Tooth model occlusion testing device

• US 20040131990A1
• Filed: 01/07/2003
• Published: 07/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jerry W. Doviack
• Original Assignee: Jerry W. Doviack
• Inventors: Doviack, Jerry W.
• Granted Patent: US 6,869,281 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 11/02 characterised by the arrangement, location or type of the hinge means ; Articulators with pivots
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 11/06 with incisal guide
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 9/002 Means or methods for correctly replacing a dental model, e.g. dowel pins; Dowel pin positioning means or methods

Abstract

A tooth model occlusion testing device comprises an upper jaw and a lower jaw that pivotally connect to each other. Two tooth model bases are respectively received in the upper and lower jaws, and are provided with a plurality of perforations to insert a tooth model. The upper and lower jaws are thereby capable of turning to an open and occluding position to evaluate the alignment of the upper and lower parts of the tooth model in the occluding position.

Claims

1. A tooth model occlusion testing device, used to test the alignment of an upper part and a lower part of a tooth model in an occlusion configuration, the testing device comprising:

an upper jaw, including a first placement cavity where is received the upper part of the tooth model, one side of the upper jaw terminating in a first arm that has a first hinge (13); and

a lower jaw, including a second placement cavity where is received the lower part of the tooth model, one side of the lower jaw terminating in a second arm that has a second hinge, the upper and lower jaws pivotally connecting to each other via the first and second hinges, thereby the upper and lower jaws are capable of turning to an open and occluding position to evaluate the alignment of the upper and lower parts of the tooth model in the occluding position.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower jaws at a same side of the first and second hinges further respectively include first and second abutments for relatively positioning the upper and lower jaws in the open and occluding positions.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower jaws at a same side of the first and second hinges further respectively include retainer projections on which is securely held a resilient element.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the resilient element is provided with resilient characteristics that allow to securely fasten the upper and lower jaws in the open and occluding positions.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower jaws at a side opposite to that of the first and second arms are respectively provided with a positioning rod and a positioning finger that abut against each other when the upper and lower jaws are in the occluding position.

6. A tooth model occlusion testing device, used to test the alignment of an upper part and a lower part of a tooth model in an occlusion configuration, the testing device comprising:

an upper jaw, including a first placement cavity, one side of the upper jaw terminating in a first arm that has a first hinge;

a lower jaw, including a second placement cavity, one side of the lower jaw terminating in a second arm that has a second hinge, the upper and lower jaws pivotally connecting to each other via the first and second hinges; and

two tooth model bases, respectively received in the first and second placement cavities, the tooth model bases respectively including a plurality of perforations to respectively insert the first and second parts of the tooth model, thereby the upper and lower jaws are capable of turning to an open and occluding position to evaluate the alignment of the upper and lower parts of the tooth model in the occluding position.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein an inner sidewall of each of the first and second placement cavities and each of the tooth model bases are further respectively provided with corresponding projections and recessed portions to adequately position the tooth model bases in the first and second placement cavities.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the tooth model bases are integrated in a single thin insert.

9. A tooth model occlusion testing device, used to test the alignment of an upper part and a lower part of a tooth model in an occlusion configuration, the testing device comprising:

an upper jaw, including a first placement cavity, one side of the upper jaw terminating in a first arm that has a first hinge;

a lower jaw, including a second placement cavity, one side of the lower jaw terminating in a second arm that has a second hinge, the upper and lower jaws pivotally connecting to each other via the first and second hinges;

two tooth model bases, respectively received in the first and second placement cavities, the tooth model bases respectively including a plurality of perforations to respectively insert the first and second parts of the tooth model; and

a plurality of transparent films, respectively adhered on the tooth model bases, the transparent films being marked with central reference indicator lines and front and rear direction indicator lines, thereby the upper and lower jaws are capable of turning to an open and occluding position to evaluate the alignment of the upper and lower parts of the tooth model in the occluding position.