Other

Ormco Corporation

Dentsply International Inc.

Poly Virtual Occlusion, LLC

Michael C Alpern

Douglas G Nuelle

Ralph J Brandon

Michael C Anderson

Carolyn M Primus

John Kristich

Systems and methods for analyzing dynamic occlusion during replicated excursions of virtual three-dimensional representations of a dental patient's occlusal complex are provided. The method may include scanning a patient's jaws and teeth configuration using a medical imaging system such as CBCT, laser scanners, or traditional dental impressions; creating a virtual three-dimensional representation of the patient's occlusal complex; replicating excursions of the virtual three-dimensional representation of the patient's occlusal complex based at least on virtual inter-condylar angles and distances; determining acceptable occlusal contacts and/or malocclusions within the virtual three-dimensional representation of the patient's occlusal complex based at least in part on virtual dynamic occlusion during the replicated excursions, and determining at least one virtual dental appliance and/or orthodontic repositioning of one or more teeth based at least in part on the one or more acceptable occlusal contacts and/or malocclusions within the virtual three-dimensional representation of the patient's occlusal complex.

Systems and methods for analyzing dynamic dental occlusions and making dental appliances

Improved methods for indirect bonding of orthodontic appliances, such as brackets, to the tooth surfaces of dental patients are provided. The methods use a transfer tray to accurately position the brackets on the tooth surfaces. Preferably, the tray is made of an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA)/siloxane material. The brackets are coated with a protective coating to prevent them from becoming embedded in the tray. Preferably, a translucent, blue-tinted coating is used to cover the brackets. Dental restorative materials are used to bond the brackets to the teeth. The transfer tray is then removed from the mouth, while the appliances remain firmly bonded to the tooth surfaces.

Methods for indirect bonding of orthodontic appliances

A dental articulator having an upper support member for supporting a dental cast and a lower support member for supporting a second dental cast. A polycentric hinge joint is provided for simulating the temporomandibular joint of a patient. The polycentric hinge joint comprises a fossae block secured to the upper support member and a condyle member secured to the lower support member which engages a fossae recess in the fossae block. A spring is provided for securing the lower support member to the upper support member and simulating the muscles used for mastication. A pair of wires are provided for simulating the ligaments of a patient. The upper end of each wire passes through an opening in the upper support member. The lower end of each wire is secured to the lower support member. A limiting block is provided on the upper end of each of the wires so as to restrict its movement. Removable adjustment post assemblies are provided at the forward end and rear end of the articulator so that the upper and lower support members may be spaced apart a desired distance.

Dental articulator

A dental articulator having a upper support member for supporting a dental cast and a lower support member for supporting a second dental cast. A polycentric hinge joint is provided for simulating the temporomandibular joint of a patient. The polycentric hinge joint comprises a fossae block secured to the upper support member and a condyle member secured to the lower support member which engages a fossae recess in the fossae block. A spring is provided for securing the lower support member to the upper support member and simulating the muscles used for mastication. A pair of wires are provided for simulating the ligaments of a patient. The upper end of each wire passes through an opening in the upper support member. The lower end of each wire is secured to the lower support member. A limiting block is provided on the upper end of each of the wires so as to restrict its movement. Removable adjustment rods are provided at the forward end and rear end of the articulator so that the upper and lower support members may be spaced apart a desired distance.

A collimator which is adapted to be mounted on the tube head cone of any existing panoramic X-ray machine used in dental examinations. The device personalizes the radiation from an X-ray machine to the size and shape of a patient's head by accurately allowing the X-rays to be directed only to that part of the head which requires the examination. The collimator of our invention comprises a housing which is mounted on the tube head cone of an X-ray machine, the housing having a vertical slot adapted to be aligned with the vertical slot in the X-ray tube head. A vertically-adjustable slide member regulates the open length of the slot in the housing, the slide member being regulated in its position by a pointer which extends from the slide and has an end disposed at a selected part of the patient's head. Thus, the length of the slot in the housing may be regulated to the shape of the patient's head to eliminate radiation to the eyes and retinal tissue, in the upper limit, and under the chin in the lower limit.

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Port Charlotte, FL, United States of America

Michael C Alpern