Abstract: A method and device for ensuring better placement of an implant, such as an implant that is affixed via bone bed drilling to a recipient's skull. In particular, the technology comprises an apparatus and method of deploying the same that can lead to an improved goodness of fit of the implant. The apparatus and process of the present disclosure are particularly applicable to affixing auditory prostheses such as cochlear implants. The implant is provided with a template that has the same dimensions as the implant that is to be affixed. This template has a dye-impregnated material on its distal surface that is used during bone bed drilling to identify bony spots that have to be drilled away to get a flat surface and a better alignment of the implant with the bone bed. The template may also be provided in kit form.

Abstract: A TemporoMandibular Joint (TMJ) balancing appliance and a method for using the same are provided, in which a first base portion accommodates incisor teeth, a second base portion is extended from a left side of the first base portion and accommodates left molar teeth, and a third base portion is extended from a right side of the first base portion and accommodates right molar teeth. The first base portion includes an upper part for accommodating upper incisor teeth and a lower part for accommodating lower incisor teeth and has a center for accommodating the upper and lower incisor teeth higher than the left and right sides.

Abstract: A denture grinding machine includes: a denture-holding table for holding dentures; a grinding tool for grinding the dentures held on the denture-holding table; a main body for holding the grinding tool; a moving mechanism for causing relative movement between the denture-holding table and the main body; and a driving mechanism for relatively driving the main body and the denture-holding table. The moving mechanism moves relatively the denture-holding table and the main body in three-dimensional coordinate directions based on grinding portion data, and the grinding tool performs grinding of the denture occlusal surface from a direction perpendicular to the occlusal surface.

Abstract: A jaw-relation reproduction condition is determined by measuring a jaw movement of a patient, and reproducing a jaw state of the patient on an occlusion-state reproducing apparatus in accordance with the jaw-relation reproduction condition. Dentures are arranged on the apparatus in accordance with the jaw-relation reproduction condition to prepare pre-grinding dentures. Denture data with reference points which is three-dimensional image data containing reference points that represents a positional relationship between the jaw-relation reproduction condition and the dentures and an occlusal surface of the dentures. An occlusion state of the denture data with the reference points is reproduced by using the jaw-relation reproduction condition on a three-dimensional image. Grinding data of a grinding portion is determined under a dynamic condition or set condition from a portion surrounded by an image of upper and lower jaws on the three dimensional image in a reproduced occlusal state.

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 dental impression analyzer including a housing having two opposite open ends. A lower end of the two opposite ends fits over a tooth of a patient. A plurality of pins are slidably mounted in the housing. The pins are of equal length, extending parallel to each other, and at least a portion of sidewalls of the housing extending parallel to each other and parallel to the plurality of pins to maintain the pins parallel to each other and to guide movement of the pins. The plurality of pins are tightly compressed together in an interior of the housing. A lower end of the pins are positioned to engage an uppermost surface of the tooth of the patient when the housing is fitted over the tooth of the patient. An upper end of the pins replicates the uppermost surface of the tooth when the lower end of the pins engage the uppermost surface of the tooth.

Abstract: A strip of dental articulating paper is held pincer-like between two biased lateral edges of an outer housing. A grip head overlying a liner protects one lateral edge of the dental articulating paper, with a linear tracing of petroleum jelly formed on the liner adjacent exposed surfaces on both sides of the dental articulating paper. During storage, the grip head is received by and between the two biased lateral edges of the housing. Immediately prior to use, the dental professional slowly removes the grip head from the housing, with the biased lateral edges pressing against the sides of the withdrawing articulating paper, spreading an even, thin film of petroleum jelly over the surfaces thereof.

Abstract: The dental device for insertion of a crown is a tool for marking an occlusally reduced tooth prior to application of a crown thereon, and for testing whether the tooth has been sufficiently reduced for proper application of the crown. The dental device includes a marking portion frangibly joined to a resistance testing portion. The marking portion includes a marking layer formed of a transferable material so that, following occlusal reduction of the tooth, the marking portion is separated from the resistance testing portion, and the marking layer is positioned against an upper surface of the tooth. The patient bites down on the marking layer to mark raised regions of the upper surface of the tooth, and subsequently bites down on the resistance testing portion, to test if the tooth has been sufficiently reduced for application of a crown thereon.

