A vertically adjustable rotational stabilizer (10) for a disposable articulator is provided. The articulator comprises a hinged pair of support arms, each support arm having a proximal end and a distal end, with the proximal ends of the support arms being hingedly fitted together. Each arm defines an opening or cavity between its distal and proximal ends. The vertically adjustable rotational stabilizer (10), in broad terms, comprises at least one body (30, 66) secured or securable to the support arms (14, 16) and positioned substantially within the opening defined by the support arm, and an elongate member (56) being adjustable relative to the at least one body so as to adjust and fix the distance between the distal ends of the support arms (14, 16).

This invention relates to improved methods and apparatus for recording and simulating the condylar movement of an individual. This invention also provides a dental articulator which is designed to simulate the jaw or condylar movements of a patient. This instrument enables a dentist to obtain the necessary diagnostic information for treatment of the occlusal irregularities, such as malocclusion, and the fabrication of dental cast or “dentures”.

An apparatus and system is disclosed for dental modeling. The apparatus includes a first tray positioned opposite a second tray and a dearticulating hinge coupling the first tray to the second tray. The dearticulating hinge includes a first hinging element coupled to one of the first tray and the second tray and a second hinging element coupled to the other of the first tray and the second tray. At least one of the first hinging element and the second hinging element includes a disengaging element configured to engage a spur to uncouple the first hinging element from the second hinging element upon extending the first tray and the second tray beyond a predefined angle relative to one another.

An apparatus and system is disclosed for dental modeling. The apparatus includes a first tray positioned opposite a second tray and a dearticulating hinge coupling the first tray to the second tray. The dearticulating hinge includes a first hinging element coupled to one of the first tray and the second tray and a second hinging element coupled to the other of the first tray and the second tray. At least one of the first hinging element and the second hinging element includes a disengaging element configured to engage a spur to uncouple the first hinging element from the second hinging element upon extending the first tray and the second tray beyond a predefined angle relative to one another.

Improvements in a dental model tray and associated articulation system for use in forming a dental model includes providing: a flange integrally attached to the upper edge of an upstanding side wall of said tray; a pair of spaced apart ears that project outwardly from said flange; an alignment pin extending upwardly from and perpendicular to a planar base of said tray; a centric stop mechanism in which the cylindrical hollow post forming the centric stop is provided with a thin membrane covering over the otherwise open end of the post; and an articulation system which includes a ridged first leg and a second leg which is formed in the shape of a flat plate having sufficient thickness to be substantially rigid but which also allows limited torsional movement or bending about its longitudinal length as well as limited flexing about its longitudinal length.

Improvements in a dental model tray and associated articulation system for use in forming a dental model includes providing: a flange integrally attached to the upper edge of an upstanding side wall of said tray; a pair of spaced apart ears that project outwardly from said flange; an alignment pin extending upwardly from and perpendicular to a planar base of said tray; a centric stop mechanism in which the cylindrical hollow post forming the centric stop is provided with a thin membrane covering over the otherwise open end of the post; and an articulation system which includes a ridged first leg and a second leg which is formed in the shape of a flat plate having sufficient thickness to be substantially rigid but which also allows limited torsional movement or bending about its longitudinal length as well as limited flexing about its longitudinal length.

Embodiments of the invention can accommodate multiple variations and goals of impressions, including but not limited to dental and orthodontic models. To adapt embodiments of the invention for multiple purposes, and to standardize the process, embodiments include a housing that allows for impressions to be suspended and/or sealed in the housing so that modelling material can pour up the impression, form a model base or some other type of design, and/or articulate the models if desired, without the need for or with reduced need for trimming and substantial reduction of time and use of modelling material (hereafter “MM”) like gypsum, stone, plaster, resin, etc. Embodiments allow models to be created and formed and articulated if desired. Professionals may pour up impressions, form base models, and, optionally, articulate models, allowing less waste, material, and use of time than traditional and current methods.

A head frame apparatus is secured to a human head during maxillofacial surgery and includes devices to easily position and secure an endotracheal (breathing) tube and an anesthesia delivery circuit for the patient that reduces the likelihood that the flow of oxygen through the tube is restricted thereby reducing the risk of severe injury or death. The head frame apparatus also includes a removable reference indicator, which may be easily attached and removed while identifying a reference point of the patient's face. Also the reference indicator includes a universal joint and pointer with an attached ruler. A transport apparatus positions multiple preset reference indicators and allows for preoperative transportation and removal, while protecting the preset reference indicators from inadvertent adjustment. A bendable reference indicator used in an articulator for preoperative modeling allows for easily identifying reference points in a cast model. An orbiting segment apparatus positions a portion of a cast of a jaw in relation to a condyle ball of the articulator.

A head frame apparatus is secured to a human head during maxillofacial surgery and includes devices to easily position and secure an endotracheal (breathing) tube and an anesthesia delivery circuit for the patient that reduces the likelihood that the flow of oxygen through the tube is restricted thereby reducing the risk of severe injury or death. The head frame apparatus also includes a removable reference indicator, which may be easily attached and removed while identifying a reference point of the patient's face. Also the reference indicator includes a universal joint and pointer with an attached ruler. A transport apparatus positions multiple preset reference indicators and allows for preoperative transportation and removal, while protecting the preset reference indicators from inadvertent adjustment. A bendable reference indicator used in an articulator for preoperative modeling allows for easily identifying reference points in a cast model. An orbiting segment apparatus positions a portion of a cast of a jaw in relation to a condyle ball of the articulator.

A denture including a denture base where artificial teeth are fixed, the denture base includes a reference denture base member to which the artificial teeth are fixed and an adjusting member formed of a cured body of a curable denture base material, the adjusting member being joined to the reference denture base member, the adjusting member includes an anterior adjusting member that is joined to a mucosal surface of a base anterior region to form an anterior region together with the base anterior region, and a posterior adjusting member that is joined to a mucosal surface of a base posterior region to form a posterior region together with the base posterior region, and at least parts of base edge side distal end regions in the anterior region and the posterior region are formed of the anterior adjusting member and the posterior adjusting member, respectively.