The invention provides a method for creating a physical teeth model. The method comprises the following steps: providing a virtual three dimensional (3D) representation of a patient's dentition that comprises at least a region of the teeth that includes a tooth stump on which a crown is to be fitted or a region on to which a bridge is to be fitted; and preparing a physical model of the jaws of a subject from a blank, based on information from said virtual 3D image.

A scannable dental spatial orientation device can comprise a coupling feature operable to couple with a bite plate for supporting a physical dental record material. The scannable dental spatial orientation device can also comprise a body portion having first, second, and third planar faces oriented orthogonal to one another. In addition, the scannable dental spatial orientation device can comprise at least one joint configured for rotating the bite plate and the body portion relative to one another to align the first, second, and third planar faces parallel to a sagittal midline reference plane, a horizontal plane, and a frontal plane of a patient. A dental record optical scan system and a method for digitally recording a maxillary arch position are also disclosed.

A clutch apparatus includes a mandibular clutch device and a maxillary clutch device. The mandibular clutch device includes a mandibular clutch configured to be affixed to mandibular teeth, a mandibular face bow connected to the mandibular clutch, and first and second collimated light sources connected to the mandibular face bow. The maxillary clutch device includes a maxillary clutch configured to be affixed to maxillary teeth, a maxillary face bow connected to the maxillary clutch, and first and second position-sensitive diodes (PSDs) connected to the maxillary face bow. Each of the mandibular and maxillary face bow is selectively adjustable to position the first and second light sources and the first and second PSDs in a plurality of positions. In an example, the mandibular and maxillary face bow are selectively adjustable to position the first and second light sources and the first and second PSDs proximate right and left bicuspid regions or proximate the actual physiologic axis of rotation of the mandible.

A clutch apparatus includes a mandibular clutch device and a maxillary clutch device. The mandibular clutch device includes a mandibular clutch configured to be affixed to mandibular teeth, a mandibular face bow connected to the mandibular clutch, and first and second collimated light sources connected to the mandibular face bow. The maxillary clutch device includes a maxillary clutch configured to be affixed to maxillary teeth, a maxillary face bow connected to the maxillary clutch, and first and second position-sensitive diodes (PSDs) connected to the maxillary face bow. Each of the mandibular and maxillary face bow is selectively adjustable to position the first and second light sources and the first and second PSDs in a plurality of positions. In an example, the mandibular and maxillary face bow are selectively adjustable to position the first and second light sources and the first and second PSDs proximate right and left bicuspid regions or proximate the actual physiologic axis of rotation of the mandible.

The disclosure concerns orthotic devices and related methods for treating complications of the masticatory neuromusculature, including, for example, temporomandibular disorder (TMD). In one aspect, the disclosure concerns an orthotic device for treating complications of the neuromusculature. In another aspect, the disclosure concerns a method for treating a patient experiencing complications of the neuromusculature. In yet another aspect, the disclosure concerns a method for: (i) finding a superior compressed position (SCP) of the jaw-joint, or a SCP range, wherein the neuromusculature is relaxed with the jaw-joint placed in the SCP range at least during occlusion, and (ii) designing one or more dental orthotic devices being configured to maintain the jaw within the SCP range during occlusion.

A dental articulator (10) includes a lower base (12) having two support arms (28) extending therefrom. Each support arm (28) includes an upper end with an opening (30) therein. Each opening (30) is adapted to receive a fixed-angle temporomandibular joint assembly (32) having a fixed horizontal condyle angle or an adjustable-angle temporomandibular joint assembly (34) having an adjustable horizontal condyle angle. A dental articulator kit may initially include only a pair of fixed-angle temporomandibular joint assemblies (32) with the pair of adjustable-angle temporomandibular joint assemblies (34) available to be acquired by a user at a later time.

The present invention is concerned with an apparatus for simulating the chewing process for the purpose of testing dental materials and implants and for the purpose of analyzing food samples. The apparatus comprises a frame, a stationary platform connected compliantly to the said frame and a moving platform corresponding to the maxillae and mandible of humans or animals, to which dentures or teeth are affixed. The moving platform is guided and driven in mandibular motion using six rods fitted with spherical joints at both ends. Said ball-jointed rods are attached with one end to the moving platform, and with the other end either to the frame of the apparatus, or to rotary cranks driven synchronously by a motor via a transmission. The rotary cranks together with their motor and transmission are mounted on a carrier which is adjustably attached to the frame of the apparatus. To closely reproduce a desired mandibular motion, the locations of the spherical joints to the frame, the position and orientation of the carrier relative to the frame, and the lengths of the rotary cranks and of the ball-jointed rods are suitably adjusted.

The present invention is concerned with an apparatus for simulating the chewing process for the purpose of testing dental materials and implants and for the purpose of analyzing food samples. The apparatus comprises a frame, a stationary platform connected compliantly to the said frame and a moving platform corresponding to the maxillae and mandible of humans or animals, to which dentures or teeth are affixed. The moving platform is guided and driven in mandibular motion using six rods fitted with spherical joints at both ends. Said ball-jointed rods are attached with one end to the moving platform, and with the other end either to the frame of the apparatus, or to rotary cranks driven synchronously by a motor via a transmission. The rotary cranks together with their motor and transmission are mounted on a carrier which is adjustably attached to the frame of the apparatus. To closely reproduce a desired mandibular motion, the locations of the spherical joints to the frame, the position and orientation of the carrier relative to the frame, and the lengths of the rotary cranks and of the ball-jointed rods are suitably adjusted.

The present invention relates to a probe device for analyzing physical properties of food, having a teeth form, and more specifically, to a probe device for analyzing physical properties of food, having a teeth form, capable of objectively analyzing various physical properties felt by a person when chewing food, selecting and using a probe corresponding to a molar, a front tooth or a canine tooth, allowing a vertical motion of a press to be interlocked with a motion of the jaw joint, and allowing chewing experiments similar to real chewing of the human body to be carried out by enabling smooth occlusion of the upper jaw and the lower jaw.

The present invention relates to a probe device for analyzing physical properties of food, having a teeth form, and more specifically, to a probe device for analyzing physical properties of food, having a teeth form, capable of objectively analyzing various physical properties felt by a person when chewing food, selecting and using a probe corresponding to a molar, a front tooth or a canine tooth, allowing a vertical motion of a press to be interlocked with a motion of the jaw joint, and allowing chewing experiments similar to real chewing of the human body to be carried out by enabling smooth occlusion of the upper jaw and the lower jaw.