Abstract: A surgical method and tool for expanding an initial osteotomy (42) to receive a bone implant (44). An osteotome (22) having a tapered working end (28) is inserted into the initial osteotomy (42). The initial osteotomy (42) is enlarged by simultaneously rotating and pushing the working end (28) of the tapered osteotome (22) into the osteotomy (42). When rotated in one direction the burnishing edges (40) concentrate the pushing and rotational force in outward normal and tangential component forces against the interior surface of the osteotomy (42) to incrementally expand the osteotomy (42) with little to no removal of bone material (46). When rotated in the opposite direction the burnishing edges cut the interior surface of the osteotomy. Progressively larger tapered osteotomes (22) are used until an osteotomy (42) of predetermined size is achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in dentistry to obtain positional data related to movement of a mandible about a maxilla comprises a rigid support frame for supporting a maxilla support member, a positionable mandibular member and sensing assemblies. The support member fixedly attaches to the support frame. The mandibular member is positionable proximate the maxilla member. The sensing assemblies attach to the support frame and connect to the mandibular member to obtain positional data related to the movement of the mandibular member. The positional data is collected by a computing device and stored in a data storage medium as time history files. The files can then be transformed into usable information to replicate the mandibular movement in real time either virtually or mechanically.

Abstract: An articulator, specifically for applications in dentistry and dental technique, including a lower base (2) and an upper base (3) reciprocally attached at the joints (6, 7) placed at a variable height or distance from the base (3) of the articulator, in order to allow the occlusal plane of the dental arches to be positioned at the correct level on the condylar axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved articulator (1) to realize gypsum models comprising a fixed lower arm (2) and an articulated upper arm (3), a respective impression bearing plate (5, 6) being provided on said lower (2) and upper (3) arms, removably coupled with the same, said articulator (1) being characterized in that the coupling between each arm (2, 3) and the respective plate (5, 6) is realized by means (9, 10; 12, 13) allowing the adjustment of the position of the plate (6, 6) with respect to the relevant arm (2, 3).

Abstract: An improved tray system and articulator for use with a replication of a dental patient's teeth taken by a conventional dental impression in the creation of a dental model of the patient's mouth. A first tray and a second tray are provided, each tray including a base surface, first and second spaced apart and upwardly extending side walls and first and second end walls. The side walls are each defined by pluralities of spaced apart and vertically extending raised portions which permit segmented portions of the upper and lower dental models to be releasably attachable in correct position. The articulator includes a first mounting portion extending from the first tray and a second identically shaped mounting portion extending from the second tray. A first insert portion engages the first mounting portion and a second insert portion engages the second mounting portion.

Abstract: A method of determining the position of an upper jaw cast and a lower jaw cast using a dental articulator provides a disposable plastic holder in the lower jaw cast and mounts it in a metal bracket bar fitted to the base of the articulator whose telescoping post allows adjustment of the height of the head above the base. A bracket bar mounted on the head and spring biased so that this bracket bar can move in a plane and can pivot about a horizontal axis receives another plastic disposable holder which can fit into a cavity in the upper casting. Once the castings are properly positioned, a hardenable composition can be cast into the recess to embed the holder in the upper casting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a head-related model incorporating for transferring a jaw model between articulators of different types. The apparatus for the head-related incorporation of jaw models includes an articulator base plate, a ground plate connected to the articulator base plate and a cylinder having a cylindrical cavity connected vertically to an upper surface of the ground plate. A piston is inserted in the cylindrical cavity. A carrier plate is connected to the end of the piston opposite the articulator base plate. A split cast plate is positioned on the carrier plate and exactly repositionable via magnetic connection between the split cast plate and the carrier plate. A fixation element is connected to the carrier plate. An articulator mounting plate is supported by and connected to the split cast plate via a hardened viscous medium.

Abstract: An articulator comprising two U-shaped wire frames joined by hinges and springs. The frames are snapped onto plastic clips cemented to dental casts. The clips allow the casts to be removed and reintroduced in repeatable positions. A slip-joint provides for left and right height adjustment between the dental casts to be adjusted or separated completely.

Abstract: An articulator having an upper frame having an upper arm and a lower frame having a lower arm. A pivot is provided on the upper arm swingably supporting the upper frame on the lower frame. Adjusting mechanism is provided for adjusting the upper arm relative to the lower arm so that a casting supported on the upper arm can be rotated relative to the lower arm or tilted up and down, forward and laterally, as well as swinging the upper casting relative to the lower casting. The dental articulator simulates the operation of human jaws for use in the manufacture of false teeth. An upper frame representing the upper jaw is mounted to a lower frame by a pair of ball and socket joints which may be adjusted to approximate a specific patient's jaw hinge. The adjusting mechanism can include a computer controlled motor for adjusting the upper arm relative to the lower arm in accordance with X-ray data of a patient's jaw structure.

