Articulators / fixed orthodontic courses

INDIAN DENTAL ACADEMY
Leader in continuing dental education
www.indiandentalacademy.com

Introduction
Definition
History and Development
Parts of an Articulator
Classification
Requirements, Uses and Limitations
“Mouth is the best Articulator”
Selection of an Articulator
Non-adjustable (Arbitrary)
Semi-adjustable (Arcon Vs NonArcon)
Fully-adjustable

Individual Articulators
Mean Value Articulator
Hanau Articulator
Whipmix Articulator
Denar Articulator
Programming an Articulator
Face bow
Horizontal Condylar guidance
Lateral Condylar guidance
Incisal guidance
Custom Anterior guidance

Gothic arch tracing
Care and Maintenance of Articulators
Conclusion
References

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
movements. (GPT-8)
ARTICULATORARTICULATOR

.
The Plaster Articulator
The slab articulator devised by Philip Pfaff in 1756

The origin of mechanical
hinge articulator -1805 J B
Garriot.
The first mechanical articulator

The Howarth Plaster Articulator 1830s.

The Barn door hinge articulator
(Plane line articulator)
Vertical stop at anterior end introduced

James
Cameron’s
articulator
1840
Evans’ articulator
1840
The first US patented articulators

Daniel T Evans’ articulator 1840
First to imitate mandibular movements – but not successful

Fixed condylar guide articulators (1858)
Bonwill’s
Starr’s Ante-Lewiswww.indiandentalacademy.com

30 years later………..www.indiandentalacademy.com

Richmond Hayes 1889
Fixed descending condylar path - incorporated

History to be continued………..www.indiandentalacademy.com

MANDIBULAR MOVEMENTS
ANY MOVEMENT OF THE LOWER JAW (GPT)www.indiandentalacademy.com

Frontal plane Horizontal plane
Sagittal plane

Intra border functional movements

Condylar Guidance
1. Mandibular guidance generated by the condyle and articular disc
traversing the contour of the glenoid fossa
2. The mechanical form located in the upper posterior region of an
articulator that controls the movements of its mobile members.

Sir Norman Godfrey Bennett
British Dental Surgeon (1870-1947)
Condylar movement on the working side in the
horizontal plane.
The angle formed by the sagittal plane and the
average path of the advancing condyles as
viewed in the horizontal plane during lateral
mandibular movements

Bennet’s movement
Bodily shift of the mandible toward the working side during
lateral excursion.
Immediate / Early side shift
Progressive side shift

Gritmans articulator 1889
George B Snow- 15 degrees condylar guidance

A caliper like instrument used to record the
spatial relationship of the maxillary arch to
some anatomic reference point(s) and then
transfer this relationship to an articulator; it
orients the cast in the same relationship to
the opening axis of the articulator.
Hingebow

Early development of face-bow (1889)
Articulating caliper Jaw gauge-1894

Traditional face- bow 1899
George B snow-Face-bow & orientation of occlusal planewww.indiandentalacademy.com

Wadsworth articulator and face-bow 1921
Third point of reference - Naso-optic condylar triangle

Later-infra orbital pointer - Hanau

Francis H Balkwil 1886
Angle formed between the plane of two lines drawn from
the articulating surfaces of the condyles to the occlusal
plane - estimated to be 26 degrees.www.indiandentalacademy.com

But a puzzle was still to be answered
?
Why should be condylar guides fixed?

First adjustable condylar guide articulators
William Earnest Walker-Physiological articulators

Walkers Facial
clinometer

Carl Christensen, Danish Dentist and EducatorCarl Christensen, Danish Dentist and Educator
The space that occurs between opposing occlusal surfaces during mandibular protrusion

Recording the condylar guidance
Christensens interocclusal wax record

Incisal Pin & Guide Feature
Luce articulator 1911 Eltner articulator 1912
Anterior guidance concept introducedwww.indiandentalacademy.com

Anterior guidance
1. The influence of the contacting surfaces of anterior teeth on
mandibular movements for analysis and treatment of occlusion.
2.The fabrication of restorations in harmony with mandibular
movements as guided by the anterior teeth.

