Abstract: A method includes receiving representations of a first set of dental impressions including a first dental impression of an upper dental arch of a user and a second dental impression of a lower dental arch of the user having been created using contents from an initial dental impression kit sent to the user, identifying a defective dental impression, sending a retake dental impression kit to the user where the retake dental impression kit includes a set of dental trays consisting of dental trays corresponding to the dental arch associated with the defective dental impression, receiving representations of a second set of dental impressions of the dental arch associated with the defective dental impression, and manufacturing, based on the second set of dental impressions, a plurality of dental aligners specific to the user and being configured to reposition one or more teeth of the user.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method of inhibiting compression of a flexible tube of an intubated patient using a bite block. The body including at least one resiliently deformable sealed chamber and a tube engaging portion for abutment with said flexible tube, the body being constructed from a resiliently compressible material and comprising a first tapered end, an opposite second end and a mid-region intermediate thereof, wherein said at least one resiliently deformable sealed chamber extending through or into said mid-region. Wherein as the bite force of a patient increases the body is firstly compressed and then the at least one sealed chamber is at least partly deformed, to thereby inhibit damage to said teeth while inhibiting compression of said flexible tube.

Abstract: To provide a pair of maxillary and mandibular coupled artificial tooth sets applicable to alveolar ridge shapes of an unspecified large number of edentulous patients and having all the parts of 14 teeth coupled into an ideal arch shape and in an ideal maxillomandibular occlusal contact relationship. The present invention provides a pair of maxillary and mandibular coupled artificial tooth sets clearly defining an arrangement region of all parts at the time of arrangement in virtual three-dimensional coordinates, a contact relationship between maxillary and mandibular artificial teeth, and a harmonizing contact/gliding relationship at the time of movement on a mean-value articulator. This enables provision of a high-quality complete denture in which an occlusal relationship required for a complete denture can be established in a short time regardless of a skill of a technician and a difference in shape of an alveolar ridge of an edentulous patient.

Abstract: A dental appliance seating tool is configured for a person to bite and provides sufficient resistive force to aid in seating of a removable dental appliance. The seating tool includes top and bottom surfaces configured to respectively engage with top and bottom teeth of an individual. The seating tool also includes a front surface coupling the top surface to the bottom surface and a rear surface opposite the front surface. An interior wall defines a cavity within the volume defined by the top, bottom, front surface, and rear surfaces. The cavity has a front opening in the front surface and a rear opening in the rear surface. The cavity allows a shaft to pass through the front and rear openings, thus enabling the dental appliance seating tool to slide along the shaft.

Abstract: A structure and method of visualizing and evaluating areas of tooth contact between upper and lower teeth when the upper and lower arches of a mouth are in a closed or occluded condition. The method includes performing a plurality of readings of tooth contacts, by a pressure sensing device, during a period of time and determining sensing properties of the tooth contacts based on the plurality of readings, wherein the sensing properties include one or more of: sequence of a first tooth contact relative to at least a second tooth contact, and pressure magnitude of the first tooth contact.

Abstract: A dental guard system for fitting boil and bite dental guards so that undesirable deformations of the guard are avoided during the fitting of the guard to the user. The system includes a boil and bite dental guard and an associated forming tray configured to be generally rigid but conformable in that it tends to retain its shape so as to inhibit undesirable deformations of the guard, yet enables the guard to form to the teeth of the user.

Abstract: A full denture base manufacturing method is provided that can easily manufacture a full denture base, using a set of maxillary impression tray and a mandibular impression tray for taking an impression from a patient including an edentulous patient.

Abstract: Oral appliances, methods of making oral appliances, and bite registration devices for use in making oral appliances are provided. An oral appliance includes a lower segment, and upper segments. The upper segments are operably connected to the lower segment using threaded elements. Rotational manipulation of the threaded elements causes the upper segments to be displaced horizontally relative to the lower segment about the lengths of the threaded elements, and the lengths of the threaded elements are substantially parallel to each other. A bite registration device for use in making an oral appliance includes a top surface including a protrusion and a bottom surface including a receptacle configured to receive the protrusion. The device is configured to be maintained in stacked relation to a like configured second bite registration device by mating the protrusion of the bite registration device with a receptacle of the second bite registration device.

