Patent ID: 7690919

Claim:
A dental modeling system, comprising: an opposing base including: an engagement surface configured for mounting an opposing dental model formed from a mold of a person's teeth; and a connecting arm including a hinge member at one end thereof; a pin locator including: a plurality of elongate pins arranged linearly in a single row and extending from a base of the pin locator, the elongate pins being arranged to align with teeth impressions in the mold when mounting the opposing dental model to the opposing base; and a connecting arm extending from the base of the pin locator and including a hinge member at one end thereof configured for attachment to the hinge member of the opposing base to provide a pivot connection there between, the connecting arm of the pin locator being formed integral as a single piece with the base of the pin locator; and a dental model base, including: a primary surface having a plurality of holes, the primary surface configured for mounting a dental model formed from the mold after the opposing dental model has been mounted to the opposing base; at least one removable pin mounted to the dental model base and having a mounting portion that extends from the primary surface for engagement with the dental model, the mounting portion having a length dimension that is less than a length dimension of the elongate pins; and a connecting arm including a hinge member being configured at one end thereof for attachment to the hinge member of the opposing base in place of the pin locator hinge member to provide a pivot connection between the dental model base and the opposing base.