ARTICULATORS

Danish Singh Chouhan

MDS 2ND YEAR
DEPARTMENT OF PROSTHODONTICS
AND IMPLANTOLOGY

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 CONTENTS
• Introduction
• Definition
• History and Development
• Classification of an Articulator
• Parts of an Articulator

• Individual Articulators

Mean Value Articulator

Hanau Articulator

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 Whipmix Articulator
Denar Articulator
Other types of articluators
• Requirements, Uses and Limitations

• Programming an Articulator
Face bow
Horizontal Condylar guidance
Lateral Condylar guidance
Incisal guidance
Custom Anterior guidance

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Care and Maintenance of Articulators
Recent advances
Conclusion

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 ARTICULATOR

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-9)

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 The Plaster Articulator

The slab articulator devised by Philip Pfaff in 1756

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 The first mechanical articulator

The origin of mechanical

hinge articulator -1805 J B
Garriot.

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 The Howarth Plaster Articulator 1830s.

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 The Barn door hinge articulator
(Plane line articulator)

Vertical stop at anterior end

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introducedARTICULATORS 136 11
 The first US patented articulators

James Evans’ articulator

Cameron’s 1840
articulator
1840

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Fixed condylar guide articulators (1858)

Bonwill’s

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Starr’s ARTICULATORS 136
Ante-Lewis
13
 Richmond Hayes 1889

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 Gritmans articulator 1889

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 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.

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Bennet’s movement
: Condylar movements of the working side in a horizontal plane
Mandibular Side Shift Bodily shift of the mandible toward
the working side during lateral excursion.

Immediate / Early side shift

Progressive side shift

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Most articulators allow bennet angle to be in straight line
Bennet angle is calculated by l= h/8 + 12
Has significant effect on the width of the central fossa
Greater the movement –wider the angle between laterotrusive and
mediotrusive pathways
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 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.

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 Traditional face- bow 1899

George B snow-Face-bow & orientation of occlusal plane

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 Wadsworth articulator and face-bow 1924

Third point of reference - Naso-optic condylar triangle

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 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.
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First adjustable condylar guide articulators

William Earnest Walker-Physiological articulators

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 Incisal Pin & Guide Feature

Luce articulator 1911 Eltner articulator 1912

Anterior guidance concept introduced

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 Gysi series of articulators

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 Snow acme articulator

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NAME ACHVIEMENT
GARIET 1805 - Develop a hinge articulator made of the metal.

Evans 1840 - Develop the first anatomical articulator .

1854- Propose a Bonwill's triangle.

1859-Propose a Three points contact occlusion
Bonwill •Developed the anatomical articulator

Balkwill 1886-Propose a Balkwill angle.

Spee 1890-Propose the theory of the Spee's curve.

Walker 1896-Measure a human mandibular movement for the first time, and
recognize the need which gives an Articulator a Sagittal condylar path.
•Develop the first adjustment Articulator of the arcon type.

Snow 1899-Develop a face bow

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 1901 -Release a gothic arch tracing method.

1908-Develop Adaptable Articulator .An incisal guide table can adjust

it by installing an exclusive adapter.

1929-Release that a inclination of Sagittal condylar path is an average

Gysi 33degrees when it does based on the Camper's line.

1958-Propose that there is a difference in Sagittal condylar element of

the protrusive movement and the lateral movement.

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Christensen 1901- Release a Christensen phenomenon.

Angle 1907-Release the classification of Angle ( Angle's Key to occlusion)

Bennett 1907-Release Bennett movement.

Zsigmondy 1912-Measure a path of masticatory movement. Release the 3 phase theory of

the mastication.

Hanau 1921-Develop a Hanau-model H articulator.

1926-Release synthetic mandibular movement theory to name as "HanauQuint".

1958-Develop a Hanau H2-O Articulator.

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McCollm, 1921-Develop how to measure a Hinge axis.
Stallard 1931-Develop the Gnathograph (the archetype of the Pantograph).
1934-Develop the Gnathoscope Articulator.
1955-Propose a balanced occlusion as an ideal occlusion of the Oral
rehabilitation. And Release the 12 decision elements of the occlusion.

Yazaki 1929-Propose mastication movement theory.

Beyron 1944-Develop the Dentatus Articulator.

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Payne 1941-Release a modified set-up method.
1962-Release the Cusp to ridge waxing method.

Stallard,Stuart 1949- Release the general idea of Mutually protected occlusion.

1955-Develop a Stuart computer.
1961-Develop a Whip-Mix Articulator.

Thomas 1950-Release the Cusp fossa waxing (wax corn technique) and Tripodism
which aimed at giving it an Organic occlusion.

D amico 1958-Discover that a canine tooth is a "stress breaker" from the research of
the anthropology.

Schuyler 1961-Propose group functioned occlusion.

