Abstract: An improved method for producing dental models through use of a dough-like modeling filler material as a base, embedding a dental preliminary impression in such based, using a spring-form mold ring embedding in the base to surround the preliminary impression, and pouring dental casting material within the bounds of the mold ring to form a positive dental model.

Abstract: A method is described for taking a three-dimensional virtual model of the dentition and associated anatomical structures of a patient and isolating individual teeth from the rest of the anatomical structure, e.g. gums, to thereby produce individual, virtual three-dimensional tooth objects. The individual tooth objects can be displayed on the display of an orthodontic workstation and moved independently from each other, and thereby form the basis of planning treatment for the patient. The individual, virtual three-dimensional tooth objects are created by comparing the virtual model of the dentition to virtual, three-dimensional template teeth that are stored in memory in a process described in detail herein. The template teeth can include roots as well as crowns. The template teeth can be stored objects acquired from some external source or alternatively developed from a database of patient scans. Virtual three-dimensional brackets are also stored in the memory of the workstation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for matching computer models of two sets of teeth includes calculating a difference for two sets of teeth shapes; finding the position of one set of teeth with respect to the other set of teeth; calculating a positional difference of the corresponding teeth; and finding a corrective path to bring one set of teeth to the other set of teeth.

Abstract: A virtual orthodontic treatment method and a system thereof, the method comprising the following: providing a virtual diagnostic setup model of teeth of at least one jaw of an individual, associating each teeth in said model with its corresponding virtual orthodontic appliance to obtain a first composite model and repositioning teeth into an initial treatment state according to pre-defined appliances-dependent rules. In the initial treatment state, selecting one or more teeth and reassociating the teeth with their corresponding virtual orthodontic appliance by changing the position of the appliance corresponding to the selected tooth thereby causing repositioning of the teeth according to the appliance-dependence rules. An altered treatment state is obtained, yielding a better grade, according to one or more systems for grading an orthodontic model, as compared to the grade of the initial treatment state.

Abstract: A computer or other digital circuitry is used to assist in the creation of a digital model of an individual component, such as a tooth or gum tissue, in a patient's dentition. The computer receives a data set that forms a three-dimensional (3D) representation of the patient's dentition, applies a test to the data set to identify data elements that represent portions of the individual component, and creates a digital model of the individual component based upon the identified data elements. Many implementations require the computer to identify data elements representing a 2D cross-section of the dentition lying in a 2D plane that is roughly parallel to or roughly perpendicular to the dentition's occlusal plane. The computer analyzes the 2D cross-section to identify dentition features that represent boundaries between individual dentition components.

Abstract: An implant analog includes an abutment that can be mounted in the dental lab replica of the relevant section of a patient's mouth more securely than heretofore possible. Because of the implant analog, a crown will attach more accurately to the implant in the patient's mouth. The analogs have a pin or other protrusion that projects from the base of the analog. The analog has substantially the same height and dimensions as a conventional implant and abutment.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved devices, systems and methods for producing dental molds, each having portions representing a patient's oral soft tissue and a desired tooth configuration. These molds are designed for use in the fabrication of appliances used in orthodontic treatment, particularly, elastic repositioning appliances. However, they may also be used in the fabrication of traditional appliances, such as retainers and positioners, used, for example in the final or finishing stages of an otherwise conventional treatment. The dental molds are comprised of a mold or relief of the patient's soft tissue, such as a palate, facial gingival tissue and/or lingual gingival tissue, and a separate or separable mold or relief of the patient's dental arch having teeth in a desired tooth configuration. Since, the tooth configuration will change as a patient progresses through orthodontic treatment, the relief of the dental arch will be fabricated separately from the relief of the oral soft tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed is a 3-dimension (3D) scanning system for a computer-aided tooth modeling capable of extracting a configuration of a tooth into a 3D configuration data in a short time. The 3D scanning system includes an image detecting part for extracting an image data of a tooth plaster model, a moving part for changing a location and a position of the tooth plaster model measured by the image detecting part, and a control part for changing and controlling the location and the position of the tooth plaster model by controlling the moving part to measure the tooth plaster model using the image detecting part.

Abstract: A device for the manufacture of a cast, in particular a dental aid from a preheated workable substrate. The device comprises a hollow body having an essentially flat first side being provided with holes which first side is arranged to receive a model from which a cast is to be made. Said first side is adapted to cooperate with a holder-on, which seals the substrate against said first side. The body cooperated with a vacuum source that the cooperation is achieved through one to the body belonging connection being connectably arranged to an external vacuum source.

