Abstract: A device (1) to treat the teeth (2) adjacent to a gap (3) for the purposes of placing a dental bridge (4) that replaces at least one missing tooth has a treatment tool (5) to remove tooth material, in particular a grinding tool. The device (10 has a mounting fixture (6) to fasten to the teeth of the patient that contains an adjustable positioning device (7) to position the treatment tool (5). By means of the positioning device (7), the treatment tool (5) can move back and forth toward the neighboring teeth (2) to make recesses (8) in the sides of the teeth (2) facing the gap (3).

Abstract: An apparatus serves to prepare at least one tooth (1) for receiving a dental element such as a crown, bridge and the like using a mould model (21) at least including one model tooth (23). The apparatus includes at least one positioning body (5), at least one parallelizing body (24), a mould spoon (12) including threaded sockets (17) and removable segments (20), a preparation base bar (46) including sliding elements (53), a tub (72), a transmitting unit (35), a transport arm mechanism (57), at least one unit (66) including position stabilizing arms (67), a plurality of model transfer bodies (78), and a copying grinding unit (90).

Abstract: A system of temporary stabilizing implants are provided at specifically determined locations in a patient's jawbone for positioning and temporarily stabilizing a dental surgical template at a specifically determined orientation with respect to the jawbone. The template is used to arrange and create osteotomies at sites where permanent dental implants will be located. The template is removably and replaceably positioned with respect to the temporary stabilizing implants by the use of components provided in the template that engage the temporary stabilizing implants, such that the template may be used over a prolonged time period as necessary. Once the dental surgical template is no longer needed, the temporary stabilizing implants are preferably removed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting a dental prosthesis to an upper or lower jaw of a patient. The apparatus includes a jig bushing and a base plate. The jig bushing has a plurality of apertures therethrough for guiding the travel of a drill bit for forming bores in the jaw of the patient. The base plate is immovably associated with the jig bushing and is formed to correspond to the shape of the jaw. A drill bit adaptor is provided for drilling bores in the ridge of the patient to an adjustable predetermined depth. The drill bit adaptor includes a plurality of annular recesses along a longitudinal length of the elongate body for receiving an E-ring. The body of the drill bit adaptor can be inserted into an aperture of the jig bushing until the E-ring presses against the jig bushing. Implants can be screwed into bores. Transmucosal adaptors having sloped ends can be added to each implant. Retaining screws can connect the implants with the transmucosal adaptors.

Abstract: An instrument has a sheet which has a centered perforation joined by an extension to another larger sheet which has two perforations and, from the larger sheet, an extension joining it to handle for a process verifying space between teeth.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a surgical instrument used to drill parallel holes in dental implants, comprising a handle on which a rod with a series of small spheres is screwed, with the ability for tightening a pair of small plates on each sphere in order to support an element ending with a guide head, with calibrated hole, for the milling cutter used to drill holes in dental implants.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to enhancing the accuracy with which tooth restorations are performed, including the manner by which a tooth is prepared and fit with a dental prosthetic. Further, the present invention is directed to reducing the skill dependent tasks associated with tooth restoration, while at the same time, improving the precision with which these procedures are performed. By improving the accuracy of restoration procedures, any need to repeat these procedures for a given patient can be eliminated and patient comfort can be improved.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fast transfer yoke for the cranium-calculated transfer of a maxilla plaster model from a patient into a dental articulator as well as for the recording of axis-related individual mandibular joint geometry of the patient in question. The invention is to create a fast transfer yoke that, with easy handling, facilitates fast recording of patient data, i.e., of the mandible movements as well as of the patient axis and their transfer into a dental articulator or to an mounting apparatus.

Abstract: A dental implant hole guide extension is for use with or without an arrangement for drilling an initial hole, the arrangement having tooth engagement jaws for engaging a tooth which is adjacent a site in a patient's mouth for receiving the initial hole, a fixing mechanism connected to the jaws for fixing the jaws to the tooth and a guide member connected to the jaws and adapted to extend over the initial hole, the guide member having a first guide aligned with the initial hole. The extension includes a positioning pin for engagement in the first guide, an arm connected to the pin, a guide member engaging fork connected to the arm on one side of the pin for firmly engaging the guide member to hold the arm to the guide member or to rest at two points on the jaw bone crest if the extension is used without the guide, and a second guide connected to the arm on an opposite side of the pin for guiding a dental bur for drilling the subsequent implant hole.