Condylar guidance
Incisal guidance
Compensatory curve Orientation of occlusal
plane
Thielmann Formula CG *IG = CI*CC*OP
Functional
movements
Cuspal inclination

Gysi series of articulators
Snow acme articulator

Articulators based on Geometric theories
of Mandibular movements
Monson’s
spherical
theory
Hall’s
conical
theory
Bonwill’s
Equilateral
theory

Bonwill’s Equilateral theory

Monson’s spherical theory

Hall’s conical theory
Alligator
Hall articulatorwww.indiandentalacademy.com

Adaptable or Adjustable
Average or Fixed type
Two dimensional instrument
Three dimensional instrument
i. Suspension instrument
ii. Axis instrument
iii. Tripod instrument
GILLIS(1926)
BOUCHER (1934)
BECK’S (1962)

i. Arbitrary
ii. Positional
iii. Semi adjustable
iv. Fully adjustable
1. Plain line
2. Mean value
3. Adjustable
WEINBERG (1963)
POSSELT’S (1968)

Functional
Axis type
Non axis type
Static type
Functional type
Axis type
Non axis type
C.J. THOMAS (1973)
Arbitrary
Positional

1. Simple hinge type
2. Fixed guide type,
3. Adjustable instruments
JOHN J. SHARRY (1974)
HALPERIN et al
i. Simple or Hinge articulators
ii. Fully adjustable articulators
iii. Semi adjustable articulators
Arcon
Non-arcon

Rectilinear
Curvilinear
(1)The theories of occlusion
(2) The types of records used for their adjustment.
a) Those utilizing the Inter occlusal records.
b) Those using the Graphic record adjustment.
c) Those utilizing hinge-axis location for adjusting the articulator.
HALPERIN
BOUCHER

CHARLES M. HEARTWELL Jr
Class II
Type 1 (Hinge)
Type 2 (Arbitrary)
Types 3 (Average)
Type 4 (Special)
Class I

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
International prosthodontics workshop
(University of Michigan in 1972)

A Simple holding instrument capable of accepting a single
static registration.
Subdivision A: Vertical motion is
possible, but only for convenience.
The Corelator
(Denar Corp.)
The Verticulator
(Jelenko)
Class I. Articulator
International prosthodontics workshop (university of michigan in 1972)

Subdivision B: Vertical motion
is joint related.
The Centric relator (Denar Corp)
This instrument rotates on the
terminal arc registered by a
face-bow that ensures a positive
centric .
Class I. Articulator

Subdivision A: Eccentric
motion permitted is based
on average or arbitrary
values
Gysi Simplex
Articulator
An instrument that permits horizontal as well as vertical motion
but does not orient the motion to the temporomandibular joints.
Class II. Articulator

Subdivision B: Eccentric
motion permitted is based
on theories of arbitrary
motion.
The Monson Maxillo-mandibular
articulator

Subdivision C:
Eccentric motion
permitted is
determined by the
patient using
engraving methods.
The Gnathic
Relator

Instruments that simulate condylar pathways by using averages or
mechanical equivalents for all or part of the motion. These
instruments allow for orientation of the cast relative to the joints and
may be arcon or nonarcon instruments, accept facebows, and have
mounting plates for unlimited case load.
Subdivision A: Instruments
that accept static protrusive
registrations and use
equivalents for the rest of the
motion.
Class III. Articulator

Dentatus articulator
Hanau Nonarcon
H2 Articulator

Subdivision B: Instruments that
accept static lateral protrusive
registrations and use equivalents for
the rest of the motion.
Gysi trubyte
Denar Mark II
Articulator
Hanau-TeledynePanadent Model P
ArticulatorWhipmix
Articulator
Class III. Articulator

Subdivision A: The cam
representing the condylar
paths are formed by
registration engraved by the
patient.
Class IV. Articulator
Instruments that will accept three dimensional dynamic registrations.
These instruments allow for orientation of the casts to the
temporomandibular joints and replication of all mandibular
movements.
TMJ-Stereographic
instrument
Denar Combi articulator

Class IV. Articulator
Subdivision B: Instruments
that have condylar paths that
can be angled and customized
either by selection from a
variety of curvatures, by
modification, or both.
Stuart ArticulatorDenar D5A Articulator