Abstract: An implant analog is for supporting an article that is used to develop a dental prosthesis. The analog provides a main body for being anchored in a model of a mouth of a patient. The main body includes an upper surface for contacting the article that is used to develop a dental prosthesis. The analog includes a groove extending inward along a periphery of the main body below the upper surface for receiving a soft modeling material that replicates gingival tissue. Material for forming a soft tissue model flows into the groove to create a corresponding rib in the soft tissue model that allows the soft tissue model to be properly registered on the underlying stone model.

Abstract: A method is provided for automatically separating tooth crowns and gingival tissue in a virtual three-dimensional model of teeth and associated anatomical structures. The method orients the model with reference to a plane and automatically determines local maxima of the model and areas bounded by the local maxima. The method automatically determines saddle points between the local maxima in the model, the saddle points corresponding to boundaries between teeth. The method further positions the saddle points along a dental arch form. For each tooth, the method automatically identifies a line or path along the surface of the model linking the saddle points to each other, the path marking a transition between teeth and gingival tissue and between adjacent teeth in the model. The areas bounded by the lines correspond to the tooth crowns; the remainder of the model constitutes the gingival tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for designing and producing custom-made templates for implantation or for pre-contouring metallic or polymer implantable plates prior to surgery. According to one embodiment, medical image data representing surrounding portions of a patient's anatomy to be repaired by surgical implantation of a bone reconstruction plate is received. Next, three-dimensional surface reconstruction is preformed based on the medical image data. Virtual removal of a bone or portion thereof to be reconstructed is performed with reference to the medical image data by simulating the contemplated surgical implantation procedure. Then, a representation of a template is created that is countered to fit the patient's anatomy to be repaired. Finally, a replica of the template is produced by using Solid Freeform Fabrication manufacturing techniques.

Abstract: An orthodontic workstation stores a library of virtual three-dimensional brackets in a memory. Each of the virtual brackets has a unique three-dimensional configuration and prescription. Typically, the library of bracket comprises a library of commercially available, off-the-shelf brackets. The workstation further includes an interactive treatment planning program that permits a user to move teeth from a virtual model of the dentition to a proposed set-up. In one possible embodiment, the treatment planning program provides the ability to display a virtual bracket placed on a virtual tooth and change the prescription or configuration of the virtual bracket. The treatment program automatically compares the modified prescription with the prescription information of the virtual brackets in the library and selects a bracket from the library that most closely matches the virtual bracket displayed on the tooth. Thus, the user does not have to use customized brackets.

Abstract: A method for the production of replacement teeth (5) from a three-dimensionally determined and digitized model, whereby for improved handling, cost and quality of the produced replacement tooth (5) a method including the following steps is carried out: inputting the data for the digitized model, treating the inner surface (9) of the surface model with a given offset value to generate a cement gap (7, 8) between the tooth replacement (5) to be made and tooth stump (1, 2) and calculation of a program for machining the blank or a mold by means of a machine tool.

Abstract: An impression jig assembly for coupling to a bone implant includes a split sleeve having co-axial upper and lower sleeve members, and a fixing screw for clamping the split sleeve to the implant. In use, the fixing screw passes through the split sleeve, and can be withdrawn once impression material has hardened around the assembly to allow the upper sleeve member to separate from the lower sleeve member.

Abstract: A stock removal workshop for the production of a dental restoration product includes a stock removal machine operable to remove stock material from a blank such that there remains a dental product having the desired geometry requisitioned by a dental practice or a dental laboratory. A stock removal plotter controls the stock removal machine operation and converts requisition data received from the dental practice or the dental laboratory which characterizes a virtual model of the requisitioned dental product into control data for controlling the stock removal machine operation. A geometry following assembly characterizes the geometry of the produced dental product via a geometry following operation and a comparison device compares the geometry characterizing data relating to the produced dental product with the requisition data to determine deviations therebetween.

Abstract: The invention relates to components for an improved system for pick-up impression making at a dental implantation site, including an abutment, an abutment replica and an impression coping. The invention also relates to a series of abutments and to a set comprising an abutment and an impression coping. The impression coping has a through passage extending from a coronal end to an apical end of the impression coping and includes an abutment surrounding region for surrounding the abutment. The abutment surrounding region has a coronal end, an apical end and an inner wall. The inner wall includes at least one abutment contact surface for contact with the abutment, and at least one space forming surface for being spaced apart from the abutment in order to provide a space between the space forming surface and the abutment.

Abstract: A computer obtains a digital model of a patient's dentition, including a dental model representing the patient's teeth at a set of initial positions and a gingival model representing gum tissue surrounding the teeth. The computer then derives from the digital model an expected deformation of the gum tissue as the teeth move from the initial positions to another set of positions.

