UPPER JAW FITTING ELEMENT FOR FITTING TO A HUMAN UPPER JAW

Abstract

The invention relates to an upper jaw contact element for contact with a human upper jaw, which contact element is formed as a dental arch-shaped upper jaw bite fork (5) which has receiving portions on at least the open end portions that are configured to reversibly receive upper jaw crowns, in particular with the aid of impression material, in a manner as to be stable during manipulation, and which can be connected to at least one jaw relation element (6, 7, 8, 500) in the area of vertex of the arch.

Claims

1. An upper jaw fitting element for fitting to a human upper jaw, which is adapted as an upper jaw bite fork that is dental arch-shaped, which comprises, at least at open end sections, receiving areas configured to reversibly receive, with aid of impression material, upper jaw tooth crowns in a manner as to be stable during manipulation, and which can be connected to at least one jaw relation element in an area of a vertex of the arch, wherein the upper jaw bite fork comprises at least one opening for filling at least one intermediate space in the area of anterior tooth crowns and/or an intermediate space distal to the anterior tooth crowns between the upper jaw bite fork and an upper jaw.

2. The upper jaw fitting element according to claim 1, wherein the receiving areas leave out an area of the anterior tooth crowns and/or anterior tooth crown portions.

3. The upper jaw fitting element according to claim 1, wherein the receiving areas leave out tooth crowns and/or tooth crown portions arranged distally to an area of the anterior tooth crowns.

4. The upper jaw fitting element according to claim 1, wherein the receiving areas comprise a portion arranged palatally adjacent and/or close to or spaced apart from the tooth crowns.

5. The upper jaw fitting element according to claim 1, wherein the upper jaw bite fork is formed at least in the area of the anterior tooth crowns such that gingiva, at least partially vestibule and at least partially labial tooth crown surfaces are concealed.

6. (canceled)

7. The upper jaw fitting element according to claim 1, wherein the upper jaw bite fork is connected with the at least one jaw relation element and/or the upper jaw bite fork and the at least one jaw relation element are integrally formed.

8. The upper jaw fitting element according to claim 1, wherein the at least one jaw relation element is a means for setting a jaw relation and/or a jaw relation movement of a patient.

9. The upper jaw fitting element according to claim 1, wherein the at least one jaw relation element is a means for detecting a jaw relation and/or a jaw relation movement of a patient.

10. The upper jaw fitting element according to claim 1, wherein the open end sections of the upper jaw bite fork and the receiving areas are formed distally flush with each other.

11. The upper jaw fitting element according to claim 1, wherein the open end sections of the upper jaw bite fork and the receiving areas are not formed distally flush with each other.

12. The upper jaw fitting element according to claim 1, wherein the upper jaw bite fork is, in the area of the anterior tooth crowns, in a cranial-caudal direction wider than at the open end sections and tapers along a cranially located upper side.

13. The upper jaw fitting element according to claim 1, wherein the upper jaw bite fork comprises at least one cut-out for receiving the at least one jaw relation element.

14. The upper jaw fitting element according to claim 1, wherein the upper jaw bite fork comprises at least one spacer, in particular an interdental pin, arranged on a surface facing the tooth crowns, which spacer is adapted for aligning the upper jaw bite fork such that between the anterior tooth crowns of the upper jaw and the upper jaw bite fork at least the intermediate space is formed.

15. The upper jaw fitting element according to claim 1, wherein the at least one jaw relation element is arranged buccally on both sides of the upper jaw bite fork.

16. The upper jaw fitting element according to claim 1, wherein the upper jaw bite fork and/or the at least one jaw relation element comprises at least one marking which can be detected by a detection means, in particular an intraoral scanner.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The drawings are to be understood as merely exemplary. They are schematic, not drawn to scale, and each only show the features essential for understanding the present invention. It will be appreciated that there may be further features, as familiar to a person skilled in the art. In the drawings, the same reference numerals designate the same or corresponding elements. In the drawings:

[0048] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an upper jaw fitting element adapted as an upper jaw bite fork with an integrally formed jaw relation element;

[0049] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the upper jaw fitting element according to the invention in a first exemplary embodiment adapted as an upper jaw bite fork with a separately formed jaw relation element and further jaw relation elements for setting a jaw relation;

[0050] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a human skull with the lower jaw in the habitual lower jaw opening position and with the upper jaw fitting element according to the invention in the first embodiment and the jaw relation elements of FIG. 2;

