ARTICULATOR

Definition
Purpose
Uses
Requirement
Advantages
Limitations
Classification
component
Commonly used articulator
Selection of an articulator
Mounting of cast
conclusion

DEFINITION
An articulator may be defined as a
mechanical device that represent the
temporomandibular
members

to

joint

which

and

jaw

maxillary

and

mandibular casts may be attached to

simulate jaw movement.

PURPOSES
1.

To hold the maxillary and mandibular casts in a

determined fixed relationship

2.

Mounting of dental casts for diagnosis treatment

planning and patient presentation.

3.

To simulate the jaw movement like opening and closing.

4.

Fabrication
restoration.

5.

Arrangement of artificial teeth for complete and

removable partial denture.

of

occlusal

surfaces

for

dental

USES
1.

To diagnose the state of occlusion in both the

natural and artificial dentition.

2. To plan the dental procedures based on the

relationship

between

opposing

natural

and

artificial teeth.
Ex. Evaluation of the possibility of balance occlusion.

4.To aid in the fabrication of

restorations and
prosthodontics replacements.

5.To correct and modified

restorations.
6.To arrange artificial teeth.

complete

REQUIREMENTS
Two Types of Requirements

a. Minimal requirements
b. Additional requirements

Minimal requirements
They are necessory for the fabrication of

complete denture to the patients centric

position.
They are
1.

It must be accurately maintain the correct

horizontal and vertical relationship of the
patients casts.

2. The casts should be easily removable and

attachable to the articulator without loosing
their correct horizontal and vertical
relationship

3. The articulator should have an incisal guide

pin with a positive stop, that is adjustable
and caliberated.
4. The articulator should be able to open and
closed in a hinge like fashion.

5.

The articulator should accept a face-bow

transfer utilizing an anterior reference
point.

6. The construction should be accurate, rigid

and of non corrosive material.
7. The moving parts should move freely without
any friction.
8. The non moving parts should be of a rigid
construction.

9. The design should be such that there is

adequate distance between the upper and
lower members.
10. The articulator should be stable on the
laboratory bench and not too bulky and

heavy.

ADDITIONAL
REQUIREMENT
The condylar guides should allow right lateral,
left lateral and protrusive movement.
The condylar guides should be adjustable
horizontally.
The articulator should have provision for
adjustment of Bennett movement.

The

incisal

guide

table

should

be

mechanical table that can be adjusted in

the sagittal and frontal planes or a table
that
can
be
customised
with
autopolymerizing resin or by grinding.

ADVANTAGES
1. Properly mounted casts allow the operator
to better visualize the patients occlusion,
especially from lingual view.
2. Patient cooperation is not a factor when
using an articulator. once appropriate
interocclusal records are obtained from
the patient.
3.

A reduces the
appointment time.

chair

time,

patient

4. The refinement of complete denture

occlusion in the mouth is extremely
difficult because of shifting denture
bases and resiliency of the supporting
tissue.
Inter occlusal records can be
obtained and complete denture occlusion
can be refined outside the mouth on an
articulator.

5. More procedures can be delegated to

auxillary personnel when utilizing an
articulator for development of patients
occlusion.
6. The patients saliva, tongue, and cheeks are
not factors when using an articulator.

LIMITATIONS
Metal,plastic articulators show errors in
tooling, (manufacturer).
It not exactly simulate the intraborder and
functional movements of the mandible.
Errors in jaw relation procedure are
reproduced as errors in the denture
occlusion. Articulators do not have any
provision to indicate or correct these
errors.

CLASSIFICATION
OF
ARTICULATORS

CLASSIFICATION OF
ARTICULATORS

Several basis of classification of

articulator were proposed, some of
them are as follows.

A. Based on the instruments function.

B. Based on theories of occlusion.
C. Based on the type of inter occlusal
record used.
D. Based on the adjustabililty of the
articulator.

A. BASED ON
INSTRUMENT FUNCTION
At the international prosthodontic workshop on complete
denture occlusion at the university of Michigan in 1972,
the articulators classified based on instrument capability,
intent, recording procedure and record acceptance

type B
type C

Class I : Hing Type

Class II : Arbitrary type A

Class III : Average type A

type B

Class Iv : Special
type A
type B

CLASS I
These are simple articulator capable of accepting a
single registration.
Vertical motion may or may not be possible.
Use in cases where a tentative jaw relation is done.
Exp.- Slab articulator
Hinge joint articulator GARIOT (1805)
Barn door articulator

CLASS II
These articulator permits horizontal and
vertical movements but they do not
orient the movement to TMJ a facebow.
They are
TYPE A
TYPE B
TYPE C

TYPE A :Instruments in this class permit

eccentric motion based on averages and will
not permit face-bow transfer.
The condyles are on the lower member of
articulator.
Based on Bonwills triangle.
Ex. Mean-Value articulator - GYSI

TYPE B :Instruments in this class permit

eccentric
motion based on arbitrary theory of motion
and will not accept a face-bow transfer.

