ARTICULATORS

PRESENTED BY:
DR. DEEPALI KATARIA
2ND YEAR M.D.S.
DEPARTMENT OF PROSTHODONTICS
 CONTENTS

Introduction Selection of Articulator

Current popular
Evolution of Articulators
Articulators
Classification
Selection of Articulators
Requirements of Articulator Care & Maintenance
Uses Conclusion
References
Limitations
 INTRODUCTION

The Articulation of the Maxillae and Mandible with the

Temporomandibular Joint is a complicated mechanism.
During the fabrication of Indirect Dental Prosthesis a
mechanical device is used to relate opposing casts called an
Articulator.
It is often said that the patient’s mouth is the Best Articulator.
• An articulator serves as a patient in the Absence of
the Patient.
 DEFINATION
Articulate
• To join together as a joint.
• The relating of contacting surfaces of the teeth or
their artificial replicas in the maxillae to those in the
mandible
Articulator
A Mechanical Instrument that represents the
Temporomandibular Joints and jaws, to which
Maxillary and Mandibular casts may be attached to
simulate some or all mandibular movements. (GPT- 9)
 EVOLUTION OF ARTICULATORS

• The history of articulators parallels that of the varying concepts of

occlusion.

• Attempts were made to record the anatomic relationships or

reproduce functional movements of the mandible and transfer this
to the mechanical devices to simulate the conception of natural
movements.
The Plaster Articulator devised by Philip
Pfaff in 1756 consisted of plaster extension
on the distal portion of the maxillary and
mandibular casts grooved to each other. This
was commonly known as ‘Slab Articulator’.
Barn Door Hinge Jean B. Gariot 1805 Vertical stop at anterior end
Articulator (Plane line The origin of Mechanical introduced Adaptable Barn
articulator) Hinge Articulator door hinge articulator
The Howarth Articulator The First US Patented Articulators
 Daniel T Evens’ Articulator (1840)

• First Articulator to imitate the movements of

mandible in eccentric position - Bonwill’s.
• Fixed Condylar Guide Articulators.

Walker’s Physiological articulator (1896)

• The First “Adjustable Condylar Guide” Articulator.
• Individually adjustable condylar guides as well as
adjustable rotation centers for lateral movement.
 William Earnst Walker Physiological
articulator

Walkers Facial
clinometer
 Eltner Articulator 1912 Luce Articulator 1911

Early Use Of The Anterior Guide Concept Introduced

Incisal Pin And
Guide
CLASSIFICATION OF ARTICULATORS

GILLIS
CLASSIFICATION • The Adaptable (or)
(1926) Adjustable
• The Average (or)
Fixed type.
KINGERY`S • Simple Articulators
CLASSIFICATION • Adaptable (or)
1934 Adjustable Articulator

BOUCHER`S
• Non-Adjustable
CLASSIFICATION:19
34 instruments
• Adjustable
 • Suspension instrument
BECK • Axis instrument
• Tripod instrument
• Simple
SHARRY • Hinge type
• Fixed-guides type
• Adjustable type

• Plain line
POSSELET • Mean Value
• Adjustable type
HEARTWELL & • Instruments that will
RAHN receive and produce
pantographs and graphic
tracings.
• Instruments that will not
receive pantographs
 NEW SYSTEM • Non Adjustable
CLASSIFICATION BY • Semi Adjustable
RIHANI- 1980 • Fully Adjustable
BASED ON THE
CONDYLAR • Arcon
ELEMENT • Non Arcon
ATTACHMENT-

INT.
PROSTHODONT • Class I
IC WORKSHOP • Class II- A,B,C
AT UNIV. OF • Class III-A, B
MICHIGAN-1972 • Class IV- A,B
 CLASS I
• Simple holding instruments capable of accepting
Single Static Registration.
• Only Vertical Motion is acceptable.
• Eg. B.Gariot’s, Barn-Door hinge.
 CLASS II
• Instruments that permit horizontal as well as vertical motion but do not orient
the motion to T.M.J via face bow transfer.

• Subdivided into,

Class IIA - Eccentric motion based on Averages Values.

• Eg. Grittman, Simplex by Gysi.
Class IIB - Eccentric motion based on Arbitrary Theories of Motion
• Eg. Monsoons Articulator
Class II C- eccentric motion based on Engraved
records obtained from the patient.
• E.g M.M.House Articulator
 CLASS III
• Permit Horizontal and Vertical movements, do accept face bow transfer but
facility is limited.
Class III A- Instruments in this class accept a facebow transfer and protrusive
interocclusal record.
• E.g Hanau, Dentatus, Bergstrom Articulator.

Class III B- Instruments in this class accept a facebow transfer protrusive

interocclusal records and some lateral interocclusal records.
• E.g Gysi’s Trubyte, Hanau Kinoscope, Whipmix, Neys articulator, Denar
mark II
Class IIIA Class IIIB
 CLASS IV
• Accept three dimensional dynamic registration they allow point orientation of the cast using face bow

transfer.

