Guide to Dental Articulators

Articulators

INDIAN
ACADEMY

DENTAL

Leader in continuing dental education
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Contents
Introduction
 History
 Classification
 Requirements
 Uses
 Advantages
 Selection of instruments
 Arcon Vs Non-arcon



Modified incisal guide pins
 Articulators in market
 Care and maintance
 Conclusion
 References



Articulating anything is like carving a
statue. While sculpting, sculptor does not
add clay, actually he keeps chiseling the
un-essential material until the truth is
revealed.
 Likewise though articulator is an important
mechanical entity, in itself it is of no
meaning unless occlusion obtained from it
functions in the mouth in harmony with
biologic factors that regulate the
mandibular activity of the patient



Introduction


Definition:
A mechanical instrument that
represents the temporomandibular joint
and jaws, to which maxillary and
mandibular casts may be attached to
simulate some or all mandibular
movement.(GPT-8)


History


Plaster ArticulatorPhilip Pfaff (1756)
A plaster extension on
distal portion of
mandibular cast was
grooved to serve as a
guide for plaster
extension of maxillary
cast.

Barn door hinge articulator.
J.B Gariot (1805)
Also called as “plain-line
articulator”.
No provision for anterior
vertical stop.


Adaptable Barn door hinge
articulator
It has an anterior vertical
stop.

Daniel T. Evens articulator(1840)
Synonym “Dentist’s Guide
Features:
Provision for protrusive and lateral
movements.
Also had vertical stop feature .
Limitations:
Inconvenient and
difficult to use.

Bonwill articulator
( 1858)
Features:
Allows lateral
movement,(eccentric
movements) and
permits movement only
in the horizontal plane.


Richmond Hayes
Articulator(1889)
Features :
Has a fixed descending
condylar path and has non
adjustable condylar
elements.


Grittman Articulator(1899)
Features :
This has a Descending condylar
paths of 15 degrees.
Permits eccentric motion based on
average values.
The condylar paths also include a
slight Balkwill bennet angle to
represent the average oblique descent
of the condyle.


Gysi –Articulator(1812)
Features:


It is an “average value”
instrument.



Condylar paths 33 degrees



Lateral paths 16 degrees



First type to have an incisal pin
and guide assembly


Gysi Trubyte Articulator
(1930)
Features :
Simple plain-line and average
articulator .
An adjustable instrument adaptable
to either extra oral or Intraoral
records.
Changeable inclined plane for the
incisal rod.
Provision for recording lateral
movements


Christensen’s articulator(1905)
Features:
To measure the angle of the condylar paths (by protrusive
records) .
Christensen’s procedure is likely the origin of the intraoral
(checkbite) method for recording mandibular movement.


The term Christensen’s phenomenon
coined by Ulf Posselt
 It had been previously described by
Balkwill in 1866



Luce articulator(1911)
Features:
Provision for recording
eccentric motion based on
engraving.
It has posterior and incisal path
controls that were functionally
generated in modeling plastic.


Mandibulo-Maxillary
Instrument (1923)
By George Monson.
Based on spherical theory of
occlusion.
Have slot screws that can vary
the instrument radius.


Stansbery Tripod
Articulator(1929)
Designed without a hinge to
facilitate the reproduction of any
positional set relationship.
No representation of the
condyles.
Provided with a lathe attachment
for “milling in” the occlusion of
the completed dentures.

House Articulator (1930)
Features:
Permit eccentric motion based on
engraved records.
Accepts records by means of
Needle House method .
Also employs a milling device in
the upper member for occlusal
adjustment.


Page’s Transograph
(1952)
Split axis instrument .
Allows each condylar
housing to function
independently of the other


Hanau Model M kinescope
(1923)
It has double condylar
posts.The inner posts serve 2
purposes
They act as horizontal condylar
guides.
They are variable rotation
centers when the posts are
moved inward or outward.

Hanau Model H110
(1926)
Accepts face bow transfer.
Horizontal condylar
inclinations are set by
means of a protrusive
interocclusal records
Lateral settings calculated
by L=H/8+12


Hanau Model H110
Modified(1927)
Similar to H110 except that
it had an incisal guide table
instead of incisal guide
cap.
Adjustments in 3
dimensions through a
considerable range


Hanau Crown and
Bridge
articulator(1934)
Small articulator requires no
face bow.
Has a posterior pin and
guidance mechanism to
simulate working and
balancing side excursions
of 15 degrees.
Its fixed protrusive
movement is 30 degrees.

Hanau Model H2
Series(1958)
There was an increased
distance between upper
and lower members from
95mm to 110 mm.
Accepts face bow transfer.
Horizontal condylar
inclinations are simulated
by means of a protrusive
interocclusal record.

Hanau H2 Series
•Hanau model H2-O with orbital
indicator attachment.
•Model H2-X with extendable
condylar shafts.
•Model H2 PR with calibrated
adjustments to protrude
or retrude the condyles up to
3mm
•Model H2 XPR is a combination
of the above models.