Abstract: A model and die system has a working quadrant of parallelepiped construction and a opposing quadrant of the same construction. The working quadrant has an upper flat surface disposed in confronting relation to a lower flat surface of the opposing quadrant. Pin-receiving bores are formed in the working quadrant and mounting members depend from the opposing quadrant. Each cast tooth supported by the working quadrant has a pin depending from it and is fully seatable against the upper flat surface. Each cast tooth mounted on the upper flat surface is secured to a mounting post that depends from the upper flat surface. In a first embodiment, the quadrants are held in spaced apart, adjustable vertical relation to one another by a pair of parallel guideposts. In a second embodiment, an articulated hinge performs that function. In a third embodiment, a semicircular base opposes a semicircular top member.

Abstract: A refractory die removably mountable to a base with a model die for use in producing a crown or veneer to be attached to a tooth to be restored. The model die, produced from die stone, is removably mounted to the base with a portion of the model die corresponding to the tooth to be restored being separable therefrom and used to produce the refractory die. Porcelain is placed on the refractory die to produce the crown or veneer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treating teeth include capturing a digital dental model taken within an oral cavity; modifying the digital model in planning a dental treatment or in designing a tooth die model for a dental prosthetic; creating physical models from the original or modified digital models: and using the physical models as a pattern for fabrication and fit check of a dental prosthetic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a three-dimensional digital model of a desired orthodontic structure include processing that begins by obtaining a three-dimensional model of an actual orthodontic structure, wherein the three-dimensional digital model is defined in x, y, z space. The processing then continues by generating an interim three-dimensional model of the desired orthodontic structure less teeth. The interim three-dimensional model is designed in x, y, z space and includes the desired placement of an occlusal plane, an upper-arch form, a lower-arch form, an upper-arch midline, and a lower-arch midline. The processing then continues by positioning the upper and lower teeth with respect to the interim digital model and the defined x, y, z space to obtain a first pass three-dimensional digital model of the desired orthodontic structure. The processing continues by determining whether achieving the first pass three-dimensional model is feasible.

Abstract: A method for producing a model for an oral prosthesis in the human body. A model top part and a model bottom part are selected having oblique assembly surfaces. The model bottom part includes an outer surface that slopes outwards from a bottom surface of the model bottom part. The outer surfaces of different bottom model parts have different maximal heights. The model bottom part and the model top part are arranged in a mutual rotational position in dependence upon a vertical extent of the oral prosthesis in relation to a securement in the bone. The model top part and the model bottom part are put together and anchored to one another by their assembly surfaces. Malleable material is applied to at least a top part of the assembled model top part and bottom part, thereby realizing an outer surface of the oral prosthesis.

Abstract: A medical simulation apparatus is provided, which is capable of performing a simulation by correlating a three-dimensional image with an entity model.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the area of orthodontic apparatuses, particularly those that have been precisely adapted to the specific morphology of each patient. The invention proposes a preform dissimilar to a plate; the form of which allows it to expand within a mold that reproduces a patient's morphology; it may be mass produced and easily adapted by the practitioner or prosthesis maker to each patient's morphology as well as orthodontic or dento-facial orthopedic apparatuses obtained from this preform and their manufacture process. Such apparatuses are, for example, Bonnet's N.L.E. (Nighttime Lingual Envelopes—Enveloppe Linguale Nocturne) or any apparatus presenting a general hollow body form, possibly with one or more openings, varying thickness, and which, because of this specific geometry, cannot be produced from a model in the form of a flat plate.

Abstract: A dental template to position an object on a patient's tooth includes digitizing the patient's tooth; adding virtual objects to predetermined three-dimensional positions on the digitized tooth; and fabricating the dental template to locate the object at the predetermined 3D position on the patient's tooth. The template can be used for etching or for positioning brackets on teeth.

Abstract: A method for on-line manufacturing of a dental appliance for the mouth of a patient, includes the steps providing a menu of questions to a user soliciting specifying information for specifying a manufacturing process to manufacture the dental appliance for the patient and producing a dental model of said mouth of said patient. The method also requires transmitting by said user said specifying information to a first manufacturing laboratory by way of the internet to create a user order for said dental appliance and transmitting said dental model by said user to said first manufacturing laboratory. The dental appliance is manufactured by said first manufacturing laboratory in accordance with said transmitted specifying information and said transmitted model to provide a manufactured dental appliance.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for producing a digital model by providing a digital model of a tooth; providing a digital model of at least one attachment device having two or more portions, the digital model of the attachment device having the two or more portions extending through two or more surfaces of the tooth; and positioning the digital model of the attachment device on the digital model of the tooth to produce a combined computerized model.