Abstract: A dental contact adjustment tool. The novel dental tool includes a handle and a support structure for coupling a marking apparatus to the handle such that the marking apparatus is at an angle appropriate for delivering a marking medium to an interproximal area of a tooth. In an illustrative embodiment, the support structure includes an angled shaft having a first end coupled to the handle and a second end coupled to a retaining mechanism for holding the marking apparatus at a substantially right angle to the shaft. The marking medium is a transferable medium that will transfer from a tooth to an artificial crown upon contact. In the illustrative embodiment, the marking medium is graphite, and the marking apparatus includes a solid piece of graphite held by a retaining body adapted to interface with the retaining mechanism of the support structure.

Abstract: A method and device for marking a natural tooth/bridge, crown or any dental restoration interface to mark high spots on said bridge or crown to be removed during the fitting process using a fiber or filament strand impregnated or otherwise treated with a visual indicating marker material. The marking device may include the use of handheld tool that includes at least one end having a wishbone shaped support for attaching the fiber or filament strand impregnated with the marker material between the wishbone support or having a tool having both ends with wishbone supports, both ends for supporting one or more filaments or strands of material that includes visual markers.

Abstract: A tooth reduction measuring system comprises a holding tool having a proximal end and a distal end. A flexible loop extends from the distal end and defines an opening. The loop has a thickness from the range about 1 mm to about 2 mm, and the opening a size large enough to be placed around a tooth. The loop is adapted to be positioned relative to a pair of opposing teeth, one of which has been reduced. In this way, the pair of opposing teeth are within the opening, and the loop may be pulled by the shaft into a gap between the opposing teeth to permit evaluation of the size of the gap based on the thickness of the loop.

Abstract: A method for performing a dental articulation test and a related test kit are provided. In preferred embodiments, the method includes applying a first chemical component of a binary marking system to at least one tooth of a patient or articulation device. A substrate sheet that contains a coating of microcapsules disposed on at least one side thereof, with at least some of the microcapsules containing a second chemical component of the binary marking system is inserted into the patient's mouth or the articulation device. The first and second arches of the patient or articulation device are then caused to occlude over the substrate, thereby causing formation of a visible mark at the occlusion contact points. The dental articulation kit includes the substrate sheet, an applicator for applying the first chemical component of the binary marking system to teeth, and a quantity of the first chemical component of the binary marking system sufficient to apply to at least one tooth.

Abstract: A method for performing a dental articulation test and a related test kit are provided. In preferred embodiments, the method includes applying a first chemical component of a binary marking system to at least one tooth of a patient or articulation device. A substrate sheet that contains a coating of microcapsules disposed on at least one side thereof, with at least some of the microcapsules containing a second chemical component of the binary marking system is inserted into the patient's mouth or the articulation device. The first and second arches of the patient or articulation device are then caused to occlude over the substrate, thereby causing formation of a visible mark at the occlusion contact points. The dental articulation kit includes the substrate sheet, an applicator for applying the first chemical component of the binary marking system to teeth, and a quantity of the first chemical component of the binary marking system sufficient to apply to at least one tooth.

Abstract: A dental marking film holder holds articulating film in a patient's mouth, reducing the number of hands needed for the procedure. A pair of safety glasses worn by the patient includes a mounting point for affixing a mount to. In some embodiments, the mount is a clamp that attaches to the bridge of the glasses. In other embodiments, a mounting point on the glasses forms a ball-and-socket joint with the mount. The mount is connected to an articulating film holder by a flexible coupling. The flexible coupling provides for adapting to the geometry of an individual's face and for stably holding the articulating film holder at a range of positions. The articulating film holder accepts forceps that hold articulating film. In some embodiments, the articulating film includes disposable forceps. The articulating film holder adapts to a range of dental arch widths.

Abstract: Apparatus supported on the brow beam of protective eye glasses worn by a dental patient provides a moveably positionable holder arm depending spacedly forward of a user's nose and spacedly below the user's mouth. The holder arm carries marking film holding structure for vertically adjustable frictional motion thereon. The marking film holding structure provides two pivotally interconnected holder arms extending toward the patient's mouth for adjustable frictional motion in a horizontal plane through the patient's mouth and substantially perpendicular to the holder arm. The holder arms releasably carry dental marking film structures having dental marking film supported by a rigid back releasably carried by the holder arms to allow marking of contact points of teeth of the opposed dental arches upon appropriate manipulation.