[0051] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of one possible embodiment of the upper jaw fitting element according to the invention with an alternatively formed upper jaw bite fork and the jaw relation elements for setting a jaw relation of FIG. 2;

[0052] FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of one exemplary embodiment of the upper jaw fitting element according to the invention with a separately formed jaw relation element;

[0053] FIG. 6 shows the upper jaw fitting element of FIG. 5, additionally with a buccally arranged jaw relation element;

[0054] FIG. 7 shows a front view of a human skull with the lower jaw in the habitual lower jaw opening position and with the upper jaw fitting element according to the invention in one possible embodiment with buccal jaw relation elements attached thereto on both sides and openings in the anterior tooth area for filling in impression material;

[0055] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of means for setting a jaw relation of a patient;

[0056] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of means for detecting a jaw relation of a patient;

[0057] FIG. 10 shows a side view of a human skull with the lower jaw in the habitual lower jaw opening position and with the upper jaw fitting element according to the invention, a lower jaw fitting element and another exemplary embodiment of means for setting a jaw relation; and

[0058] FIG. 11 shows an illustration of an upper jaw dental arch and a lower jaw dental arch to illustrate the dental scheme.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0059] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an upper jaw fitting element according to the invention adapted as an upper jaw bite fork 5. In the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the upper jaw bite fork 5 is integrally formed with a first jaw relation element 6.

[0060] The upper jaw bite fork 5 of FIG. 1 comprises a dental arc-shaped section 5A having an anterior portion 5A-102 and a posterior portion 5A-103 and two receiving areas 5B arranged at dorsally arranged open end sections of the upper jaw bite fork 5. The receiving areas 5B have a substantially L-shaped cross-section having a first portion 5B-104 arranged buccally to the tooth crowns (see FIG. 11) of an upper jaw 3, and a second portion 5B-105 arranged caudally to the tooth crowns of the upper jaw 3. In this first embodiment, the receiving areas 5B extend substantially in the area of the canine teeth Z23, Z13 and the posterior teeth, i.e., the molars and premolars, Z24 to Z27 and Z14 to Z17, respectively, leaving out an area 9 of the anterior teeth Z12 to Z22, which may also be referred to as incisors Z12 to Z22.

[0061] In the area of the anterior teeth Z12 to Z22, the anterior portion 5A-102 of the upper jaw bite fork 5 extends, separated from the tooth crowns Z12 to Z22 by a gap 5As, also referred to as intermediate space 5As, labially to these tooth crowns and above, i.e., cranially to, their incisal edges in the upper jaw 3. The width of the intermediate space 5As is here predetermined by a spacer 5-101 in the area of the teeth Z11 and Z21 of the upper jaw 3. The spacer 5-101, which may also be referred to as an interdental pin 5-101, is formed on the inner side of the anterior portion 5A-102, i.e., the side facing the tooth crowns Z11, Z21, as an extension in the dorsal direction and with its tip arranged approximally or, if applicable, interdentally between Z11 and Z21. In addition, it serves for the, preferably central, alignment of the upper jaw bite fork 5 on the upper jaw 3.

[0062] The interdental pin 5-101 thus prevents the upper jaw bite fork 5 from tilting and at the same time defines the width of the intermediate space 5As. The anterior portion 5A-102 in the area of the anterior teeth merges, in the canine and posterior teeth area Z13 to Z17 and Z23 to Z27 in the upper jaw 3 (with its gap 5As), rearward, i.e., dorsally, into the posterior portion 5A-103 and extends here labially or buccally and spaced apart, by a gap or intermediate space 5Bs, from the tooth crown surfaces. The posterior portion 5A-103 merges into the downward, i.e., caudally, extending receiving area portion 5B-104, which in turn merges into the horizontally extending portion 5B-105 to rest on, against or close to the occlusal surfaces of these teeth. The width and length of the upper jaw bite fork 5 are ready-made such that it can be used with no or only minor adjustments for the widths and lengths of the dental arch of each subject or patient and can thus be used for all internationally known standard sizes for impression trays.

[0063] In the area of a front, central vertex of the arch of the upper jaw bite fork 5, a first jaw relation element 6, integrally formed with the upper jaw bite fork 5, is arranged. A cut-out 6-100, which serves to receive another jaw relation element, is formed within the jaw relation element 6 (see FIG. 2, FIG. 8 or FIG. 9).

