Dental Model Pouring Jig

Abstract

The dental model pouring jig of the present invention includes a base member that supports a model base support member and a mold support member. The model base support member is secured to the base member and is capable of mounting a dental model base. The mold support member is adjustably secured to the base member and includes a mold platform that is capable of mounting a mold of a person's teeth. At least a portion of the mold platform is configured to be easily detached and reattached to the mold support member. The mold support member is adjustable relative to the model base support member to properly position the mold adjacent the dental model base.

1 . A dental model pouring jig, comprising: 
 a mold support member having a mold platform with a mold mounting surface and a stand portion supporting the mold platform, the mold mounting surface being configured to mount a dental mold using a curable material distinct from the mold platform, wherein at least a portion of the mold platform is detachable from the stand portion.    
   
   
       2 . The dental model pouring jig of  claim 1 , wherein the mold platform includes at least two separate pieces.  
   
   
       3 . The dental model pouring jig of  claim 2 , wherein a first piece is fixed to the stand portion, and a second piece is detachably mounted to the first piece.  
   
   
       4 . The dental model pouring jig of  claim 2 , wherein the first piece includes a recessed portion, and the second piece includes a protrusion configured to engage the recessed portion of the first piece in an interference fit.  
   
   
       5 . The dental model pouring jig of  claim 3 , wherein the second piece is disposable.  
   
   
       6 . The dental model pouring jig of  claim 1 , further comprising a model base support member configured to position a dental model base adjacent the dental mold when the dental mold is supported by the mold platform.  
   
   
       7 . The dental model pouring jig of  claim 6 , wherein the mold support member is adjustable to alter a position of the dental mold relative to the dental model.  
   
   
       8 . The dental model pouring jig of  claim 1 , wherein the curable material is an adhesive.  
   
   
       9 . The dental model pouring jig of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second pieces each include alignment features that engage alignment features of an opposed piece to align the first and second piece together.  
   
   
       10 . The dental model pouring jig of  claim 3 , wherein the second piece includes an outer wall that defines a cavity, the cavity being sized to enclose the first piece.  
   
   
       11 . A dental model pouring jig, comprising: 
 a base;    a dental model support member supported on the base, the dental model support member configured to detachably mount a dental model base; and    a dental mold support member supported on the base, the dental mold support member having a mold platform and a stand portion, the mold platform including first and second portions, the stand portion having a first end mounted to the base and a second end configured to support the first portion of the mold platform, the second portion of the mold platform being detachably mounted to the first portion of the mold platform and defining a mold mounting surface, the mold mounting surface configured to support a dental mold.    
   
   
       12 . The dental model pouring jig of  claim 11 , wherein the mold mounting surface is configured to mount the dental mold using a connecting material.  
   
   
       13 . The dental model pouring jig of  claim 11 , wherein the first portion of the mold platform is fixed to the stand portion, and the second portion of the mold platform is detachably mounted to an upward facing surface of the first portion of the mold platform.  
   
   
       14 . The dental model pouring jig of  claim 11 , wherein the first portion of the mold platform includes a recessed portion, and the second portion of the mold platform includes a protrusion configured to engage the recessed portion of the first portion of the mold platform.  
   
   
       15 . The dental model pouring jig of  claim 11 , wherein the second portion of the mold platform is configured as a disposable member.  
   
   
       16 . The dental model pouring jig of  claim 11 , wherein the model base support member is configured to position the dental model base adjacent the dental mold when the dental mold is supported by the mold platform.  
   
   
       17 . The dental model pouring jig of  claim 11 , wherein the mold support member is adjustable to alter a position of the dental mold relative to the dental model.  
   
   
       18 . The dental model pouring jig of  claim 12 , wherein the connecting material is an adhesive.  
   
   
       19 . The dental model pouring jig of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second portions of the mold platform each include alignment features that engage alignment features that align the first and second portions of the mold platform relative to each other.  
   
   
       20 . The dental model pouring jig of  claim 13 , wherein the second portion of the mold platform includes a periphery structure that defines a cavity, the cavity sized to enclose at least a portion of the first portion of the mold platform.