Abstract: A dental articulator, having an interim used tripod, reproduces the relationships of the jaws and teeth of respective dental patients. Their upper or maxillary jaw and their lower or mandibular jaw dental casts are positionable in their neuromuscular resting position, or in their full teeth contacting centric occlusion position. Lower and upper trays, are formed like art portions of full display dental casts, and adjustably connected together in opposed disposition, by a U shaped rigid upright support. Dental plaster is used to position and to secure the lower dental cast in the lower tray, while also using, during this interim, a tripod especially preadjusted to the cant of the occlusal plane of a patient's teeth, as determined and recorded from an observance of a patient's lateral cephalometric head X-ray film.

Abstract: A face place assembly unit is provided for fixing a dental cast to one or both of the frame members of a dental articulator. The face plate is multidirectionally positionable relative to the frame member of the articulator, to provide for accurate positioning of a dental cast mounted to one of the frame members relative to a dental cast mounted the other of the frame members. In one embodiment, the face plate unit is provided with a position fixing assembly which allows the dental cast to be accurately positioned relative to a frame member of a dental articulator and then fixed in such relative position. The assembly can then be removed from the articulator and reconnected thereto while maintaining the position of the dental cast relative to the frame member of the articulator to which it was mounted.

Abstract: A universal articulator for prosthodontic use includes upper and lower frames with respective horizontal branches. The rear end of the upper frame has inclined wings with slots. The front end of the lower frame has an incisal tray that is inclined. An incisal pin extends from the incisal tray to the upper frame. Articulator pins extend from the lower frame into the upper frame slots. The articulator pins are in different length pairs and the incisal pins are of different lengths and the pins are substituted for accomplishing adjustable spacing between the horizontal branches of the upper and lower frames which are held parallel and horizontal. A dental plaster supporting dental plate is removably supportable on and removable from one or each of the branches by an attachment element easily removed. Alternatively, dental plaster supporting retaining pins extend across the frames.

Abstract: Apparatus for removably mounting dental casts within a dental articulator. The apparatus includes two removable fixtures attached to the articulator by a connector such as a screw, bolt or threaded rod; each fixture having a plate for supporting a dental cast, a groove and pin arrangement for orienting the fixture within the articulator and at least two brackets, each provided with apertures for passing a retaining bolt which maintains the cast in a predetermined position. Also, a method for removably and reproducibly mounting dental casts within a dental articulator by using the removable fixtures of the invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding and manipulating a dental cast in a dental articulator and a method for using this apparatus in combination with an occlusal plane table to adjust and record the positions of the teeth before and after repositioning of the dental cast is disclosed. The apparatus enables the dental cast to be translated in a plane and to be rotated about one or more of a plurality of axes which are chosen to correspond to the axes about which adjustments are made during dental surgery. The occlusal plane table includes a removable grid which provides a reference system with which to measure the adjustments to the position of the dental cast without the need to calibrate the various translational and rotational controls for each dental cast.

Abstract: A rigid, non-yielding precision dental articulator instrument for preserving and making available the occlusion plane required to build accurate incuspation of teeth. The device provides initial mounting of maxillary models using a facebow. A 20 degree sliding mounting plate is also provided for aiding in the setting of the Occlusal Plane.

Abstract: It comprises an upper maxillary support (14) and a lower maxillary support (47). The lower support comprises a movable piece (27) on a rack (24) supporting an arm (31) mounted to slide vertically on the movable piece (27) with a limited travel for its vertical displacement on the movable piece (27). The arm (31) carries two intersecting orthogonal slideways (41,42). The upper slideway (42) carries a table (47) mounted on a spherical knuckle. The articulator allows accurate recording and accurate reproduction of the occlusion position of the maxillaries and of the closure of the mandible, without seeking to reproduce the condylar articulations.

Abstract: A device for the encapsulation in plaster of jaw models for the manufacture of dental prostheses, including an articulator having a lower model support for a lower-jaw template and an upper model support for an upper-jaw template, the upper model support being pivotal relative to the lower model support around the condylar axis; and for the patient-specific adjustment of the bite plane, a frame having a bottom plate for setting up the articulator. The frame has a fastening device for fixing the condylar axis relative to the bottom plate, and a table which is parallel to the bottom plate and whose surface determines the bite plane and is displaceable vertically and sagitally with respect to the condylar axis.

