Abstract: A teeth movement tracking device, including: an input unit for receiving three-dimensional teeth data and image data having the shape of teeth; an image processing unit for combining the three-dimensional teeth data with the image data; a movement tracking unit for detecting the axis of rotation with respect to the rotation of the teeth or temporomandibular joint by analyzing the image data or the three-dimensional teeth data; and a trajectory generation unit for calculating the movement trajectory of the teeth or the temporomandibular joint by analyzing the image data or the three-dimensional teeth data.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a positioning jig for preparing a two or more of adjacent teeth for a dental prosthesis comprising a member with (i) three or more parallel bores in the member and (ii) one or more means to attach the member to a dental articulator. The invention is also directed to methods of use of the position jig such as to prepare a series of aligned holes in teeth or aligned holes mockup of a dental bridge for a prosthesis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for virtually designing the attachment of a manufactured dental model of a patient's set of teeth in a physical dental articulator by means of one or more kinds of spacer elements, where the method comprises: obtaining a virtual 3D dental model of the patient's set of teeth, where the virtual 3D dental model is provided by means of 3D scanning; providing a virtual dental articulator type corresponding to a physical dental articulator, where the dental articulator comprises an upper arm and a lower arm and has a known articulator height, which is the distance between the upper arm and the lower arm in the static position of the dental articulator; providing a minimum height of the dental model, where the height of the dental model is the height of an upper part and the height of a lower part of the dental model; providing one or more kinds of virtual spacer elements with predetermined heights, where each kind of virtual spacer element corresponds to a physical spacer element; determini

Abstract: A dental articulator is provided in which at least one of the two arms thereof has a base member that is articulated with respect to a bracket element onto which a dental model may be mounted, allowing independent movement of the dental model with respect to the pivot axis hingedly linking the arms.

Abstract: A mounting method of dental cast is disclosed. The mounting method includes the steps of providing an articulator and a label module having at least a label and at least a reference object, generating a label coordinate information in accordance with the reference object and the label, providing a midface and mandible image information and generating a landmark coordinate information in accordance with a plurality of landmarks of the midface and mandible image information, generating a structure coordinate information in accordance with a plurality of structures of the articulator and the label, disposing a first dental cast connected with the label module on the articulator, and providing a detecting device to detect the label and adjust the position of the first dental cast in accordance with the midface and mandible image information, the label coordinate information, and the structure coordinate information.

Abstract: An orthognathic planning system applied with at least a dental cast includes an articulator, a detecting device, at least a label module and a data processing device. The dental cast is mounted on the articulator. The detecting device is disposed with respect to the articulator. The label module has at least a label and is disposed on the dental cast. The data processing device is signally connected with the detecting device and stores midface and mandible image data. The detecting device traces the label and provides position data, and the data processing device provides orthognathic planning data in accordance with the position data and the midface and mandible image data. The present invention also discloses an orthognathic planning method.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein employ a combination of digital three-dimensional modeling and rapid fabrication technologies to provide pre-indexed, pre-registered, and/or precut components for articulated dental models. Dental articulators and components of dental models as described herein use a positioning key to encode positional information for components of the dental model, and/or a reference grid on mounting surfaces to enforce local accuracy of fabricated parts against a fixed reference array.

Abstract: One embodiments of the present subject matter include a method that includes fixing a top pantograph to a patient via clutches to the top teeth of the patient, fixing a bottom pantograph to a patient via clutches to the bottom teeth of the patient, optically monitoring the bite of the patient by monitoring the relation of the top pantograph to the bottom pantograph during a bite cycle, storing data relating to the actual bite storing patient data including a three-dimensional model including a top teeth model and a bottom teeth model, storing a digital top pantograph model associated with the top pantograph, storing a digital bottom pantograph model associated with the bottom pantograph, digitally pairing the bite data, the top pantograph model and the bottom pantograph model to the patient data, and digitally modeling the bite.