Posselt 1962-Publish the figure (Posselt's banana) which the limit movement way of
the lower incisal tooth was drawn in three-dimensionally.
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Swanson 1968-Develop a TMJ Articulator.

Granger 1968- Develop a Simulator Articulator.

Hobo 1971-Release a Principle of overcompensation.

Lundeen 1973-Release that the angle of lateral condyle path it thinks that there are
many differences is almost fixed with 7.5, and it is the amount of
immediate side shift of the difference to appear.

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 GILLIS(1926)
Adaptable or Adjustable
Average or Fixed type

BOUCHER (1934)
Two dimensional instrument
Three dimensional instrument
BECK’S (1962)
i. Suspension instrument
ii. Axis instrument
iii. Tripod instrument
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 WEINBERG (1963)

i. Arbitrary
ii. Positional
iii. Semi adjustable
iv. Fully adjustable

POSSELT’S (1968)

1. Plain line
2. Mean value
3. Adjustable
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 C.J. THOMAS (1973)

Arbitrary

Positional

Functional

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JOHN J. SHARRY (1974)

1. Simple hinge type

2. Fixed guide type,
3. Adjustable instruments

HALPERIN et al
i. Simple or Hinge articulators

ii. Fully adjustable articulators

Arcon
iii. Semi adjustable articulators
Non-arcon
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 BOUCHER
(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.

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CHARLES M. HEARTWELL Jr

Class I

Class II
Type 1 (Hinge)
Type 2 (Arbitrary)
Types 3 (Average)
Type 4 (Special)
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 Articulators based on Geometric theories
of Mandibular movements

Bonwill’s Monson’s Hall’s

Equilateral spherical conical
theory theory theory

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Bonwill’s Equilateral theory

4 inch (10cm)-distance between condyle and between each

condyle and the incisal point.

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 Bonwill Articulator

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 Monson’s spherical theory

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 Hall’s conical theory

Alligator

Hall articulator

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 International prosthodontics workshop
(University of Michigan in 1972)

Class I. Class III.

Subdivision A

Class II. Subdivision B

Subdivision A Class IV.

Subdivision B Subdivision A
Subdivision C Subdivision B

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 International prosthodontics workshop (university of michigan in 1972)

Class I. Articulator
A Simple holding instrument capable of accepting a single
static registration.
Vertical motion is possible

The Verticulator The Corelator

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(Jelenko) ARTICULATORS 136
(Denar Corp.) 47
 International prosthodontics workshop (university of michigan in 1972)

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

Gysi Simplex
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Articulator 48
 International prosthodontics workshop (university of michigan in 1972)

Class II. Articulator

Subdivision B: Eccentric
motion permitted is based
on theories of arbitrary
motion.

The Monson Maxillo-mandibular

articulator

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 International prosthodontics workshop (university of michigan in 1972)

Class II. Articulator

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

The Gnathic
Relator
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 International prosthodontics workshop (university of michigan in 1972)

Class III. Articulator

Instruments that simulate condylar pathways by using averages or
mechanical equivalents for all or part of the motion.
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. Dentatus
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articulator
 International prosthodontics workshop (university of michigan in 1972)

Class III. Articulator

Subdivision B: Instruments that

accept static lateral protrusive
registrations and use equivalents for
the rest of the motion.

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 International prosthodontics workshop (university of michigan in 1972)

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.

Subdivision A: Condylar paths

are formed by registration
engraved by the patient. Non
modifyable

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Denar Combi articulator
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 International prosthodontics workshop (university of michigan in 1972)

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
Denar D5A
Articulator
Articulator

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 Articulators based on the type of
record used for the adjustment

Interocclusal record adjustment-one positional relationship of the

lower jaw to upper jaw.

Graphic record adjustment-records of the extreme border positions

of mandibular movement

Hinge axis location for adjusting articulators-correct location of the

opening and closing axis of the mandible should be made

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 Fully adjustable Semiadjustable Nonadjustable
Can accept all the Can accept all the Can accept one or
following five following three two of the following
records. records. records:
1. Face bow 1. Face bow 1. Face bow
2. Centric jaw 2. Centric jaw 2. Centric jaw
relation record relation record relation record
3. Protrusive record. 3. Protrusive record. 3. Protrusive
4. Lateral records record.
5. Intercondylar
distance record