[0064] The upper jaw bite fork portion 5A is guided into the vestibule, i.e., the oral cavity, to such an extent that the upper jaw bite fork 5 is sufficiently fixed by bearing, with impression material in between, on the teeth, or on the teeth and the gingiva of the alveolar process, or these and the vestibule, in particular in the area of the receiving areas 5B.

[0065] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the upper jaw bite fork 5 and the first jaw relation element 6, which substantially correspond to the first embodiment of FIG. 1 but have the first jaw relation element 6 formed separately from the upper jaw bite fork 5. Furthermore, FIG. 2 shows further jaw relation elements 7, 8, which together form means for adjusting a patient's jaw relation.

[0066] The first jaw relation element 6 can be reversibly fixed in a cut-out 5A-100 formed in the upper jaw bite fork 5 by a positive clamping fit. This makes it possible to use an upper jaw bite fork 5 individually adapted to the patient together with a standardized jaw relation element 6. A second jaw relation element 7 is connected to the jaw relation element 6 by means of a cut-out 6-100, and a third jaw relation element 8 is connected to the second jaw relation element 7 by means of a cut-out 7-100. The cut-outs 6-100, 7-100 and the jaw relation elements 7, 8 are formed such that a sufficiently firm connection is formed between the elements 6, 7, 8, however, yet allowing for a displacement in terms of an adjustment in relation to each other for the alignment to the respective jaw relation. Instead of such positive clamping fits, guided fits with locking screws (not shown) and, instead of displacement, gear guidance via knurls (the latter not shown) may also be used, provided that they meet the requirements for an adjustment. It is also conceivable to make the jaw relation elements 6, 7, 8 and the associated cut-outs 6-100, 7-100 cylindrical, i.e., with a round cross-section, in order to be able to, in addition to the relative axial displacement, also rotate them in relation to each other. Furthermore, it is conceivable to connect the jaw relation elements 6, 7, 8 to each other by means of articulated joints, or to provide articulated joints within the jaw relation elements 6, 7, 8, to be able to realize further moving and setting options.

[0067] FIG. 3 shows the first embodiment of the upper jaw fitting element shown in FIG. 2 with the jaw relation elements 6, 7, 8 for setting a jaw relation in a side view when inserted into the mouth of a patient. FIG. 3 schematically shows a human skull 1 in a side view, with a lower jaw 2 in a predetermined habitual lower jaw opening position 2.a in relation to the upper jaw 3. The upper jaw fitting element, adapted as the upper jaw bite fork 5 in the first embodiment of FIG. 2, is arranged on the upper jaw 3. The upper jaw bite fork 5 comprises the first jaw relation element 6, which is formed extending forward, i.e., extending ventrally, as a jaw relation element formed separately from the upper jaw bite fork 5. The second jaw relation element 7, which is formed extending downward, i.e., extending caudally, from the first jaw relation element 6; and the third jaw relation element 8, which is formed extending rearward, i.e., extending dorsally, from the second jaw relation element 7. The jaw relation elements 6, 7, 8 formed separately from the upper jaw bite fork 5 may also be collectively referred to as device 4, which is a means for setting a jaw relation position.

[0068] Together with the upper jaw bite fork 5, the device 4 provides a static lower jaw opening position in the habitual lower jaw opening position 2.a selected as an example, i.e., a support of the lower jaw 2 with respect to the upper jaw 3 (passive method) as an aid to help a human subject hold this lower jaw opening position 2.a. This is possible because the individual elements of the device 4 extending forward from the upper jaw bite fork 5 can be movably adjusted and locked in relation to one another. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the second jaw relation element 7 is, by way of example, in its direction of extension, movably connected to the first jaw relation element 6 (see arrow P1) and arranged transversely to the first jaw relation element 6, and the third jaw relation element 8 is, in its direction of extension, movably connected to the second jaw relation element 7 (see arrow P2) and arranged transversely to the second jaw relation element 7. Furthermore, the third jaw relation element 8 rests on the incisal edge, i.e., the cutting edge, of one or more of the first lower incisors Z32 to Z42 (see FIG. 11).

[0069] The cut-outs in the area 9 of in the upper incisors Z12 to Z21, or in the area of the upper incisors and canine teeth Z13 to Z23, can reduce a bite lock caused by the upper jaw bite fork 5, as described above. If the teeth Z12 to Z21 or Z13 to Z23, which are the longest, were also covered by the upper jaw bite fork 5, the bite lock would be larger and reduce the variations of the jaw relations adjustable by the device.