Hanau Radial Shift (1981)


Condylar guidance of
the articulator is
designed to incorporate
a curved immediate
side shift (radial shift)
with an adjustable
progressive Bennett
angle.


Hanau Wide Vue(1983)
Lingual visibility is
unobstructed
Dual End Incisal
Pin
Wide Vue 2Open condylar track.


TMJ ARTICULATORS -Kenneth Swanson (1965)
This is now a versatile system.
It accepts custom fossa
analogs that are formed from
intra oral stereographic
tracing.
Intercondylar distance is limited
from 110mm to 150mm.
It has all conversion feature of
deluxe model articulator


Classification of Articulators









Based on Theories of Occlusion
Gillis (1926), Boucher (1934), Kingery
(1934)
Beck’s (1962)
Weinberg (1963)
Posselt's (1968)
Thomas (1973)
Sherry (1974)





International prosthodontic workshop on
complete denture occlusion (1972)
Heartwell and Rahn classification


Classification based on THEORIES of
OCCLUSION
 Bonwill’s theory of occlusion
 Conical theory of occlusion (R.E.Hall )
 Spherical theory of occlusion
(G.S.Monson 1918 )


BONWILL’S THEORY OF
OCCLUSION




Bonwill introduced
(1864) -“Theory of
Equilateral Triangle”
4" (10 cm ) distance
occurs between the
condyle and between
each condyle & the
incisal point.


CONICAL THEORY OF OCCLUSION




R.E.HALL (1915) proposed that
Lower teeth move over the surface of
the upper teeth as over the surface of a
cone, generating an angle of 45° with the
cone
central axis of the cone tipped at 45
angle to the occlusal plane.


SPHERICAL THEORY OF OCCLUSION
(Monson 1918)
Monson proposed that
 Lower teeth moves over the surface of the
upper teeth as over the surface of a
sphere with a diameter of 8 " (20 cm).



•

The center of the sphere
is located in the region of
Glabella and the surfaces
of the sphere passes
through the Glenoid fossa
along the articulating
eminences.


Gillis (1926), Boucher (1934), Kingery
(1934)
ADJUSTABLE
 NON ADJUSTABLE



BECK’S (1962) :
Suspension instrument
 Axis instrument
 Tripod instrument



WEINBERG (1963)
ARBITRARY (Monson spherical theory)
 POSITIONAL (Stansbery tripod concept)
 SEMI ADJUSTABLE (Hanau H concept)
 FULLY ADJUSTABLE (Hanau Kinoscope
concept, Gysi Trubyte concept and
McCollum concept)



POSSELT’S (1968)
Plain line Articulator
 Mean value Articulator
 Adjustable Articulator



International workshop on Complete
Denture Occlusion (1972)
Based on
 Instruments function,
 Instrument capability,
 Intent
 Registration procedure
 Registration acceptance.


Class I.

Subdivision A

Subdivision B
Class II.

Subdivision A

Subdivision B

Subdivision C

Class III.

Subdivision A

Subdivision B
Class IV.

Subdivision A

Subdivision B


Subdivision A:
 Vertical motion is possible, but only
for convenience.


The Verticulator (Jelenko)
The Corelator (Denar Corp.)

Subdivision B:
 Vertical motion is joint related.


The Centric relator (Denar Corp)

CLASS II. ARTICULATOR
 An instrument that PERMITS Horizontal
as well as Vertical motion but does not
orient the motion to the
temporomandibular joints.



Subdivision A:
 Eccentric motion permitted is based on
average or arbitrary values
 NO FACE-BOW TRANSFER.


Gysi Simplex Articulator

Subdivision B:
 Eccentric motion permitted is based
on theories of arbitrary motion.
 No Face-Bow Transfer.



Shofu Handy II Articulator






Subdivision C:
Eccentric motion permitted is determined
by the patient using engraving
methods/records.
No face bow transfer


The Gnathic Relator

CLASS III. ARTICULATOR
 Simulate condylar pathways using
averages or mechanical equivalents
for all or part of the motion.
 Orientation of cast relative to joints
 Arcon or Nonarcon instruments
 Accept facebows
 Mounting plates for unlimited case
load.






Subdivision A:
Accept STATIC PROTRUSIVE Registrations
and use equivalents for the rest of the
motion.


Dentatus articulator




Subdivision B:
Accepts STATIC LATERAL PROTRUSIVE
registrations and use equivalents for the
rest of the motion.

Panadent Model P Articulator


Gysi Trubyte articulator,
Hanau 130-21
The Ney Articulator




CLASS IV. ARTICULATOR

Accept three dimensional dynamic
registrations.
 Orientation of the casts to the
temporomandibular joints and
replication of ALL MANDIBULAR
MOVEMENTS.






Subdivision A:
The cam representing the condylar paths
are formed by registration engraved by the
patient.