Abstract: Methods of making an impression of dental tissue and dental articles (e.g. suitable for dental impression) are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a hardenable composition, comprising a resin system, a filler system, and an initiator system wherein the hardenable composition is a hardenable self-supporting material having sufficient malleability to be formed into a shape. The method further comprises placing said hardenable composition in contact with dental tissue such that an impression of at least a portion of the dental tissue is formed in the hardenable composition. The method further comprises curing the hardenable composition comprising the impression.

Abstract: An indicator is useful for detecting pressure points on a denture. The indicator is made of a composition that easily adheres to oral mucosa, has a proper viscosity in an oral cavity environment, can be properly spread between an oral mucosa surface and a denture base, and easily specifies an affected part. The composition includes a fatty acid ester having a melting point of 30 to 50° C., a water-soluble high polymer, and a metal oxide. Preferably, the fatty acid is 40 to 95% by weight of the composition, the water-soluble high polymer is 1 to 59% by weight of the composition, and the metal oxide is 0.1 to 50% by weight of the composition.

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 device is disclosed for recording a specific horizontal reference line of a patient that enables the alignment of an upper jaw model to this horizontal reference line. The device serves not only to determine the horizontal reference line with the active communicative aid of the patient but also comprises a bite fork, which can be aligned in accordance with the description and can also be provided by this means. The adjusted bite fork may then be inserted into an articulator and may be fixed in place so that the model of the upper jaw is mounted parallel to the horizontal reference line of the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for registering occlusal dimensions, comprising a support surface sized and configured for providing areal support to a registration rim; and at least one connector adapted to releasably connect to a dental implant extension.

Abstract: A dental apparatus and method of use for producing edentulous dentures, each including a lower dental tray having a removable modular contact plate with an upwardly extending shoulder surrounding a tapered opening, a ball nut retained in the tapered opening, and a post adjustably secured to the ball nut. A modular striking plate may be removably attached to an upper dental tray or an integrated striking sector on a bottom surface of the upper dental tray is utilized to accurately obtain an established occlusal vertical and centric relation positions. The contact plate and striking plate are each configured as snap-in components to the respective trays. Additionally, the contact plate may be utilized as a spacer between the dental trays once the post and ball nut are removed. Finally, the contact plate and striking plate may be removed for functional positioning and esthetic blue printing measurements.

Abstract: The present invention provides an occlusal pressure measuring device which makes it possible to capture the positional relation between measurement results of the occlusal pressure and the tooth row more easily and more precisely. The occlusal pressure measuring device 1 comprises: a sensor portion 10 capable of measuring occlusal pressure; and a body 20 which transmits information obtained from the sensor portion, wherein the sensor portion is a laminate of a plurality of layers; at least one of the plurality of layers is a pressure sensitive layer capable of detecting occlusal pressure; and the outermost layer of the sensor portion is a shape transfer layer which can be deformed by the occlusal pressure and can retain the deformation even when the occlusal pressure is removed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a evaluating system of masticatory efficiency comprising a first step of allowing a human subject to masticate an artificial food material containing microparticles that are finely crushed and ground by mastication and keep a spherical shape unless they are masticated; a second step of enlarging the artificial food material having been thus masticated by applying pressure to a thickness equal to the diameter of the microparticles while sandwiching the artificial food material between two preparation sheets; and a third step of counting microparticles keeping the spherical shape that remain in the artificial food material having been enlarged between the two preparation sheets by applying pressure. By using this evaluating system in the invention, the masticatory efficiency can be evaluated well in precise and at short time without using a solvent and expensive instruments.