Abstract: A pinless dental articulator includes a work tray, a retention pocket, and a monorail formed by a plurality of upwardly tapering cylinders which allow jelly or stone to slide out of the retention pocket when the work tray is turned upside down. The work tray has a ledge which stabilizes a rotatable arm that retains the jelly or stone in the retention pocket. A method of using the articulator includes the steps of installing the locking arm onto the stabilizing ledge of the work tray, rotating the locking arm into a closed position on the stabilizing ledge, pouring jelly into the retention pocket, installing a height-adjusting post in the work tray, tightening a fastener against the post in order to keep the post in an upright position, and placing a small tray with at least one negative tooth impression on top of the jelly.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein employ a combination of digital three-dimensional modeling and rapid fabrication technologies to provide pre-indexed, pre-registered, and/or precut components for articulated dental models. Dental articulators and components of dental models as described herein use a positioning key to encode positional information for components of the dental model, and/or a reference grid on mounting surfaces to enforce local accuracy of fabricated parts against a fixed reference array.

Abstract: One embodiments of the present subject matter include a method that includes fixing a top pantograph to a patient via clutches to the top teeth of the patient, fixing a bottom pantograph to a patient via clutches to the bottom teeth of the patient, optically monitoring the bite of the patient by monitoring the relation of the top pantograph to the bottom pantograph during a bite cycle, storing data relating to the actual bite, fitting the top pantograph and bottom pantograph to casts that are fixed to an automatically adjustable articulator and replicating the bite by moving the automatically adjustable articulator and optically monitoring said movement to replicate the monitored bite using feedback by comparing optical data relating to the replicated bite to the data relating to the actual bite.

Abstract: A dental model articulator of the type that has separable complementary articulation members is connected to a registration object having compatible complementary articulation members. The dental arches of each dental model articulator half is scanned with the reference object to give the axis of the articulator model. This facilitates generating a virtual dental model.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an articulator used for the purpose of checking the alignment of dentures, by coupling together models of the upper and lower jaws, in order to provide a simple movement of the upper and lower jaws, minimize occlusal errors, and accurately mount the upper and lower jaws on the occlusion surface. Conventional articulators imitate the form of upper and lower jaw movements, wherein a reference axis is established and folded in accordance with a condyle, however, the process completely eliminates muscle movement, and inevitably leads to occlusal errors of the upper and lower jaw movement. Consequently, the problem with conventional articulators is the need for post-processing, regardless of the extent of reduction of the occlusal errors through the use of diverse assisting means. In addition, while accurate occlusion cannot be achieved, conventional articulators have a structure that is too complicated and difficult to operate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an articulator for the purpose of checking the alignment of dentures, by coupling together models of the upper and a lower jaws, in order to provide a simple movement of the upper and lower jaws, minimize occlusal errors, and accurately mount the upper and lower jaws onto the occlusion surface. Conventional articulators imitate the form of upper and lower jaw movements, wherein a reference axis is established and folded in accordance with a condyle, however, the process completely eliminates muscle movement, and inevitably leads to occlusal errors during upper and lower jaw movement. Consequently, the problem with conventional articulators is the need for post-processing, regardless of the extent of reduction of the occlusal errors through the use of diverse assisting means. In addition, while accurate occlusion cannot be achieved, conventional articulators have a structure that is too complicated and difficult to operate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a registering system for the transfer of a jaw model in relation to a hinge axis, for example, in an articulator, and to a connection device for connecting a lower jaw adapter (1) to a measuring carrier (4), and a bite carrier (3) for producing a bite key. The invention is characterized in that the transfer of the mandibular joint geometry, especially the exact position of the hinge axis of the patient, can be carried out in a state of assembly or an articulator using only a hinge axis determination relative to the lower jaw of the patient. The transfer of the facial arc required until now in prior art is rendered superfluous by the invention. Moreover, the possibilities of use of the transfer in relation to the hinge axis are extended, modularised and simultaneously simplified and accelerated. Sources of error are eliminated, the expenditure on equipment and costs of the transfer of the model can be critically reduced.

Abstract: A visible coding of components of an articulator apparatus that mount maxillary and mandible casts indicates the relative correspondence between post-treatment goals and the present locations of a person's teeth and jaws. From another aspect, the visible coding indicates at least a direction, and preferably, a direction and a distance, which a person's teeth and/or jaws must be moved to achieve the goals.