[0070] Therefore, the device 4 is, among other things, particularly suitable for use in the registration of a particular active lower jaw protrusion for manufacturing mandibular advancement splints (UPS) for the treatment of snoring or nocturnal obstructive respiratory disorders. The UPS are splint systems that rest against the upper jaw tooth crowns and lower jaw tooth crowns, thereby causing an equal or larger bite lock, even when the anterior tooth crowns or the anterior and canine tooth crowns are left out, than when inserting the device 4 with the upper jaw bite fork 5. The device 4 in combination with the upper jaw bite fork 5 may hereinafter also be referred to as means 45. This difference in bite lock between using a UPS and using means 5 leaves at least one such gap between the upper jaw incisal edges and lower jaw incisal edges free for the device 4, through which the third jaw relation element 8 can rest on the incisal edges of the lower incisors Z32 to Z42 and bring the lower jaw 2 into position.

[0071] In addition, the device 4 is, among other things, particularly suitable for use in the manufacture of splints that rest on the upper jaw or the lower jaw in all crown areas, i.e., including all anterior tooth crowns of the corresponding jaw. Such splints are used, for example, in the therapy for temporomandibular joints, jaw musculature, tooth misalignments and jaw fractures.

[0072] Markings 200, e.g., optical markers, (shown as crosses) arranged on the surfaces of the upper jaw bite fork 5 and the device 4 serve to render scanning methods, e.g., by means of optical intraoral scanners, more accurate and/or serve as an electronic measuring system formed as a transmitter/receiver system 200 for metrological determination of the jaw relation, which will be discussed later.

[0073] FIG. 4 shows another possible design of the receiving areas 5B, which is substantially composed of a modification of the portions 5B-104 and 5B-105 of FIG. 2 and comprises further cut-outs in the tooth crown area as well as an additional portion arranged palatally to the tooth crowns.

[0074] The upper jaw fitting element shown in FIG. 4 substantially corresponds to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and differs from FIG. 2 only in that the (from the patient's perspective) right receiving area is formed according to a second embodiment. To illustrate the differences, the (from the patient's perspective) left receiving area is shown according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 2). In practical use, the receiving areas on the upper jaw bite fork 5 are preferably formed according to the same embodiment on both sides.

[0075] The portions 5B-104 and 5B-105 of the receiving area 5B according to the first exemplary embodiment have, according to the second embodiment, a buccally arranged window-like cut-out and are designated by reference signs 5C-106 and 5C-107. Further, the horizontal portion 5C-107 according to the second embodiment is continued by a portion 5C-108 to increase the retention along the palatal crown side of the tooth crowns. Further, the receiving area 5C according to the second embodiment is distally shortened compared to the receiving area 5B according to the first embodiment and does not extend all the way to the end of the tooth row Z17, Z27. The dental arch-shaped portion 5A of the upper jaw bite fork 5 is unaltered compared to the first embodiment, such that a portion 5A-104 of the portion 5A projects distally beyond the distal end of the receiving areas 5C according to the second embodiment. A portion of the lateral and caudal surfaces of the tooth crowns is partially exposed by the cut-out in areas of portions 5C-106 and 5C-107, thereby, in addition to scanning the cut-out tooth crown portions of the anterior teeth or the anterior and canine teeth, also allowing for scanning these lateral and rear cut-out tooth crown portions when the upper jaw bite fork (5) is inserted. This means that the portion 5C-107 of the second embodiment is, in the buccal direction, narrower in the area of the cut-out than the portion 5B-105 of the first embodiment. This enhances the superimposition of different scans. This also improves the scanning accuracy.

[0076] FIG. 5 shows a third exemplary embodiment of the upper jaw fitting element adapted as the upper jaw bite fork 5. Compared to the first and second embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4, the dental arch-shaped section 5A of the upper jaw bite fork 5 is shortened by having the posterior portion 5A-103 distally significantly shortened. The anterior portion 5A-102 is, compared to the previous embodiments, extended both cranially and caudally. To illustrate the difference to the previous embodiments of the upper jaw bite fork 5, a cranial extension 5D-105 and a caudal extension 5D-106 are shown distinct from the anterior portion 5A-103 of the upper jaw bite fork 5. In practice, the upper jaw bite fork comprising the portion 5A-102 and the extensions 5D-105 and 5D-106 is formed in one piece, i.e., integrally. In the embodiment shown here, the cranial extension 5D-105 additionally tapers in the dorsal direction, i.e., backwards, towards the open end sections of the upper jaw bite fork 5. It is also conceivable that the caudal extension 5D-106 is caudally widened towards the receiving areas, and in particular merges, flush with the portion 5C-106, into the portion 5C-107 of the receiving area.

