to inner with help axle and with possibility tuning so as to allow it to be easily inserted facebow in buccal tube and after inserted lever tune and stopping facebow, and then for facilitating removal facebow from buccal tube need to combine said levers with each inner arms.

Abstract: A facial plane relator has an arch, a horizontal plane and a vertical plane. The arch has an outer edge with a protrusion having two ends, an outer edge, a through hole and a clamp. The through hole is defined transversely through the ends of the protrusion. The clamp is mounted on the outer edge of the protrusion. The horizontal plane is mounted longitudinally in the through hole and has a front, a rear and two horizontal openings defined through the horizontal plane from the front to the rear. The vertical plane is clamped by the clamp of the arch, allows the vertical plane to be perpendicular to the horizontal plane and has a front, a rear and two vertical openings defined through the vertical plane from the front to the rear. The facial plane relator is aligned conveniently and accurately with patient's face through the vertical and horizontal openings.

Abstract: A system and method for determining condyle displacement during jaw articulation includes a physical model with corresponding reference points. The physical model is positioned and scanned to obtain positional data representing a first and second bite position. This positional data is used to generate a transformation matrix. The position of at least one condyle is determined in reference to positional data scanned from the physical model. The transformation matrix is used to map the position of the condyle with respect to the second bite position.

Abstract: Methods and systems for establishing dental bite planes in relation to the relative vertical and horizontal planes of a patient's face and head. A U-shaped bite fork, which can be held by the patient's teeth or gums, may be attached to a connection system that attaches to adjustable orientation rods that may be aligned to the vertical and horizontal planes of the patient's face and head. Once the orientation rods are correctly adjusted, the orientation rods may be may be locked into place to preserve the orientation of the patient's bite plane relative to the facial reference planes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for establishing dental bite planes in relation to the relative vertical and horizontal planes of a patient's face and head. A U-shaped bite fork, which can be held by the patient's teeth or gums, may be attached to a connection system that attaches to adjustable orientation rods that may be aligned to the vertical and horizontal planes of the patient's face and head. The generally perpendicular orientation rods may be used separately or locked together to form a combined unit. Once the orientation rods are correctly adjusted, the orientation rods may be may be locked into place to preserve the orientation of the patient's bite plane relative to the facial reference planes.

Abstract: A dental-facial measuring instrument provides a possibility to determine an occlusion to make a denture. An improved dental-facial measuring instrument includes the first and second strips coupled by the connector and spring with a slidable strip comprising a horizontal portion and a scale, and wherein the first and second corbels of the slidable strip are appropriately inserted into the first and second slots of the first strip and second strip respectively.

Abstract: A kit which may be used for anterior tooth selection, the kit including a facial meter for measuring the width of a nose and/or the distance between the eyes, and for correlating the measurement to a tooth size, and an anterior tooth selection guide consisting of a plurality of cards which have various sets of upper anterior teeth of differing sizes, soft and bold, depicted thereon so that a dentist or dental professional may place a card adjacent the face of the patient to make an initial evaluation of the teeth to be selected based upon the use of the anterior tooth selection guide. The kit may also includes a mold guide which includes various sets of anterior teeth and posterior teeth. This kit facilitates the tooth selection process by the dental professional.

Abstract: An anatomical transfer bow is made available which consists principally of a central part, with two pivotable side arms connected via a pivot point, of the nasion support with mounting part and nose roll, and of the bite-fork carrier with bite fork. The anatomical transfer bow also has a leveling device for aligning the transfer bow with the interpupillary line.

Abstract: A face bow assembly including a face bow having a bite fork portion to carry an index trays to be positioned in a patient's mouth. The bow has outwardly extending wings to enable a dentist to support the bow. A vertical indicator rod mounted to the bow helps align the tray horizontally and the indicator rod vertically to the patient's mid-sagittal, while bite impression material on the tray hardens. The upper index tray is then mounted on a platform on a dental articulator. The platform has an incisal line for alignment with an incisal line(s) for adjustability on the upper index tray. The platform also has vertical or horizontal adjustability with a built-in scale.