Abstract: A guide apparatus for orthodontal and dental instruments used in producing cavities in bone tissue includes and instrument holder for receiving the orthodontal and dental instruments in a guide apparatus which is displaceable in three co-ordinate directions (x, y, z) and rotatable about at least one pivot axis (A).

Abstract: An improved precise orientating tooth drilling device of a type having drill orientation apparatus attaching to a dental drill with a drill bit by a drill clamp and generating a drill angular position signal having a drill signal X-component and a drill signal Y-component and representing an angular position of the drill orientation apparatus, tooth orientation apparatus for removably attaching to a tooth and generating a tooth angular position signal having a tooth signal X-component and a tooth signal Y-component and representing an angular position of the tooth, comparing apparatus for, comparing the drill angular position signal and the tooth angular position signal to each other and determining if a difference therebetween is within a predetermined value, and an alarm alerting when the difference between the drill angular position signal and the tooth angular position signal is not within the predetermined value so that repositioning of the drill can be initiated.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cooperating with a powered tool having a work imparting component having a longitudinal axis so as to maintain the longitudinal axis at substantially constant angles in the X-Y, Y-Z and Z-X planes, as defined in part by the X, Y and Z axes while the powered tool is caused to move through a volume of space. The apparatus includes: an adjustable arm having two ends; a clamp arrangement (14-16) for fixing the powered tool to one of the two ends; and, a base (1-2) fixable to a work piece, attached to the other of the two ends, for supporting the adjustable arm (4-13) and the clamp arrangement (14-16). The adjustable arm further includes: a first portion (4, 5) having two ends, for enabling vertical displacement of the longitudinal axis relative to the Y axis; a second portion (7, 9 and 10-13) having two ends, for supporting the clamp arrangement (14-16); and, a third portion (6, 8) for movably fixing one end of the first portion to one end of the second portion.

Abstract: A drill guide, for use in the preparation of a dental implant site, having a tubular body with a screw thread along at least a section thereof. The drill guide has a stent with screw threads that are complementary screw threads allow the removable attachment of the tubular body to the stent and allows the axial advancement of the tubular body toward the bone. The complementary screw threads are provided on a matrix material of the stent.

Abstract: A surgical template and method for drilling osteotomies (e.g., holes in a jawbone) and installing one or more dental implants using a surgical template assembly. The surgical template assembly is provided with one or more drill guides and one or more dental implant guides. The guides are positioned in the surgical template assembly by a computer-driven milling machine interfaced with a computer-generated image of a patient's jawbone and a computer-generated simulation of at least one dental implant so that when the surgical template is placed in the patient's mouth a trajectory of the guides in the surgical template into the patient's jawbone corresponds to a trajectory of the computer-generated simulation of the dental implant into the computer-generated image of the patient's jawbone. Preferably, three fiducial markers, provide positional coordination between the CT scan data, the computer-generated simulation of the dental implant, and the computer-driven milling machine.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising drill guide bodies and a pair of positioning bars, each such drill guide body being a body so configured and constructed as to define an imaginary axis through the length thereof and forming a pilot guide bore for guiding a drill substantially along said axis and at least one lateral bore substantially perpendicular to said pilot guide bore substantially along chord of said drill guide body disposed on opposite sides of the pilot guide bore, and methods of forming stents and rigid guides for guiding the drilling of holes into a patient's boney structure are disclosed.

Abstract: A kit for building a model for guiding the drilling of plural guide holes into the jaw bone of a dental patient for guiding the forming of plural adjacent cavities for the installation of plural adjacent implants and a method for guiding the drilling of such cavities are disclosed.

Abstract: A dental implant guide arrangement is capable of accurately guiding a bur for drilling a pilot hole for a dental implant. The arrangement includes a pair of C-shaped jaws which engage lingual and buccal surfaces of a tooth and are held to each other by a fixing mechanism, such as a screw. A guide member extends from one of the jaws and has a semi-cylindrical guide that is parallel to an acceptable axis for the pilot hole. The bur can be guided along the guide for accurately drilling the pilot hole.

Abstract: A method and an indicating device for determining a location of a hole to be used as an attachment point for a fixture or fixture part on an area of the human body are disclosed. The indicating device comprises a bearing part which is adapted to be received in an existing hole and a protruding part interconnected with the bearing part and extending above the existing hole when the bearing part is inserted into the existing hole. At least one indicating part is interconnected with the protruding part and has a free end extending away from the existing hole, where a location of the new hole to be used as an attachment point is established at a position substantially adjacent to an exterior surface of the free end of the indicating part.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding a dental instrument in drilling, in the alveolus of a patient, a second longitudinal perforation that is parallel to a first longitudinal perforation.