Based on spheric theory of occlusion.

Ex. Monsons articulator
Hall articulator

TYPE C :Instruments in this class permit

eccentric motion based on engraved
records obtained from the patient
and will not accept a face-bow
transfer.
Ex.:-

Houses articulator

CLASS III
These articulator permit horizontal and vertical
motion and they do accept face-bow transfer but
these facility is limited.
These instruments simulate condylar pathways by
using average or mechanical equivalents for the
whole or part of the condylar motion.

They are

Type A
Type B

TYPE A :a. They accept a face-bow transfer and a

protrusive interocclusal record.
Exp. Hanau H articulator- RUDOLPH
HANAU (1923)
Hanau H2 articulator
Bergstrom articulator (ARCON)

TYPE B :Instrument in this class accept a face-bow

transfer, protrusive interocclusal records, and
some lateral interocclusal records.
Exp.Trubyte articulator
Tripod articulator
Ney articulator
Hanau (130-21)
James Janik (1964)
Tele Dyne articulator Pandent articulator
-

GYSI
STANSBERRY
De Pietro (1960)
Richard Beu &
Richard Beu (1975)
Robert Lee

CLASS IV
These
articulator
accept
three
dimensional dynamic registration.
They
are
capable
of
accurately
reproducing the condylar pathway for
each patient.

They are
Type A
Type B

TYPE A :Instruments in this class will accept three

dimensional dynamic registration and utilise a
face-bow transfer.
The condylar pathways are formed by
registration engraved by the patient.
Exp. TMJ articulator Kenneth Swanson
(1965)

TYPE B :-

Similar to type a and condylar pathway

can be selectively angled and customized.
The procedure utilise the pantographic tracing.

EXP.

Pantronic acticulator Dener (1982)

Gnathoscope
- Charls Stuart
D 4A & D 5A
- Niles Guichet
Simulator
- Earnest Granger

BASED ON THEORIES OF
ARTICULATOR
A. Bonwill theory articulator WG A Bonwill.

Known as theory of
equilateral triangle.
Allow lateral
movement & permit
movement in
horizontal plane.

B. Conical theory articulator R. E. HALL

Lower teeth move

over the surface of
the upper teeth as
over the surface of
a cone generating an
angle of 45 degree.

C.Spherical theory articulatorG.S.MONSON

Lower teeth move

over the surface of
the upper teeth as
over a surface of
sphere
with
a
diameter of 8inches.

The center was

located in the region
of glabella.

BASED ON THE
ADJUSTABILITY
Three Types :a. Non Adjustable
b. Semi Adjustable
c. Fully Adjustable

NON ADJUSTABLE A.
Can open and close in a
fixed horizontal axis.
Have a fixed condylar
path.
The incisal pins ride on
an inclined plate in a
fixed inclination.

SEMI ADJUSTABLE A.
Have adjustable horizontal condylar paths,
adjustable lateral condylar path adjustable
incisal guide table and adjustable inter condylar
distance.
Two Type
Arcon Type
Non arcon Type

FULLY ADJUSTABLE A.
Capable
of
being
adjusted to follow the
mandibular movement in
all direction.
They donot have a
condylar guidance instead
they have receptacles.

Exp. Stuart Gnathoscope

Simulator

BASIC COMPONENT OF AN
ARTICULATOR
Upper member
Lower member

Represent maxilla
Represent mandible

CONDYLAR TRACK
CONDYLAR ELEMENT-

Vertical Rod (Incisal Pin)

Incisal guide table

SOME COMMONALY USED

ARTICULATOR
Mean-Value Articulator
Hanau wide VUE articulator
Whip mix articulator
Denar articulator
Panadent articulator
TMJ articulator

MEAN-VALUE ARTICULATOR
Upper member :Triangular frame
Vertical Rod with
thumb screw.
Two Condylar
elements

Lower Member :L Shaped frame with

horizontal and
vertical arm.
Horizontal arm is
triangular and its
apex contains incisal
guide table.
Vertical arm is
rectangular containing
condylar guidance slot
at upper portion.

Incisal guide table :Contain very short

cylinder whose upper
surface is concave.
Vertical Rod should
rest on the center
of the incisal guide
table
during
articulation.

Condylar guidance
Represent by a slot
( condylar track)
Condylar element of
upper member passes
through this track.
A spring is mounted
within this track to
established
the
condylar element.

Vertical Rod or Incisal Pin :Helps to keep a

fixed
distance
between the upper
& lower member at
anterior end.
The pointed tip of
vertical rod should
rest on the center
of incisal guide
during articulation.