[0077] In the area 9 of the anterior tooth crowns, openings 5D-100 for receiving the first jaw relation element 6 are formed on both sides of the cut-out 5A-100. The openings 5D-100 serve to fill the intermediate space 5As between the labial tooth crown surfaces of the incisors Z12 to Z22 and, if applicable, other teeth such as the canine teeth Z13, Z23, the gingiva adjacent thereto and, if applicable, at least portions of the vestibule and the upper jaw bite fork 5, with impression material after the upper jaw bite fork 5 has been aligned to and positioned on the upper jaw 3.

[0078] To align or position the upper jaw bite fork 5 to/on the upper jaw 3, impression material is first applied to the surfaces of the portions 5C-107 or 5C-108 of the receiving areas facing the tooth crowns, and the upper jaw bite fork 5 is then “roughly”, with the impression material in between, fitted to the teeth in the area of the receiving areas. It is then advantageous if the patient bites down so that the upper jaw bite fork 5 is securely “clamped” between the upper and lower tooth rows and thus fixed in position while the impression material hardens. After the impression material has hardened, the gap 5As, and optionally also the gap 5Bs and/or other adjacent gaps, are filled with impression material from the outside via the openings 5D-100. After this impression material has also hardened, the upper jaw bite fork 5 is sufficiently stably fixed to the upper jaw tooth crowns and the upper jaw alveolar process to reliably prevent it from unintentionally tilting and/or slipping and/or coming off.

[0079] In particular for filling the gap 5Bs and, if applicable, other adjacent gaps, with impression material from the outside, the openings 5D-100 may also be formed closer to the open end sections in the upper jaw bite fork 5, or, as shown in FIG. 5, in addition to the openings 5D-100, further openings 5D-100 may be provided in the posterior tooth area of the upper jaw bite fork 5.

[0080] The cranial and caudal extension 5D-105, 5D-106, in particular of the portion 5A-102, of the upper jaw bite fork 5, increases the contact surface of the upper jaw bite fork 5 according to the previous embodiments such that the upper jaw bite fork 5, with the impression material, filled into the intermediate space 5As from the outside, in between, not only adheres to the upper jaw tooth crowns and parts of the adjacent gingiva but extends beyond the gingiva to the alveolar process in the vestibule. Furthermore, by introducing the impression material subsequently, preferably under pressure, into the intermediate space 5As by filling it in from the outside, it is possible for the impression material to also reach interdental spaces and other void spaces of the vestibule that are difficult to access.

[0081] The distally shortened upper jaw bite fork 5 thus extends less far in the dorsal direction, i.e., rearwards, compared to the previous embodiments, and at least no longer extends over the molars, but ends in the area of the premolars or in the area of the canine teeth. Due to the extensions 5D-105, 5D-106 in the anterior tooth area and to filling the intermediate space 5As as described, the upper jaw bite fork 5 is, despite being shortened, fixed in a sufficiently stable manner to be able to move the jaw relation elements 6, 7, 8 attached to the upper jaw bite fork 5 for setting a jaw relation without the upper jaw bite fork 5 slipping or tilting on the tooth crowns of the upper jaw 3.

[0082] By shortening the upper jaw bite fork 5 (by the posterior portion 5A-103) and optionally tapering the cranial extension 5D-105, the wearing comfort for the patient is improved, since the space available in the distal upper jaw area gradually decreases from ventral to dorsal and is not completely filled by the upper jaw bite fork 5 having this design. This serves in particular to prevent the patient from gagging.

[0083] In addition, the embodiment of the upper jaw bite fork 5 shown in FIG. 5 differs in the design of the receiving areas. As already shown in FIG. 4, to illustrate the differences compared to the receiving areas 5B of the first embodiment, the (from the patient's perspective) left receiving area in FIG. 5 is formed according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 2). The (from the patient's perspective) right receiving area in FIG. 5 is formed according to a third embodiment. As already explained in connection with FIG. 4, in practice, the upper jaw bite fork 5 comprises receiving areas that are preferably formed identically on both sides.