Abstract: An apparatus, a system and a method are provided for providing a dental diagnosis and/or a dental appliance to a user by examining a portion of a mouth of the user. To this end, the apparatus, system and method may evaluate images whether digital, still, video, digital x-ray or the like, of the portion of the mouth to determine if a medical condition may be cured and/or corrected by a dental appliance stored within a machine and capable of being dispensed from the machine. In addition, the system may provide a wafer or tray which the user may position in his mouth to make an impression. The wafer or tray, or an image of the wafer or tray, may then be sent to an individual and/or a central processing unit. Also, a user may position a film within his mouth and transmit the film or an image of the film to an individual and/or a central processing unit.

Abstract: A dental apparatus and method of use for producing edentulous dentures, each including a lower dental tray having a removable modular contact plate with an upwardly extending shoulder surrounding a tapered opening, a ball nut retained in the tapered opening, and a post adjustably secured to the ball nut. A modular striking plate may be removably attached to an upper dental tray or an integrated striking sector on a bottom surface of the upper dental tray is utilized to accurately obtain an established occlusal vertical and centric relation positions. The contact plate and striking plate are each configured as snap-in components to the respective trays. Additionally, the contact plate may be utilized as a spacer between the dental trays once the post and ball nut are removed. Finally, the contact plate and striking plate may be removed for functional positioning and esthetic blue printing measurements.

Abstract: Systems for sizing oral appliances comprise both a width measuring template or tool for determining the distance between opposed molars and an arch sizing tool for determining the size and shape of the patient's dental arch. Based on this information, individual appliances can be selected from an inventory of such appliances, where the selected appliance would best fit the patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to an occlusion template having position markers comprising prescribed dimensions, applied to prescribed locations of the template, and recognizable as position marks on an image of the jaw or a jaw area of a patient. In order to be able to analyze locally limited X-ray images, the invention proposes that the template comprises more than three position markers, each disposed in the bite area of the template.

Abstract: Occlusal-surface shape data and occlusal-surface position data of dentures are acquired on a dentist side, and the data is then transmitted to a grinding data provider side. A maxillomandibular occlusal state data is reproduced from the occlusal-surface shape data and the occlusal-surface position data on the grinding data provider side. A maxillomandibular occlusal adjustment portion is determined by changing a maxillomandibular occlusal vertical dimension by the grinding data provider side. Cutting data including the occlusal adjustment portion data and the occlusal-surface position data are prepared on the grinding data provider side, and the data is transmitted to the dentist side. An occlusal adjustment is carried out by cutting the dentures by a grinding machine based on cutting data on the dentist side.

Abstract: An integrated modular dental measuring apparatus and method of use for producing edentulous dentures, each including a lower dental tray having a removable modular contact plate with an upwardly extending shoulder surrounding a tapered opening, a ball nut retained in the tapered opening, and a post adjustably secured to the ball nut. A modular striking plate may be removably attached to an upper dental tray or an integrated striking sector on a bottom surface of the upper dental tray is utilized to accurately obtain an established occlusal vertical and centric relation positions. The contact plate and striking plate are each configured as snap-in components to the respective trays. Additionally, the contact plate may be utilized as a spacer between the dental trays once the post and ball nut are removed. Finally, the contact plate and striking plate may be removed for functional positioning and esthetic blue printing measurements.

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: Methods and apparatus for stabilizing a bite fork in a patient's mouth. The apparatus may comprise an elastically deformable bite fork stabilizer. The elastically deformable bite fork stabilizer may comprise an elastically deformable layer, an adhesive layer on one side of the elastically deformable layer, and a removable layer adhered to the adhesive layer.

Abstract: A dental impression tray assembly includes an upper tray and a lower tray operable with the upper tray, and the lower tray includes a first piece configured to measure jaw relations of a patient's mouth and a pair of second pieces detachably attachable to the first piece. The first piece of the lower tray is inserted into the patient's mouth independently of the pair of second pieces of the lower tray to measure the jaw relations and to obtain a bite registration. After the first piece is connected to the pair of second pieces, the assembly allows a final gum impression of the patient's lower gum to be obtained.

