Abstract: An improvement in an articulation system for use in forming a dental model which includes a ridged first leg and a second leg which is formed in the shape of a flat plate having sufficient thickness to be substantially rigid but which also allows limited torsional movement or bending about its longitudinal length as well as limited flexing about its longitudinal length.

Abstract: Improvements in a dental model tray and associated articulation system for use in forming a dental model includes providing: a flange integrally attached to the upper edge of an upstanding side wall of said tray; a pair of spaced apart ears that project outwardly from said flange; an alignment pin extending upwardly from and perpendicular to a planar base of said tray; a centric stop mechanism in which the cylindrical hollow post forming the centric stop is provided with a thin membrane covering over the otherwise open end of the post; and an articulation system which includes a ridged first leg and a second leg which is formed in the shape of a flat plate having sufficient thickness to be substantially rigid but which also allows limited torsional movement or bending about its longitudinal length as well as limited flexing about its longitudinal length.

Abstract: A dental model tray (12) for use in forming a dental model has a rigid bottom wall (16) and a relatively thin side wall (17) extending upwardly from the perimeter of the bottom wall (16) to form an open-topped cavity which is adapted to receive the dental casting material. The bottom wall (16) and the side wall (17) are formed integrally of polymeric material, with the side wall (17) being joined to or attached to the bottom wall (16) by a thin membrane-like connector member (19) that is formed integrally with the perimeter of the bottom wall (16) and a lower side edge of the side wall (17). The connector member (19) is frangible and easily broken so that the side wall (17) can be torn away from the base and discarded after dental casting material has hardened in the cavity formed by the side wall (17). The dental model tray (12) further includes an ell-shaped articulator member (13,14) that extends from a back side of the bottom wall (16).

Abstract: A removable centric stop mechanism 10 for use in a system for making dental restorations. The stop mechanism 10 includes an elongate stop member 11 that can be firmly attached or connected to the dental model and can further be removed from the dental model when so desired. The elongate stop member 11 further incorporates a threaded elongate member 36 that can be threaded to and fro in a bore 34 in the elongate stop member 11 to thereby adjust the effective length of the elongate stop member 11.

Abstract: A dental model tray (12) for use in forming a dental model has a rigid bottom wall (16) and a relatively thin side wall (17) extending upwardly from the perimeter of the bottom wall (16) to form an open-topped cavity which is adapted to receive the dental casting material. The bottom wall (16) and the side wall (17) are formed integrally of polymeric material with the side wall (17) being joined to or attached to the bottom wall (16) by a thin membrane-like connector member (19) that is formed integrally with the perimeter bottom wall (16) and a lower side edge of the side wall (17). The connector member (19) is frangible and easily broken so that the side wall (17) can be torn away from the base and discarded after dental casting material has hardened in the cavity formed by the side wall (17).

Abstract: Tray (10) for forming dental model comprises base wall (12) forming floor upon which dental casting material is poured. Spaced apart projections (14) extending upwardly from base wall (12). An upstanding axis of each projection (14) is substantially perpendicular to the upper face of the base wall (12). Projections (14) are arranged in two rows, with the projections (14) in one row being offset from corresponding projections (14) in the other row. Sidewalls of each projection (14) taper inwardly at an angle of between about 82 to 88 degrees with the upper face of the base wall (12). Each projection (14) has a thickness at its base of about 3 to 7 millimeters. The projections (14) are spaced from each other at their bases by a distance of from 0 to 5 millimeters.

Abstract: Tray (10) for forming dental model comprises base wall (12) forming floor upon which dental casting material is poured. Spaced apart projections (14) extend upwardly from base wall (12). An upstanding axis of each projection (14) is substantially perpendicular to the upper face of base wall (12). Projections (14) are arranged in two rows, with the projections (14) in one row being offset from corresponding projections (14) in the other row. Sidewalls of each projection (14) taper inwardly at an angle of between about 82 to 88 degrees with the upper face of the base wall (12). Each projection (14) has a thickness at its base of about 3 to 7 millimeters. The projections (14) are spaced from each other at their bases by a distance of from 0 to 5 millimeters.

Abstract: A dental model tray (10) for use in forming a dental model from casting material poured thereon has upstanding projections (14) that extend into the hardened, dental model. The dental model tray (10) comprises a substantially planar base wall (12) that forms the floor upon which dental casting material is poured in forming a dental model. A plurality of spaced apart, elongate projections (14) extending upwardly from an upper face of the base wall (12) so that an elongate axis of each of the projections (14) is substantially perpendicular to the upper face of the base wall (12). The projections (14) and the base wall are formed integrally of polymeric material.

Abstract: A system for casting a dental model has first and second, hollow molds that are mounted on first and second mounting members. The mounting members have distal ends that extend into respective molds and proximal ends extending away from the molds. The molds are retained on and firmly held by the mounting members so that the molds can not rotate relative to the mounting members. Dental casting material can be poured into the molds and around the distal ends of the mounting members to form base stones in the molds. The mounting members are attached to connector members that extend from proximal ends of the mounting members.

Abstract: A dental model and articulation system are disclosed. The dental model comprises cast mold material formed around an elongate pin or rod. A longitudinal, tapered pin or rod is embedded in the model during pouring of the casting material. The pin or rod extends longitudinally through the base of the model beneath the teeth impressions of the model. The longitudinal axis of the pin or rod lies in general parallel alignment with the line of teeth in the model. The pin or rod can be removed from the model, and the model can be cut into several sections or dies. These sections or dies can then be reassembled back on the pin or rod in the precise, true relationship that existed in the model prior to the model being cut into sections. The extending ends of the pins or rods can be removably attached to a flexible member such that models of the upper teeth and lower teeth of a person's jaws can be moved in lateral or protrusive movement and back to centric occlusion.