[0084] The receiving area according to the third embodiment substantially corresponds to the receiving area according to the second embodiment (see FIG. 4). The receiving area according to the third embodiment differs from the receiving area according to the second embodiment in that the portion 5C-106 is distally shortened and now only forms a pin-like fastening section which is connected to the portion 5A-103 and/or the extension 5D-106 of the upper jaw bite fork 5. Due to the distally shortened portion 5C-106, the distal connecting section between portions 5C-106 and 5C-107 according to the second embodiment, quasi the distally arranged fastening pin-like portion 5C-106 in FIG. 4, is omitted in the third embodiment, so that the end of the portion 5C-107 of the third embodiment is distally narrowed down to the width in the area of the cut-out according to the second embodiment.

[0085] Thus, not only parts of the occlusal and buccal surfaces of tooth crown portions remain free in the cut-outs of 5C-106 and 5C-107, as shown in FIG. 4, but additional occlusal and buccal tooth crown portions are also exposed through a distal, dorsally open cut-out, as shown in FIG. 5, and can thereby be detected by a detection means.

[0086] The receiving area in the third embodiment thus comprises a substantially L-shaped cross-section formed by the horizontal portion 5C-107 and the vertical portion 5C-108, both extending in the ventral-dorsal direction along the row of teeth. The horizontal portion 5C-107 is caudally applied to, in contact with and/or spaced apart from, the occlusal surfaces of the upper jaw tooth crowns, and the vertical portion 5C-108 extends from the horizontal portion 5C-107 in the cranial direction and palatally to, in contact with and/or spaced apart from, the tooth crowns. The receiving area according to the third embodiment is connected to the dental arch-shaped portion 5A of the upper jaw bite fork 5 via the fastening section 5C-106, as already described.

[0087] The fastening section 5C-106 is, in the cranial direction, formed in a pin-like manner on the distally strongly shortened element 5A-103 of the bite fork 5, so that, compared to the first embodiment and in particular to the second embodiment, a large part of the dorsally extending receiving area comprises no further contact points or fastening points on the portion 5A of the upper jaw bite fork 5. Due to the L-shaped configuration of the receiving areas 5C-107 and 5C-108, the fit of the upper jaw fitting element is secured against horizontal movements. Furthermore, it is conceivable to additionally stabilize the fastening section 5C-106 against mechanical stress by caudally widening the distal area of the portion 5D-106 to an extent that it contacts the portion 5C-107 and thus improves the connection of the receiving areas to the upper jaw bite fork portion 5A in terms of stability and/or rigidity and/or strength.

[0088] Compared to the first, but also to the second embodiment, the third embodiment has thus greatly reduced the distal receiving areas and greatly extended the ventral receiving areas. In the distal receiving areas, this leads to an increased number of exposed crown areas, gingival areas and vestibular areas, which facilitates analog and digital registration and increases the wearing comfort for the patient. In the ventral areas, this leads to an improved retention of the upper jaw fitting element on the teeth and the alveolar process and vestibule and thus on the upper jaw 3.

[0089] In addition, FIG. 5 shows another possible embodiment of the first jaw relation element 6. The jaw relation element 6 according to this embodiment comprises a round cut-out 6-100 for receiving another jaw relation element 7. The second jaw relation element 7, which comprises a mirror-inverted cylindrically formed connecting element, can thus be rotated in relation to the first jaw relation element 6, thus increasing the setting options for setting a jaw relation position by means of the jaw relation elements. In addition, the first jaw relation element 6 comprises a through-hole 6-300 arranged at an angle with respect to the cut-out 6-100 and extending into the cut-out 6-100. The through-hole 6-300 preferably comprises a thread and serves to receive a locking bolt or a locking screw, by means of which the jaw relation element 7 is fixed or secured in the cut-out 6-100.

[0090] FIG. 6 corresponds predominantly to the embodiment of the upper jaw fitting element shown in FIG. 5, but in FIG. 6, an additional jaw relation element 500 is provided. This comprises a substantially horizontal portion 500-1 and a substantially vertical portion 500-2, with the portion 500-1 spacing the portion 500-2 apart from the upper jaw bite fork 5 in the labial direction.

