1. The Dental Articulator
“The articulator:
a tool, not the answer”
Jeffrey P. Okeson, D.M.D.

2. Credits
Management of Temporomandibular Disorders and Occlusion. Okeson
Fundamentals of Fixed Prosthodontics. Shillingburg, et al.
Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. Rosenstiel, et al.
Whip Mix Corporation

3. The Dental Articulator
What is it? Why use it?
What are the different types?
What are their advantages/disadvantages?
How do we decide which one to use?

5. What is it? A mechanical device that simulates mandibular movements.
Articulators can simulate the movement of condyles in their fossae.

6. Why use it?
Handheld casts provide information concerning the alignment of arches & relationship of teeth, but do not permit analysis of functional relationships.
Invaluable aid in:
Diagnosis
Treatment Planning
Treatment

7. Classification Arcon vs. Nonarcon
Arcon: condylar spheres attached to the lower component; mechanical fossae to the upper.
Nonarcon: glenoid fossae on the lower component; condylar elements on the upper.

8. Arcon vs. Nonarcon Arcon Nonarcon Constant condylar inclinations
Easily disassembled
Nonarcon
Variable condylar inclinations during opening
Connected components

9. Classification, cont.
How closely can it reproduce mandibular border movements?
Nonadjustable
Semi-adjustable
Fully adjustable

10. Nonadjustable Articulators

11. Nonadjustable Articulators
Simple
Eccentric movements are often possible, but inaccurate.

12. Nonadjustable Articulators
Only the maximal intercuspal position (ICP) is repeatable and accurate.
Opening/closing pathways are inaccurate

13. Semi-adjustable Articulators

14. Whip Mix 4641

15. Semiadjustable Articulators
Closely approximates the distance between the axis of rotation and the teeth
Arcing errors will be minimal

16. Nonadjustable vs. Semiadjustable

17. Semiadjustable Articulators Limitations
The TMJ is mechanically simplified
It does not produce some condylar movements.

18. Fully Adjustable Articulators

19. Fully Adjustable Articulators
Advantage (1)
Highly accurate in:
All border movements
Condylar inclinations
Intercondylar distance
Disadvantages
Expensive
Time-consuming
Requires a high degree of skill

20. What & When

21. Articulator Selection
from Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics, Rosenstiel, et al

23. Factors for Success
Accurate Casts

25. Accurate Casts Accurate Facebow Transfer
Factors for Success
Accurate Casts
Accurate Facebow Transfer

27. Indirect Mounting Technique

28. Direct Mounting Technique

29. Steps for Articulating Casts

30. Magnetic Mounting Plates
Check the fit of the removable plates.
Plastic Plate
Metal Disk
Magnets
Use blue adjustment wrench only if necessary!

31. Condylar Settings Set progressive side shift:
Typical setting are 10 or 15 degrees
Zero degrees may be used to mount cases.
Set condylar guidance to 30 degrees.

32. Acrylic Guide Table Incisal Guide Pin
Locate incisal guide pin and acrylic guide table
Place incisal guide table on the lower member

33. Acrylic Guide Table Incisal Guide Pin
Place incisal guide pin in the incisal guide boss with the chisel end up & the round end down
Set incisal guide pin to the zero mark
At zero, the upper & lower members are parallel (important info)

34. Quick Mount Remount Jig PVA Mounting Jig

35. Quick Mount Remount Jig PVA Mounting Jig

36. Quick Mount Remount Jig PVA Mounting Jig

37. Quick Mount Remount Jig PVA Mounting Jig
Mount jigs on lower member. No mounting plate on lower at this time.
Fit maxillary cast onto PVA jig.
Close upper member
Trim lugs as needed

38. Mounting Casts
Soak the base of the cast in water before mounting to the articulator.

39. Mounting Casts Armamentarium: Read directions! Rubber bowl Spatula
Water syringe
Envelope of mounting stone
Read directions!

40. Mounting Casts Wet the bowl before proceeding
Add water to bowl before adding powder

41. Mounting Casts
Always shake the stone to one end of the packet before opening carefully!
Add powder to the water quickly, but without splashing

42. Mounting Casts
Mix thoroughly and quickly without flipping powder everywhere!
Final consistency has form, but isn’t stiff

43. Mounting Casts
Put some stone on the cast, then on the mounting plate.

44. Mounting Casts Close articulator and make sure nothing has moved.
Hold cast steady on jig until stone sets.

45. Dressing Casts Dressing the casts
Remove by grasping the mounting plate
Do NOT remove a mounted cast from an articulator by grasping the cast

46. Dressing Casts Dressing the casts Mix new batch of mounting stone
Grasp mounted cast securely, touching both the cast and the mounting plate

47. Dressing Casts

48. Dressing Casts

49. Dressing Casts

50. Mounting Lower Cast Hand articulate lower cast with upper Remove blebs
Check stability
Note intercuspal relationship

51. Mounting Lower Cast Invert articulator Put lower cast in MI
Attach mounting plate to lower member & check for clearance
Mount lower cast as you did for the upper cast

52. Mounting Lower Cast
Keep pressure on articulator to offset expansion of mounting stone.
Pin (at zero setting) must touch acrylic guide table after procedures are complete.
Dress lower cast

53. When in doubt,
follow the directions!