Abstract: A palatal splint composed of titanium or other metal of similar characteristics, the splint configured in a horseshoe or strut configuration and designed to minimize coverage and contact with the teeth. The splint has alternating tooth recesses and interdental extensions.

Abstract: An occlusal splint having an occlusal plate portion, two sets of exterior prong members and two sets of interior prong members disposed on the occlusal plate to define a pair of channels to receive the upper and lower dental arches, the prong members configured to match either the interdental regions or the central crown regions of the teeth. The prong members are composed of a material allowing the prong members to flex when the splint is mounted onto the dental arches and then rebound to provide a biasing force against the teeth to retain the splint on the dental arches.

Abstract: A maxillofacial fixation implant having a registration member positioned so as to abut, surround and/or engage with the anterior nares and the anterior nasal spine of a human skull, and the method of designing, manufacturing and utilizing the implant, wherein the implant has an upper anchor implant portion adapted for affixation to the upper portion of a maxilla and a lower anchor implant portion adapted for affixation to separated bone segments of the maxilla.

Abstract: A surgical guide used in computer-aided orthognathic or similar bone surgery, the guide being structured to properly locate the osteotomy marking members and implant fixation screw-receiving holes on the bone surfaces of the patient, and/or the cutting of the osteotomy or the drilling of implant fixation screw-receiving holes. The guide has a bone-conforming member and a dental-interface member connected by a bridging member, the inner surfaces of the bone-conforming member and the dental interface member conforming to the topographical surfaces of the patient's bone and teeth. The dental-interface member abuts the front and sides of the teeth. A similarly designed fixation implant may also be provided.

Abstract: An implant assembly and its method of use, used in computer-aided orthognathic surgery for properly repositioning a mobile bone segment separated by osteotomy from a malformed mandible, maxilla or chin, the implant assembly comprising fixation bone plates, at least one removable alignment plate for proper pre-osteotomy placement of the implant assembly onto the mandible, maxilla or chin, at least one removable post-osteotomy alignment plate for proper positioning of the mobile bone segment relative to the mandible, maxilla or chin, and a removable cutting guide for guiding the osteotomy saw during separation of the mobile bone segment from the mandible, maxilla or chin.

Abstract: A bone osteotomy guide or bone plate fixation implant whose anterior surface has a plurality of projecting members that are adapted to compress but not cut into the periosteum when positioned and affixed to the bone. Preferably, the projecting members are present as pointed or tapered structures, such as cones or pyramids, wherein the tips of the projecting members are blunt, truncated or rounded. The heights, widths, shapes, numbers and densities of projecting members on a given guide or fixation implant may vary. Because the projecting members compress the periosteum, the tips of the projecting members define a three-dimensional virtual surface that better conforms to the actual surface topography of the bone.

Abstract: A maxillofacial fixation implant having a registration member positioned so as to abut, surround and/or engage with the anterior nares and the anterior nasal spine of a human skull, and the method of designing, manufacturing and utilizing the implant, wherein the implant has an upper anchor implant portion adapted for affixation to the upper portion of a maxilla and a lower anchor implant portion adapted for affixation to separated bone segments of the maxilla.

Abstract: An implant assembly and its method of use, used in computer-aided orthognathic surgery for properly repositioning a mobile bone segment separated by osteotomy from a malformed mandible, maxilla or chin, the implant assembly comprising fixation bone plates, at least one removable alignment plate for proper pre-osteotomy placement of the implant assembly onto the mandible, maxilla or chin, at least one removable post-osteotomy alignment plate for proper positioning of the mobile bone segment relative to the mandible, maxilla or chin, and a removable cutting guide for guiding the osteotomy saw during separation of the mobile bone segment from the mandible, maxilla or chin.

Abstract: A surgical guide used in computer-aided orthognathic or similar bone surgery, the guide being structured to properly locate the osteotomy marking members and implant fixation screw-receiving holes on the bone surfaces of the patient, and/or the cutting of the osteotomy or the drilling of implant fixation screw-receiving holes. The guide has a bone-conforming member and a dental-interface member connected by a bridging member, the inner surfaces of the bone-conforming member and the dental interface member conforming to the topographical surfaces of the patient's bone and teeth. The dental-interface member abuts the front and sides of the teeth. A similarly designed fixation implant may also be provided.

Abstract: A rib fixation system having a bone plate and mono-cortical bone screws adapted for affixation to a rib, the security of the system being enhanced by providing paired sets of screw-receiving openings, wherein the offset axis of each opening of the paired set is approximately ten degrees off from the normal axis in the transverse direction toward the longitudinal midline of the bone plate and is also approximately ten degrees off the normal axis in the longitudinal direction, with the offset axis of each opening in a paired set being turned toward the other opening in the paired set.

Abstract: A rib fixation system having a bone plate and mono-cortical bone screws adapted for affixation to a rib, the security of the system being enhanced by providing paired sets of screw-receiving openings, wherein the offset axis of each opening of the paired set is approximately ten degrees off from the normal axis in the transverse direction toward the longitudinal midline of the bone plate and is also approximately ten degrees off the normal axis in the longitudinal direction, with the offset axis of each opening in a paired set being turned toward the other opening in the paired set.