Articulators are devices used by dentists to reproduce the position of teeth relative to each other. They are commonly used in dental laboratories to produce dental appliances and can be custom-made. Dentists use articulators to prepare for surgery, fabricate braces, and develop dentures. They can also be used as a diagnostic tool and to evaluate forensic evidence. The most common use is as a model for dentures or bridges, allowing dentists to test and modify fittings before trying them on the patient. The molds and measurement records are kept for future use.
An articulator is a device used by dentists with molds of the teeth to reproduce their position relative to each other. Articulators can be used for a wide variety of tasks in dental offices and are most commonly found in dental laboratories where people work with molds to produce dental appliances such as bridges and retainers. They are available through dental supply catalogs and can also be custom made if a dentist has a specific need.
When dentists make molds of your teeth, they record a series of measurements simultaneously so you know how your upper and lower jaws are positioned. This information is important for dentists preparing for surgery, fabricating braces, and developing dentures. If the measurements are incorrect, the dentist may cause pain or discomfort to the patient by not taking into account the patient’s unique anatomy.
Once the molds are finished, they can be mounted in the articulator and the fixture can be adjusted to position them correctly. Articulators can be used as a diagnostic tool, providing the dentist with the ability to examine the teeth and their relationship to each other without having to hold the patient’s jaws in an uncomfortable position. Articulators are also sometimes used when evaluating forensic evidence, with a dentist comparing information about a suspect to evidence from a crime scene to see if there is a match.
The most common use of the articulator is as a model for a dentist who is making dentures or creating appliances such as bridges. The dentist can refer to the articulator as the design is refined, taking care to ensure that it fits in the patient’s mouth. Using this device allows dentists to test and modify the fittings in the model before trying them on the patient to ensure they fit properly.
When it comes time to interact directly with the patient, the dentist will take care to confirm that the dental appliance is properly fitted and installed and that it is comfortable for the patient. It may be necessary to make minor adjustments on site. The molds, along with the measurement records, are kept for future use. If the patient develops problems or needs a replacement dental appliance, the dentist can compare current x-rays and measurements with those recorded to see what has changed and use this information as a basis for designing and fitting a new dental appliance. If necessary, the dies can be re-installed in the articulator to create a working reference model.
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