Merz Tooth Compass

The Merz Tooth Compass is used for model analysis prior to set up for full-over-full dentures. It is used to determine where the ridge starts to rise away from the occlusal plane on the lower model. The concept is to be able to transfer the progression of the alveolar ridge in the area of the posteriors on the edentulous lower jaw model to the outer edge of the model. The lowest point is determined by means of the marked line of progression of the alveolar ridge. For this purpose, a line running parallel to the occlusal plane is drawn. The point of intersection between the alveolar ridge progression line and the line running parallel to the occlusal plane mark pinpoints the position of the first lower molar. The marking is then transferred to the opposing arch such that the position of the most important teeth from a static point of view is defined in mesio-distal direction. This procedure has been around for many years, and more recently was adopted and continued by Dr Gerber. In conjunction with Merz Dental, this system has been developed for the TiF® method.