Abstract: An exemplary virtual facebow system comprises a software program which is run on a tablet or other portable computing device with a microprocessor, an internal memory component, an image capture device, and a display screen. The virtual facebow system is used to record characteristics of the occlusal arch of a patient including, but not limited to, the midline of the patient's face, the steepness and cant of the occlusal arch, as well as a record of which maxillary (upper) teeth make contact with which mandibular (lower) teeth. The recorded characteristics are then used to replicate the alignment of the patient's occlusal arch with the maxillary cast in a lab stand, and the maxillary cast can then be moved to an articulator for the production of customized dental prosthetics for the patient including, but not limited to, restorations and partial or full dentures.

Abstract: A cooling system for a dental porcelain furnace speeds up the cycle time for the furnace.

Abstract: A method and device for removing the bulk of the casting investment surrounding a pressed ceramic dental appliance.

Abstract: An articulator that can be recalibrated easily in the field. The articulator has left and right condyle elements that resemble barbells, with an inner sphere, an outer sphere, and a shaft connecting the inner and outer spheres together. In the preferred embodiment, the outer spheres are releasably fixed to the lower frame member by clamping members, and the inner spheres are pivotably mounted to the upper frame member. To calibrate the articulator, the clamping members are loosened, an alignment fixture is installed to ensure that the articulator is in proper alignment, and then the clamping members are tightened into position, fixing the outer spheres in the properly-aligned position.

Abstract: A refractory powder includes a filler, a binder, and a metal powder. This provides improved heat transfer in the refractory material during heating, and reduces the problem of explosive cracking and spalling so the refractory material can be burned out at substantially constant temperature, thereby saving considerable amounts of time and energy.

Abstract: A dental articulator, having a spatially oriented mounting table permanently bonded to the one frame, allows for the positioning of mounting plates on the upper and lower frames of an articulator. The first mounting plate is oriented exactly the same on the same frame of each articulator. The mounting plate table, capable of orienting the second mounting plate within a range of positions, is fixed both vertically and horizontally by means of a special mounting block. Therefore, the mounting plate table being fixed, mounted dental casts on the mounting plates may be transferred from one articulator to the other without introduction of vertical or horizontal errors. As a result the relationship of the upper mounting plate to the hinge axis will be the same for each articulator. Additionally, the vertical and horizontal relationship of the lower mounting plate to the upper mounting plate will be the same.