Importance

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Abstract

A technique for creating 'universally' calibrated dental articulators includes using a replica which simulates upper and lower dental models of a patient to properly align mounting plates to an articulator. The mounting plates are releasably attached to the replica before upper and lower frame members of the articulator are closed about the replica and fixed to the mounting plates. The replica is then detached from the mounting plates and used to form additional articulators identically calibrated with mounting plates. Base plates releasably attachable to the mounting plates are then used to form and mount the dental models. A first base plate is fixed to a first dental model and is then releasably attached to a mounting plate on the articulator. A second base plate is then releasably attached to the opposing mounting plate on the articulator. A second dental model is then either formed on or attached to the second base plate so that the first and second dental models are properly aligned when the upper and lower frame members of the articulator are closed. Once the upper and lower dental models have been formed on the calibrated articulator, the base plates fixed to the dental models may be removed from the mounting plates and transferred to another 'universally' calibrated articulator while maintaining proper alignment between the upper and lower models.

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First Claim