Including Tool, Marker, Or Coupling Means Therefor Patents (Class 433/50)
  • Patent number: 11779366
    Abstract: An ultrasonic osteotome bit, comprising a bit bar (1), a bit body (3), and a bit grinding portion (2) located at a front end of the ultrasonic osteotome bit. The bit grinding portion (2) is in the shape of a triangular pyramid, the bottom face of the triangular pyramid is the rear end of the bit grinding portion (2), and the tip of the triangular pyramid directly facing the bottom face is the front end of the bit grinding portion (2). One end of the bit bar (1) is connected to the rear end of the bit grinding portion (2), and the other end of the bit bar (1) is connected to the bit body (3). Two of the three lateral pyramidal faces of the triangular pyramid are respectively used as a first grinding face (21A) and a second grinding face (21B). By means of the ultrasonic osteotome bit, a normal bone-grinding operation can be completed, and since the front end thereof is small in area, the grinding speed is high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Beijing SMTP Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu Sun, Qun Cao, Songtao Zhan
  • Patent number: 11504209
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a centering and guiding device (1) for a dental drill which comprises a body (10) including a guiding hole (15) for a dental drill and two arms (20, 30) pivotally coupled to the body (10). Each arm includes a respective free end (22, 32). Said arms (20,30) are capable of pivoting between a first open position, in which said respective free ends (22, 32) are mutually spaced apart to promote the movement of the device (1) from and towards an operating surface, and a second closed position, in which the free ends (22, 32) are approached to each other to match an operating surface. The device according to the invention also comprises an elastic element (40) to push the arms (20, 30) towards the closed position. According to the invention, each of said arms (20, 30) comprises a cylindrical end (27, 37), opposite to the corresponding free end (22, 32), accommodated in a corresponding seat (10A) defined by the body (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Inventor: Carlo Marin
  • Patent number: 11331173
    Abstract: The present inventive concept relates to a method of manufacturing dentures by using a jig, the method including: planting false teeth in a soft jig to expose roots of the false teeth to outside of the soft jig; inserting the soft jig into a hole provided in a hard jig; cutting exposed portions of the false teeth to a depth set by a controller of a milling machine; and inserting the cut false teeth into a false teeth groove of a gum structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Inventor: Yunsoon Kim
  • Patent number: 10952829
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of dentures. More particularly, the present invention relates to manufacturing denture teeth using fixtures to hold the teeth during a scanning, registration and milling sequence. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to using machinable wax to set denture teeth within a fixture, so that the root or crown end of the teeth may be scanned, registered with an ideal tooth model to create a milling strategy, and milled or otherwise have material removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Global Dental Science LLC
    Inventor: Scott Keating
  • Publication number: 20150010880
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a dental model for removable insertion in a recess of a holder, which dental model has a referencing, comprising at least one tooth part having a base to be inserted into the recess, wherein the at least one tooth part is produced using digitized data of a jaw in that the digitized data are saved in a computer beforehand and supplied to a processing machine to produce the at least one tooth part. In order to ensure simple handling of the dental model and in particular to prevent faulty insertion of the dental model or segment, according to the invention the referencing is saved in the computer and, in consideration of the referencing, the at least one tooth part is produced as having the base as a unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Stefan Fecher, Andreas Gebhardt, Martin Haizmann, Heiner Horhold, Elmar Hock, Lothar Volkl
  • Publication number: 20140087327
    Abstract: Prosthetic tooth support (1) with at least one prosthetic tooth (2), in particular with several prosthetic teeth (2), wherein a crown area (3) of the prosthetic tooth (2) or of the prosthetic teeth (2) is embedded, preferably cast, at least partially, preferably completely, in a support layer (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Amann Girrbach AG
    Inventor: Falko Noack
  • Patent number: 8568897
    Abstract: A cluster mill blank includes a framework constructed to cooperate with a blank holder of an existing CAD/CAM system, and a plurality of sub-blanks attached to the framework forming an addressable matrix or cluster blank. CAD/CAM systems including such a framework, as well as associated methods are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventors: Robert A. Ganley, Dmitri G. Brodkin
  • Patent number: 8551622
