Patent ID: 7835811
Filing Date: 2010-11-16
Classification: A61C,B33Y,G16H,G16Z

Abstract:
1. A method of aligning a patient's bite position, comprising: generating a virtual model of an upper jaw with upper teeth and a lower jaw with lower teeth of a patient; creating a virtual index between the upper teeth and the lower teeth, the virtual index having indentations shaped to fit the upper teeth and lower teeth of the patient, and indicating a bite position of the lower jaw relative to the upper jaw of the virtual model; manufacturing an actual index based on data of the virtual index; arranging the actual index in place on at least one tooth of the actual upper or lower teeth in the patient's mouth; affixing impression copings to the actual index, the impression copings identifying positions of in-place dental implants; and tracking a bite position of the actual lower jaw relative to the upper jaw using the impression copings and the actual index.