Fully adjustable -Hanau Kinescope, 1923; McCollum Gnathoscope, 1935; Granger Gnatholator,
1950; Stuarticulator, 1955; Ney-Depietro, 1962; Hanau 130-27, 1953; Simulator, 1968; Denar
D4-A, 1968
Semi adjustable- Snow Acme, 1910; Gysi Adaptable, 1910; Hanau H, 1922; .Wadsworth, 1924;
Gysi Trubyte, 1926; House, 1927; Dentatus, 1944; Bergstrom Arcon, 1950; Hanau 130-28, 1963;
Whip-Mix, 1968
Non adjustable-Gariot, 1805; Evans, 1840; barn door hinge, 1858; Bonwill, 1858; Walker, 1896;
Gritman, 1899; Snow, 1906; Gysi Simplex, 1912; Monson, 1918; Stansbery, 1929; Phillips ; Kile
Dentograph,
03/06/25 1945; Transograph, 1952; Pankey-Mann,
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Rihani A: classification of articulators, J Prosthet Dent 1980;43:344-347
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 SOME COMMONLY USED ARTICULATOR
• Mean-Value Articulator
• Hanau wide VUE articulator
• Whip – mix articulator
• Denar articulator
• Panadent articulator
• TMJ articulator

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The parts of mean value
articulator
• upper member,
• lower member ,
• insical table,
• Insical pin ,
• condylar guide pin,

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Upper member

Triangular frame
Vertical Rod with
Thumb screw.
Two Condylar
elements

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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

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

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 Vertical Rod or Incisal Pin

The pointed tip of

vertical rod should
rest on the center
of incisal guide
during articulation.

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 Incisal guide pin &
guide table
 The incisal edge of the
maxillary incisors at the
mid line of the occlusal
rim should touch the tip
of incisal pin during
articulation.
 It present the anterior
reference point.

Incisal guide table :- very short cylinder,

concave upper surface.

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Advantages:
1.Simple to use.
2. Can be used for individual posterior restorations and short span (three to four
units) posterior bridges with a minimal vertical and horizontal overlap

Disadvantage:
1) Most of these articulators do not accept face-bow record.
2) The condylar path moves to a fixed angle and it is successful only in patients
whose condylar angle approximates that of the articulator.
3) No lateral movements

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HANAU WIDE VUE

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

It consist of following parts

Upper member
Lower member
Mounting plates
Condylar analogues
Condylar guidance
Incisal guide pin and table

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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.

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 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

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Arcon type : Instrument with condyles in the lower member and condylar guides on the
upper member i.e. lower member is movable.

Whipmix , 8500 ( DR. Charles Stuart, 1963) – Hanau Arcon – Dentatus, ARA – Ney
articulator - (De Pietro , 1960) – Tele Dyne articulator - (Richard Beu ,1975

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NON –ARCON:The Condylar Element / analogue / sphere attached to – Upper
Member

EG; Hanau , 96h20 – Hanau, University – Gysi, adjustable – Trubyte articulator -

(GYSI, 1926) – Dentatus, ARL – Hanau, Kinoscope – House, Rotary Grinder ,mean
value

In an arcon articulator, the condylar spheres are attached to the lower component of
the articulator, and the mechanical fossae are attached to the upper member of the
instrument. •
Thus, the arcon articulator is anatomically “correct,” which makes understanding of
mandibular movements easier, as opposed to the nonarcon articulator .
Advantages of Arcon :
Since the relationship of the condyles and condylar guidances is similar as that of
glenoid fossa in skull, visualization and understanding of condylar movement is easier.

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Represents the patient’s infra-orbitale notch

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• Adjust the protrusive inclination of both Condylar Guidances to 30 degrees and
tighten the Thumbnuts.

• Adjust the Bennett Angles {LCG}of both Condylar Guidances at 30 degrees and
tighten their thumbnuts.

• Adjust the Incisal Pin to align the mid-line calibration to the top edge of the Upper
Member.

• Adjust the Incisal Guide to a “zero” degree and tighten the small Locknut.

• Slide the Platform to align the Incisal Pin contact over the “zero” indicating line
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on Guidance and tighten Platform Lockscrew.
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• Open and close in hinge movement and allow
for protrusive &lateral motion.
• Moving parts should move freely and be
accurately machined.
• Accept a face bow transfer.
• Positive anterior stop.
• Hold casts in correct horizontal and vertical
position.
• Non moving parts should be of rigid
construction.

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 Additional Requirements
cept third point of reference
Adjustable Intercondylar width
– graphic tracings
Adjustable horizontal and lateral
condylar guide elements
Conylar element - lower
frame
Condylar guide - upper
movable
frame mounting plates
Adjustable incisal guide table
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 USES
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.
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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.

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 DENTATUS
• Slot in the condylar assembly for the condylar element to make rectilinear

movements.

• It has three models ARH , ARL , and ARD models have the condylar

elements as part of the upper frame and the condylar guidance on upper frame.

• Adjustable Upper Jaw Member – Easily calibrated

by use of the Gauge Block.

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• Adjustable Condylar Track Inclination -20° to +60°

• Full range Bennett shift 0° to 40°

• Fixed intercondylar distance: 95mm

• Incisal table, can be tilted anterior-posteriorly, and detachable – can be

interchanged with the Fully Adjustable Segmented Incisal Table

• Fixed incisal guide tables of 0 ,5, 10, and 15 degrees are available. Accept either an
ear- bow or regular face bow.

