Abstract: A tray for making dental check bite records is provided with a U-shaped bite section and a raised central arch. The tray is formed of stiff but deformable metal, which is perforated in the bite section to facilitate the adherence of dental impression paste. A flange on the front of the tray facilitates centering of the tray in the patient's mouth, and serrations on the edges of the tray provide convenient gripping areas when handling the tray. A check bite record is made with each tray. After first hardening an impression of the upper teeth on the tray, a glob of quicksetting impression material is positioned on the lower side of the tray to register on a lower anterior tooth. The impression in the hardened glob is then used as a pivot point to position a patient's jaw, while slower setting material is on the tray lower surface is hardening, providing an impression of the patient's lower posterior teeth in a preferred lateral position.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for obtaining and maintaining optimum performance of inter-jaw biting musculature for seating and cementing dental crowns and bridges, such method including utilizing the biting musculature only within the limits of relaxed muscle-fiber length, using said apparatus as physiologically-appropriate contact and pressure reference for sensory-motor innervation feed-back from muscles and dental structures to determine and control muscle performance and using said apparatus as means for controlling inter-jaw muscle-fiber length and for pressure mediation and delivery between the upper and lower dental arches. A wafer is used between the teeth of opposing arches to mediate and transfer pressure during seating and cementing of dental crowns. The wafer is of one piece construction, injection molded of specifically resilient synthetic polymer composition material.

Abstract: A system for determining the first dental occlusion prematurity is presented. A sensor adapted to be inserted in the mouth of a patient comprises two flexible strips with spaced electrical conductors connected to a liquid crystal display. Each of the strips has a layer of dilatant material on one side. When the patient bites, the upper and lower conductors complete an electrical circuit and from the resistance of this circuit the location of the first prematurity relative to the strip is determined. One edge of the strip is used as a reference point on the sensor and the distance from this edge to the location is displayed on the liquid crystal display. The dilatant layer also retains the impression of the teeth and the location identified by the visual display and the impression are compared to give the exact location of the first prematurity. The sensor is reusable on the same patient to determine subsequent prematurities by squeezing it to remove the impression of teeth on the original bite.

Abstract: A metal charm has the impression of the biting edges of teeth formed in it. It may also be formed in a rubber stamp.

Abstract: Dental impression strips prepared from metallized polymer film having piezoelectric properties are coated with a conventional plastically deformable wax impression material to provide the normal visual indication of bite deflection and premature teeth engagement. The metallized polymer film provides means through which force exerted during occlusal analysis may be monitored and recorded. By coating the metallized polymer film with a non-permanently deformable and reusable plastic, the monitoring and recording may readily be demonstrated to the dentist and patient.

Abstract: A generally semi-elliptical shaped wafer of a light weight material having upper and lower surfaces that may be pressure gripped between the bracket supporting teeth of an orthodontic patient, with the material being one that permanently deforms when substantial pressure is applied thereto, and as a result each wafer when subjected to such gripping having impressions formed therein that record the relative positions of the brackets and the teeth associated therewith. By using the wafers successively on patient visits to an orthodontist, a permanent record is maintained of the progress being made in straightening and aligning the teeth of each patient, or other corrective orthodontic work. In addition, the impressions of the brackets on the wafer indicate to the orthodontist the extent to which the arch wire must be bent or deformed to exert a desired force on the teeth for further corrective procedures.

Abstract: A carrier for introducing bite registration material between occlusal surfaces of teeth, comprising a frangible film weakened to minimize its ability to stimulate the proprioceptive neuromuscular mechanism associated with jaw motions.

Abstract: A method and device for mutual alignment of the chewing surfaces of the upper jaw and the lower jaw for the purpose of producing dentures utilizes a wadding in the form of a bag filled with a freely shapeable, hardening material. The bag has a fork-like shape and is interposed between the upper jaw and the lower jaw. The material is allowed to harden once the chewing surfaces have been firmly closed on each other.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a dental tray having a base extending in a dental arch an arcuate distance at least sufficient such that a portion of one surface of the base is disposable generally above some of the occlusal surfaces and such that a portion of the surface of the base is disposable generally above some of the incisal surfaces in one operating position of the dental tray. A lingual sidewall is connected to one side of the base and a buccal sidewall is connected to the opposite side of the base, each sidewall extending a surface molding distance generally perpendicularly from the base and the sidewalls cooperating with the base to form a space for accommodating molding and impression material.

Abstract: Qualitative as well as quantitative evaluation of bite characteristics is performed by subjecting to bite forces pieces of material which exhibits photoelastic memory and studying the resulting impression with a polariscope. A permanent record can also be obtained.

Abstract: An articulator for constructing dentures, for use with a gothic arch tracing apparatus, comprising first and second members, having means for holding the members in spaced relationship, without being connected, and having means for mounting dental casts between the members, said tracing apparatus being removably mountable in said casts, in operable relationship, and means for forming a set of gothic arch traces, for controlling relative movement of the members in accordance with movement of the tracing apparatus.

Abstract: An intra oral tracing apparatus, comprising a tracing member and a scribing member, each of the members having means for removably mounting the member in a patient's mouth, and one of the members having universal adjustment means, the adjustment means being provided with locking means accessable through the patient's mouth.

Abstract: In the construction of dentures, a method for calibrating an articulator, comprising the steps of forming a set of intra oral gothic arch traces, the traces defining a three dimensional envelope of motion, and utilizing the intra oral traces to form a substantially identical second set of gothic arch traces on the articulator, whereby relative movement of the articulator may be confined to the envelope of motion.

Abstract: A method for marking contact between a dental mounting such as a prepared tooth and a prosthetic device such as a crown, wherein the prosthetic device is to be modified to conform to the mounting. The method comprises applying a clear, mildly adhesive liquid to the surface of the mounting in a thin, uniform film, seating the thoroughly dried surface of the prosthetic device against the mounting to cause protruding areas to abut to one another and to transfer a residue of the liquid adhesive to the protruding areas of the surface of the prosthetic device, and then highlighting the residue on the prosthetic device surface by dusting with a visible powder which clings to the residue, and finally removing the excess powder whereby the areas of undesired protrusion on the surface of the prosthetic device are indicated. Thereafter, the protruding areas of the prosthetic device can be ground away, and the process can be repeated until undesired areas of contact can be eliminated.

Abstract: A pair of spaced apart grooves are machined in a plate in correspondence with the movement of a patient's left and right condyles relative to the sockets in which they move. A third groove is also machined in the same plate, equally spaced and remote from the pair of grooves, in correspondence with the minimal separation of the patient's mandibular and maxillary teeth at various lateral and anterior positions. The plate is then attached to a cast of the patient's maxillary teeth and is mounted in an articulator frame on rigid posts which slide in the machined grooves of the plate as the plate is manually moved, thereby reproducing movements corresponding to the patient's closure pathway and condylar topography.