    Abstract: A cluster mill blank includes a framework constructed to cooperate with a blank holder of an existing CAD/CAM system, and a plurality of sub-blanks attached to the framework forming an addressable matrix or cluster blank. CAD/CAM systems including such a framework, as well as associated methods are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventors: Robert A. Ganley, Dmitri G. Brodkin
  • Publication number: 20120225403
    Abstract: The present invention provides a stand for a dental technical material which is capable of increasing flexibility and reducing difficulty in arranging a dental model. The stand for a dental technical material, for attaching thereto a dental model holding a dental technical material, the dental model being provided with a pin, comprises a body; the body is provided with a holding device which holds the pin; and the holding device is deformable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: GC Corporation
    Inventors: Yukie NOGUCHI, Takao SHINJO
  • Publication number: 20120171635
    Abstract: Certain embodiments relate to an assembly of a dental product and a holding system for temporarily holding the dental product. The holding system can include a first and a second part for sandwiching the dental product therein between. The first part can be provided with a shape which is substantially complementary to the shape of one side of the dental product and the second part can be arranged for releasably bonding another side of the dental product against the second part. Certain embodiments also relate to a method of improving the aesthetics of a tooth. The method can include placing a dental product onto a tooth by re-placing the dental product from an assembly directly onto the tooth. A part of the assembly can be used as a tool for placing the dental product onto the tooth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: NOBEL BIOCARE SERVICES AG
    Inventors: Per-Olof Karlsson, Urban Nilsson, Daniel Melin
  • Publication number: 20110318702
    Abstract: A dental shield apparatus includes a first portion of flexible tubing having proximal and distal ends. A handle is operably coupled to the distal end of the first portion of flexible tubing. The dental shield apparatus includes a transparent shield. Second and third portions of flexible tubing operatively couple the transparent shield to the handle, the second portion of flexible tubing having a mass per unit length that is less than a mass per unit length of the first portion of flexible tubing. The third portion of flexible tubing includes a mass per unit length that is less than the mass per unit length of the first portion of flexible tubing. The proximal end of the first portion of flexible tubing is attached to an anchor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventor: Robin R. Lockwood
  • Publication number: 20110316994
    Abstract: The illustrated embodiment of the invention encompasses an apparatus for intraoral imaging of teeth of a patient which includes a camera, a robotic arm coupled to the camera which arm is capable of rotating the camera for selectively positioning the camera into the mouth of the patient, least one sensor coupled to arm to sense the relative position of the teeth and/or mouth with respect to the camera, and a controller coupled to the at least one sensor and arm for controlling the arm to avoid any collision between the teeth or the interior of the mouth and the camera and/or arm, where the controller further selectively moves the arm to track any movement of the patient to keep the camera in a constant relative position with respect to the teeth or mouth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventor: Marc S. Lemchen
  • Patent number: 7686278
    Abstract: A tooth mold retaining frame comprises an L shape seat; a pivotal block; a universal connector; a first positioning block; a second positioning block; and a first fine adjust unit. By using the first fine adjust unit, second fine adjust unit and the fine-adjust device, an upper teeth mold, and a lower teeth mold can move with respect to one another precisely. By a universal connector, the upper teeth mold can move three directionally and can lift or descend proportionally so as to avoid the error in manufacturing of the teeth mold. Thus the teeth mold can be made precisely and the condition of the teeth mold can be viewed conveniently. Furthermore, the teeth mold can be sent directly without needing to send the teeth frame. Thus, the manufacturer can make the teeth mold continuously without affecting the working time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventor: Chao-Hung Lin
  • Publication number: 20100021859
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for manufacturing a physical dental model. A virtual model is provided representative of at least a portion of the intra-oral cavity including at least one dental implant implanted therein, and the virtual model includes a virtual portion representative of each dental implant. The virtual spatial disposition of each such virtual portion is determined with respect to the virtual model, corresponding to a real spatial disposition of the respective implant with respect to the intra oral cavity. A physical model is then manufactured based on the virtual model, the physical model including a physical analog corresponding to each implant at a respective physical spatial disposition with respect to the physical model corresponding to the respective virtual spatial disposition of the respective virtual portion with respect to the first virtual model as already determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: CADENT LTD.
