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: A system and a method for manufacturing a dental implant surgical guide are disclosed. The dentist may obtain a cast model of the patient's jaw and then make a CT scan appliance with a plurality of radiopaque markers out of the cast model. The patient wears the appliance under CT scanning to obtain a plurality of CT images of the jawbone and teeth. The system comprises a cast model navigation device, a controlling module, and a computer system. The navigation device comprises an articulated arm capable of holding a tool and a plurality of braking elements. The computer system comprises a memory storing a software program and a processor. The articulated arm is operated to measure the positions of the markers to provide the position registration between the cast model and the plurality of CT images. Once registered, the articulated arm is operated to simulate the target implant position under the guidance of the CT images.

Abstract: An articulator for positioning a pair of dental casts relative to each other, the articulator comprising a pair of members adapted to being connected to each other for pivotal movement relative to each other, each member comprising a central portion having a ball connected to the central portion by a spline, the ball being expandable for securing the ball within a mounting.

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.

Abstract: In a device (51) for holding an in particular plate-like implement (52) serving for forming teeth, in particular a positioning calotte, in an articulator (1), having a holder (55) for the implement (52) which is held on the articulator (1), upon employment of an articulator (1) with a detachable upper part (37) and upon employment of only the lower part (35) of the articulator (1) the holder (55) is mounted on the joint parts (36) of the lower part (35) pivotably about the pivot axis (5) containing the joint parts (36).

Abstract: The invention provides a locking device for the secure hinged connection between the ball 1 and the ball housing 2 of an articulator, in the case of which on the outer side of the ball housing 2, which faces the ball neck 3, a semi-circular ledge 4 is arranged whereas on the ball neck 3 an axially movable, lockable ring 5 is provided. On the side facing the ball, the ring 5 has a circular groove 6 into which the semi-circular ledge 4 fits in a spring-loaded manner during locking.

Abstract: In a dental articulator having articulator arms which extend forwards in their working position, of which one is mounted in two swivel/sliding joints to pivot about a swivel axis extending at right angles to the vertical longitudinal centre plane, said joints being arranged on both sides of the vertical longitudinal centre plane as mirror-images and being each formed by an articular recess in an articular housing and a spherical head that engages through an opening in the articular recess, and the articular recess has a sagittal guide surface, a Bennett guide surface and a lateral guide surface, and associated with each swivel/sliding joint is a locking device with a locking element for locking the associated swivel/sliding joint in its 0-position (final biting position), and the locking element can be adjusted between a locking position and a releasing position allowing sliding movements in the associated swivel/sliding joint, a form-locking connection is provided between the locking element and the spherica

Abstract: An articulator, for use in making dentures or parts thereof. It has an upper principal member and a lower principal member. An upper support is provided for holding a maxillary cast fixedly mounted on the side of the upper member facing the lower principal member. A lower support holds a mandibular cast. This support is mounted on the lower principal member and faces the upper principal member. The lower support has a releasing/locking arrangement making it possible for an operator to move the lower support freely in several directions when the arrangement is in its released mode and to lock it in a desired position requiring only a slight holding in place of the casts in relation to each other by the operator during a locking procedure.

Abstract: A dental articulator or apparatus is disclosed for testing the accuracy of dentures during occlusion. The articulator is designed to simulate the complex three-dimensional motion of a human jaw and includes a longitudinally-extending base, an upper denture carrier pivotally mounted above the base for movement in a vertical plane, and a lower denture carrier pivotally connected to the base by a bearing-and-slot arrangement that permits three-dimensional curvilinear movement of the lower carrier. By attaching dentures to the carriers and moving the dentures through various centric, eccentric, lateral and protrusive movements against one another, the articulator permits "high spots" on the occlusal surfaces of the dentures to be located so that the dentures can be accurately ground to a proper fitting.

Abstract: A dental articulator of simplified structure, capable of relatively forward and sideward movements to simulate human jaw movements, includes component parts representing lower jaw and maxillary structures held together at simulated condylar joints, wherein spring means press simulated condyles against matching condylar joint walls to hold them in such position when desired and disengaging means are provided which, when actuated, move the spring means away from the associated condyle part, facilitating relative movement of the simulated jaw parts at such joint. When both ends of the spring are moved away from the condyles the jaw portions of the articulator may be separated so that examination of the wear surfaces of dentures held therein may be effected easily.

Abstract: A dental articulator for simulating relative jaw and tooth movements, especially useful for producing centric, lateral and forward relative jaw movements of simulated jaws containing a patient's simulated tooth structure, includes a plurality of selectable, pre-set, positive positions for locating simulated condyles and condylar joints to match those of a patient, shaft means mounted on the condyles, adjustable means for simulating superior, posterior and medial walls of condylar joints and override means to maintain the simulated jaws and teeth in relatively movable centric position when engaging the shaft and allowing accurate simulated forward and sideward relative jaw movements when disengaged therefrom. Also disclosed are preferred means for mounting the condyles and condylar joint wall parts and wall parts of improved structure to promote accurate simulation of actual condylar movements.

Abstract: A mounting plate is formed from plastic and with a first one of its planar surfaces substantially flat and otherwise formed to be affixed to a dental model. A connecting rib, formed to extend out from the other planar surface of the mounting plate, and along its entire length, has a modified "T" shaped configuration with a vertical leg extending up from the planar surface and a cross-arm extending out to each side of the leg so as to form a groove to each side of the vertical leg between the planar surface of the plate and the opposed surface of the cross-arm. A slot is formed through the central rib of each articulator with a shoulder extending from each wall of the slot into the slot but so as to leave a narrow passage sized to receive the vertical leg of the modified "T" shaped rib.