Abstract: A drill guide system for use in the installation of dental implants. The guides are configured in the shape of teeth and have drill bushings passing through to guide and position the drill so that the resulting hole will receive an implant that is properly positioned and aligned. The guides are provided in different configurations depending on the number of adjacent implants to be installed and have a depending pin to position the guide in an initial drilled hole. By being configured in the shape of teeth, the dental surgeon is able to position the guide prior to drilling and be able to observe how the resulting work will appear once the actual prosthetics are installed on the implants. The drill bushings not only guide the drill but provide additional patient security since the possibility of slippage or breakage of the drill bit during drilling is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A device for alerting a dentist when the angular position of the drill and the angular position of the tooth being drilled do not correspond so that during drilling the angular position of the hole being drilled does not change. The device includes a drill transducer, a tooth transducer, a central control unit, and an alarm. The drill transducer is attachable to a dental drill and generates a drill angular position signal representing an angular position of the dental drill. The tooth transducer is removably attachable to a tooth and generates a tooth angular position signal representing an angular position of the tooth. The central control unit compares the drill angular position signal and the tooth angular position signal to each other to determine if the difference is within the value of a predetermined difference angular position.

Abstract: A support device for a dentist's drill comprising a support, an articulated arm comprising two articulated quadrilateral devices disposed in series with one another, and an adjustment device operable to vary the direction of the working axis of the drill. The support is provided with a fixing device for connecting it to a seat back of a dentist's chair and the articulated arm can assume a working condition in which the two articulated quadrilateral devices are disposed at 90.degree. to one another.

Abstract: An overdenture bar assembly is shown having first and second root members each mounting a bar attachment abutment. Each bar attachment abutment has a post formed with a locking taper receivable in a matching tapered bore in the repective root member and a transversely extending bore in a head portion which receives an end of a cylindrical bar. A jig member is shown formed of a flat plate having a central reference bore between two outer bores and an annular insert is closely receivable in each outer bore. The outer bores serve to guide a drill bit to provide parallelism and the top surface of the plate cooperates with a mark on a drill bit to provide a reference for measuring the depth of the bore being formed.

Abstract: A method and device for recording the position of implants secured in bone in an area having fixed surface features. The device and method feature a stent and an indexing assembly. The stent and indexing assembly record the position of the implant with respect to the surface features, which implants can later be exposed with a guided tissue punch.

Abstract: A device for use in a dental or medical application to obtain three-dimensional contour information comprises a multiplicity of arm segments, first mounting elements for connecting the arm segments to one another to form an articulated assembly of the arm segments. A second mounting element serves to fix the articulated assembly relative to a person's head, while a third mounting element is provided for attaching a diagnostic or medical treatment instrument to the articulated assembly at a point spaced from the second mounting element. A feedback component or components are operatively coupled with at least some of the arm segments for providing electrical signal feedback data as to positions of the arm segments relative to one another, thereby providing information as to the position of the instrument relative to the person's head.

Abstract: The invention relates to a holder for a dental hand piece carrying a rotatable burr in which any one of a plurality of hand pieces, each of which has a different contra-angle, relative to the axis of the burr, can be accommodated to the same holder and coupled to the free end of a pantograph for maintaining the axis of the burr normal to the occludal plane of the teeth.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for locating and surgically positioning a hole for an implant and holder in a jawbone of a patient includes constructing a model of a jawbone. A structure is located within the model depicting variations in density within the jawbone. A hole is drilled into the model based on the location of the structure. A rod is placed into the hole and a guide template is fabricated around the model which forms a bore around the rod. The guide template is placed onto the jawbone of the patient and a hole is drilled through the bore into the jawbone to make a hole in the jawbone along the same path as the hole in the model for receiving the implant and holder.

Abstract: An articulated arm has a post on one end that guides a handpiece at a selected angle. The other end of the arm has a bore capable of supporting the arm at this other end in cantilevered arrangement on a base fitted in a hole drilled in the jaw that has been made to receive an implant or a base on a non-implant appliance. The articulated arm has at least two pivotally connected identical links that maintain the handpiece in parallel relation with the base whereby in the method of the invention implants can be installed that are parallel with each other or with a non-implant base.

