Method and Apparatus for Dental Articulation

Abstract

This invention relates to improved methods and apparatus for recording and simulating the condylar movement of an individual. This invention also provides a digital dental articulator method 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 restorations or “dentures” and for the development of an orthodontic treatment plan.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for preparing a dental appliance for a dental patient by using a computer with a program that includes a digital dental articulator apparatus, comprising the steps of:
 creating a digital model of the patient's upper and lower teeth;   using the computer for digitally mounting the model in the digital dental articulator;   using the computer for calculating, utilizing a pre-characterized set of rims, guiding surfaces of the patient's temporomandibular joints by using occlusal wear surfaces between the patient's upper and lower teeth; and   preparing the dental appliance by using the calculated guiding surfaces of the patient's temporomandibular joints.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-characterized set of rims is Eric's Rims. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , where the step of calculating the guiding surfaces comprises scanning a physical model of the teeth to create the digital image. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of calculating the guiding surfaces comprises using an intraoral scan of the models of the upper and lower teeth. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the dental appliance comprises a bridge, crown, full arch, braces or any apparatus for adjusting the teeth. 
     
     
         6 . A system for preparing a dental appliance for a dental patient comprising:
 a computer programmed with a model of a dental articulator apparatus, the computer further programmed to create a digital model of the patient's upper and lower teeth and to digitally mount the digital model of the patient's upper and lower teeth in the digital dental articulator, wherein the computer calculates, utilizing a pre-characterized set of rims, guiding surfaces of the patient's temporomandibular joints by using occlusal wear surfaces between the patient's upper and lower teeth such that the dental appliance can be created using the calculated guiding surfaces of the patient's temporomandibular joints.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein calculating the guiding surfaces comprises:
 creating a physical model of the teeth;   scanning the physical model to create a digital image of the model; and   calculating the guiding surfaces using the scanned model.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the digital model of the patient's upper and lower teeth is created by using an intraoral scan of the models of the upper and lower teeth and generating the digital model of the teeth. 
     
     
         9 . A method for preparing a dental appliance comprising:
 scanning a model of a patient's dental arch;   identifying wear surfaces using the model dental arch;   calculating temporomandibular joint (TMJ) wear surfaces utilizing a pre-characterized set of rims and the wear surfaces in the model dental arch;   creating preparation guides for a dental appliance to be manufactured; and   sending the preparation guides to a milling center and a dentist.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the pre-characterized set of rims is Eric's Rims. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , where the step of calculating the guiding surfaces comprises scanning a physical model of the teeth to create the digital image. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of calculating the guiding surfaces comprises using an intraoral scan of the models of the upper and lower teeth. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the dental appliance comprises a bridge, crown, full arch, braces or any apparatus for adjusting the teeth. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein calculating the guiding surfaces comprises:
 creating a physical model of the teeth;   scanning the physical model to create a digital image of the model; and   calculating the guiding surfaces using the scanned model.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the digital model of the patient's upper and lower teeth is created by using an intraoral scan of the models of the upper and lower teeth and generating the digital model of the teeth.