 Class IV A-Instruments in this class will accept three dimensional dynamic registrations and utilize a

facebow transfer. The condylar pathways engraved by the patient.

• E.g TMJ Articulator

• Class IV B- Instruments in this class will accept three dimensional dynamic registrations and utilize a

facebow transfer. The condylar pathways can be selectively angled and customized.
• E.g Denar, Simulator, Gnathoscope, Stuart
Articulator.

Class IV A – TMJ Articulator Class IVB

 ACCORDING TO BOUCHER

 Based on Theories of Articulator

• Bonwill’s equilateral theory articulators

• Hall’s Conical Theory Articulators

• Monsoon’s Spherical Theory Articulators

 Based on Types of records used for their adjustment

• Utilizing the Inter occlusal records.

e.g. Baseplate Wax, Zinc Oxide Eugenol, POP, Acrylic Resin.

• Graphic Record Adjustment

• Utilizing Hinge-Axis location

 BONWILL THEORY OF OCCLUSION

• It was designed by W.G.A. Bonwill (1858).

• Is known as the theory of the Equilateral Triangle in

which there was a 4 inch (10cm) distance between
condyle and between each condyle and the incisal point.
 CONICAL THEORY OF OCCLUSION

• This proposed that the lower teeth move over the surfaces
of the upper teeth as over the surface of cone, generating
angle of 450 and with the central axis of cone tipped at 450
angle to the occlusal plane.

• E.g Hall’s Experimental Conical Theory Type.

 SPHERICAL THEORY OF OCCLUSION

• Proposes that the lower teeth moves over the surface of the upper teeth
as over the surface of sphere with a diameter of 8 inches (20cm).

• The center of the sphere is located in the region of the glabella, and the
surface of the sphere passes through the glenoid fossae along the
articular eminences or concentric with them.
• Proposed by G.S. Monson in 1918.
• e.g. Maxillo - Mandibular instrument.
 NEWSYSTEM CLASSIFICATION
(RIHANI)

Non Adjustable Articulator

• 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
• Can accept one of the three following records,
Face bow record
Centric jaw relation record
Protrusive record
Barn Door Hinge Evans Articulator Stransbery tripod Articulator
Semi Adjustable Articulator
• Have adjustable horizontal condylar paths
• Adjustable lateral condylar path
• Adjustable Incisal Guide table Gysi Adaptable

• Adjustable inter condylar distance

• Two types – Arcon and Non Arcon
Hanau H

Dentatus
 ARCON TYPE
• ‘’Arcon” term was derived by Bergstrom.

• This articulator resembles the TMJ

• Ar- Articulator and Con- Condyle.

• The Condylar Element / Analogue / Sphere attached

to – Lower Member (Movable)

• The Condylar Guidance (Glenoid Fossa) attached

to – Upper /Cranial Member (Immovable )
 NON ARCON TYPE
• This articulator is the reverse of the TMJ
• The Condylar Element / analogue / sphere attached to –
Upper Member (Movable)
• The Condylar Guidance (Glenoid Fossa) à attached to –
Lower Member (Immovable)
• E.g Hanau, Gysi Adjustable, Trubyte Articulator

Gysi
Adjustable
 ARCON Vs NON ARCON
• The relative merits of Arcon and Non Arcon instrument have been discussed by Beck (1956)
and by Weinberg (1963) among others.

• Weinberg concluded that the Arcon and Non Arcon type produce the same motion. The motion
resulted from Action of a condylar ball on an inclined plane and reversing their relationship
did not change the motion.

• For Complete Denture Construction, it makes little difference whether the instrument is Arcon
or Non Arcon.

• Beck was not able to demonstrate any superiority in clinical evaluation of dentures fabricated
in Arcon and Non Arcon articulators
 ADVANTAGES OF ARCON

• Since the relationship of the Condyles and Condylar

Guidance's is similar as that of Glenoid Fossa in skull,
Visualization and Understanding of Condylar Movement
is easier.
 FULLY ADJUSTABLE ARTICULATORS

• It has a wide range of positions and can be set to follow a patient’s border
movements.

• It also have a large range of Adjustability in three dimensions and are accordingly
the most Complex and Expensive.

• They do not have a condylar guidance instead they have Receptacles, in which
acrylic dough can be contoured to form a customized condylar & incisal guidance.

• Indicated for Restoration of Entire Dentition, especially in the presence of Atypical

Mandibular Movements.
• It can accept the following five records
Face bow
Centric jaw relation
Protrusive records Denar D4A
Lateral records
Intercondylar distance records
• A Class IV Articulator is a fully Adjustable
Articulator.
Stuart articulator
Hanau Kinescope
 REQUIREMENTS
• It should hold casts in correct Horizontal Relationship

• It should hold casts in correct Vertical Relationship

• It should provide a Positive Anterior Vertical Stop (Incisal

Pin)
• It should accept a Face Bow Transfer record
utilizing anterior reference point.

