Anatomical articulator for dental diagonostic method and prosthetic reconstruction

An anatomical articulator for modeling motion of dental casts, comprising:

• a lower base portion comprising at least one replica condyle attached to and extending from the lower base portion;
• an upper frame portion supporting at least one replica mandibular fossa in a position to mate with the at least one replica condyle;
• wherein the replica condyles and the replica mandibular fossae meet to form a hinge of the articulator, wherein the hinge exhibits a rotational degree of freedom between the at least one replica condyle and at least one replica mandibular fossa;
• and
• wherein the rotational degree of freedom is limited by respective shapes of the replica condyle and the replica mandibular fossa.

A method of constructing an anatomical articulator, comprising:

• digitally imaging a temporomandibular joint to form a digital model of the temporomandibular joint;
• forming anatomical replicas of at least one condyle and at least one mandibular fossa, wherein the anatomical replicas represent portions of the temporomandibular joint that mate in the digital model;
• attaching the replica mandibular fossa to an upper platform of the anatomical articulator;
• attaching the replica condyle to a lower base of the anatomical articulator;
• wherein the replica mandibular fossa and the replica condyle are configured to mate and connect the upper frame and the lower base.