Abstract: A computer implemented method includes providing a first set of digital data corresponding to an upper arch image of at least a portion of an upper dental arch of a patient, providing a second set of digital data corresponding to a lower arch image of at least a portion of a lower dental arch of the patient, providing bite alignment data representative of the spatial relationship between the upper dental arch and the lower dental arch of the patient, and aligning the upper and lower arch images relative to one another based on the bite alignment data until an aligned upper and lower arch image is attained. The aligned upper and lower arch images are moved towards each other until a first contact point is detected and at least one of the upper and lower arch images is moved relative to the other in one or more directions to a plurality of positions for determining optimal occlusion position of the lower and upper dental arches.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of creating a dental model for use in dental articulation includes providing a first set of digital data corresponding to an upper arch image of at least a portion of an upper dental arch of a patient, providing a second set of digital data corresponding to a lower arch image of at least a portion of a lower dental arch of the patient, and providing hinge axis data representative of the spatial orientation of at least one of the upper and lower dental arches relative to a condylar axis of the patient. A reference hinge axis is created relative to the upper and lower arch images based on the hinge axis data. Further, the method may include bite alignment data for use in aligning the lower and upper arch images. Yet further, the method may include providing data associated with condyle geometry of the patient, so as to provide limitations on the movement of at least the lower arch image when the arch images are displayed.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of creating a dental model for use in dental articulation includes providing a first set of digital data corresponding to an upper arch image of at least a portion of an upper dental arch of a patient, providing a second set of digital data corresponding to a lower arch image of at least a portion of a lower dental arch of the patient, and providing hinge axis data representative of the spatial orientation of at least one of the upper and lower dental arches relative to a condylar axis of the patient. A reference hinge axis is created relative to the upper and lower arch images based on the hinge axis data. Further, the method may include bite alignment data for use in aligning the lower and upper arch images. Yet further, the method may include providing data associated with condyle geometry of the patient, so as to provide limitations on the movement of at least the lower arch image when the arch images are displayed.

Abstract: A facebow having a sight structure, co-linearly moving arms, and ear pieces shaped to provide repeatable registration of the facebow on a patient's face. The facebow is able to be sterilized as a unit or can be partially disassembled for sterilization.

Abstract: Dental apparatus which can determine a patient-specific reference plane so that the patient's teeth can be aesthetically oriented to an aesthetic axis-horizontal reference plane. The apparatus includes a face bow, an adjustable nasion relator assembly, a level gauge and a bite fork. The nasion relator assembly, along with the level gauge, enables the face bow to be moved to a level orientation.

Abstract: This invention consists of a method and apparatus which establish specific central and vertical dimensions and positions for patterns for the making of dentures which will provide a natural occlusion upon replacement of natural teeth.

Abstract: A patient evaluation reference determining apparatus of the present invention comprises a face bow which extends generally from one of the patient's ears forwardly along the patient's temples or across the patient's face, and back along the other side of the patient's head from the patient's temple to the patient's other ear. The face bow has a pair of ear pieces which are connected to the face bow and each piece is adapted to be inserted in one of the patient's ear openings or potions. The apparatus further includes a nose piece carried by the front portion of the face bow with the nose piece engaging the patient's nasion. Adjustable locking connection are provided at the interconnection of the ear pieces and the face bow and at the nose piece and the face bow. A bubble level is carried by the face bow.

Abstract: A dental recording apparatus for recording the movements of the jaw joints in relation to the skull includes (A) an adjustable upper recording bow which is secured on the bridge of the nose, the top of the skull and the sides of the head and which has a nose bridge support, vertical frame, rubber strap and positioning units or measuring/recording plates, and (B) a lower recording bow. The apparatus permits an exact positioning of the apparatus on the head of the patient, both in terms of an exact positioning of the upper recording bow and also of the lower recording bow.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a gothic arch tracing representative of the natural range of motion of a patient's mandible. The apparatus consists of a kit including a mandibular bite rim having a tracing plate; a maxillary bite rim having a tracing arm; and a stylus releasably connectable to the tracing arm for extending between the tracing arm and the tracing plate externally of the patient's mouth. The stylus has a marker on one end thereof for drawing a gothic arch tracing on a removable paper substrate, such as a post-it note, attachable to the tracing plate. The tracing is used in the fabrication of a dental bite registration mold for the patient. The mold may in turn be used to mount casts of the patient's dentition in a specific relationship as required for prosthetic or therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: A face bow for receiving and transferring a model jaw to a jaw articulator in the correct spacial orientation relative to a patient's skull and jaw hinge axis. The face bow has a curved transfer member for surrounding a patient's face and a guide column releasably secured to the transfer member for carrying an adjustable bite fork. The transfer member has an elongate, centering groove and the guide column has an adjusting projection which is perpendicular to the guide column for engagement in the centering groove.

