Disclosed is a measuring apparatus for three-dimensionally measuring a row of teeth, the rows of teeth of the maxilla and mandible, buccally, during articulation and during terminal occlusion, an alveolar ridge or the palate in the oral cavity, the measuring apparatus comprising an autonomously movable measuring head (1) on a shaft (4), said measuring head (1) consisting of a central measuring member (1.1) and at least two lateral measuring members (1.2, 1.3) which are movably interconnected and define a variable measurement space (6). The measuring head (1) can be placed on the row of teeth and is be guided therealong using guiding elements (1.1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 5) contact sensors (13) and angle sensors (16) ensure that the lateral measuring members are laterally guided and the angles thereof are adjusted to the topology of the alveolar ridge while the central guiding element (1.1.1) and/or a support (5) of the shaft (4) can rest on the row of teeth. Measuring units (26) for measuring the structures in the measurement space (6) are provided in the measuring members (1.1, 1.2, 1.3). Measurements are taken from multiple solid angle positions of the measuring units, said positions being preset in the measuring members (1.1, 1.2, 1.3), being adjusted by moving the measuring members (1.1, 1.2, 1.3), being taken by having mirrors move, in a controlled manner, the beam path generated by the measuring units, or being aligned by changing the angular position of the measuring head (1) relative to the shaft (4) in an automatically controlled manner.