Abstract: Support and guide apparatus (1) for a dental drill (2) comprises an articulated arm (3) which can be attached to a fixed support member (4) and provided with an attachment member (88) for a tail (20) of the drill (2); the arm (3) is provided with a device (70) which acts to maintain the axis of rotation (A) of the drill turbine orthogonal to a predetermined working plane (.tau.) and a counterweight (108) which balances the weight of the movable parts in any position of the arm itself.The apparatus (1) further includes stabilization apparatus (201) for the head (203) and jaw (205) comprising a side bracket (241) lockable with respect to the headrest of a dental chair, which (241) carries a transverse element (246) projecting therefrom to maintain the patient's jaw in the open position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cantilevered surgical stent for use in dental implant surgery for spacially orienting the implant fixture with respect to a predetermined reference point. The cantilevered surgical stent of the present invention provides the surgeon with enhanced access to the surgical site, the ability to accommodate virtually any direction of flap reflection, and the ability to apically locate sufficient bone volume for primary or secondary surgical sites with respect to the predetermined spacial reference point. As a related object, the present invention is directed to a surgical protocol for dental implant placement procedure using the cantilevered surgical stent.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for producing a dental filling for restoration of a tooth crown, the dental filling being fitted to a cavity prepared in the tooth for filling the cavity. The apparatus includes a cutting device for preparing the cavity, the cutting device including a cutting element for cutting the tooth for the cavity preparation, and a cutting-element position sensor for monitoring movement of the cutting element for the cavity preparation and thereby producing a batch of outline form data representing a three-dimensional outline form of the cavity; a memory device for storing the batch of outline form data; a machining device for machining a prefabricated filling blank into the dental filling; and a control device for controlling operation of the machining device according to the batch of outline form data, so that the filling blank is machined into the dental filling having an outline form identical with the outline form of the cavity.

Abstract: A surgical stent for accurately positioning an implant in the most optimum bone structure of a patient that includes a negative impression of the area of the implant having a guide formed as an integral part of the negative impression that has either a top opening or a lateral side opening for receiving and guiding a surgical tool or drill that forms the implant sight. The guide is orientated relative to the negative impression so as to direct and guide the surgical tool along a most optimum trajectory as established by a diagnostic evaluation of the implant sight to insure that the implant seat is placed in the patient's most optimal bone structure. In one form of the invention, the guide is defined an a tubular or cylindrical member having a side entry for the surgical tool.

Abstract: A dental drill is provided which includes a drill head carrying a drill bit and a telescopic drilling template to be attached to the drill head so that after a first hole has been drilled in the tooth with the drill bit, the template is inserted in that hole, thus insuring that a second hole parallel to the first hole is drilled with a desired spacing corresponding to that of the two pins of a dental prosthesis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dental endosteal implants with devices to aid in the placement of the implant, and procedures for placing the implant.

Abstract: A mechanical support for holding a dental medical instrument includes multiple segments which are mounted to one another to provide six degrees of freedom of motion for an instrument supported at one end of the support arm. At each juncture or joint between segments, a positioning encoder provides an electrical signal which indicates the motion of one of the segments relative to the adjacent segment. The combined encoder outputs provides information concerning all six degrees of freedom of motion and thus provides a signal which tracks with the motion of the operating instrument. A slave probe coupled to the operating end of the instrument provides a technique of either commanding the positioning of the instrument or, alternatively, tracking with the position of the instrument. The slave probe thus executes a three dimensional contour that is the same as the three dimensional surface traced by the instrument.

Abstract: A method and device for placing an implant or artificial tooth in the most optimal bone structure by providing a radiology stent having a radial opaque grid disposed therein placed in the vicinity of the void where the implant is to be placed and taking a series of oblique X-rays at spaced intervals along the implant area utilizing the grid points produced on the X-ray for determining the optimum trajectory of the proposed implant, which is then related to a formed surgical stent having a guide for directing a drill bit in accordance with the trajectory established by the radiology stent.

Abstract: An artificial dental appliance for bridging the distance between two adjacent teeth. The appliance includes a bridge for filling the space between the two adjacent teeth and retaining structure for securing the bridge to the two adjacent teeth. The retaining structure includes a pin for extending transversely through a groove formed in the side of one of the teeth and through a groove formed in one side of the bridge.