Abstract: A denture articulator is provided for coupling denture casts to allow for occlusal adjustment of the casts. The articulator includes a base, a cross bar, and a top. The casts are mounted to the top and base by cast holder seats or cast retainer seats for simulation of mastication and occlusal adjustment. The top allows a user to adjust the vertical location of the cast and also allows the user to adjust the elevation of the cast.

Abstract: An apparatus to replicate and analyze movement of a mandible relative to a maxilla with dental casts thereof includes a base frame, an arm connected to the base frame and a suspension assembly positionable by a plurality of electro-mechanical actuators. The arm connects to the base frame and supports the dental cast of the maxilla in a fixed position relative to the base frame. The suspension assembly, having opposing first and second sides, supports the dental cast of the mandible in working relation to the dental cast of the maxilla. The plurality of actuators each selectively impart movement to the sides of the suspension assembly such that the movement of the mandible obtained during a recording process can be replicated on the apparatus in real time.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for creating a physical teeth model. The method comprises the following steps: providing a virtual three dimensional (3D) representation of a patient's dentition that comprises at least a region of the teeth that includes a tooth stump on which a crown is to be fitted or a region on to which a bridge is to be fitted; and preparing a physical model of the jaws of a subject from a blank, based on information from said virtual 3D image.

Abstract: A method produces a base for physical tooth models. The method includes providing one or more cast materials in a container, pressing the underside of the physical tooth models into the one or more cast materials to produce impressions in the one or more cast materials, and solidifying the one or more cast materials having the impressions to produce the base that is adapted to receive the physical tooth models.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to develop an apparatus that can examine the occlusal contact patterns during the sleep bruxism, which can not be evaluated by the observation of the interior of oral cavity or by means of the articulator, in order to establish a convenient evaluation means for employing bruxism in daily and clinical diagnosis. The present invention relates to a bruxism evaluation sheet having a layer comprising an aqueous solution composition of an organic solvent comprising a dye and a thermosetting resin on a base sheet made of a thermoplastic resin, and a method for producing a convenient bruxism evaluation apparatus comprising heating the bruxism evaluation sheet, vacuum pressing it onto a model and then molding, and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a dental appliance of a patient is provided. An electronic scan is made to collect data about the anatomy of the patient's mouth. The first computer digitally receives the data processes it with data of the patient to create facebow data, and transmitting the facebow data to a second computer, which transfers the facebow data to a second articulator. The second articulator duplicates the set up of the first articulator based on that data.

Abstract: A device producing a computer-processable, three-dimensional image of a dental model includes a scanner that generates scanned data and an electronic memory unit, wherein the scanned data of the dental model that are captured by the scanner in a scanning area are stored. The device has a positioning area in which a temporomandibular joint movement simulator, preferably an articulator, with dental model halves of the dental model arranged therein can be arranged such that at least sections of the TMJ movement simulator can be housed or are housed in the scanning area of the scanner.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein employ a combination of digital three-dimensional modeling and rapid fabrication technologies to provide pre-indexed, pre-registered, and/or precut components for articulated dental models. Dental articulators and components of dental models as described herein use a positioning key to encode positional information for components of the dental model, and/or a reference grid on mounting surfaces to enforce local accuracy of fabricated parts against a fixed reference array.

Abstract: A normal lower jaw position of an examinee is determined.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein employ a combination of digital three-dimensional modeling and rapid fabrication technologies to provide pre-indexed, pre-registered, and/or precut components for articulated dental models. Dental articulators and components of dental models as described herein use a positioning key to encode positional information for components of the dental model, and/or a reference grid on mounting surfaces to enforce local accuracy of fabricated parts against a fixed reference array.

Abstract: A dental modeling system for forming a dental model from a mold of at least a portion of a person's opposed upper and lower teeth. The modeling system includes dental articulator features that are integrated with opposing bases and dental model bases configured to receive removable tapered pins. The system also includes pin locators for improved alignment of teeth of the dental mold when creating the dental model. The pin locator can also include removable tapered pins for use in aligning with specific teeth of the dental mold.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for designing dental articulator inserts from 3d dental data (4d datasets). These 4d datasets may be used directly to provide a jaw motion model suitable for enhanced CAD or, they may be used to derive mathematical expressions that are then used to design dental articulator inserts. The methods of the invention are based on acquiring time-based 3d data representing the upper and lower teeth. Each datum in the 4d dataset may therefore contain an accurate record of the relationship between the upper and lower arch in three dimensions.