    Inventor: Avi Kopelman
  • Publication number: 20090291410
    Abstract: Disclosed in this specification is a cradle switch plug that is placed into a cradle of a dental instrument in a dental delivery unit to deactivate the instrument thereby allowing the instrument to remain at the ready without endangering or spraying the user and/or assistants and/or patients. In addition, when an instrument is removed from an air fitting a plug may be screwed into the air fitting. The plug prevents entry of debris into the ports thereof. The plug also enables proper seating of the air fitting within the cradle and, thus, actuation of the cradle switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventor: Mark G. Conners
  • Publication number: 20090239191
    Abstract: Securing system for securing a medical instrument on a holding device, wherein the medical instrument can be coupled to the holding device by means of a tapering part of the holding device or of the medical instrument, which is adapted for being brought into engagement with a substantially shape-congruent part of the other one of the medical instrument or holding device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Helmut Wurm, Dominique Heini, Guillaume Gras, Frederic Lehner
  • Publication number: 20080199827
    Abstract: In order to produce a device for guiding a surgical tool, a support repositionable on a human body is produced. Three-dimensional radiological information delivered by said support and the treatable area of the human body are used for developing a virtual model of the support and the human body treatable area by means of computer assistance. Said virtual model makes it possible to determine at least one axis and to transfer said axis onto the repositionable support, thereby enabling it to be produced directly on a patient's jaw or the model thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Lukas Kamer
  • Publication number: 20080138762
    Abstract: A dental instrument shaft for a rotating instrument made of a ceramic material includes a cylindrical shaft end having a center axis and a flat driving area arranged in parallel to the center axis, wherein a groove having a cross-section shaped as a pitch circle is formed at a transition region of the driving area to the cylindrical shaft end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Danger
  • Publication number: 20080085488
    Abstract: A universal one-step drill for heat sensitive material, particularly for bone surgery, comprising a pyramidal shaped, sharply pointed first stage, which tapers to a first diameter and one or more subsequent stages, each of which tapers out to a larger diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventor: Sargon Lazarof
  • Publication number: 20080081311
    Abstract: For accurately setting an abutment tooth model on a measuring apparatus and easily adjusting a position of the model, a holder includes a pillar shaped abutment tooth model holding base (1), which has a concave part at the upper side, and a holding hole provided at a center of an end face of the lower side for inserting a supporting shaft projecting at a center of a rotating part of the measuring apparatus, and can detachably hold the residual ridge side of the model with an sticky material built in the concave part, and a cylindrical body (2), which has a lower side having a slightly larger inner diameter than an outer diameter of the holding base (1) and being externally fitted to the holding base (1), a stepped part, and an upper side therefrom having a smaller inner diameter than that of the lower side thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: GC Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuru DOUMOTO, Tomohiko KURODA, Yu NAKAO
  • Patent number: 7195485
    Abstract: A dental kit for use in placing a dental post in a prepared recess (e.g., a root canal) of a person's tooth. The dental kit includes a finishing drill, a plurality of permanent dental posts, a dental post analog, and optionally, a starter drill. The kit also includes a container having an interior, means for suspending the kit components within the container, and a removable lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Ultradent Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan E. Fischer
  • Patent number: 6991853
    Abstract: A blank used for machining customized prosthetic components is provided which includes a prefabricated seating surface, normally shaped as an anti-rotation device, used to seat the component in the corresponding implanted, or natural, surface in the patient's body. Prosthetic components need to be custom manufactured because each patient presents a different need, however, the standardized shape of seating surfaces allows for these to be machined in large scale, without affecting the quality of the treatment the patient receives. Once the customized manufacturing has been completed around the seating surface, the part requires no further machining and is ready to be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Biogénie Projetos Ltda.
