An articulator having a maxillary member and a mandibular member, which are connected to each other via condylar articulations, wherein a maxillary adaptor is attachable or attached at the maxillary member and a mandibular adaptor at the mandibular member, wherein a maxillary alignment member especially is form-fittingly connected to the maxillary adaptor and a mandibular alignment member is especially form-fittingly connected with the mandibular adaptor, and wherein the alignment members are automatically alignable to each other and comprising scanning members, by means of which the arrangement of alignment members and adaptors is scannable in a scanner and especially the relative position thereof moreover is detectable in relation to the articulator via the scanner.

An improvement in an articulation system for use in forming a dental model which includes a ridged first leg and a second leg which is formed in the shape of a flat plate having sufficient thickness to be substantially rigid but which also allows limited torsional movement or bending about its longitudinal length as well as limited flexing about its longitudinal length.

An improvement in an articulation system for use in forming a dental model which includes a ridged first leg and a second leg which is formed in the shape of a flat plate having sufficient thickness to be substantially rigid but which also allows limited torsional movement or bending about its longitudinal length as well as limited flexing about its longitudinal length.

An apparatus and system is disclosed for dental modeling. The apparatus includes a first tray positioned opposite a second tray and a dearticulating hinge coupling the first tray to the second tray. The dearticulating hinge includes a first hinging element coupled to one of the first tray and the second tray and a second hinging element coupled to the other of the first tray and the second tray. At least one of the first hinging element and the second hinging element includes a disengaging element configured to engage a spur to uncouple the first hinging element from the second hinging element upon extending the first tray and the second tray beyond a predefined angle relative to one another.

An apparatus and system is disclosed for dental modeling. The apparatus includes a first tray positioned opposite a second tray and a dearticulating hinge coupling the first tray to the second tray. The dearticulating hinge includes a first hinging element coupled to one of the first tray and the second tray and a second hinging element coupled to the other of the first tray and the second tray. At least one of the first hinging element and the second hinging element includes a disengaging element configured to engage a spur to uncouple the first hinging element from the second hinging element upon extending the first tray and the second tray beyond a predefined angle relative to one another.

A clutch apparatus includes a mandibular clutch device and a maxillary clutch device. The mandibular clutch device includes a mandibular clutch configured to be affixed to mandibular teeth, a mandibular face bow connected to the mandibular clutch, and first and second collimated light sources connected to the mandibular face bow. The maxillary clutch device includes a maxillary clutch configured to be affixed to maxillary teeth, a maxillary face bow connected to the maxillary clutch, and first and second position-sensitive diodes (PSDs) connected to the maxillary face bow. Each of the mandibular and maxillary face bow is selectively adjustable to position the first and second light sources and the first and second PSDs in a plurality of positions. In an example, the mandibular and maxillary face bow are selectively adjustable to position the first and second light sources and the first and second PSDs proximate right and left bicuspid regions or proximate the actual physiologic axis of rotation of the mandible.

A clutch apparatus includes a mandibular clutch device and a maxillary clutch device. The mandibular clutch device includes a mandibular clutch configured to be affixed to mandibular teeth, a mandibular face bow connected to the mandibular clutch, and first and second collimated light sources connected to the mandibular face bow. The maxillary clutch device includes a maxillary clutch configured to be affixed to maxillary teeth, a maxillary face bow connected to the maxillary clutch, and first and second position-sensitive diodes (PSDs) connected to the maxillary face bow. Each of the mandibular and maxillary face bow is selectively adjustable to position the first and second light sources and the first and second PSDs in a plurality of positions. In an example, the mandibular and maxillary face bow are selectively adjustable to position the first and second light sources and the first and second PSDs proximate right and left bicuspid regions or proximate the actual physiologic axis of rotation of the mandible.

The present invention is concerned with an apparatus for simulating the chewing process for the purpose of testing dental materials and implants and for the purpose of analyzing food samples. The apparatus comprises a frame, a stationary platform connected compliantly to the said frame and a moving platform corresponding to the maxillae and mandible of humans or animals, to which dentures or teeth are affixed. The moving platform is guided and driven in mandibular motion using six rods fitted with spherical joints at both ends. Said ball-jointed rods are attached with one end to the moving platform, and with the other end either to the frame of the apparatus, or to rotary cranks driven synchronously by a motor via a transmission. The rotary cranks together with their motor and transmission are mounted on a carrier which is adjustably attached to the frame of the apparatus. To closely reproduce a desired mandibular motion, the locations of the spherical joints to the frame, the position and orientation of the carrier relative to the frame, and the lengths of the rotary cranks and of the ball-jointed rods are suitably adjusted.

An animal dentistry apparatus is provided and comprises a jaw assembly. The jaw assembly comprises a lower jaw and an upper jaw, and is configured such that the lower jaw and the upper jaw can move apart and together in a mastication action. The upper and lower jaw comprise at least one tooth. The apparatus further comprises a means, such as a motor, to effect the mastication action. The animal dentistry apparatus may be used to assess a chewable product, and such methods are also provided.

An animal dentistry apparatus is provided and comprises a jaw assembly. The jaw assembly comprises a lower jaw and an upper jaw, and is configured such that the lower jaw and the upper jaw can move apart and together in a mastication action. The upper and lower jaw comprise at least one tooth. The apparatus further comprises a means, such as a motor, to effect the mastication action. The animal dentistry apparatus may be used to assess a chewable product, and such methods are also provided.