Patent ID: 6152730
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: A61C

Abstract:
A bite registration method for determining a centric relationship of a patient's mandibular and maxillary arches, each arch including natural teeth protruding from the patient's gumline in a generally U-shape arrangement, the method comprising:fitting a first base plate to the patient's maxillary arch, the first base plate including a Gothic-arch tracing table;forming a two-part second base plate to fit the patient's mandibular arch, the second base plate comprising first and second movably-interconnected members and a Gothic-arch tracing stylus;shaping the first and second members of the second base plate to fit into undercut areas adjoining a junction of the natural teeth and the gumline of the mandible;positioning the first and second members of the second base plate laterally to engage within the undercut areas on opposite sides of the patient's mandibular arch, thereby securing the second base plate to the mandibular arch while leaving occlusal surfaces of the patient's natural teeth exposed;moving the patient's mandible relative to the maxilla to effect relative movement of the base plates and the Gothic-arch tracing table and stylus carried by the base plates to make a Gothic arch tracing which locates the centric relationship of the patient's mandible and maxilla.