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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.

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Hanau H2 (Model 96) ( Non Arcon):
• Has all features of original Hanau and additions as
auditory pins have been added to the condylar
mechanism.

Hanau H2 (Model 158) (Arcon) 1977

• Retained all the features of H2 model 96 but it is of
arcon type.

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• Fixed averages value incorporated into its design.
• The condylar element is at 110 mm and has a 30 degree
inclination ,.
• The upper frame can be separated easily by loosing two locks.
• Receive most face bows.
• Casts are mounted using quick
release pins instead of mounting
plates.
• Excellent lingual visibility.

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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

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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.

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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

2. To provide simplified instrument for fabrication of

prosthodontic restorations.

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Features

• 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.

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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)

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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

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Denar Articulators

In 1968 Dr Miles Guichet introduced the Denar 4A

articulator. The current model is D5A.

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 DENAR ARTICULATORS;

DENAR D5A

•Adjustment to the guidance surfaces are possible in all three planes

of space.
•The side shift adjustment is in the medial wall and has provisions
for both immediate and progressive settings.
•Precurrent insert is available for the medial wall.

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 Denar articulators
Nylon or acrylic inserts are available for the superior wall.

An adjustable metal incisal table and a custom incisal platform are available.

With denar reference plane locator anatomic points can be relocated

precisely.

A reusable clutch system consisting of an autoclavable upper and lower

clutch plate is available.

A digital recorder is also currently available.

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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 15

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 THE OMNI ARTICULATOR
• Exchange closed fossa to open fossa with a
protrusive locking latch.

• The omni model is adaptable to wide range of

accessories of other models that can maximize is
versility.

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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.

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 TMJ ARTICULATORS
KENNETH SWANSON(I965)

Custom analog fossa are formed from intraoral

sterographic tracings.

The manufacturer calls the technique sterographix.

The articulator has a spring latch to help return the

upper frame to the centric relation position.

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• It has nice hinge locking hooks to hold the upper and lower frames
together.

• The locking device will permit a hinge opening of 115 degree.

• There is a curved incisal guide pin with both a plastic and adjustable
mechanical incisal table

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•The mechanical fossa allows condylar inclination adjustment from

10 to 55 degree and progressive shift adjustment of 0 to 35 degrees.

• A series of premade fossa analogs are also available .

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PANADENT ARTICULATORS
1978 by Robert Lee

• It is an arcon with fixed intercondylar distance 110 mm.

• Interchangeable preformed curved analog fossae for condylar pathway

• The progressive side shift varied from 5-7 degrees generally with an average of 6
degrees.

• Lateral interocclusal records or the Axi-path recorder are utilized to determine the
amount of side shift and the steepness of the horizontal condylar inclination.

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Applications of simple hinge

•Permit only a simple hinge opening around a horizontal axis

whose distance from the casts is Arbitarily determined and less
than the distance between patient TMJ’s and teeth.

•Cannot simulate mandibular movements or positions outside

patient’s mouth and are inadequate for occlusal diagnosis.

•Can observe static relationships.

•Restoration may have to be adjusted in the mouth.

03/06/25 ARTICULATORS 136 107

Applications of semi adjustable articulators

• Used in diagnosis and treatment in complete denture prosthodontics, FPD and

RPD.

•Their limitations in providing only an approximation of true mandibular

movements are acceptable when adequate anterior guidance is present.

•If restorations are made on semi adjustable articulators, the occlusal adjustment
needed in lateral excursion becomes progressively less acceptable.

03/06/25 ARTICULATORS 136 108

Fully adjustable articulators
•Indicated when restoring opposing teeth in complex cases, with
minimal anterior guidance or group functions.

•They enable the cusps and grooves to be positioned correctly with

respect to the direction of lateral and protrusive movements and will
greatly reduce the amount of occlusal adjustment required when
restorations are tried in the mouth.

03/06/25 ARTICULATORS 136 109

• Before teeth can be arranged, the articulator must be programmed or customized to
the individual patient.

• The programmed articulator is vital to plan an occlusion which is both efficient

and at the same time reduces stresses transmitted to the underlying tissues and
temporomandibular joints

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03/06/25 ARTICULATORS 136 111
 Ear Bow

Bite-Fork With Index

Clamp Assembly

Face bow orienting the clamp assemble to

the bite fork.

03/06/25 Transfer
ARTICULATORS 136 112

Fixture
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 Obtaining Protrusive Record for adjusting
HORIZONTAL CONDYLAR GUIDANCE

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The condylar inclinations are adjusted until the upper and lower occlusal rim seat
firmly and evenly in the protrusive record.

The degree of inclination is noted and recorded on the mounting plaster. The
condylar inclination lock nuts are then secured.