Abstract: A system and method for making an improved mandibular repositioning device includes a pair of tooth fixation element premolds, a pressure molding cap and at least one adjustment mechanism. The premolds include resin and reinforcing material within a flexible envelope. The pressure molding cap includes a rigid shell and an inflatable bladder. The tooth fixation element premold is placed on the patient's teeth. The pressure molding cap is placed over the premold and the bladder is filled. The pressure of the bladder forms the premold to the patient's teeth. The pressure is released once the resin is set and the formed tooth fixation element may be removed from the patient's teeth. After a tooth fixation element is created for both the top and bottom sets of teeth an attachment mechanism is coupled to both tooth fixation elements to adjustably coupled the tooth fixation elements to each other.

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: Processes wherein a soft polymer sheet deforms readily under the pressure of dental surfaces brought into contact with one another. As such, the sheet does not itself interfere with such contact. Processes for the sheet include deforming the sheet between contacting dental surfaces, and noting the location and intensity of contact deformations. The position of the sheet is stabilized on the surfaces by temporary adhesion, wherein the adhered sheet does not interfere with contact. Further processes involve deforming the sheet between contacting dental surfaces such that the sheet does not interfere with the contact of the dental surfaces, and utilizing the sheet to support dental materials, such as supporting restorative composite, impression materials, and so on. The sheet is preferably comprised of polytetrafluoroethylene.

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: Attention has been focused on combining two types of dental impression materials of different qualities which has not been considered in conventional combined impression, and a dental impression film and a method of manufacturing the dental impression film are provided for making the two parts joinable. The dental impression film is formed of a polyethylene film and polyethylene/polyester films. The polyethylene film has, laminated by thermal adhesion on opposite surfaces thereof, respectively, the polyethylene/polyester films having bonding capability between a silicone impression material and an alginate impression material. The dental impression film having bonding capability is interposed between the silicone impression material and alginate impression material.

Abstract: The occlusal position of a patient is measured by means of light transmission through a layer of a polysiloxane which is not cross-linked. This material forms an exceptionally accurate impression of a patient's bite essentially instantaneously and enables subsequent recording and analysis of the bite in a matter of minutes.

Abstract: This present invention concerns a locating and measuring device of facial anatomical parameters of a human face. It includes in particular a frame intended to be positioned in front of a face, and a bite yoke mounted on a cross member of the frame, intended to be inserted into the mouth and bitten onto by a patient. In a manner that is characteristic, the invention also includes materialization and positioning for an incisive line, materialization and positioning for a bi-pupillary line, and materialization and positioning for a Camper's plane on at least one profile of the face. The device of the invention finds a particular application in the fields of dental and periodontal reconstruction and repair in accordance with the aesthetic harmony of the face.

Abstract: The attenuation and other optical properties of a medium are exploited to measure a thickness of the medium between a sensor and a target surface. Disclosed herein are various mediums, arrangements of hardware, and processing techniques that can be used to capture these thickness measurements and obtain three-dimensional images of the target surface in a variety of imaging contexts. This includes general techniques for imaging interior/concave surfaces as well as exterior/convex surfaces, as well as specific adaptations of these techniques to imaging ear canals, human dentition, and so forth.