    Inventors: Silvio Castello Branco de Luca, Eduardo Cezar de Andrade de Mello e Souza, Alexandre de Lima Spinola, Eduardo da Rocha Albuquerque, Mauricio Ladeira Casado
  • Patent number: 6821115
    Abstract: An apparatus serves to prepare at least one tooth (1) for receiving a dental element such as a crown, bridge and the like using a mould model (21) at least including one model tooth (23). The apparatus includes at least one positioning body (5), at least one parallelizing body (24), a mould spoon (12) including threaded sockets (17) and removable segments (20), a preparation base bar (46) including sliding elements (53), a tub (72), a transmitting unit (35), a transport arm mechanism (57), at least one unit (66) including position stabilizing arms (67), a plurality of model transfer bodies (78), and a copying grinding unit (90).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventor: Gerd Neuschäfer
  • Patent number: 6634883
    Abstract: A device for planning and further placing a dental implant comprises a rigid base, a column that projects from the base with a regulating mechanism for the height and support of a bi-directional head. The head has two hubs, which have binding mechanisms for certain positions and are furnished with a mechanism for indicating the angle position. One of the hubs is furnished with a drill and also a device for fixing guides. Also described and claimed are a method for planning correct placing of a dental implant, a pre-tomographic guide obtained with the method, and a surgical template obtained using the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Sebastian Luciano Ranalli
  • Publication number: 20020086263
    Abstract: An orthodontic bracket positioning system comprises a plate having a bridge. The plate is defined by a first side portion and a second side portion to form a hollow therebetween. The first and second side portions are connected to each other by the bridge and an outer edge line of the plate contains therein the bridge, the first and second side portions. First and second connectors each have a front end and a rear end to become rotatably engaged to each other between the front and rear ends thereof. The first and second connector front ends are rotatably connected to the first and second side portions An actuator is engaged to said each rear end of the first and second connectors to control a relative rotation of the first and second connectors so as to subsequently either widen or narrow the hollow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Hee M. Kyung
  • Publication number: 20010014439
    Abstract: An intraosseous delivery apparatus having a drilling member and a sleeve member. The drilling member includes a drill housing, a connecting portion for establishing a connection to a conventional dental drilling apparatus, and a drill extending from the drill housing. The sleeve member includes a sleeve housing, and a hollow sleeve extending from the sleeve housing. The sleeve housing is adapted to be removably engaged with the drill housing such that the drill is inserted into the hollow sleeve. The drill has a length such that when the drill is inserted into the hollow sleeve, a portion of the drill extends beyond the hollow sleeve. As a result, when the drill is used to drill a hole in bone, the drill is inserted deeper into the hole than the hollow sleeve. The hollow sleeve is adapted to be left inserted in the bone when the drill is removed therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Applicant: X-TIP TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Moshe Meller, Michael Feldman
  • Patent number: 6250919
    Abstract: A dental impression alignment device comprising a support; a support table for supporting a dental impression mounted to said support by a universal joint; an index rod attached to said support to extend adjacent the support table for providing a reference plane for orienting the impression and support table relative to the support; and a drill guide attached to either said support or said index rod for providing a drill aligning structure to provide a drill axis for drilling a reference channel in the impression which channel has an axis fixed with respect to the index rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Inventor: Emad El Haje
  • Patent number: 6186781
    Abstract: This is the apparatus that designs the denture and enable to process complehensively both of the clasp designing and the base designing, and designs the denture which can be inserted smoothly and has the suitable resistant force against taking-off and the bracing force after insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Iba
  • Patent number: 6004132
    Abstract: The instant invention provides a novel apparatus; a novel method of using the apparatus; and a novel prosthesis made by the method of using the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventor: Leo Jonjic
  • Patent number: 5993208
    Abstract: The instant invention provides a method and an apparatus for forming a palatal plate prosthesis of a substantially precise, predetermined uniform thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: Leo Jonjic
  • Patent number: 5984676
    Abstract: The instant invention provides a novel apparatus; a novel method of using the apparatus; and a novel prosthesis made by the method of using the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: Leo Jonjic
  • Patent number: 5222892
    Abstract: A laboratory attachment jig is described for use in accurately positioning an attachment relative to an implant abutment/fixture analog of a working model. This jig comprises an orientation arm having a first end and a second end, the orientation arm including a fastener for securing the orientation arm to the abutment/fixture analog of the working model. A primary support member is attached to the second end of the orientation arm, with the primary support member and the orientation arm being supported transversely in a first plane. The primary support member includes a vertical positioning sleeve and a fastener for the vertical positioning sleeve. A lateral support arm is attached to the vertical positioning sleeve of the primary support member and includes an end. A mandrel support member is attached to the end of the lateral support member for retaining the attachment. The lateral support arm includes a lateral positioning sleeve and a fastener for the lateral positioning sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Inventor: William L. Perry