Abstract: Maxillary and mandibular arch models are positioned in an articulator so that the plane of occlusion is in a three dimensional relationship about the articulator hinge axis substantially corresponding to the three dimensional relationship of the intraoral plane of occlusion about the mandibular hinge axis. A mechanically adjustable guide plane element is substituted in the place of one of the arch models and adjusted to fit the plane of occlusion of the other arch model. The teeth of such model are then adjusted in accordance with the occlusal plane guide. The occlusal plane guide is replaced by the heretofore removed arch model and its teeth are brought into centric relation occlusion with the previously adjusted arch model. The arch models are then discluded to a preselected centric wedge of opening of which an impression is made. A gnathological positioner may be fabricated from this impression.

Abstract: A device for use with an articulator in the construction of artificial dentures, comprising a base adapted to be placed on the articulator, a tabletop on the base, the height of which is adjustable; and a removable template adapted to be pivotably mounted to a cradle provided in said tabletop. A knife edge unit with spaced apart knife edges, and a spear box and pointer adapted to be raised or lowered by means of a ramp and associated adjustment screw is removably attached to said base in a manner such that said spear box is guided for movement along said ramp by threaded means in simultaneously both upward and forward directions, and the pointer being adapted to retain in place thereon an upper rim impression and tray prior to its being mounted to an upper mounting ring of the articulator.

Abstract: An articulator device for articulating upper and lower dental casts comprising a base having a generally T-shaped structure defining a tongue-like protrusion including a longitudinal slot. A lower dental cast holding pad is secured to the tongue-like protrusion and is movably disposed along the longitudinal slot for an anterior-posterior direction reposition of the lower dental cast with respect to the upper dental cast for malocclusive correction. A pair of support pins are implanted in the base. A pair of collars are slideably positioned along the support pins and have a pair of thumb bolts for fixedly securing the collars to the support pins. A guide member is slideable along the support pins and is supported by the collars to elevate or lower the guide member in accordance with the movements of the collar. A holder is supported by the guide member and has a generally T-shaped structure defining a tongue-like protrusion. The holder is capable of being laterally moved with respect to the guide member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for use in fabricating orthodontic appliances. The apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart lower and upper horizontally extending arms. The lower arm is adapted to carry a lower dental casting and the upper arm is adapted to carry an upper dental casting in facing relationship with the lower dental casting. A pair of spaced apart parallel cylindrical guide shafts extend upwardly in a generally vertical direction from the lower arm. The upper arm is attached to a mounting device utilized to support the upper arm for vertical movement toward and away from the lower arm. The mounting device includes a pair of spaced apart cooperating guide apertures for slidably receiving the guide shafts. A locking screw is provided in the mounting device for frictionally engaging one of the guide shafts for releasably securing the upper arm in a selected vertical position relative to the lower arm.

Abstract: A mandibular motion reproducing device wherein a mandibular model supporting plate on which a mandibular model is fixed is deemed as a rigid plane, three points contained in this rigid plane are selected and marked, three reference points for reproduction are set each corresponding to one of the marked points and in a predetermined dimensional relationship therewith, drive means capable of shifting the individual reference points for reproduction along the coordinate axes of X, Y, Z respectively are connected therewith, the drive means have six alternative driving directions including the orthogonal X, Y and Z directions and are individually driven by inputting position coordinate information obtained from a measuring system and the resulting motions of the reference points for reproduction are synthesized for causing the rigid plate constituting the mandibular model supporting plate to undergo three-dimensional motion.

Abstract: An occludator for an artificial denture having an upper holder for holding an upper artificial denture and a lower holder for holding a lower artificial denture. The upper and lower holders are pivotable to facilitate an observation of occlusion and adjustable to obtain neutral occlusion.

Abstract: A dental articulator has a generally horizontal base, one end of which acts as the lower bow. Projecting upwardly from this base is a stem. Mounted on the top of the stem by a slip-on construction is a removable hinge support. The hinge support has a pair of spaced vertical flanges, each of which has an elongated slot inclined to the horizontal at an angle approximating the angle between the jaws that the human condyles make upon forward and rearward motion. An upper bow is hinged to the flanges by a hinge pin passing through the elongated slots. Elastic bands engage both ends of the pin and the hinge support to normally keep the pin in the lower end of each slot. The bands are resilient enough to allow the operator to pull the upper bow backwardly along the condyle angle to check the teeth for forward and backward clearances and also to allow the operator to twist the upper bow with respect to the lower bow to check for clearances upon lateral movement of the teeth.