Elastically Deformable Bite Fork Stabilizer and Associated Methods

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for stabilizing a bite fork in a patient's mouth. The apparatus may comprise an elastically deformable bite fork stabilizer. The elastically deformable bite fork stabilizer may comprise an elastically deformable layer, an adhesive layer on one side of the elastically deformable layer, and a removable layer adhered to the adhesive layer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for use in recording a maxillary-arch relationship of a patient's teeth, comprising:
 a bite fork; and   an impressionable material coupled to a top surface of the bite fork; and   a bite fork stabilizer that is elastically deformable and is coupled to a bottom surface of the bite fork, wherein the bite fork stabilizer is generally u-shaped having a first leg and a second leg, and wherein the bite fork stabilizer comprises:
 an elastically deformable foam layer that is generally u-shaped and has a thickness of about 4 mm to about 13 mm; and 
 an adhesive layer disposed between the elastically deformable foam layer and the bite fork, wherein the adhesive layer comprises adhesive tape adhering the bite fork stabilizer to the bite fork. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the impressionable material comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of a molding compound, a denture compound, a modeling compound, a zinc oxide eugenol paste, a silicon, a plastic, a wax, and a resin. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a dental impression pad is coupled to a top surface of the bite fork, wherein the dental impression pad comprises a backing strip, the impressionable material on one side of the backing strip, and an adhesive on another side of the backing strip. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elastically deformable foam layer comprises a polyethylene foam. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elastically deformable foam layer comprises an open cell foam. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a second bite fork stabilizer that is elastically deformable is coupled to the bite fork stabilizer coupled to the bottom surface of the bite fork. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein two or more additional bite fork stabilizers are spaced on the bottom surface of the bite fork. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first leg and the second leg each has a width in the range of about 10 mm to about 30 mm. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for use in recording a maxillary-arch relationship of a patient's teeth, comprising:
 a bite fork in the form of a plate in a general shape of a row of teeth; and   an impressionable material coupled to a top surface of the bite fork; and   a bite fork stabilizer that is elastically deformable and coupled to a bottom surface of the bite fork, wherein the bite fork stabilizer is generally u-shaped having a first leg and a second leg, and wherein the bite fork stabilizer consists of:
 an elastically deformable foam layer that is generally u-shaped and has a thickness of about 4 mm to about 13 mm, wherein the elastically deformable layer comprises an open cell polyethylene foam; and 
 an adhesive layer disposed between the elastically deformable foam layer and the bite fork, wherein the adhesive layer comprises adhesive tape adhering the bite fork stabilizer to the bite fork. 
   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the impressionable material comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of a molding compound, a denture compound, a modeling compound, a zinc oxide eugenol paste, a silicon, a plastic, a wax, and a resin. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein a dental impression pad is coupled to a top surface of the bite fork, wherein the dental impression pad comprises a backing strip, the impressionable material on one side of the backing strip, and an adhesive on another side of the backing strip. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the first leg and the second leg each has a width in the range of about 10 mm to about 30 mm. 
     
     
         13 . A method of stabilizing a bite fork, comprising:
 coupling an impressionable material to a top surface of the bite fork coupling a bite fork stabilizer to a bottom surface of the bite fork, wherein the bite fork stabilizer is elastically deformable, wherein the bite fork stabilizer is generally u-shaped having a first leg and a second leg, and wherein the bite fork stabilizer comprises:   an elastically deformable foam layer that is generally u-shaped and has a thickness of about 4 mm to about 13 mm; and   an adhesive layer disposed between the elastically deformable foam layer and the bite fork, wherein the adhesive layer comprises adhesive tape adhering the bite fork stabilizer to the bite fork.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the bite fork is in the form of a plate in a general shape of a row of teeth. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising coupling one or more additional bite fork stabilizers to the bite fork stabilizer coupled to the bite fork. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising modifying the bite fork stabilizer prior to the step of coupling the bite fork stabilizer to the bottom surface the bite fork, wherein the modifying comprises removing one or more portions of the bite fork stabilizer. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising instructing a patient to bite down on the bite fork.