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 Adjusting LATERAL CONDYLAR GUIDANCE
( Bennet angle )

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 Adjusting INCISAL GUIDANCE

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A newer technique to program a semi adjustable articulator

The radiographic outline of the articular fossa and articular eminence provided
an accurate representation of degree of inclinations. And also aid in setting the
condylar guidance in semi-adjustable articulators.

A new method for programming the articulator has been suggested in this
study that is more reliable, repeatable, ease of use with minimal drawbacks.

03/06/25
Venkateshwaran,J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2014 Jul; 6(Suppl 1): S135–S139.
ARTICULATORS 136 121
 Custom Anterior guidance

Acts as template for

recording lingual
curvature for both anterior
teeth and incisal edge
position

03/06/25 ARTICULATORS 136 122

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
VIRTUAL ARTICULATOR
The development of 3D virtual articulator system
(Zebris Company, D-Isny) requires three main unit
devices namely:
 An input device in form of a 3D scanner.
 3D virtual articulator software for
prosthesis modeling with collision detection.
 An output device in the form of “rapid
prototyping system” with stereoscopic inkjet
technology.
03/06/25 ARTICULATORS 136 123
 Plaster models of upper and lower parts of the jaw are scanned

The real geometry of the mouth and its relation location are
reconstructed in a CAD system using face bow.

Articulator is selected depending on the required accuracy

Cuspal interferences are automatically detected and removed

during the excursive movements

Dental prosthesis is milled

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03/06/25 ARTICULATORS 136 125
 LUBRICATION
 Light application of quality hand piece oil
 Excess oil should be wiped off
 Thin coating of petroleum jelly-when in contact with gypsum

03/06/25 ARTICULATORS 136 126

CLEANING
Cleaning solvent or mild detergent
Liberal use of fluid with small brush removes all wax and
abrasive grit
NO to Scraping or Abrasive cleansers
Blow dry air, re-lubricate

03/06/25 ARTICULATORS 136 127

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

03/06/25 ARTICULATORS 136 128

FACEBOW

129
CONTENTS
• Introduction

• Definitions

• Classification

• Facebows (Introduction and types)

• Types of facebow

• Conclusion

• Bibliography

130
 INTRODUCTION
• It is essential to develop proper occlusion for maintaining health of supporting
structures, orofacial musculature, TMJ while replacing missing teeth.

• So there is a need for accurately locating the hinge axis & recording & transferring the
same on to the articulator.

• This is achieved by Face bow which records the position of jaws in relation to the
condylar mechanism.

131
 FACEBOW

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.

132
• The face bow is an instrument used to record the spatial relationship of the

maxillae to some anatomic reference and transfer this relationship to an

articulator. Customarily this reference is a plane established by a transverse

horizontal axis and a selected anterior point.

- Glossary of prosthodontic terms, 1987

133
• A caliper like instrument used to record the spatial relationship of the
maxillary arch to some anatomic reference point or points and then transfer
this relationship to an articulator; it orients the dental cast in the same
relationship to the opening axis of the articulator. Customarily, the anatomic
references are the mandibular condyles transverse horizontal axis and one
other selected anterior point; also called as hingebow.

- (Glossary of prosthodontic terms, January 1999 –1)

134
• The face bow is a caliper like device that is used
to record the relationship of the jaws to the
temporomandibular joints or the opening axis of
the jaws and to orient the casts in this relationship
to the opening axis of the articulator. (Boucher. 10th ed)

135
• A face bow is used to record the three dimensional relation of the
maxillae to the cranium. The face bow record is used to orient the
maxillary cast to the articulator this procedure is called the face bow
transfer. Mandibular opening and closing movement are reproduced
when the transverse horizontal axis is coincident with the articulator
hinge axis. In order to create precise occlusion, the casts would be
oriented correctly which depends on an accurate face bow transfer.
(Lucia 1960)

136
History of Facebow
• In 1860 Bonwill concluded that the distance from the center of the condyle to the
median incisal point of the lower teeth is 10 cm, but, he did not mention at what level
below the condylar mechanism the occlusal plane should be situated.

• In 1866 Balkwill demonstrated an apparatus to measure the angle formed by the

occlusal plane of lower teeth & the plane passing through the condyles & incisal plane
of lower teeth.
THE FACE-BOW, ITS SIGNIFICANCE AND
APPLICATION .
THURE BRANDUP –WOGNSEN. J Prosthet Dent.
September 1953
137
• In 1880 Hayes constructed an apparatus called Caliper with median
incisal point localized in relation to the two condyles.

• There was no control of the proper orientation of the occlusal plane .

138
• In 1890 Walker invented Clinometer used to obtain the relative position
of the lower cast in relation to the condylar mechanism.

139
• Gysi constructed an instrument for registering the condylar path & used as face bow also.

140
• Snow in 1899 constructed simple
instrument which has become
prototype for all the face bows
constructed in present days.

