A dowel pin locator assembly comprising a U-shaped base member having a race and anchoring members is placed so that the anchoring members are imbedded in the dental stone poured into the negative impression of a conventional impression tray. The race is left exposed, and after the dental stone has set, the positive model formed by the dental stone is separated from the negative impression. The race provides a snug fit with the head of a dowel pin, which is slideably positioned into the race so as to be in proper position for the ground-down tooth, requiring restoration. The head of the dowel pin cover is then bonded to the floor of the race and to the walls. The dowel pin projects upwardly through a slot in the race and is fitted with a dowel pin shank cover containing a central bore through which the shank projects. A full arch cover fits over the race member and the walls of the full race cover provides a snug fit for the dowel shank cover which is then locked into position by means of clips. Thereafter, the appropriate portions of the positive model are marked and the sections are sawed out through the slot portion of the U-shaped base member, so that the segment of the positive model and the U-shaped member containing the projecting shank can be removed and accurately relocated in the center of the model for the dental restoration work.
Disclosed is a base plate assembly for use in mounting a die-stone dental replica, the assembly including a base plate that has a configuration commensurate with at least one dental quadrant, and having a planar upper surface characterized by an array of transverse elongate rectangular sockets. A plurality of mounting blocks are assembled in side-by-side relationship along the plate planar surface, each block having a downward projection adapted to frictionally and releasably hold the block on the base plate, and extending from the tops of the blocks are anchoring tabs designed to be embedded in the wet positive mold of a dental impression and affixed therein when the mold material cures. In a preferred embodiment, the base plate has a modular configuration and is interconnectable with an identical modular unit to form a combined base plate having a configuration commensurate with full bilateral upper or lower dental quadrants.
A personal memento is provided, in which a fallen-off milk tooth is fitted to a decorative article such as an animal toy, an imitation plant, a doll or the like. The milk tooth is incorporated into the overall scope of design of the decorative article to be displayed integral therewith.
A dental model die ejector tool is designed to loosen the individual model dies mounted on a model base with a tapered dowel pin extending through the base, but at the same time not to lift them for any substantial distance. In turn, that loosening step allows for further easy separation of all the model dies with a wax cast as a single unit from the model base for further individual removal of the model dies. At one end, the model die ejector contains a pushing rod equipped with an ejector shank having a length of less than 1 mm and preferably about 0.1 mm for pushing the dowel pin upwardly in the corresponding sleeve for a short distance equal to the length of the shank so that the wax cast is not disturbed but the dowel pin is loosened. On the other end, the die ejector contains another pushing rod with an ejector cavity for loosening another commonly used type of a dowel pin extending from its sleeve after the removal of a protective cap. The depth of the cavity is sufficient to loosen the dowel pin while using the die ejector but not to lift it thus preventing any potential distortion of the wax cast.
A dental model and articulation system are disclosed. The dental model comprises cast mold material formed around an elongate pin or rod. A longitudinal, tapered pin or rod is embedded in the model during pouring of the casting material. The pin or rod extends longitudinally through the base of the model beneath the teeth impressions of the model. The longitudinal axis of the pin or rod lies in general parallel alignment with the line of teeth in the model. The pin or rod can be removed from the model, and the model can be cut into several sections or dies. These sections or dies can then be reassembled back on the pin or rod in the precise, true relationship that existed in the model prior to the model being cut into sections. The extending ends of the pins or rods can be removably attached to a flexible member such that models of the upper teeth and lower teeth of a person's jaws can be moved in lateral or protrusive movement and back to centric occlusion.
A technique for creating "universally" calibrated dental articulators includes using a replica which simulates upper and lower dental models of a patient to properly align mounting plates to an articulator. The mounting plates are releasably attached to the replica before upper and lower frame members of the articulator are closed about the replica and fixed to the mounting plates. The replica is then detached from the mounting plates and used to form additional articulators identically calibrated with mounting plates. Base plates releasably attachable to the mounting plates are then used to form and mount the dental models. A first base plate is fixed to a first dental model and is then releasably attached to a mounting plate on the articulator. A second base plate is then releasably attached to the opposing mounting plate on the articulator. A second dental model is then either formed on or attached to the second base plate so that the first and second dental models are properly aligned when the upper and lower frame members of the articulator are closed. Once the upper and lower dental models have been formed on the calibrated articulator, the base plates fixed to the dental models may be removed from the mounting plates and transferred to another "universally" calibrated articulator while maintaining proper alignment between the upper and lower models.