Can accept one or
two of the following
records:
1. Face bow
2. Centric jaw
relation record
3. Protrusive record.
Can accept all the
following three
records.
1. Face bow
2. Centric jaw
relation record
Can accept all the
following five
records.
1. Face bow
2. Centric jaw
relation record
4. Lateral records
5. Intercondylar
distance record
Rihani A: classification of articulators, J Prosthet Dent 1980;43:344-347
Fully adjustable Semiadjustable Nonadjustable
RIHANI 1980

Basic Requirements
Hold casts in correct horizontal
and vertical position
Positive anterior stopAccept face bow transfer
Open and close in hinge movement
And
Allow for protusive &lateral motion
Moving parts should move freely & be
accurately machined
Non moving parts should be of rigid
construction

Adjustable horizontal and lateral condylar
guide elements
Conylar element - lower frame
Condylar guide - upper frame
Accept third point of referenceTerminal hinge position locking deviceRemovable mounting platesAdjustable incisal guide tableAdjustable Intercondylar width – graphic
tracings
Additional Requirements

1. Diagnosis, treatment planning and
patient presentation in both the
natural and artificial dentitions.
2. To plan dental procedures
3. To aid in the fabrication of dental
restorations and lost dental parts.
4. To correct and modify completed
restorations.
5. Teaching and studying of occlusion
and mandibular movements.
USES

LIMITATIONS
Subject to error in tooling and to error resulting
from metal fatigue and wear.
Does not completely duplicate the condylar
movements in the temporomandibular joints.
Movements simulated are empty-mouth sliding
motions, not functional movements.

M uth is the best
articulatorwww.indiandentalacademy.com

..then why not use
it Patient’s saliva, tongue, and cheeks
 Shifting denture bases
 Resiliency of the supporting tissues
 Inability of humans to detect visually subtle changes in motion
 The inability to know exact location of the condyles
 More chair time

NON-ADJUSTABLE ARTICULATORS
For complete dentures
For fixed prosthodontics*Arc of opening www.indiandentalacademy.com

SEMI-ADJUSTABLE ARTICULATORS
For fixed prosthodontics
KAVO WHIPMIX
HANAU

Arcon v/s Non-arcon
Derived from Articulator & Condyle
Beck 1956,Weinberg 1963 : No difference
Survey 1985 : Out of 81 ,67 were arconwww.indiandentalacademy.com

Rectilinear or Curvilinear
Sagittal condylar path-Convex S-shaped curvature
Aull 1965 : 8%-Straight line
92%-Curved path
Diameter:10mm in 34% Population
Curvature noticeable appeared when 5-10mm tracings were drawn
Within 2-3mm from centric condylar path is almost a straight line.www.indiandentalacademy.com

FULLY ADJUSTABLE ARTICULATORS
For fixed prosthodontics
The Denar D5A Articulator Cyberhoby Articulator

Denar articulators

Pantographic tracing

STEREOGRAPHS

Stereograph (TMJ articulator)

Fully adjustable….Do we really need it ?
According to Dawson
 Bilaterally balanced occlusion is traumatogenic (Dentulous)
 Condylar guidance does not dictate anterior guidance
 Tripod contact no more stable than cusp tip to fossa contact
 Posterior disclusion by anterior guidance most desirable
(Christenson’s phenomenon/mutually protected occlusion)
 Immediate side shift cannot occur from centric (medial part of
the condyle will be in close proximity with the glenoid fossa)
 Not necessary to reproduce Fischer’s anglewww.indiandentalacademy.com

Fischer’s angle
Rudolph Fischer, Swiss Dentist
The angle formed by the intersection of the
protrusive and nonworking side condylar
paths as viewed in the sagittal plane.

Articulators for Functionally generated path
Verticulator
Twin-Stage occluderwww.indiandentalacademy.com

Mean value articulator
• Upper member can be
moved upward and
backward .
• Condylar inclination
of 30 degrees on both
side .
• Anterior part is
supported by the
incisal guide rod
above and incisal
guide table below with
10 to 15 inclination.www.indiandentalacademy.com

Hanau Articulators
Hanau H (Arcon) :
• Rudolf L. Hanau in 1923.
• Arcon
• Intercondylar distance - 110 mm
• Horizontal condylar guidance - 40 to +800
• Lateral condylar guidance 0 to 200
• Hanau formula : L =H/8 + 12.