Abstract: A tooth reduction measuring tool comprises a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, with the proximal end defining a handle. A flexible loop extends from the distal end and defines an opening. The loop has a thickness from the range about 1 mm to about 2 mm, and the opening a size large enough to be placed around a tooth. The loop is adapted to be positioned relative to a pair of opposing teeth, one of which has been reduced. In this way, the pair of opposing teeth are within the opening, and the loop may be pulled by the shaft into a gap between the opposing teeth to permit evaluation of the size of the gap based on the thickness of the loop.

Abstract: Special tools and materials are provided For the fitting and placement of artificial crowns and inlays in a patient's mouth. One version of the kit comprises test ribbons, ribbon gripping forceps, crown gripping forceps, a crown placement tool, an adhesive dispenser, expendable adhesive, an adhesive dispenser stand, an inlay/veneer placement tool, and a number of plastic or metal shims.The inlay placement tool is fitted with hot-melt adhesive on its tip for fixed attachment of an inlay or veneer for placement in the mouth. The crown placement tool is adhered with hot melt adhesive to the biting surface of a posterior crown to be used as a crown placing device.The ribbon forceps is used to grip a thin precut test ribbon and hold the ribbon in the patient's mouth vertically on either the front or back side of an artificial crown being placed.

Abstract: A disposable dental marking product comprising a elongated shaft having a first end representing a gripping area for a user's fingers and a second end directly covered with a composition of marking chemicals representing a writing area.

Abstract: A flexible clearance and marking tab for facilitating the consistently accurate fitting of a dental crown. The tab is elongated, has a width about equal to the occlusal (chewing surface) of the tooth being restored and is provided in variable thicknesses between 0.5 and 2.5 millimeters. The tab is fabricated from a flexible and elastic material and has a thin marking surface on at least one of the faces which is of a color which is visible when transferred to a tooth surface. When a crown or bridge procedure is being done, the dentist uses the tab to mark high spots so that the tooth being restored can be accurately and uniformly reduced occlusally in order to provide just the right amount of clearance necessary to place the type of crown being fabricated.

Abstract: Shielded dental contact marker has a thin, supple support layer which carries thereon a thin marker layer, such as carbon. A thin, hard protective shield layer of wax overlies the carbon layer. The shield layer is of such thickness and appropriate density as to compensate for periodontal ligament compression so that only forceful dental contact will penetrate the protective shield layer and only those points of forceful contact pressure between teeth are marked. The wax layer is sufficiently thin and hard that lateral shield layer flow does not smear or distort the mark on the dental surface.

Abstract: An aerosol dental indicating paste comprising oils, such as glycerides, blended with indicating powder, such as zinc oxide, to form a soft, creamy paste which is mixed with a liquid hydrocarbon which acts as both a solvent and a propellant for the dental indicating paste and permits the paste to be dispensed from an aerosol spray can in the form of a mist or spray of fine particles. The dental indicating paste is used to locate high spots, contact areas and pressure areas on dentures and dental castings. In use, the dental indicating paste is sprayed on the denture or casting to form a thin coating thereon. The coated denture or casting is then placed in its desired location in the patient's mouth, after which it is removed. Disturbances in the dental indicating paste indicate the location, size and elevation of the problem areas.

Abstract: The finishing of dental restorations is disclosed with use of dental instruments of the present invention including instruments having concave surfaces shaped to conform to external convex tooth anatomy. External carving and contouring is accomplished by first carving the distal, mesial, lingual and facial convex surfaces using an interproximal carving instrument of the present invention, followed by carving of adjacent marginal ridges and contact areas, and embrasures with an intermarginal carver. Internal carving and contouring is accomplished by first making the areas of fossae and basic occlusal grooves with the ball end of the intermarginal carver, followed by carving and contouring tooth cusps and cuspal inclines, and then supplemental or developmental grooves with an occlusal-incisal carver.

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.

Abstract: A composition for marking the contact points on the occlusal surface of a dental restorative or a natural tooth and for use in evaluating the mode of contact between occluding teeth.

Abstract: A thin articulating film which is susceptible of folding, wrinkling, crimping and the like is held taut in a generally U-shaped frame to which the film is permanently affixed at a part of its periphery. The edge of the film spanning the ends of the arms of the frame is unframed. The frame can be integral with the film. Devices for full-arch, anterior-arch and quadrant occlusal adjustment, and for contact adjustment between two adjacent teeth in one arch or another where one tooth or both may be a restoration, are described.