Embodiments of this invention provide predictability and standardization in the field creating dental models. Embodiments of the invention are capable of accommodating multiple variations and goals of dental impressions, including but not limited to creating dental models for study models, mouth guards, night guards, whitening trays, sleep apnea/snoring devices, etc. Embodiments may incorporate single arch and dual arch impression trays, as well as base model formers and articulators, among other devices of varying shapes, dimensions, sizes and manufacturers. Embodiments of the invention use standard dimensions for accommodating various components. To adapt embodiments of the invention for multiple purposes, and to standardize the process, embodiments of the invention include a shell that allows for standardized dental models to be suspended in the shell during the process of creating dental molds, creating a reservoir for the dental mold. Embodiments allow for a trimming process where impressions are standardized by cutting away lateral excess impression material by running a knife along the lateral portion of upper and lower impression tray walls, and then by trimming away vertical excess by placing the tray into the vertical excess trimming device.In these embodiments, dental impressions and embodiments of a predetermined shell allow dental models to be created, including articulated models, in a simplified process.The present invention thus allows dental professionals to easily pour up single and double arch dental impressions, create base models, and, optionally, articulate models in fewer steps than currently available, allowing less waste, material, and use of time than traditional and current methods.