TMJ-Stereographic instrument

Stereograph (TMJ articulator)


Denar Combi articulator


Subdivision B:
 Have condylar paths that can be
ANGLED and CUSTOMIZED either by
selection from a variety of curvatures,
by modification, or both.
 These articulators are the instruments
of choice for complete reconstructions
and as teaching aids for advanced
occlusal studies.



Denar D5A Articulator

Stuart Articulator

Stuart Pantograph
Denar Pantograph


Cyberhoby fully adjustable articulator
and Cyberhoby computer pantograph


Requirements
It should
Hold casts in correct horizontal and vertical
relationships.
Provide a positive anterior vertical stop (incisal pin)
Accept a facebow transfer record utilising anterior
reference point.
Open and close in hinge movement.
Allow lateral and protrusive jaw motion.



Additional requirements
Centric locking device
 Removable mounting plates that can be
positioned accurately.
 Adjustable incisal guide table.
 Adjustable inter condylar width of the
condylar elements.



Uses






To diagnose dental occlusal conditions in both
natural and artificial conditions.
To plan dental procedures that involve
positions,contuors,and relationships of both
natural and artificial teeth as they relate to each
other..
To correct and modify completed restorations.
Can be helpful in teaching and studying of
occlusion and mandibular movements.

Advantages








Better visualization (lingual view)..
Patient cooperation not critical once the
appropriate inter occlusal record is obtained.
Refinement of complete denture occlusion is
much easier using an articulator than in patient’s
mouth.
Saves time.
Patients tongue, saliva, cheeks are not factors.

Advantages of adjustable
articulators
Balanced occlusion:
In any closed mandibular position,centric or
eccentric maxium number of teeth is in contact
and therefore the occlusal load is distributed
over the supporting tissues.
Stability:
Because of maximum number of teeth in contact
and elimination of cuspal interference,little
tendency of the dentures to be dragged across
the mucosa



Contd
Reduced trauma:
Minimum amount of damage to the supporting
tissue.
Functional movements
Balanced articulation allows for normal mandibular
movement, than teeth set for static occlusion
which requires a new pattern of muscle
controlled movements to be learnt.



Limitations
The articulator is subject to error in tolling
and errors resulting from metal fatigue.
 The movements simulated are empty
mouth sliding motions and not functional
movements.
 It is unlikely for any articulator to duplicate
condylar movements in the TMJ.



Selection of an articulator for
complete dentures






If occlusal contacts are to be perfected in centric
relation only ,then a simple hinge articulator can
be selected
If denture teeth are to have cross arch and cross
tooth balanced occlusion then minimum
requirement is semi adjustable articulator.
If complete control of occlusion is desired,a
completely adjustable articulator is selected.

contd




These complicated articulators pose problems in
fabricating complete dentures because of the
resiliency of soft tissues of basal seat on which
the recording bases must rest.
As the resiliency permits some movements of
the bases in relation to the bone, the records
made are not necessarily of the true path.


Parts of an Articulator
The movement of the frame of the
articulator is governed at three
points.
Posteriorly by the two condylar
guidances and anteriorly by the
incisal post


Condylar guidance
It is the mechanical form located in the
upper posterior region that controls
movement of its mobile.
 Condylar guidance inclination
 The angle formedby the inclination of a
condylar guide control surface of an
articulator with the horizontal. (GPT-8)



Importance







Condylar path is determined by the distal slope
of the articular eminence.
This path dis engages the teeth in the
excursions of the mandible.
The cusps should travel past each other with out
interfering with the excursions,yet they should be
close enough to masticate food efficiently.
The angle of the path determines the cuspal
angle from the tip of a cusp to the fossa.
The curvature determines the topography of
cusp between itswww.indiandentalacademy.com of the fossa.
and the base

negative condylar guidance
When the inclination of central bearing
plate is greater than the axis path
inclination a negative angle will be
registered.
 In such cases , compesatory curves may
almost be flat or reversed.



Incisal guidance
Anatomically
The influence of the contacting surfaces of
the mandibular and maxillary anterior
teeth on mandibular movements.
 On the articulator
The influence of the contacting surfaces of
the guide pin and guide table on
articulator movements.



Incisal guide angle
Anatomically
The angle formed by the intersection of the plane
of occlusion and a line within the sagittal plane
determined by the incisal edges of the maxillary
and mandibular central incisors when the teeth
are in maximum intercuspation.
 On the articulator
That angle formed in the sagittal plane,between
the plane of reference and the slope of anterior
guide table,as viewed in the sagittal plane.



Importance






Angle of the incisal guidance table will markedly
affect the cusp angles,cusp height,overbite and
overjet.
Steeper the slope of the incisal guide table,the
higher and steeper will need to be the cusps of
premolar and molar teeth.
This high steep cusps are liable to instability of
dentures in mouth because limitations in the
accuracy of simulating the patient in the
laboratory.

Importance contd


Make vertical overlap as lessas
possible.this is particularly true when the
mandible is atrophic and almost without
any alveolar ridge.


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Guide to Dental Articulators

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