Review

The Clinical Use of Virtual Articulators in the Digital Era

Volume: 12 Number: 3 December 29, 2025
TR EN

The Clinical Use of Virtual Articulators in the Digital Era

Abstract

Virtual articulators simulate inter-jaw relationships in a computerized environment. Virtual and augmented reality are used as digital tools to support dental clinical practice and education. Many authors have published studies investigating the digital techniques available for the use of a virtual articulator. The aim of the present study was to analyze the existing literature on virtual articulators. Within the scope of the study, 41 articles published in different databases were included. In current technology, there are 2 different types of virtual articulators: fully adjustable and mathematically simulated. The workflow of virtual articulators consists of 4 main steps: digitizing the dental arch by scanning it with an intraoral scanner or 3D laser scanner, occlusal registration, virtual facebow, and virtual mounting. The advantages of virtual articulators are that they provide three-dimensional visualization, improve communication between dentist, dental technician, and patient, increase efficiency, facilitate patient education, integrate with computer-aided design and manufacturing systems, evaluate both static and dynamic occlusion, and analyze occlusal interferences. The disadvantages of virtual articulators are that mounting the casts to the articulator and scanning these takes time, increases the cost as it requires special software, scanners, and technical knowledge and skills. In conclusion, it is understood that virtual reality has changed the practice of dentistry and will continue to improve dental procedures in the near future. Virtual articulators simulate occlusion in a virtual environment with the potential to be translated into clinical practice. In the future, these systems need to be augmented by 4-dimensional technology in dynamic simulations.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Yoktur

Project Number

Çalışma proje ile desteklenmemiştir

Ethical Statement

Çalışma derleme türünde olup, etik kurul onayını gerektirmemektedir.

Thanks

Yoktur

References

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  6. 6. https://agentgallery.com/objects/1916-rare-dental-articulator-signed-and-dated-with-makers-mark. Accessed December 12, 2024.
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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Prosthodontics

Journal Section

Review

Publication Date

December 29, 2025

Submission Date

December 30, 2024

Acceptance Date

February 10, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 12 Number: 3

APA
Yanıkoglu, N., Ayhan, B., & Köseoğlu, M. (2025). The Clinical Use of Virtual Articulators in the Digital Era. Selcuk Dental Journal, 12(3), 499-505. https://doi.org/10.15311/selcukdentj.1609630
AMA
1.Yanıkoglu N, Ayhan B, Köseoğlu M. The Clinical Use of Virtual Articulators in the Digital Era. Selcuk Dent J. 2025;12(3):499-505. doi:10.15311/selcukdentj.1609630
Chicago
Yanıkoglu, Nuran, Betül Ayhan, and Merve Köseoğlu. 2025. “The Clinical Use of Virtual Articulators in the Digital Era”. Selcuk Dental Journal 12 (3): 499-505. https://doi.org/10.15311/selcukdentj.1609630.
EndNote
Yanıkoglu N, Ayhan B, Köseoğlu M (December 1, 2025) The Clinical Use of Virtual Articulators in the Digital Era. Selcuk Dental Journal 12 3 499–505.
IEEE
[1]N. Yanıkoglu, B. Ayhan, and M. Köseoğlu, “The Clinical Use of Virtual Articulators in the Digital Era”, Selcuk Dent J, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 499–505, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.15311/selcukdentj.1609630.
ISNAD
Yanıkoglu, Nuran - Ayhan, Betül - Köseoğlu, Merve. “The Clinical Use of Virtual Articulators in the Digital Era”. Selcuk Dental Journal 12/3 (December 1, 2025): 499-505. https://doi.org/10.15311/selcukdentj.1609630.
JAMA
1.Yanıkoglu N, Ayhan B, Köseoğlu M. The Clinical Use of Virtual Articulators in the Digital Era. Selcuk Dent J. 2025;12:499–505.
MLA
Yanıkoglu, Nuran, et al. “The Clinical Use of Virtual Articulators in the Digital Era”. Selcuk Dental Journal, vol. 12, no. 3, Dec. 2025, pp. 499-05, doi:10.15311/selcukdentj.1609630.
Vancouver
1.Nuran Yanıkoglu, Betül Ayhan, Merve Köseoğlu. The Clinical Use of Virtual Articulators in the Digital Era. Selcuk Dent J. 2025 Dec. 1;12(3):499-505. doi:10.15311/selcukdentj.1609630