Dental modeling methods

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 capable of mounting a mold of a person's teeth. 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 method of creating a dental model from a mold of a person's teeth using a dental model pouring jig, the pouring jig comprising a base member, a model base support member mounted to the base member, and a mold support member mounted to the base member, the method comprising:
 supporting the mold with the mold support member;   supporting a dental model base with the model base support member;   adjusting the mold support member relative to the base member and relative to the model base support member to align the mold with the dental model base;   filling the mold with a model forming material;   engaging the dental model base with the model forming material;   curing the model forming material to form a dental model; and   removing the dental model base from the model base support member with the dental model mounted to the dental model base.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mold support member comprises a mold platform configured to support the mold. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein adjusting the mold support member relative to the model base support member comprises releasing a locking mechanism, adjusting a position of the mold support member relative to the model base support member, and locking the locking mechanism. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein adjusting the mold support member relative to the model base support member comprises pivoting the mold platform about a pivot point. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the model base support member comprises first and second portions, the first portion being pivotal about a pivot axis to adjust a position of the dental model base relative to the mold support member. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the model base support member includes a generally vertically oriented stand and an elongate arm that is mounted to the stand, the elongate arm being pivotable between a first position and a second position. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the elongate arm in the first position the elongate arm is oriented in a first horizontal orientation with the dental model base positioned adjacent the mold, and in the second position the elongate arm is oriented in a second horizontal position with the dental model base positioned removed from the mold. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising before the step of supporting a dental model base with the model base support member:
 supporting a pin locator with the model base support member;   aligning pins of the pin locator with predetermined teeth impressions in the mold; and   removing the pin locator from the model base support member.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein supporting a dental model base with the model base support member includes mounting the dental model base to the model base support member with a ball and socket connection. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein adjusting the mold support member relative to the model base support member includes moving a portion of the mold support member vertically between raised and lowered positions. 
   
   
       11 . A method of forming a dental model with a pouring jig and a mold of at least one tooth, the pouring jig comprising a base member, a model base support member, and a mold support member, the mold support member including a stand portion and a platform, the platform supported on the stand portion, the method comprising:
 supporting the mold with the mold platform;   supporting a dental model base with the model base support member;   adjusting a position of the stand portion and platform of the mold support member relative to the base member;   adjusting a position of the platform relative to the model base support member while maintaining a position of the stand portion relative to the base member; and   forming a model of the at least one tooth on the dental model base.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein forming the model of the at least one tooth includes filling the mold with a curable material, engaging the dental model base with the curable material, and curing the curable material. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising before the step of supporting the dental model base with the model base support member:
 supporting a pin locator with the model base support member;   aligning at least one alignment pin of the pin locator with the mold of the at least one tooth; and   removing the pin locator from the model base support member.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising adjusting a position of a portion of the model base support member relative to the base member and relative to the mold support member to move the dental model base from a first position removed from the mold and a second position adjacent to the mold. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein adjusting a position of the mold support member relative to the model base support member comprises pivoting the mold platform about a pivot point. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein adjusting a position of the mold support member includes releasing a locking mechanism, adjusting a position of the stand portion in a plane parallel to a planar support surface of the model base support member, and locking the locking mechanism. 
   
   
       17 . A method of forming a dental model using a pouring jig and a mold of at least one tooth, the pouring jig comprising a base member, a model base support member, and a mold support member, the method comprising:
 supporting the mold with the mold support member;   supporting a dental model base with the model base support member;   adjusting a portion of the mold support member vertically between raised and lowered positions relative to the base member and relative to the model base support member to align the dental model base with the mold; and   forming a model of the at least one tooth on the dental model base.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the mold support member is adjustable in translation motion within a plane parallel to a top surface of the base member, and a pivot motion about a pivot point. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the mold support member includes a mold platform and a support post, the mold platform being configured to support the mold and being adjustable relative to the post to provide adjustability of the mold support member vertically between raised and lowered positions. 
   
   
       20 . A method of creating a dental model from a mold of a person's teeth using a dental model pouring jig, the dental model pouring jig comprising a base member, a model base support member mounted on the base member, and a mold support member mounted to the base member, the model base support member including a stand and an elongate arm that is pivotally mounted to the stand, the method comprising the steps of:
 supporting mold with the mold support member;   mounting a dental model base to the elongate arm;   filling the mold with a model forming material; and   pivoting the elongate arm from a first position wherein the dental model base is removed from the mold to a second position wherein the dental model base is positioned adjacent to the mold and in engagement with the model forming material   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising adjusting the mold support member relative to the base member and the model base support member. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 curing the model forming material;   separating the mold from the model forming material; and   removing the dental model base from the elongate arm.   
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising adjusting a portion of the mold support member vertically between raised and lowered positions to adjust a position of the mold relative to the base member and the model base support member.