141
142
143
PARTS OF FACEBOW

- U shaped frame

- Condylar rods

- Ear pieces

- Bite fork

- Locking device

- Orbital pointer

144
• It consists of a “U” shaped frame or assembly that is large enough to extend
from the region of one temporomandibular joints around the front of the face
(5 to 7.5 cm in front of it) to the other TMJ and wide enough to avoid contact
with the sides of the face.

145
• The parts that contact the skin near the TMJs are the condyle
rods.

• The part that attaches to the occlusion rims is the fork.

146
• The fork is attached to the face bow
by means of a locking device, which
also serves to support the face bow,
the occlusion rims and the cast while
they are being attached to the
articulator.

147
• The facia type of face bow has condyle rods that contact the skin over the

temporomandibular joints.

• Whereas in the ear piece type it is known as a condylar compensator since their

location on the articulator approximately compensates for the distances the

external auditory meatuses are posterior to the transverse opening axis of the

mandible.

148
• The articulator must have an orbital indicator
guide.

• Orbitale is transferred from the patient to this

guide by means of the orbital pointer on the
anterior cross arm of the face‑bow.

149
 EARPIEC
E
ANTERIOR
THUMBN REFERENCE
BOW
UT MOUNTING
PLATFORM
THUMBSCRE
W
TRANSFER
CLAMP
ASSEMBLY
PLATFORM THUMB ELEVATOR
SCREW BODY
ELEVATOR
THUMBSCREW ROD
BITE PLANE BITEFORK
ASSEMBLY

150
 TYPES OF FACEBOW

ARBITRARY KINEMATIC

- Uses the average determinants - Demands precise

determination of the actual
for the position of the hinge axis
hinge axis
A) Ear piece type-
Hanau-164-2, Twirl bow, quickmount, slidematic

B) Fascia type-
hanau132-25m and hanau 132-2c

151
 Kinematic Face bow

• The Kinematic face bow is initially used to accurately locate the hinge axis( within 1
mm).

• It is attached to a clutch, which in turn attaches to the mandibular teeth. As the

mandible makes opening and closing movements the condylar styli move in an arc.
Their position is adjusted until they exhibit pure rotation and not translation, when the
mandible is opened and closed.

152
• The points of rotation are marked on the skin and this determines the true hinge axis.
The mandibular clutch is removed and the face bow is attached to the maxillary arch.
The true rotation points are again used to orient the tips of the condylar styli .

• Kinematic location of the hinge axis works well when natural mandibular teeth
remain to stabilize the clutch mechanism.

153
• However, they are generally not used for complete denture prosthesis
fabrication because the resiliency of the soft tissues and the resultant
instability of the mandibular record base make precision location of
the rotational centers almost impossible.

154
ARBITRARY TYPE OF FACE BOW
•In this type the axis is located by using anatomical land marks. Condyle rods of the
face bow are placed over the arbitrarily marked centers of hinge axis. Arbitrary face
bows are most commonly used for complete denture patients.
•Facia type of face bow- The approximate points on the skin over the TMJ region are
used as posterior points of reference & the condyle rods of the face bow are placed over
it.
•Ear piece type of face bow- The ear pieces of the face bow are placed into external
auditory meatus.

155
Plane of Orientation

• The horizontal plane is established on the face of the patient by 1 anterior &
2 posterior points, from which measurements of the posterior anatomic
determinants of occlusion and mandibular motion are made”.

156
 Various anterior reference points

1. Orbitale (B) Located by Hanau facebow with help of orbital pointer.

NASION
2. Orbitale minus 7 mm. (C) This plane represents Frankfort plane.
ORBITAL
3. Nasion (A) Used with quick mount facebow (Whip mix) E
ORBITALE
MINUS 7MM
4. Ala of nose (D) This plane represents campers plane ALA OF THE
NOSE
5. 43 mm superior from lower border of upper lip (Denar reference
plane locator – Denar facebow uses this reference point)

157
 Advantages of anterior reference points

• The selection of the anterior point of the triangular spatial plane determines which
plane in the head will become the plane of reference when the prosthesis is being
fabricated.

• Determines the level at which the casts are mounted and hence governs the esthetics.

• When three points are used the position is repeatable for this is the reason it is
important to identify the mark permanently or be able to repeatitively measure the
anterior and posterior reference points.

158
Orbitale
• Lowest Point on the infraorbital rim, palpated
through overlying tissue and skin.

• One orbit and two posterior points determine

the Axis-Orbital plane.

• It is used because of ease of location and the

concept is easy to teach and understand.

159
• Orbitale and two posterior landmarks defining the plane are transferred
from the patient to the articulator with a facebow.

• The articulator must have an orbital indicator guide that is in the same
plane as the hinge of the articulator.

• Orbitale is transferred from the patient to this guide by means of an

orbital pointer on the anterior crossarm of the facebow.

160
Orbitale minus 7mm

• The F-H plane passes through both porion and orbital point.

