Abstract: A method of designing a dental prosthesis model, such as a bridge or a crown. The method includes measuring a three-dimensional configuration of a dentition of a subject in order to obtain configuration data of upper and lower jaw dentitions of a subject. The dentition configuration data is stored. Also stored is pontic model data defining standard pontic model configurations corresponding to the configurations of individual teeth. The pontic model is expressed as a combination of patches that are stored as configuration expression data, and morphology definition data indicating a characteristic morphology of the teeth of the pontic model. The pontic model data is read out, corresponding to a tooth or teeth where the dental prosthesis is to be placed. Based on the read-out pontic model data, crown model data indicating a crown region is made. The crown model data is displayed so that it can be superimposed on a dentition configuration diagram.

Abstract: A simulation method of jaw movement comprising:a superimposing process step of reading dentition configuration data and jaw movement data, calculating a coordinate transformation matrix for matching a coordinate system of the dentition configuration data with a coordinate system in a jaw movement basic state in the jaw movement data, and transforming the dentition configuration data to coordinates on the coordinate system in the jaw movement basic state to obtain superimposed dentition configuration data; anda simulation process step of calculating superimposed dentition configuration data in another jaw movement state and superimposedly displaying a dentition configuration diagram obtained by converting the superimposed dentition configuration data to an image and a jaw movement state diagram obtained by converting the jaw movement data to an image.

Abstract: Amounts of variation of data representing the shape of an abutment tooth are determined, and a train of points is extracted from the amounts of variation. Then a developed view of the surface shape of the abutment tooth is displayed, and the obtained train of points is also displayed in the developed view. The margin line for designing the artificial crown is determined, based on thus displayed train of points.

Abstract: A contour measuring apparatus comprises a laser measurement unit, a mount table for mounting an object, a motor for rotating the mount table around an axis, an altering jig for supporting the mount table and the motor and altering a direction of the axis with respect to the laser measurement unit, and a drive table for supporting the altering jig and driving the altering jig to alter a position of the mount table with respect to the laser measurement unit.