Abstract: A cutting guide is provided for use in human maxillofacial surgery. The cutting guide has a bowed body portion adapted to substantially surround the interior surface of the mandible. The body portion has a substantially planar bottom surface to guide a saw blade to cut the mandible in a straight line, one or more elongated pins adapted for insertion into holes created in the mandible to locate the guide in a desired position on the mandible, and a gripper adapted to be gripped by the surgeon to stabilize the guide means while the cut is performed. The body portion is adapted for placement beneath a neurovascular bundle protruding from the surface of the mandible to avoid contact between the saw blade and the neurovascular bundle while the cut is being made. The body portion also includes retracting means to retract the neurovascular bundle to avoid contact with the saw blade.

Abstract: A characteristic of optimal facial harmony is a correlation of the A/P (Anterior/Posterior) position of the maxillary incisors with the forehead. When the forehead is canted about 7 degrees or less, the A/P position of the maxillary incisors should match that of the middle of the forehead. For every degree the forehead is canted more than 7 degrees, the A/P position of the maxillary incisors should be 0.6 millimeters more anterior than the middle of the forehead. The extent to which the A/P position of the maxillary incisors is forward or back of the forehead's midpoint can be judged in millimeters quite accurately by viewing a patient in profile with the patient's forehead and maxillary incisors fully bared. Once the linear decision is made then the A/P treatment goal position can be physically measured and recorded using a novel bite fork (58), an improved facebow (56), and a new piece of equipment called a verticalizer (60).

Abstract: A bracket having a vertical column for supporting a face bow and a bite fork on the face of a patient with impressionable material on the bite fork in the mouth of the patient with the patient's teeth engaging the impressionable material making an impression thereon, and ear engaging members on the face bow engaging the ear openings of the patient, and a lip engaging indicator on the face bow engaging the lip of the patient. The face bow being removable from the bracket and the bracket with facebow removed being adapted to support the bite fork on an articulator, where dentures supported on the articulator can be articulated relative to the impressions on the impressionable material supported on the bite fork.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a spacer for dental implants of a bio-compatible material. The spacer includes an inner sleeve-shaped spacer element (4) of titanium which is part of a screw connection between an anchorage element (fixture) (1) implanted in the maxillary beneath the gingiva, and a dental prosthesis construction whose joint surface (11) is located above the gingiva and which is disposed to absorb the loading of the screw connection. The spacer further includes an outer spacer sleeve (12) of porcelain or ceramics which wholly or partly encloses the inner sleeve-like spacer element (4). The ceramic or porcelain sleeve may, by grinding and coating with porcelain of different colors, by caused by visually approximate a dental cervix and gingiva and, thereby, not contrast with the natural dental cervix color and gingival color to the same extent as does the titanium material.

Abstract: A mandibular movement measuring device for measuring the angular movment of the mandibular incisal edge between the mandibular closed position and the maximum mandibular open position and for measuring mandibular deflection and deviation between the mandibular closed position and the maximum mandibular open position.

Abstract: An adjustable transfer jig assembly interconnecting a face bow and a bitefork is positionally fixed after locating the bitefork relative to the face bow. Clamp blocks of plastic interconnecting plastic rods forming the jig assembly include slots for receiving and wicking about the encircled rods a fast setting adhesive to lockingly position the rods linearly and angularly with respect to one another and fix the transfer jig assembly. Subsequent detachment of the face bow will permit mounting of the bitefork upon an articulator in a predetermined relationship by attaching the transfer jig assembly to an articulator mounted index block.