• Because porion is a skeletal landmark, Sicher (1952) recommended to use the

midpoint of the upper border of the external auditory meatus as the posterior
cranial landmark on a patient.

161
Posterior Reference points

• The position of the terminal hinge axis on either side of the face is generally taken
as the posterior reference points.

• Terminal Hinge position is the most retruded hinge position.

• Limits of opening at this position have been determined to be around 12 to 15

degrees or 19 to 20 mm at incisal edges.

162
Role of Posterior Reference points

• Posterior reference points are important in locating the hinge axis

appropriately.

• The selection of three points in space defines which plane will be

termed the reference plane while fabricating a prosthesis.

Posterior Reference Points: A Simplified Classification Rahmath

S Shafiullah et al.
Journal of Scientific Dentistry, 2019

163
FACEBOW AND ITS
TYPES

164
 Arbitrary face bow:

• The arbitrary type of face bow is so called because it uses arbitrarily located marks on
the skin at the condyle points as the hinge axis position.

• This type of face bows generally locate the true Hinge axis within a range of 5 mm.

ARBITRARY

FASCIA TYPE EARPIECE TYPE

165
FASCIA TYPE

166
• Facia type:

-The fascia type of face bow utilizes approximate points on the skin over
the temporomandibular region as the posterior reference points.

- These points are located by measuring from certain anatomical

landmarks on the face.

167
• In the facia type the condyle rods are positioned on a line extending
from the outer canthus of the eye to the supero-inferior center of the
tragus and approximately 13 mm anterior to the distal edge of the
tragus of the ear.

• It has a disadvantage that it is placed on the skin which is movable

there is a tendency for the condylar rods to displace.

168
• The presence of an assistant is required to hold the bow while the
prosthodontist without clamping the condyle rods centers the device so
that equal readings are obtained on both sides.

169
EARPIECE TYPE OF FACEBOW

170
2. Ear piece type:
DALBEY in 1914 .
•This type of face bows uses the external auditory meatus as an arbitrary
reference point which is aligned with ear pieces.

•The ends of ear piece type of facebow are placed in the external auditory
meatus instead of condyles. To compensate for this, the transverse axis of
articulator is 5/8inches or 15mm anterior to position of the ends of facebow.

171
• Here also the fork is attached to the maxillary occlusion rim. The whip mix,
Hanau earpiece, Denar Slidematic face bow are equipped with plastic earpieces
at the condylar ends of the bow.

172
• When an earpiece face bow is removed, it is attached to the articulator by
orienting “centering holes” in the earpieces on the side of the condylar housings of
the articulator.

• With the Denar slidematic face bow, the anterior portion of the apparatus is
removed from the bow proper and supported in the articulator by a special jig,
which replaces the incisal guide table.

173
174
• All articulators require either an arbitrary or specific third point of reference for

articulating the maxillary cast. This is done with an orbitale pointer or a nasion

relator .(Neol D Wilkie) (1979)

• It is important to remember that the critical relationship being transferred is

between the maxillae and the hinge axis, to raising or lowering the anterior part

of the face bow does not alter this relationship.

175
• Varying the position of the anterior part of the face bow will create a change in
the absolute values for the condylar guidance settings. However, as long as
eccentric records are used to determine condylar guidance’s after the casts are
mounted the values for condylar guidance will be equivalent relative to the
mounting of the casts.

176
Spring bow (Hanau’s Facebow)

• It is an earpiece face bow made of spring steel and simply springs open and close
to various head widths.

• Most commonly used face bow.

• This instrument is designed to orient the occlusal plane to the Frankfort

horizontal plane by means for a third point of reference

177
• The one piece design of bow eliminates the moving parts and maintenance problems encountered
with other models.

• Easy and efficient to use.

• Sterilizable parts.

• Direct/indirect mounting capability.

• However, the inter condylar distance cannot be measured with this.

178
179
Transfer clamp assembly

180
ANTERIOR ELEVATOR

ACCESSORIES

HANAU CAST
MOUNTING
SUPPORT
PLATEFORM

181
PROCEDURE
1. BITE FORK PREPARATION
DENTULOUS PATIENT

182
EDENTULOUS PATIENT

183
2. BOW PREPARATION

184
3. PATIENT APPLICATION

185
186
MOUNTING ON TO THE ARTICULATOR

• Direct mounting

• Indirect mounting

187
DIRECT MOUNTING

188
189
INDIRECT MOUNTING

190
TWIRL FACEBOW
• It is an earpiece type of face bow

• Allows the maxillary arch to be transferred to the articulator without physically

attaching the face-bow to the articulator

• Relates the maxillary arch to Frankfort Horizontal plane.

