Articulator

Abstract

An articulator is disclosed for simulation of a temporomandibular joint movement, the articulator including a first articulator element (1) and a second articulator element (2), wherein the first articulator element (1) includes an engagement means (3) and the second articulator element (2) includes a receiver (4) for the engagement means (3).

1 . An articulator for simulation of a temporomandibular joint movement, the articulator comprising at least one first articulator element ( 1 ) and at least one second articulator element ( 2 ), wherein the first articulator element ( 1 ) comprises an engagement means ( 3 ) and the second articulator element ( 2 ) comprises a receiver ( 4 ) for the engagement means ( 3 ). 
     
     
         2 . The articulator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first articulator element ( 1 ) and the second articulator element ( 2 ) is formed as one piece. 
     
     
         3 . The articulator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first articulator element ( 1 ), connected to the second articulator element ( 2 ), can move in a protrusion direction relative to the second articulator element ( 2 ). 
     
     
         4 . The articulator as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the first articulator element ( 1 ), connected to the second articulator element ( 2 ), is rotatable relative to the second articulator element ( 2 ) about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the protrusion direction. 
     
     
         5 . The articulator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the engagement means ( 3 ) is spherical mounted in the receiver ( 4 ) in a self-retaining manner. 
     
     
         6 . The articulator as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the receiver ( 4 ) is elongate, parallel to the protrusion direction. 
     
     
         7 . The articulator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second articulator element ( 2 ) comprises an opening ( 5 ) and the engagement means is introduced into the receiver ( 4 ) via the opening ( 5 ). 
     
     
         8 . The articulator as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the opening ( 5 ) has a first opening diameter, adjacent to the receiver ( 4 ), which is smaller than a diameter of the engagement means ( 3 ) and a second opening diameter, spaced from the receiver ( 4 ), which is larger than the diameter of the engagement means ( 3 ). 
     
     
         9 . The articulator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first articulator element ( 1 ) and the second articulator element ( 2 ) is produced at least partially from elastic material. 
     
     
         10 . The articulator as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a first jaw partial model ( 6 A,  6 B) supported by the first articulator element ( 1 ). 
     
     
         11 . The articulator as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising two first articulator elements ( 1 ) and two second articulator elements ( 2 ). 
     
     
         12 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The articulator as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the first jaw partial model ( 6 A,  6 B) is formed unitarily with the first articulator element ( 1 ). 
     
     
         17 . The articulator as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising a second jaw partial model ( 7 A,  7 B) supported by the second articulator element ( 2 ). 
     
     
         18 . The articulator as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the second jaw partial model ( 7 A,  7 B) is formed unitarily with the second articulator element ( 1 ). 
     
     
         19 . The articulator as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first articulator element ( 1 ) and the second articulator element ( 2 ) is formed by one or more of: 3D printing, and milling. 
     
     
         20 . The articulator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first articulator element ( 1 ), connected to the second articulator element ( 2 ), can move in a laterotrusion direction relative to the second articulator element ( 2 ). 
     
     
         21 . The articulator as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the first articulator element ( 1 ), connected to the second articulator element ( 2 ), can move in a protrusion direction relative to the second articulator element ( 2 ). 
     
     
         22 . A computer-implemented method for production of an articulator, the method comprising:
 digitally modeling a first digital 3D articulator model;   digitally modeling a second digital 3D articulator model;   digitally modeling a first digital 3D jaw partial model;   digitally modeling a second digital 3D jaw partial model;   modifying the first digital 3D articualtor model to include the first digital 3D jaw partial model;   modifying the second digital 3D articulator model to include the second digital 3D jaw partial model;   producing a first articulator element based on the modified first 3D articulator model; and,   producing a second articulator element based on the modified second 3D articulator model.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the producing the first articulator element uses 3D printing. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the first articulator element includes an engagement means and the second articulator element includes a receiver, the receiver being formed to receive the engagement means to allow the first articulator element to be movably coupled to the second articulator element.