Abstract: An extender device connects between the halves of an articulator thereby increasing the width of the articulator while still allowing the articulator to be handled as one piece during its application to the models. In an embodiment, the extender device is of a snap-fit design.

Abstract: Methods and systems for establishing dental bite planes in relation to the relative vertical and horizontal planes of a patient's face and head. A U-shaped bite fork, which can be held by the patient's teeth or gums, may be attached to a connection system that attaches to adjustable orientation rods that may be aligned to the vertical and horizontal planes of the patient's face and head. Once the orientation rods are correctly adjusted, the orientation rods may be may be locked into place to preserve the orientation of the patient's bite plane relative to the facial reference planes.

Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a sleeve for a dental articulator having upper and lower jaws operatively arranged to simulate a human mouth, the sleeve including an enclosure having a mounting surface and at least one open end, the enclosure arranged to substantially cover and releasably engage the upper or lower jaw of the dental articulator. The sleeve may further include a releasable locking means operatively arranged to releasably secure the sleeve to the upper or lower jaw of the dental articulator. The present invention also broadly comprises a method of mounting a dental model on a dental articulator having upper and lower jaws arranged to simulate a human mouth, the method including the steps of releasably securing a sleeve on the upper or lower jaw of the dental articulator and fixedly securing the dental model to the sleeve. The method may further include the step of removing the sleeve from the upper or lower jaw of the dental articulator.

Abstract: Methods and systems for establishing dental bite planes in relation to the relative vertical and horizontal planes of a patient's face and head. A U-shaped bite fork, which can be held by the patient's teeth or gums, may be attached to a connection system that attaches to adjustable orientation rods that may be aligned to the vertical and horizontal planes of the patient's face and head. The generally perpendicular orientation rods may be used separately or locked together to form a combined unit. Once the orientation rods are correctly adjusted, the orientation rods may be may be locked into place to preserve the orientation of the patient's bite plane relative to the facial reference planes.

Abstract: A medical simulation apparatus is provided, which is capable of performing a simulation by correlating a three-dimensional image with an entity model. Coordinates of measurement marks MP1, MP2, MP3 on a surface of a lower dental arch model 62 in a coordinate system defined by three reference marks MK1, MK2, MK3 are acquired before and after displacement of the lower dental arch model 62. The coordinates thus acquired are converted into coordinates in a coordinate system defined by reference marks PK1, PK2, PK3 on the basis of a relationship between the reference marks MK1, MK2, MK3 and the reference marks PK1, PK2, PK3. Then, changes in the coordinates after displacement of the lower dental arch model 62 are determined, and a region preliminarily specified in a three-dimensional image displayed on a display 5 is displaced on the basis of the coordinate changes thus determined.

Abstract: A dental articulator includes a lower jaw member, two pillars each extending vertically upwardly from the lower jaw member. The pillars each carry a ball, which correspond to a human mandibular condyle. The articulator further includes an upper jaw member disposed over the lower jaw member and carrying housings each provided on either side of a rear portion of said upper jaw member. Each of the balls is received in one of the housings so that the upper jaw member is vertically pivotable about the balls. Each housing includes a top wall coupled to the upper jaw member so as to be vertically movable relative to the upper jaw member while kept in contact with one of the balls and configured to be fixed to the upper jaw member at any position, and a rear wall coupled to the upper jaw member so as to be movable back and forth while kept in contact with one of the balls and configured to be fixed to the upper jaw member.

Abstract: A premanufactured dental model base, and method, for supporting a cast dental model. The dental model base may be selectively connected to an articulator attachment plate which is adaptable for connecting the dental model base to a metal articulator. The same dental model base, at a user's option, may also be connected to a disposable articulator through a groove in the base that engages a disposable articulator tongue or by connecting a disposable articulator ball directly to a socket in the base. Thus, the dental model base may be conveniently used with either a metal articulator or a disposable articulator. In one embodiment, a concave socket at one end of the dental model base may engage an articulator ball or may engage the articulator attachment plate such that the attachment plate is detachably connected to the dental model base.