191
• A horizontal orbital pointer is attached to the right temple arm
• The twirl thumb wheel allows the operator to open and close the ear pieces
simultaneously and equidistantly
• The relationship is recorded by a transfer rod, which is attached to the bitefork
perpendicular to the FH plane.
• A mounting guide is utilized to mount the transfer rod and attache bitefork to the
articulator
• Advantages- ease of manipulation
mounting without facebow

192
193
 SLIDEMATIC FACEBOW

DENTULOUS BITE
FORK
ARTICULATOR
EARPLUG
INDEX
VERTICAL
ANTERIOR SHAFT
REFERENCE QUICK LOCK
POINTER TOGGLE
SIGHT

FINGER
LOCKSCREW
CENTRE LOCK INTERCONDYLAR
WHEEL DISTANCE SCALE

194
SLIDEMATIC FACEBOW

195
196
ARBITRARY AXIS FOR DENAR SLIDEMATIC
FACEBOW

• The Slidematic face bow uses the external auditory meatus for determining the
arbitrary hinge axis location.

• A built in reference pointer aligns the face bow with the horizontal reference plane.

• The anterior reference point is marked on the patient’s right side using the Denar
reference plane locator.

197
• The point is 43 mm above the incisal edge of the right central or lateral incisor
for a dentulous patient.

• For an edentulous patient this distance is measured up from the lower border of
the upper lip when the lips are relaxed.

198
WHIP MIX FACEBOW

• Ear piece type of face bow

• It has a built in hinge axis locator.
• Automatically locates the hinge axis
when the ear pieces are placed in the
external auditory meatus
• Has a nasion relator assembly with a
plastic nose piece.

199
• In whip mix face bow locating an arbitrary axis is not necessary when using the Whip
Mix articulator, since it was designed and constructed after much research with a
built in locator.

• The inserting of plastic earpieces into the external auditory meatus automatically
locates the face bow in the proper position.

200
KINEMATIC FACEBOW

• The kinematic face bow allows for

the precise determination of the
patient's hinge axis (terminal hinge
axis).

201
Kinematic hinge axis facebow

A, Mandibular clutch.

B, Transferring the position of the mandibular

hinge axis.

C, pointers aligned with the previously marked

hinge axis location.

D, Kinematic facebow aligned on the articulator.

202
• A face-bow is attached to the mandible with caliper ends (condyle rods) that can
be adjusted to permit the accurate location of the axis of rotation of the mandible.

• It is used to locate hinge axis accurately .

• It is attached to a clutch, which in turn attaches to mandibular teeth.

• As mandible makes opening and closing movements condylar styli move in an

arc.

203
• Their position is adjusted until they exhibit pure rotation and not translation, when
mandible is opened and closed.

• Points of rotation are marked on skin & this determines true hinge axis.

• Mandibular clutch is removed and face bow is attached to maxillary arch.

• True rotation points are again used to orient the tips of condylar styli .

204
• Kinematic location of the hinge axis works well when natural mandibular teeth
remain to stabilize the clutch mechanism.

• Generally not used for complete denture prosthesis fabrication.

• Because resiliency of soft tissues and resultant instability of mandibular record

base make precision location of rotational centers almost impossible.

205
KINEMATIC HINGE AXIS FACEBOW
Hinge Axis Recording

• The hinge axis of movement of kinematic facebow

styli is positioned immediately lateral to the TMJ
close to the skin.

• A clutch which is essentially a segmented

impression tray like device, is attached onto the
mandibular teeth with a suitable rigid material .

206
• The kinematic facebow consists of three
components: a transverse component and two
adjustable side arms.

• The transverse rod is attached to the portion of

the clutch that protrudes from the patient's
mouth.

207
• The side arms are then attached to the
transverse member and adjusted so that the styli
are as close to the joint area as possible.

• The mandible is then manipulated to produce a

terminal hinge movement, and the stylus
locations are adjusted with thumbscrews
(superiorly and inferiorly, anteriorly and
posteriorly) until they make a purely rotational
movement .

208
• Because the entire assembly is rigidly attached to the
mandible, a strictly rotational movement signifies that
stylus position coincides with the hinge axis.

• When this purely rotational movement is verified, the

position of the hinge axis is marked with a dot on the
patient's skin, or it may be permanently tattooed if
future use is anticipated or required.

209
210
•Computer technology designed to calculate the precise
computerized jaw tracking devices known as electronic
face bows, which can track the many aspects and
variations of mandibular movement.

•This is very useful when inserting an implant-supported

denture where a very correct bite is most important.

211
CONCLUSION

• It must be recognized that the person operating the articulator is more

important than the instrument. If dentist understands articulators and
their deficiencies he can compensate for their inherent inadequacies

03/06/25 ARTICULATORS 136 212

• The use of face bow is indispensable for diagnosis, treatment planning & treatment
procedures.

• By using face bow the risk of occlusal errors are minimized thereby enhancing the
accuracy of occlusion of new restoration or oral appliances upon insertion which
facilitates patient comfort and acceptance of the prosthesis.

213
THANK YOU

214
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