Abstract: An integrated modular dental measuring apparatus and method of use for producing edentulous dentures. The apparatus is a set of components including a lower dental tray having a removable modular contact plate with an upwardly extending shoulder surrounding a tapered opening, a ball nut retained in the tapered opening, and a post adjustably secured to the ball nut. A modular striking plate may be removably attached to an upper dental tray or an integrated striking sector on a bottom surface of the upper dental tray is utilized to accurately obtain an established occlusal vertical and centric relation positions. The contact plate and striking plate are each configured as snap-in components to the respective trays. One size contact plate and one size striking plate fit on all sizes of dental trays. Additionally, the contact plate may be utilized as a spacer between the dental trays once the post and ball nut are removed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a set of dental arches comprising: an upper arch (1) formed by upper anterior (2) and posterior (3) artificial teeth and another lower arch (5) formed by lower anterior (6) and posterior (7) artificial teeth mounted in an orderly fashion on flexible bases (4) and (8) constructed of elastomeric resin in the form of an arch, having a three-dimensional movement capacity to enable adaptation to the anatomy and physiology of edentulous patients; the base material also allows the adjustment of each tooth individually, through changes of position, inclination or alignment, in a simple manner, thus producing custom prosthodontics; its use in the confection processes of removable complete and partial dentures saves time, labor and cost compared to traditional methods.

Abstract: Processes for marking contacts of teeth, utilizing a soft polymer sheet. The sheet clearly marks contacts to facilitate disclosure and adjustment of interferences. An arch (10) sheet is provided to mark and adjust an entire arch of teeth. An adhesive (16) is provided to affix the sheet to the surfaces of the teeth.

Abstract: The dental device of the present invention is used to transfer information about registration of an anterior midline between central incisors and a horizontal plane of the teeth after the teeth have been drilled and final impressions have been taken. This information is communicated to the lab technician for fabrication of crowns and or veneers. The dental device allows the dentist to consistently communicate the location and position of the anterior midlines and horizontal plane to the dental laboratory. The dental device is placed between the patient's upper and lower teeth after tooth preparation. The dental device is positioned in a correct midline and horizontal plane. After alignment, the dental device is secured to the teeth using a bite registration material. The dental device is forwarded to the lab technician together with the model of the teeth after preparation.

Abstract: A unit to be arranged in the oral space, which unit can, in particular, be a diagnosis and/or therapeutic treatment device. If the external shell of a unit of this type gets damaged, there is a risk of parts of the external shell detaching or of harmful substances leaking from the interior of the unit. In order to detect damage of this type as early as possible, the unit is provided with an indicator substance that is enclosed within the external shell and can be detected outside of the external shell in case the external shell breaks. The use of edible bitter substances for detecting damage on diagnostic and/or therapeutic units used in the oral spaces as well as to the use of edible dyes for detecting damage on diagnostic and/or therapeutic units used in the oral space are also provided. The dye is provided on the interior of the corresponding unit to leak out in case the corresponding unit gets damaged.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for determining an axis of upper and lower jaw articulation of a patient and modeling jaw movement about such an axis, particularly with the use of computerized visual images. The methods comprise providing digital data sets of tooth and bite configuration information which may be used to determine an estimated condylar axis of rotation for a patient. A number of data sets may be acquired and utilized for such estimations. Data sets may be obtained with the use of bite registers. Such registers may be formed by a number of methods and device designs of the present invention. The resulting digital data sets and axis of articulation may then be utilized to generate animated visual images of a patient's jaws in various bite configurations throughout a given rotation around the determined axis.

Abstract: Method and system for managing multiple impressions of a patient's jaw for an orthodontic treatment is provided. The method includes scanning at least a first impression and a second impression of same jaw for the orthodontic treatment; determining if the first jaw impression and the second jaw impression have distortion in different areas; selecting the first jaw impression or the second jaw impression as a base impression; and replacing a distorted tooth data from the base impression with data for the same tooth from a non-base impression. The method also includes scanning at least a first jaw impression for the orthodontic treatment; scanning a bite impression for the orthodontic treatment; matching the scanned first jaw impression with the scanned bite impression; comparing bite information with a tooth occlusal surface; and determining if reconstruction is to be performed on the tooth occlusal surface.

Abstract: A dental bite impression wafer that also captures the user's saliva and cheek cells. The wafer is made from a thermoplastic material that softens when warmed and that defines opposed posterior edges. The wafer carries one or more structures such as posts that are adapted to capture and retain the user's saliva and cheek cells.

