Patent ID: 8070489
Filing Date: 2011-12-06
Classification: A61C

Abstract:
1. An integrated modular dental measuring apparatus, comprising: a lower dental tray having a rigid, preformed, upwardly extending, elongate ridge running along a top surface, wherein said ridge having preformed periodic gaps at predetermined locations, said lower dental tray having a border positioned along a terminal end of the periphery of the lower dental tray, said border being substantially annular in shape and having a predetermined diameter slightly greater than the thickness of the lower dental tray; a contact plate with outwardly extending tabs sized and spaced such that said tabs fit within said gaps in said ridge of said lower dental tray and allow said contact plate to snap onto said lower dental tray; a tapered, generally spherical opening through said contact plate; a generally spherical ball nut rotatably retained in said tapered opening through said contact plate, said ball nut having a cylindrical bore through a diameter thereof; a threaded post adjustably secured in said cylindrical bore of said ball nut, said post having an upper length and a lower length that extend beyond said ball nut; an upper dental tray having a rigid, preformed, downwardly extending, elongate ridge running along a bottom surface, said ridge having preformed periodic gaps at predetermined locations, said upper dental tray having a border positioned along a terminal end of the periphery of the upper dental tray, said border being substantially annular in shape and having a predetermined diameter slightly greater than the thickness of the upper dental tray, said upper dental tray having a plurality of body openings at predetermined locations; and a striking plate with outwardly extending tabs sized and spaced such that said tabs fit within said gaps in said ridge of said upper dental tray and allow said striking plate to snap onto said upper dental tray; and wherein the combination of said contact plate, said ball nut, and said post with said striking plate cooperate to obtain occlusal vertical dimension, centric relation position, and other dental measurements.