Incisal guide pin :Present at the mid point

of vertical rod.
The incisal edge of the
maxillar incisors at the mid
line of the occlusal rim
should touch the tip of
incisal pin during
articulation.
It present the anterior
reference point.

HANAU ARTICULATORS
Hanau
Hanau
Hanau
Hanau
Hanau

wide VUE articulator.

wide VUE II articulator
H2 articulator
ARCON articulator
Redialshift

HANUA WIDE VUE A.

Semi adjustable
ARCON type
Accept a Face-bow
transfer
Capable of hinge &
lateral movements.

Upper member : T.Shaped with

vertical & horizontal
arm.
Condylar guidance
attached to this.
Mounting dowels
present the center of
under surface.
Orbital indicator
present near dowel.

Lower Member :L-Shaped with horizontal & vertical arm.

Horizontal arm is rectangular metal strap.

Dowel present center of the lower member

for mounting ring & also a stand of pivot.
Vertical arm slope outword.

 Upper portion of vertical

arm contains a roll pin.
Which project on the outer
surface.
The
condylar
shaft
attached to inner surface
of the vertical arm 12-13
mm anterior to the roll pin.
The
condylar
element
(metal ball ) is attached to
the free end of the
condylar shaft.

Condylar guidance : It is circular structure

with a slot in the center
The condylar element of
lower member articulate
with this slot also called
condylar track.
The poterior end of this
track has a component
known as centric stop.

 The condylar element should contact

the centric stop during articulation.
The condylar guidance can be rotated
around the vertical axis to set the
Bennett angle.

Bennett angle(L) = H/8+12

H = Horizontal condylar inclination

Incisal guide table : It has a customised incisal

guide table.
The slope of the incisal
guide table can be changed
in the antero posterior
direction & can lock in
position with a lock nut.
During articulation it should
be flat & the incisal pin
should be at in center.
A pair of lateral wings is
present around it.

Incisal Pin :It is a double sided pin.

One end is sharp but chisel
like
with flat edge. The other end tapers
to a pointed tip.
Usually the flat end is used.
The incisal pin has series of markings
closely placed in one end & two
widely spaced marking in other end.

The upper member of the articulator

should be at the level of the darkest
marking of the close markings.
The space out markings acts as the
anterior reference point in the
absence of face-bow transfer.

HANAU H2

Designed by Rudolph Hanau.

It is non arcon type articulator.

It has a fixed intercondylar distance of 110 mm. &
does not accept a face-bow transfer.
Four different face-bow can be utilised

1. Facia face-bow
2. Earpiece face-bow
3. Twirl face-bow
4. Adjustable axis face-bow

HANAU RADIAL SHIFT

Structure is almost same as Hanau series
articulator.
It has right & left Centric Latches & the
upper member is easily removed for waxing.
The radial shift adjustment has a 3mm radius
and allow upto 3 mm.of radial shift before
intercepting preadjusted prograssive Bennett
angle.

HANAU WIDE VUE II

only
difference
The
between Hanau wide vue &
vue II that the wide vue
has way closed condylar
track.
The closed condylar track
does not allow the upper
member to be removed,
Whereas the open condylar
track allow the upper
member to be removed for
waxing.

WHIP-MIX ARTICULATOR
Designed by Dr. Charles
Stuart 1963.
It is an arcon articulator.
The
upper
&
lower
member are mechanically
attached by means of a
spring latch assembly.

 The original
8500.

model

is

The condylar elements on

the
lower
frame
&
adjustable
to
three
position

1. Small (S) 96 mm
2. Medium (M)110mm
3. Large (L) 124 mm.

Two Different face-bows can

utilised.

Quick mount or earpiece facebow for complete denture.

The adjustable axis
for fixed prosthodontics.
The intercondylar distance is
determined from the scale on
the face-bow S.M.L.

 The articulator has pins on the outer

flanges

of

the

condylar

guides

corresponding holes on the medial

side of the earpieces of the face-bow

make for easy transfer of the facebow record to the articulator.

MODIFICATIONS
Articulator model 9600 is similar to
model 8500 except the lower frame is
inches taller to provide more space for
mounting the mandibular cast.
Mode 8800 provides an additional
inches space to mount the maxillary
cast.

 Model 9800 is combines the upper frame

of model 8800 with the lower frame of
model 9000 to provide the greatest
distance between the upper & lower
frames.
Model 8340 assure that cast can be
interchanged between any model 8340
articulator without loss of accuracy.

DENAR ARTICULATORS
DENAR MARK II
Arcon type
The articulator is a two
piece
instrument
incorporating
a
possitive
locking
machanism that can
hold the two member
together by means of
centric latch.