Abstract: A method for bite-setting computer models of teeth on a first jaw and a second jaw includes determining an initial position of the first jaw; and determining an optimal bite based on the initial position of the first jaw.

Abstract: A novel dental prosthesis abutment and waxing core assembly, in which the abutment has an exterior axis which differs from its longitudinal axis, and the waxing sleeve has both interior and exterior axes which differ from one another and from the exterior axis of the abutment, is disclosed. In the present invention the abutment and waxing sleeve assembly cooperates with a conventional anchor having a socket for receiving the abutment, and also adjusts to correct for angular misalignment of the prosthesis. The divergent axes allow for alignment of the prosthesis within the mouth while requiring less modification of the waxing sleeve by removal of material and/or addition of material to the waxing sleeve and abutment, thereby reducing the labor required in producing the prosthesis using prior art waxing sleeves and abutments.

Abstract: A polymerisable resin injection moulded denture is manufactured by making a first impression in a stock impression tray and producing a first cast model therefrom, providing a second impression tray special to the patient by forming a thermo plastic resin sheet on the first cast model, the resin sheet being such as to provide stability equivalent at least to that of 0.75 mm of stainless steel sheet, using said second impression tray with suitable adhesive to take a second accurate impression in silicone-free alginate impression material giving set volume stability to within 0.005% and from it making an accurate model die upon which a way replica denture is constructed and a mould thereof is produced of dental gypsum in a special flask which during injection moulding is subjected to progressive adjustment of clamping pressure between mould halves with rising injection pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved devices, systems and methods for producing dental molds, each having portions representing a patient's oral soft tissue and a desired tooth configuration. These molds are designed for use in the fabrication of appliances used in orthodontic treatment, particularly, elastic repositioning appliances. However, they may also be used in the fabrication of traditional appliances, such as retainers and positioners, used, for example in the final or finishing stages of an otherwise conventional treatment. The dental molds are comprised of a mold or relief of the patient's soft tissue, such as a palate, facial gingival tissue and/or lingual gingival tissue, and a separate or separable mold or relief of the patient's dental arch having teeth in a desired tooth configuration. Since, the tooth configuration will change as a patient progresses through orthodontic treatment, the relief of the dental arch will be fabricated separately from the relief of the oral soft tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data base for the storage of data, which comprises dental data relating to real teeth in the form of digitized images, which digitized images involve universally applicable dentition-specific and/or universally applicable tooth-specific features or structural properties, such as sex-specific and/or tooth family-specific and/or biography-specific and/or person-specific characteristics, with or without anomalous characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention provides a healing abutment for attachment to a dental implant with marking locations thereon. The marking locations either lack or have markers that provide a binary code system for retrieving unique information about the healing abutment and the underlying implant.

Abstract: A dough-like filler material and method of use thereof. The dough-like filler is used (in lieu of more expensive, less easily handled filler materials) in the process of making plaster dental molds for dental or orthodontic use to fill voids in dental impression molds, voids which otherwise would allow for the formation of obstructive plaster accumulations in the resulting plaster dental mold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus fit a set of upper and lower teeth in a masticatory system by generating a computer representation of the masticatory system and computing an occlusion based on interactions in the computer representation of the masticatory system.

Abstract: A system and method are taught for designing a change to a virtual dental model comprising: a virtual articulator representing a three dimensional model of a patient's upper and lower dental arches including data defining a constraint of motion between the upper and lower dental arches; a simulation analyzer to simulate the motion using the three dimensional model and analyze resulting contacts on portions of the upper and lower arches during the movement to provide contact data; and a designing module to design one of a virtual prosthesis for one of said upper and lower arches and a virtual desired dental modification using the contact data acquired from the simulation analyzer and the virtual articulator.

Abstract: A dental template to position an object on a patient's tooth includes digitizing the patient's tooth; adding virtual objects to predetermined locations on the digitized tooth; and fabricating the dental template to locate the object on the patient's tooth. The template can be used for etching or for positioning brackets on teeth.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a dental prosthesis includes the steps of obtaining shape data of a portion to be prosthetically treated and shape data of a surface condition after it is prosthetically treated, obtaining shape data of a prosthesis from the two shape data sets, obtaining contour data of a portion of the prosthesis contacting a tissue of a living body and appearing outward, and converting the shape data of the prosthesis into a cutting data assuming that a connecting rib is to be connected to the prosthesis at a region appearing outward on the shape data of the prosthesis and substantially not contained in the contour data. Also, the present invention provides a method of placing and object and a measuring device.

