Virtual Articulators, Virtual Occlusal Records and Virtual Patients in Dentistry

Abstract

Digital technology is broadly used in almost every part of medicine. As tools of digital technology, augmented reality and virtual reality have been adopted in all disciplines of dentistry and dental education. In particular, virtual articulators have allowed for a full analysis of occlusion with dental models that can simulate all mandibular movements in static and dynamic positions. When combined with additional software, virtual articulators can also enhance education and practice, allow for quicker and more precise individualized diagnoses and enable discussions of dental treatment planning options with patients during their first appointment. This article reviews the requirements for virtual articulators and occlusal recordings and assesses their advantages and disadvantages in various aspects.

A Case of Full-mouth Rehabilitation using a Digital twin Based on Multi-source Data in a Patient with Vertical Dimension Loss due to Multiple Tooth wear and Fractures

“…After being imported into the CAD system, the data were visualized, monitored, and simulated in the restoration design. 6 In this case, various limitations and challenges of the traditional full-mouth rehabilitation method were overcome by integrating patient-related digital information into a full-jaw prosthetic restoration using CAD. First, it was possible to simultaneously perform vertical dimension elevation and CR acquisition.…”

A Comprehensive Review on Virtual Articulators

“…All 30 articles are surrounded to provide the finest knowledge to readers to enhance the dental prosthesis designing process by incorporating this virtual phase into the current technique. Table 2 depicts the summary of these 30 articles [ 1 - 3 , 5 - 11 , 13 - 32 ].…”

“…It simplifies operations for the dental technician along with the dentist and it is more time efficient and can even imitate the patient. It supports in patient education and rehabilitation as well [ 11 ].…”

“…Apart from a physical articulator, this is a tedious step that requires a long time [ 32 ]. It has certain limitations including the cost, since it involves software, digital scanners, and sensors, several types of VA models that imitate conventional ones based on the individual’s needs, the expertise of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing systems, manual articulators, design and simulation of virtual articulators, and technical abilities in interpreting data acquired from of sensors, scanner, minor changes, integrating motion parameter, and so on [ 11 ].…”

“…These include basic units, reproduction, drawbacks, etc. (Table 1) [11,12]. The completely adjustable VA uses digital tools and accessories to replicate the exact pattern of motion of the mandible.…”