The condylar elements are at a fixed 110

mm intercondylar distance however an
adjustable distance (110 to 122) mm option
is available.
Four types of face-bow can be used :-

- Facia face-bow
- Earpiece face-bow
- Sidematic face-bow
- Adjustable axis face-bow

 The sidematic face-bow has a feature

of unique slide gear machinasm which
make it easy & quick to assemble.
The mark II can be programmed using

anatomic averages positional records

or with a mini recorder.

OMNI
It is a newest Denar
articulator.
The design allow one to
easily exchange closed
fossa for open fossa
with a positive locking
latch.

o The purpose of this model is an attempt to

better meet the requirments for complete
denture, removable & fixed partial denture
fabrication in one articulator.
o When the articulator is equipped with the
open fossae which is identical to mark II
fossa it is called omni mark.
o When it is utilised with closed track fossa
called omni track.

TMJ ARTICULATOR
Designed by (1965) Kenneth
Swanson.
The articulator has a spring
loaded latch to help return the
upper frame to the centric
relation position.
There is curved incisal guide
pin with both a plastic &
adjustable machanical incisal
table.

Small version of the articulator is

available & is called the mini
articulator.
Its intercondylar distance is
limited & has a straight incisal guide
pin.

DENTATUS
It is a shaft type instrument.
The condylar element attached to the
upper member & the condylar path is
straight.
The intercondylar distance is fixed.
The articulator received a hinge axis facebow.
The features are similar to Hanau model.

SELECTION
OF AN
ARTICULATOR

SELECTION OF AN
ARTICULATOR
One should not used too complex instruments
for a simple case or too simple articulator for
a complex case.
The following factors pertinent
understanding and selections.

to

the

1.

Articulator movements of the condylar

elements do not reproduced condylar
movement in the temporomandibular joint.

2. The goals of articulation is to duplicate

tooth movements along border path ways in
at least to planes of space.
3. The most important requirment of an
articulator are to maintain centric relation &
the vertical dimension of occlusion.

4. Fixed condylar elements at 110mm are all

that is neccesary. An adjustable inter
condylar capability may permit more
records to be accepted.
5. The articulator should be able to receive a
face-bow transfer record,.
6. The articulator should have the capability
of adjustment for precurrent or immediate
side shift upto atleast 2.5 mm.

7. An adjustable mechanical incisal guide table

can not reproduce the natural guidance of
the anterior teeth.
8. A sterograph ( pantograph) has limited value
for all but a few types of prosthodontics
situation.
9. The sophistication of articulators should not
exceed the level of training & ability of the
personnel that will be fabricating the
restorations.

MOUNTING PROCEDURE
Mounting of maxillary cast.
Mounting of mandibular cast.

Mounting of maxillary cast

Maxillary cast is attached
to the articulator using the
orientation jaw relation
record.
Procedure of transferring
the orientation jaw relation
to the articulator is called

face-bow transfer.

The ear piece of the face bow is attached to the

rollpin of the articulator.
This transfers the posterior reference point of
the face-bow to the articulator
The anterior reference point should be
positioned by making the orbital indicator contact
the orbital pointer of the face-bow.
A pivot stand attached to the lower member of
the articulator also helps to prevent vertical
displacement of the occlusal rim during
articulation.

Mounting of mandibularcast
Tighten the centric lock on each enclosed
condylar track mechanism to ensure that the
articulator is capable of nothing but a hing
opening.
Invert the articulator on the benchtop
resting it on the three thumnuts protruding
from the upper member of the articulator.

Scan0120.jpg

Place the centric relation interocclusal wax record on

the teeth of maxillary cast. Be sure that the teeth seat
completely into wax record.
Place the mandibular cast into interocclusal record.
There should be no contact between the maxillary and
mandibular cast.
Remove the mandibular cast and soak it for about 2
minute in slurry water.
Reseat the soaked mandibular cast into the record and
mount it by plaster/stone.

Inspect the articulated cast: The condyle is in the retruded position in

its condylar track mechanism.
Both casts are seated completely in the
interocclusal wax record.
Mounting stone is securely attached to
both casts and mounting plates.

CONCLUSION
An articulator is an important device that
mechanical analogues the temporomandibular
joint & upper and lower dental arches.
A device to which maxillary and mandibular
casts can be attached,with the intent of
simulating the functional & para functional
contact relationships of one arch to the other.

REFERENCES
Charles M. Heartwell the syllabus of complete
denture,fourth edition.

Sheldon Winkler- the essential of complete denture

prosthodontics,second edition.

Herbert T. Shillingburg- fundamentals of fixed

prosthodontics,third edition.
Deepak
Nallaswamy
the
Prosthodontics,first edition.

text

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