Abstract: The invention is an assembly that connects prosthetic teeth to dental models. The assembly forms a two part analog pin that snaps into a sleeve. Also disclosed are kits for installing the assembly, dental models that contain the assembly, and methods for making dental models that contain the assembly. The assembly expedites the connection and separation of prosthetic teeth to and from dental modes and can be employed with dry set dowel pins.

Abstract: There is provided a method for producing a dental prosthesis comprising: obtaining three-dimensional digital data relating to a patient's dentition; designing a virtual prosthesis for the dentition using the three-dimensional digital data; transmitting digital data corresponding to the virtual prosthesis to an automated prototyping system; producing a prototype of the dental prosthesis with the automated prototyping system, the prototype made of a material that can be ablated; covering at least the prototype with a hardening material and removing the prototype from within said hardening material to produce a mold for the dental prosthesis; casting the dental prosthesis by filling the mold with a metal and removing the hardening material.

Abstract: An implant comprising an internal bore having an opening at one end of the implant is initially fixed within a patient's mouth. A support post on which a final artificial prosthesis will be mounted is attached to the implant by allowing a portion of the post to extend into and attach within the bore of the implant. The post generally extends supragingivally from a base at or beneath the gum surface and contains a retention bulb to assist in registering the axial orientation of an impression cap and the final prosthesis. The impression cap is then placed over the post to assist in taking an impression of the relevant dental region. The impression cap contains means to allow the retention bulb to snap onto the impression cap. After the impression material is placed to surround the impression cap, post and implant, the impression material and impression cap are removed. A healing cap is placed on the post and acts as a temporary tooth able to last within the patient's mouth for several months.

Abstract: A system arranges a computer model of teeth by displaying an outline of the first jaw on the screen; overlaying the teeth on the second jaw with the outline on the screen; and aligning the outline with the teeth on the second jaw.

Abstract: A jaw model for demonstration purposes has interchangeable spare parts (4). The base (1) of the jaw model is provided with compartments (11) for storing the spare parts (4).

Abstract: The invention is a supporting structure for a dental model in a dental articulator. The supporting structure includes an articulator plate and a base of the dental model. The base of the dental is provided with at least one cavity extending internally into the base from its bottom surface. The shape of the cavity is determined by the mold forming the base. In one embodiment, the cavity has straight walls. In another embodiment, the cavity is barrel-shaped. The articulator plate is provided with an alignment structure, which may include a pair of straight-walled projections, for use in combination with the straight-walled cavity, or a pair of curved springs, for use in combination with barrel-shaped cavity. The articulator plate is secured to the base by inserting and retaining the alignment structure inside the provided cavities. The articulator plate is provided with a shaft for attaching the dental model to a dental articulator.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for matching computer models of two sets of teeth includes calculating a difference for two sets of teeth shapes; finding the position of one set of teeth with respect to the other set of teeth; calculating a positional difference of the corresponding teeth; and finding a corrective path to bring one set of teeth to the other set of teeth.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method separates gingiva from a model of a tooth by defining a cutting surface along the gingiva; and applying the cutting surface to the tooth to separate the gingiva from the tooth.

Abstract: A method to bite set a dental model includes: scanning upper and lower arches of the dental model; scanning the upper and lower arches in their bite position; and aligning the upper and lower arches..

Abstract: A system and method for forming a framework of foundation elements as a component of and foundation for an impression and to support a prosthesis to form a final restoration in a patient. The foundation elements and the prosthesis may be made of the same or similar prosthetic material, or of a metallic or metal alloy material. Each foundation element includes a base member defining a bore therethrough and at least one elongate member extending from the base member. To form the framework, each foundation element is attached to an implant in a patient and a free end of the elongate member is oriented and cut such that it optimally contacts a base member of an adjacent foundation element and is rigidly bonded thereto. A rigid framework is thereby produced which is used to produce the impression. The impression is removed from the patient and a master model is made therefrom. The rigid framework is removed from the impression material and placed along with the master model in an articulator.

Abstract: A convenient dental tray spacer for use in forming a thin reservoir space between teeth and a dental tray, during tray fabrication. Shim (10) segments are connected by small links (12) to form a spacer (16). The lengths of the links are readily variable. Retention to the teeth is provided by adhesive on rear adhesive surfaces (22). Alternatively, an elastic loop (24) can retain a spacer (16?). Spacer (16), or spacer (16?), remain on the teeth while the dental tray is formed, and then is pulled free from inside the formed dental trays.