Abstract: Articulator (1), which may precisely reproduce the occlusion height in the mouth in preparing a denture excellent in occlusion properties and favorable to a patient, comprises: lower frame (23) provided with lower jaw model support (21) in its upper surface, detachably mounted on which support (21) is a lower jaw model (20); stand (30) mounted in a rear portion of the lower frame (23) to extend upright; upper frame (13) provided with an upper jaw model support (11) in its lower surface, detachably mounted on which support (11) is an upper jaw model (10); circular plates (40) which vary in thickness and are provided in each of the supports (11, 21), the circular plates (40) being selected so as to enable a jaw model mounting surface of each of the supports (11, 21) to be movable in parallel with each of the frames (13, 23).

Abstract: A handheld dental instrument has a horizontal level indicator and a vertical midline angle marker pin mounted on a bite line plate. The bite line plate has an arcuate front and a pair of protruding positioning pins. The bite line plate is rotatably mounted to a handle. The dental device is used in the formation of custom fitted lab fabricated dental prosthesis to improve dental bite registration recording of a patient's horizontal and vertical angles by the dentist and transferred to the dental lab technician to permit the formation of a prosthesis.

Abstract: A dental articulator for connecting first and second dental models generally includes upper and lower arms hinging at their rear ends by a hinge. Each arm front end is connected by a coupling to a dental model. Each coupling generally includes a ball, a coupling, a rear socket and a fastener joining the coupling and rear socket such that the socket is movable rotationally, up and down, and side to side on the ball to a selected position. The hinge also provides for movements of the arms mimicking those of a human jaw. The lower arm means for adjusting the height of the hinge. Upper and lower dental models each include a holder of an incisor spacing assembly co-cast into the base. The holders hold an incisor pin for adjusting the vertical spacing between the fronts of the dental models.

Abstract: A dental model base having a cast stone core and method for making same. The stone core is cast within an encasement member. The encasement member is adapted for connection to an articulator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the optical measurement of dental objects (30) with the use of topometric measurement procedures, having a rotatably mounted object receptacle (18) for holding the object (30) to be measured, a projector (11) for the projection of structured lighting patterns onto the object (30), a detection unit (12) for the detection of lighting structures projected onto the object (30), and an evaluation unit (20) for the calculation of the spatial structure of the object (30) to be measured. In order to improve operability, with the possibility of measuring individual parts of any geometry, the object receptacle (18) is mounted so as to be additionally pivotable around a pivot axis (B) arranged perpendicularly to the axis of rotation (A).

Abstract: Dental articulator apparatus includes a base articulator plate and a top articulator plate mounted on a support stanchion. On confronting surfaces of the top and base articulator plates are formed confronting mold cavities that receive dental “stone” mixed to a “workable” consistency so that the cavities can be filled with plastic “stone” to reconstruct from a “negative” impression a “positive” replica of a patient's teeth in stone. A press ejects the dental stone casting from the mold cavity in which it is formed. Embedded in the stone casting is a plastic sleeve. The plastic sleeve slidably accommodates a guide pin that passes through the cavity wall. To remove the dental stone casting from the mold cavity, the guide pin is first removed by sliding it out of the plastic sleeve. The ejected dental casting may be segmented to separate one stone “tooth” from another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the computer-controlled production of dentures for restoring at least one tooth or jaw area, especially in terms of occlusal or incisal contact. The aim of the invention is to provide a simple means of producing dentures using CAD/CAM techniques, at the same time ensuring that the contact surfaces of the denture have the individual shape required so that absolutely no subsequent work is necessary.