  • Patent number: 5135393
    Abstract: The apparatus has a copying mechanism (1), which is mounted in a support fork (2) and comprises a feeler (17) and a toolholder (20). The copying mechanism (1) is supported on a support fork (2), which is arranged swivellably and displaceably on a foundation body. With the copying mechanism (1) is associated a rocker (3), which carries a pattern station (4) and a fabricated part station (5). On the stations (4, 5) are synchronously and rotatably mounted a pattern (24) and a fabricated part (25). Due to the fact that with the pattern (24) and the fabricated part (25) are associated two movement axes, namely axis (26) and the rocker swivel axis (23), it is possible to sense patterns having a random three-dimensional shape and corresponding fabricated parts can be copied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Mikrona Technologie AG
    Inventors: Stefan Eidenbenz, Claude Nowak
  • Patent number: 5098290
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for making cast dental models having integral dowel pins permitting segments or dies of a model to be attached and re-attached to a base plate in a precise location, by means of holes in the base plate adapted to insertably receive the dowel pins, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base plate having a generally semi-circular shape, the arcuate outer wall surface of which is modified to have flat walls approximating the shape of a circumscribed polygon. A matrix positioning plate has a polygonal aperture through its thickness dimension adapted to insertably receive the base plate. A negative dental impression is attached to a first, lower surface of the matrix plate, and a transparent transfer plate of the same size and shape as the base plate inserted into the aperture of the matrix plate. Marks are placed at those locations of the transfer plate where dowel pins are desired to engage parts of the dental impression viewed through the transfer plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Jerry P. Honstein
    Inventors: Jerry P. Honstein, Anthony B. Siragusa, Richard Barnes, Victor M. Barajas
  • Patent number: 4822278
    Abstract: A dental instrument is provided for use in facilitated placement and fixation of dental veneers of fragile porcelain-based material or the like designed for bonding onto patient teeth. The instrument includes a lightweight handpiece adapted for coupling to a vacuum source, in combination with a disposable transparent tip designed to engage and conform with surface contours of a dental veneer for vacuum-holding of the veneer during manipulation preparatory to fixation. A valve port on the handpiece can be opened or closed with a fingertip or with a movable valve member to facilitate controlled pick-up and release of the dental veneer. The transparent tip enhances dentist vision during veneer placement and further permits passage of radiation for improved curing of a light curable bonding agent conventionally used for veneer fixation. A multipurpose vacuum source adapter and alternative instrument geometries are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: The Wilkinson Dental Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Oliva, Leland M. Perkins, Charles W. Westrick
  • Patent number: 4732564
    Abstract: Apparatus includes a mandible alignment device and a jaw pattern jig to prepare a one-piece metal dental implant for insertion into a patient's mouth. The alignment device has a central scissors member with a rear positioned thumb wheel controlling the longitudinal spread of the scissors blades. A front portion of a longitudinal angle adjustment member mounted over the scissors holds an anterior foot portion of a dental implant. A rod integral with the end of each scissors blade supports a housing holding a ramus member portion of a dental implant. After a pattern is determined by the alignment device, it is locked into the jaw pattern jig and the one-piece metal dental implant is bent to shape to substitute for the anterior foot and ramus members removed from the alignment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: Surgical Appliances, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank R. Potucek, Edward J. Smith
  • Patent number: 4264308
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method and instrument for fabricating a first dental restorative having a predetermined standard occlusal contact relationship with an opposing second dental restorative and for fabricating a pattern for such first restorative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1981
    Inventor: Asami Tanaka
  • Patent number: 4205445
    Abstract: A novel dental surveyor for use in analyzing and working upon dental models is disclosed. The surveyor contains one or more vertical tools, such as marking tools, wax relieving tools and tapered tools. Rotation of a spindle received within a sleeve about its longitudinal axis, combined with horizontal sliding of tool housings upon tool support means attached to said spindle, allows the tools to contact the entire surface of a dental model while always remaining oriented in the vertical direction. The surveyor may also be equipped with e.g. a grinding or drilling tool and means for locking such a tool against horizontal movement while in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1980
    Assignee: Howmedica, Inc.
    Inventor: Chieh-Fu Tzeng
  • Patent number: 4204326
    Abstract: A pair of spaced apart grooves are machined in a plate in correspondence with the movement of a patient's left and right condyles relative to the sockets in which they move. A third groove is also machined in the same plate, equally spaced and remote from the pair of grooves, in correspondence with the minimal separation of the patient's mandibular and maxillary teeth at various lateral and anterior positions. The plate is then attached to a cast of the patient's maxillary teeth and is mounted in an articulator frame on rigid posts which slide in the machined grooves of the plate as the plate is manually moved, thereby reproducing movements corresponding to the patient's closure pathway and condylar topography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1980
    Inventor: John Dimeff