[0091] The jaw relation element 500 comprises several markings 200 that can be detected by a scanner. Such markings 200 are also arranged in the area of portion 5A. One marking 200 arranged or formed on the jaw relation element 500 is sufficient for detecting a jaw relation element 500 by a detection means, in particular by a scanner. Multiple markings 200 may increase the scanning accuracy.

[0092] The jaw relation element 500 serves as an aid for detecting the lower teeth in relation to the upper teeth when the lower teeth are detected by the detection means, for example a scanner, along the exposed upper tooth portions along the upper jaw bite fork 5 via the jaw relation element 500.

[0093] As can be seen in FIG. 7, when the upper jaw bite fork 5 is inserted, the jaw relation elements 500 rest against and/or on and/or close to, and/or are spaced apart from, the lower teeth so that the lower teeth are free to move in all directions in relation to the jaw relation elements 500. With increasing opening of the mouth, the position of the upper jaw bite fork 5 can, due to the limited detection range of the detection unit, in particular an intraoral scanner, no longer be detected together with the upper teeth and the lower teeth in one scan pass. Thus, the upper jaw bite fork 5 and the upper teeth are first scanned together with the jaw relation element 500. In a second scan pass, the lower teeth are then detected together with the jaw relation element 500. In a third step, these two scans are superimposed so that the correct jaw relation position can be determined using the jaw relation elements 500. The jaw relation can also be detected in one continuous scan pass, without superimposing the scan data, by detecting the upper teeth and the upper jaw bite fork 5 together with the jaw relation elements 500 and then during the same scan pass, detecting the lower teeth together with the jaw relation elements 500.

[0094] FIG. 8 shows another exemplary embodiment of means 4 for setting a jaw relation position. Here, a peg 7-101 of the jaw relation element 7 is inserted into the cut-out 6-100 of the jaw relation element 6 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 and is fixed by means of a positive clamping fit. Alternatively, the peg 7-101 may also have a cylindrical shape and be inserted into the cut-out 6-100 of the jaw relation element 6 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 and be fixed thereto. The cylindrical shape of the peg 7-101 allows for additional rotation with respect to the jaw relation element 6, which is not possible with the peg 7-101 as shown in FIG. 8.

[0095] The jaw relation member 7 is formed in a step-like manner and comprises a portion 7-102 that is higher than a second portion 7-103. The jaw relation member 8 is movably received in a cut-out 7-100 of the jaw relation member 7, which is formed as a through-hole in the portion 7-102, and is in the portion 7-102 fixed in a position relative to the jaw relation member 7 by a locking screw 7-300. The cut-out 7-100 is formed such that the jaw relation element 8, when inserted into and protruding through the cut-out 7-100, slides on, or is arranged spaced apart from, an upper surface of the portion 7-103. Thus, the jaw relation element 8 is positioned relative to the jaw relation element 7 such as to set the correct horizontal jaw relation position or jaw protrusion relation.

[0096] Optionally, a scale 7-104, for example in millimeter steps, may be provided on the portion 7-103 of the jaw relation element 7 the jaw relation element 8 slides on. The scale thus allows for a horizontal orientation, which the initial and final positions of the protrusion settings can be compared to.

[0097] FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of a jaw relation element 7, which is adapted as a means for detecting jaw relation data, for example in the form of a scanner. The jaw relation element 7 comprises a detection element or registration unit 7-400, which can be inserted into the cut-out 6-100 of the jaw relation element 6 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 via a peg 7-101 by means of a clamping fit. Here, too, as already described in connection with FIG. 8, it is possible to make the peg 7-101 cylindrical and to insert it into the cut-out 6-100 of the jaw relation element 6 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 and to fix it with a locking screw.

[0098] The detection element 7-400 registers, by means of an optical method or other method, for example with high frequency, laser or ultrasound, the position of at least the lower teeth or portions thereof for determining the jaw relation position between the upper jaw 3 and the lower jaw 2.

[0099] FIG. 10 shows an exemplary application for the upper jaw bite fork 5 according to the invention. Here, the upper jaw bite fork 5 is, via the first jaw relation element 6, connected to a motor 20. Furthermore, a lower jaw bite fork 21, for example a paraocclusional bite fork, is also connected to the motor 20 via a jaw relation element 80. The motor 20 is externally controllable and serves to set the jaw relation position—in the example shown here, a lower jaw protrusion position 2.b of the lower jaw 2. Thus, the motor 20 can be regarded as a means for setting the jaw relation position which allows for a motor-controlled, automatable setting of the jaw relation position.