Hanau H2 (Model 96) ( Non Arcon):
• Has all features of original Hanau and additions as
auditory pins have been added to the condylar
mechanism.
• Lateral condylar guidance increased to 0 to 300
Hanau H2 (Model 158) (Arcon) 1977
• Retained all the features of H2 model 96 but it is of
arcon type.

Hanau wide vue (models183 & 184)
• Vue 1 has close condylar track.
• Vue 2 has open condylar track. Also has condylar
retainers to avoid accidental separation.
• Has micrometer protrusive, retrusive condylar
adjustments.
• Horizontal condylar guidance -20 to +600
• Lateral condylar angle is from 0 to 300

Hanau Radial shift (Model 166) : 1981
• Arcon type
• Upper member can be removed for waxing
• A curved immediate side shift ( Radial shift) with
adjustable progressive Bennet angle of 0 to 600
• Radial shift of 3mm is provided.
• Has a curved superior wall with 0.75” radius.

Hanaumate – 165 (Average articulator) :
• Condylar width is 110 mm.
• Horizontal condylar inclination 300
• 100
protrusive and lateral incisal guide
table.
• 150
fixed progressive side shift. (Bennet)
• Upper frame can be separated
• Receives most average face bows.

Whipmix Articulators
Introduced by Dr Charles Stuart in 1963.
His main objective was
1. Aid in teaching the principles of occlusion for
better diagnosis of the occlusion
1. To provide simplified instrument for fabrication of
prosthodontic restorations.

Whipmix Articulator

Features (8500)
• Adjustable Intercondylar distance S(96mm),
M(110) and L(124) by means of removable
condylar guidance spacer.
• Horizontal and lateral condylar inclinations are set
by interocclusal records. Horizontal 0 to 700.
Lateral 0 to 450.
)
• The upper and lower member are attached by
means of spring latch assembly.

Model 8300 :
• Retains all normal features and
• Has 3/4th
inch curved superior and medial wall.
• Immediate side shift from 0 to 4mm with progressive
angle of 60
Model 8340 :
• Has been modified so that the casts are
interchangeable through a special fixture called as
“accumount” (precise special mounting plate)

Model 8800:
• This provides a additional 1/2inch space to mount
the maxillary cast.
Model 9000 :
• This provides a additional ½ inch space to mount
the mandibular cast.
Model 9800 :
• This provides ½ inch space for both maxillary and
mandibular casts

Denar Articulators
In 1968 Dr Miles Guichet introduced the Denar 4A
articulator. The current model is D5A.
Advantage : Saves time and effort needed to manually
transfer the recordings and to programme the
articulator.

Denar D5A Articulator

Features :
• Denar reference plane locator and marker is useful
for locating the reference points.
• Pantronic digital recorder in which the condylar
guidance settings are determined automatically.
• For condylar guidance a precurrent inserts are
available which are made up of nylon or acrylic
resins.

Denar mark II :
• Introduced in 1975 and developed to satisfy the
undergraduate needs of education for a simpler arcon
articulator.
• Has adjustable horizontal inclinations of 0 to 600.
• Has immediate side shift of 0 to 4mm + progressive
shift of 0 to 150.
• The posterior wall is inclined posteriorly 250. to allow
backward movement of condyle.

Face Bow Record & Transferring it to
Articulator

Obtaining Protrusive Record for adjusting
HORIZONTAL CONDYLAR GUIDANCE

Hanau Bennett angle formula L = H/8 + 12
How far is it valid
?
 Even with large variation in condylar guidance
Bennet angle changes to a small degree
 Gradations with 5mm difference
 But yet it is popularly followed

Adjusting LATERAL CONDYLAR GUIDANCE
( Bennet angle )

Adjusting ANTERIOR GUIDANCE

Custom Anterior guidance

For Complete Dentures
Gothic arch tracing

LUBRICATION
 Light application of quality hand piece oil
 Excess oil should be wiped off
 Thin coating of petroleum jelly-when in
contact with gypsum

CLEANING
Cleaning solvent or mild detergent
Liberal use of fluid with small brush removes all
wax and abrasive grit
NO to Scraping or Abrasive cleanser
Effect of chlorine in abrasive cleansers
Blow dry air, re-lubricate
Watch for thumb screw AWASH !!!!

