What is an articulator?
mechanical device representing the jaw members and the TMJ to which the maxillary and mandibular casts are attached to simulate different mandibular movements
What are the mandibular movements?
- opening and closing
- protrusive
- right and left
What is the sagittal (horizontal) condylar path?
path travelled by the condyles during protrusive movement (downward + forward)
What is the lateral condylar path?
path travelled by the condyles during lateral movement (downward + forward + medial)
What are the articulator movements?
- opening and closing
- protrusive
- right and left
What are the functions of the articulator?
- act as a patient in the absence of the patient
- simulate, but not duplicate, all possible mandibular movements
- diagnosis and treatment planning (to observe all possible movements)
- arrangement of artificial teeth for complete dentures and removable partial dentures
- fabrication of occlusal surface for dental restorations
What are the advantages of articulators?
- visualisation of occlusion (lingual aspect)
- no need for patient cooperation
- decrease chair time and patient appointment
- patient’s saliva, tongue and cheek are not factors when using an articulator
According to records accepted, articulators are classified into…
- simple hinge articulators
- mean value (fixed condylar path) articulators
- adjustable articulators (semi and fully adjustable)
Is Bonwill triangle accurate?
No
Is maxillary facebow accurate?
Yes
What does Arcon stand for?
Articulator condyle on normal
What are the movements and records taken from the patient for a simple hinge articulator?
movements
- opening and closing
records taken from patient
- centric occluding relation
What is centric occluding relation?
centric relation + proper vertical occlusal dimension
What is the movement of articulator on protrusive movement?
Upward and backward
Does the mandible move in the articulator?
No
What are the movements of mean value articulators?
- opening and closing
- protrusive (fixed 30-40 degrees)
- lateral (fixed 12-20 degrees)
What are the records taken for mean value articulators?
to mount the upper cast
- Bonwill triangle (ASA)
- facebow record )AlMahdy articulators only)
to mount the lower cast
- centric relation
Is the incisal angle and table fixed in mean value articulators?
Yes, 30 degrees incisal angle
Are all mean value articulators Arcon?
No
Is the intercondylar distance fixed in mean value articulators?
Yes
What are the two types of semi-adjustable articulators?
- Hanau
- Whip mix
What are the movements of semi-adjustable articulators?
- opening and closing
- protrusive (taken from patient)
- lateral (Hanau’s equation with Hanau’s articulator or taken from patient with Whip mix articulator)
What are the records taken using semi-adjustable articulators?
to mount the upper cast
- Bonwill triangle (unlikely)
- maxillary facebow for all designs
to mount lower cast
- centric relation
How to record protrusive movement of semi-adjustable articulators?
taken from patient and adjusting horizontal condylar guidance