Abstract: Impression devices are provided for making an impression of a desired feature. The impression devices include: a flexible bladder having a cavity formed therein, the flexible bladder being capable of conforming to the details of the desired feature; a rheological material, such as a magnetorheological fluid, disposed in the cavity of the flexible bladder; and an activator for applying an external stimulus to the rheological material to change the state of the rheological material and thereby capture an impression of the desired feature.

Abstract: A method and article for providing identification means, comprising taking an impression of teeth with a thermoplastic wafer of special configuration such that the wafer receives an impression which gives the size, shape and anatomy of each tooth from the occlusal surface to the gum line, and also provides information on tooth position and jaw relationship, to provide maximum information for identification. The wafer also acquires salivary components which, for an indeterminate amount of time, allows for DNA analysis testing or scent dog tracing. The wafer with the impression is then stored for use in case of need, preferably in a container which is sealed so that tampering with the contents can be detected.

Abstract: A novel system for discerning pressure points in mouthpieces, namely orthodontic aligners. The system includes the steps of applying a colored gel to a light transmissive or clear mouthpiece-type aligner, mounting the aligner to the upper and/or lower teeth of the patient, and observing through the mouthpiece color variations generated by variations in gel density, wherein pressure points are indicated as lighter colors due to less gel density and spaces are indicated as deeper color, due to higher density of the colored gel. In an alternative embodiment a second gel incorporating rupturable spheres incorporating a second composition is utilized in the present system such that pressure upon the gel releases the second composition, which would be formulated to combine with the first gel and result in a color change, either due to a chemical reaction, or due to a mixing of two colors to produce an identifying color.

Abstract: The invention relates to a force measuring transducer with an oscillator (1) with an inductor (2) formed by a primary winding and a gauge (11) with a secondary winding (30) which is connected electroconductively to the gauge (11) and which is disposed in transformer coupling with the inductor (2) of the oscillator (1). Action of a force on the gauge (11) changes the impedance of the gauge (11) and the load of the inductively coupled secondary winding (30). An evaluation circuit (14) is used to determine the resulting frequency change of the oscillator (1) which is proportional to the force acting on the gauge (11).

Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging a dental occlusal registration impression; developing a digital 3D surface contour model of the occlusal registration impression from the image data; electronically transferring the data representing the digital 3D surface contour model of the occlusal registration impression; fabricating a physical replicate of the occlusal registration impression; correlating features on upper and lower jaw dental models with features on the replicate occlusal registration impression model; and determining occlusal alignment of the upper and lower jaw dental models using the replicate occlusal registration impression model.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to dental devices, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a dental device for forming a dental appliance. The dental appliance is used to position the mandible and the maxilla in centric relation and methods of making and using same.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for determining an axis of upper and lower jaw articulation of a patient and modeling jaw movement about such an axis, particularly with the use of computerized visual images. The methods comprise providing digital data sets of tooth and bite configuration information which may be used to determine an estimated condylar axis of rotation for a patient. A number of data sets may be acquired and utilized for such estimations. Data sets may be obtained with the use of bite registers. Such registers may be formed by a number of methods and device designs of the present invention. The resulting digital data sets and axis of articulation may then be utilized to generate animated visual images of a patient's jaws in various bite configurations throughout a given rotation around the determined axis.

Abstract: A customized dental tray comprising ULDPE is formed using a person's own teeth as a template, or using a stone model of the person's teeth. A preformed dental tray or sheet comprising ULDPE is heated to become plastically deformable and placed over at least a portion of the person's teeth in order to form an impression of the person's teeth and yield an intermediate customized dental tray. Upon cooling sufficiently, the intermediate tray is removed from the persons' mouth and trimmed as needed to yield a finished customized tray corresponding to the person's teeth. The performed tray or sheet preferably comprises ULDPE, which yields a highly flexible and resilient final tray, although they may also contain other polymers or blends. The customized dental tray is useful for teeth bleaching and other dental treatments known in the art.