Abstract: Implant cavities are drilled in the jaw of a patient by first forming a template from a plastic cast of an impression of the jaw regions after it has been prepared as for parallel-crown preparation and the template is provided with parallel bores in which slide sleeves guiding the drill bit of the drill can be received.

Abstract: Apparatus for machining a human tooth includes a rotary cutter that is moved along a predetermined path dictated by motor energizing signals. The cutter is moved vertically by one drive, laterally by another drive and in or out by a third drive. The apparatus is clamped selectively to the patient's jaw or to a model thereof. The dentist's manual work is actually done on a model, with the apparatus being secured to the model in a fixed position. The vertical drive, the lateral drive, and the in or out drive are energized in response to the dentist's manipulation of a joy stick to move the cutter along paths necessary to achieve the desired tooth configuration. A second joy stick is manipulated to vary the attitude of the cutter, about roll and/or pitch axes. Signals proportionate to the extent of each drive operator are delivered to a computer in the sequence and for the period during which the drives are activated.

Abstract: In dental surgery when a tooth is to be crowned, the tooth has to be prepared by cutting a taper. It has been found that for the successful mounting of a crown the taper must be much more exactly prepared than is possible using currently available equipment. The present invention allows the initial position of the axis of a cutter to be related by means of electronic "spirit levels" to a selected axis. Deviation from this axis by more than a predetermined amount is indicated by light sources which can be seen regardless of the position of a handpiece holding the cutter. By means of a code these light sources indicate how the dentist must move the cutter to return to the correct axis.

Abstract: A dental handpiece guide is provided comprising a mounting plate to be secured to the teeth, a moveable adjustment section secured detachably by a suitable fastener to the plate, and a parallel link assembly rotatably mounted on the adjustment section. The parallel link assembly is comprised of at least one set of parallel arms or links. A post carrier assembly pivotally mounted to the distal ends of the parallel arms of the parallel link assembly. A post is pivotally mounted on said post carrier assembly. A sleeve slidingly receives the post and has a projecting arm extending therefrom. The projecting arm has an aperture which receives the head of a dental handpiece. The post can be adjusted to assume a desired orientation relative to the parallel planes containing the parallel link assembly and the post carrier assembly, so that the cutting axis of the dental handpiece cutting instrument can thereby achieve any one of a variety of fixed orientations with respect to the teeth.

Abstract: A dental guide for locating suitable positions at which bores are to be drilled in teeth for receiving a dental retaining splint, the guide being formed of a material which is detectable under x-rays. The guide includes a continuous rod shaped into a configuration having a U-shaped front section for overlying the labial surface of the teeth. The legs of the U-shaped front section extend into laterally disposed arms for overlying the occlusal surface of the teeth, and the arms terminate in downwardly extending pins. Each of the pins respectively is disposed in a common plane with an associated one of the legs of the U-shaped front section. With the pins positioned in drill guides, an x-ray taken of the teeth will reveal the location of the legs of the U-shaped section with respect to the teeth, so that a proper orientation of the bores to be drilled can be determined.

Abstract: A dental retaining splint is disclosed including a bar-like body member having preferably two tubular members extending perpendicularly therefrom, where the tubular members have axial openings extending therethrough. The body member has an H-shaped configuration with the front and rear walls being serpentined to define sections therein. These sections can be removed, such as by cutting, to provide a shorter splint. In use, the splint is first temporarily held in a channel formed in adjacent teeth, where the tubular members function as guides for a drill to form pilot holes in the teeth. The splint is then removed, and the pilot holes function as lead holes for the formation of enlarged bores to receive the tubular members therein for retaining the adjacent teeth in a fixed position. The splint is then replaced so that the tubular members are disposed in the bores formed therefor. An inlay fills in the channel and covers the splint in the final procedure step.

Abstract: A dental positioning device for facilitating the accurate placement of a drill guide on teeth in order to drill spaced apart aligned bores in which a dental retaining splint is to be received. The positioning device is formed of a continuous wire including a U-shaped top section lying in a horizontal plane with an anchoring pin vertically extending from one arm of the top section, and a loop depending from the other arm thereof, the loop also lying in a horizontal plane. The anchoring pin is inserted through the axial opening of a first tubular member upwardly extending from a drill guide and further inserted into a first hole drilled in the tooth. The loop fits around a second tubular member also extending upwardly from the drill guide and spaced from the first tubular member. The axial opening in the second tubular member is then used to drill a second hole accurately spaced apart from the first hole.