STORAGE
When not in use ,store in clean, dry atmosphere-free of
plaster and abrasive dust
A corrugated carrying carton
NOT near acids, alkalies or medicaments-Fumes may be
of corrosive nature.
DONOT CONFINE THE ARTICULATOR in a
instrument case

Carl O Boucher, “It must be recognized that the person
operating the instrument is more important than the
instrument. If dentists understand articulators and their
deficiencies, they can compensate for their inherent
inadequacies”.

• Teledyne (Hanau) Industries: Illustrated Instruction Manual
for the Hanau Wide Vue Arcon Articulator and Wide Vue II
Articulator.
• Thomas C. J. “A Classification of Articulators”. J.Prosthet
Dent 1993 ; 30 : 11-14.
• Walker PM: Discrepancies between arbitrary and true hinge
axes, J Prosthet Dent 43:279-285, 1980.
• Winkler Sheldon: Essentials of complete Denture
Prosthodontics, 2nd edition, U.S.A. JEA, 1996, p 142-182.

• Dawson - Occlusion
• Gross M, Nissan J, Ormianer Z et al: The effect of
increasing occlusal vertical dimension on face height, Int J
Prosthodont 15:353-357, 2002.
• Heartwell Cm Jr, Rahn AO : Textbook of complete
dentures, 5th edition, Philadelphia, Lea and Febiger, 1993, p-
59.
• Hobo - Occlusal Rehabilitation

• J Prosthodont 2000 (9) ;1 : 51
• J Prosthodont 2000 (9) ;2 : 110
• J Prosthodont 2000 (9) ;3 : 161
• J Prosthodont 2000 (9) ;4: 217
• J Prosthodont 2001 (10) ;1 : 52
• J Prosthodont 2001 (10) ; 2 : 115
• J Prosthodont 2001 (10) ;3 : 170
• J Prosthodont 2001 (10) ;4 : 240
• J Prosthodont 2002 (11) ;1 : 53
• J Prosthodont 2002 (11) ;2 : 134
• J Prosthodont 2002 (11) ;3 : 183
• J Prosthodont 2002 (11) ;4 : 305
• J Prosthodont 2003 (12) ;1 : 51-62
HISTORY OF ARTICULATORS

• Keshvad A, Winstanley RB: An appraisal
of the literature on centric relation, part III,
J Oral Rehabil 28:55-63, 2001.
• Morneburg TR, Proschel PA: Predicted
incidence of occlusal errors in centric
closing around arbitrary axes, Int J
Prosthodont 15:358-364, 2002.

• Noel D. Wilkie, Donald L. Mitchell : Articulators through the
years. Part – I J Prosthet dent 1978 ; 39 :140-141.
• Noel D.W., Donald L. Mitchell: Articulators through the years.
Part – II J Prosthet dent 1978 ; 39 :168-181.
• Rihami A. “Classification of Articulators”. J.Prosthet Dent 1980
; 43:344-47.
• Rosenstiel s., Land M.F. And Fujimoto “Contemporary fixed
prosthodontics”. 3rd Edition, Mosby, St. Louis, USA, 2001.
.
• Sharry J.J. : Complete denture Prosthodontics, 1st edition, New
York, McGrew–Hiel, 1962, p-196.
• Shillingburg H. T. “Fundamentals of fixed prosthodontics”. 3rd
Edition, Quintessence Publishing Co., Chicago, 1997.

Ash and Ramford “Occlusion”
Beck Ho, Morrison We : Investigation of an Arcon
Articulator, J Prosthet dent 1956 ; 6 : 359 – 372.
Boucher’s : Prosthetic Treatment for edentulous patients, 11th
edition, 1997, p.220.

• Bowley JF, Bowman HC: Evaluation of
variables associated with the transverse
horizontal axis, J Prosthet Dent 68:537- 541,
1992.
• Bowley JF, Pierce CJ: Reliability and validity of
a transverse horizontal axis location instrument ,J
Prosthet Dent 1990;64:646-650.
• Cabot L.B. “using articulators to enhance clinical
practice”. BDJ 1998 ; 184:272-276.

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Articulators / fixed orthodontic courses

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