Abstract: This invention provides a device for use in making dental models comprising a tray support a having an opening and a tray having an inferior surface with a projection from said inferior surface of said tray, wherein said projection of said tray fits into said opening in said tray support, said tray support having attached thereto hinge portions which are capable of interaction with hinge portions from a second tray support to form a completed hinge means.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning a dental articulator of the type including a body member having a plurality of precisely spaced holes extending therethrough. The apparatus including a base; and a plurality of precisely spaced pins extending from the base for insertion into the plurality of precisely spaced holes in the body member of the dental articulator to clean any debris from the plurality of precisely spaced holes in the body member of the dental articulator. The pins of the apparatus have the same precise spacing as the precisely spaced holes extending through the body member of the articulator and being sized to be inserted into and through the precisely spaced holes extending through the body member of the articulator. The method includes the step of forcing the pins of the apparatus through the precisely spaced holes extending through the body member of the articulator.

Abstract: In a jaw movement simulator in which an upper jaw model patterned after an upper jaw and a lower jaw model patterned after a lower jaw are mounted, and the lower jaw model is relatively moved with respect to the upper jaw model. A jaw movement simulation system causes the jaw movement simulator to reproduce a movement of the jaw of a test subject in accordance with data obtained through imaging a movement of the jaw of the test subject. The lower jaw model is fixed on an operating plate having 6 degree of freedom by parallel mechanism, and is moved on the basis of data obtained through a movement of the jaw of the human body, thereby simulating a movement of the jaw with great accuracy.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a dental cast tray assembly used to form a dental cast model comprises a base and a tray removably mounted on the base. The base includes a top surface, a flat bottom surface, a front wall, a rear wall and a plurality of projections formed on its top surface in a non-recurring, random pattern. Each of the plurality of projections is generally cylindrically-shaped and includes a convex free end. The tray includes a top surface adapted to support the dental cast model, a flat bottom surface, a front wall, a rear wall, a retention bar formed on its top surface and a plurality of openings formed in its bottom surface in the same non-recurring, random pattern in which the plurality of projections are disposed on the base. Each of the plurality of openings is defined by four sidewalls and is generally hourglass shaped in lateral cross-section. Two of the four sidewalls which define each of the plurality of openings include an elongated rib.

Abstract: A hand-held dental articulator, comprising a first frame, a second frame, and a support structure coupled to the first and second frames. The first frame is configured to accept for fixation thereto a first dental model. The second frame is configured to accept for fixation thereto a second dental model. The support structure is configured to support the first frame in opposing and overlapping relationship with the second frame. The support structure includes a manual surface that substantially conforms to the curvature of an operator's palm, such that the articulator is easily and comfortably held in the operator's hand during use.

Abstract: A dental articulator is disclosed, with condylar housings located in inteangeable fashion in mounts on the upper member of the dental articulator for accommodating and guiding condyles fixed to the lower member, where horizontal guide elements for the condyles for simulating the sagittal movements of the mandibular joint and Bennett guide elements for simulating the transverse movements of the mandibular joint are located in the condylar housing.

Abstract: An occluded state and an opened state are reproduced on an occluding apparatus by a pair of upper and lower dentiform models using a bite at the time of occlusion and a bite at the time of opening which are extracted from a patient. For the reproduction, a D plate (Dual Mounting Plate) 9 is used. When the D plate 9 is used, it is possible to produce a C block which is integrated with an upper jaw teeth mode 4 by gypsum and an S1 block (or an S2 block) for a spacer which is mounted between the C block and an upper mounting plate 11 (12). The occluded state and the opened state can be reproduced using the dentiform models by replacing the S1 block and the S2 block with each other.

Abstract: A dental model articulator includes two hinge-jointed arms, each arm having segments connected at a hinge joint having mating elements, one integral to each segment of an arm. One element includes two cymbals that are coaxial on a major hinge axis and concave facing which resiliently capture between them a node of the mating element on the other segment which has the form of opposed, outwardly facing convexities. Multiaxial motion between the segments of each arm is accommodated by the rotation of the convexities of the node within detents at the apices of the cymbals. The extremities of each arm terminate in cylindrical rod-like elements that are parallel to the major hinge axis. The rods engage with transverse, cylindrical channels either cut-in, molded-in or affixed to the models. With the models positioned in centric occlusal relationship and the arms adjacently positioned and engaged, the four rods are adhesively fixed in the channels.