• It should Open and Close in a Hinge Movement.

• Should allow Protrusive and Lateral jaw motion.

• The Moving parts should move Freely and be Accurately Machined.

• The Non-Moving parts should be a Rigid Construction made of Non Corrosive

Material.

• The patient casts must be easily removable and attachable to the articulator
without losing their correct horizontal and vertical relationship.

• Design should be such that there is adequate distance between the upper and
lower members

• The articulator should be stable on laboratory bench and not too bulky and heavy.
 USES
 PRIMARY PURPOSE
• To hold opposing casts in a predetermined fixed relationship.
• To open and close
• To produce border and intra-border diagnostic sliding motions of the teeth
similar to those in the mouth.
 OTHER USES
• To diagnose Dental Occlusal Conditions in Natural and Artificial conditions
• To plan Dental Procedures
• To aid in the Fabrication of the Prosthesis
• To Correct and Modify Complete Restorations
 ADVANTAGES

• Patient Co-operation is not a factor

• Refinement of Complete Denture Occlusion

• Better Visualization

• Saves Chair time and patient appointment

• The Patient’s Saliva, Tongue & Cheeks are not factors

when using an articulator.
 LIMITATIONS
• An Articulator is a mechanical instrument made of Metal.

• The articulator is subject to errors resulting from Metal Fatigue and

Wear.

• It is unlikely for any articulator to duplicate condylar movements in

the TMJ.

• The movements simulated are empty mouth sliding motions, not

functional movements
 CURRENT POPULAR ARTICULATORS

Mean Value Articulator

Hanau Wide Vue 183
Whipmax
Virtual Articulators
 MEAN VALUE ARTICULATOR

• So called because it has Three Fixed Mean Values.

• Inter condylar distance – 100 to110mm(4inch)

• Condylar guidance - 33degrees

• Incisal guidance - 9 to12 degrees

• Based on Bonwill’s Equilateral Triangle theory.

Parts
• Upper membrane
• Lower membrane
• Incisal guide table
• Vertical rod /Incisal pin
• Incisal guide pin
• Condylar guidance
Upper Membrane
• Upper member consist Triangular frame
• Vertical Rod and thumb screw.
• Two Condylar elements
Lower Membrane
• 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 centre of the incisal guide table
during Articulation.

 Vertical rod / 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 centre of incisal
guide 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
Advantages
• Simple to use.
• Can be used for individual posterior restorations and short span
(three to four units) posterior bridges or for individual anterior
restorations and short span anterior bridges with a minimal
vertical and horizontal overlap.
Disadvantages
• Donot accept facebow record.
• The condylar path moves to a fixed angle and it is successful only
in patients whose condylar angle approx. that of the articulator.
• No lateral movements.
HANAU ARTICULATORS
HANAU
Model H
HANAU (Arcon) HANAU
WIDE
H2 (Non
VUE I &
Arcon)
II

HANAU HANAU
MATE - ARCON
165 H2
HANAU
HANAU
130
RADIAL
Universit
SHIFT
y series
 HANAU MODEL H (Arcon)

• By 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 (Non Arcon)

• Has all features of original Hanau and in additions as

auditory pins have been added to the condylar
mechanism to receive an ear piece face bow.

• Lateral condylar guidance increased to 0⁰ to 30⁰.

• Incisal guide table is adjustable both in Sagittal and

Frontal planes.
 HANAU ARCON H2

• Introduced by Hanau in 1977.

• Same as Hanau H2 except that is Arcon type.
 HANAU RADIAL SHIFT

• First produced in 1981.

• Arcon type

• Upper member can be removed for waxing.

• The condylar guidance is designed to

incorporate a Curved Immediate Side Shift
(Radial Shift) .

• Radial shift of 3mm is provided.

HANAU WIDE VUE
• Arcon and fixed intercondylar distance
110 mm

• Difference is that Hanau wide VUE I has

a closed condylar track and Hanau wide
VUE II has an open condylar track which
allows upper member to be removed.

• Wide VUE II has condylar retainers to

avoid accidental separation of upper
member.
key description

1,2 Condylar guide

3 Mounting plate
4 Condylar shaft
5 Condylar element
6 Adjustable incisal guide

7 Incisal pin
8,20 thumbnut
9,10,15 thumbscrew

12 Swing top
13 Orbital indicator
14 Upper membrane
16 Pin
17 Lower membrane
18 Spring pin
19 Set screw
21 Centric lock
22 Centric raiser pin
 HANAU WIDE VUE (MODEL 183)
Upper Member
• T Shaped with vertical & horizontal arm
• Condylar guidance attached to this.
• Mounting dowels present at 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 at center of the lower member for
• Mounting ring & also a stand of pivot
Vertical Arm
• Vertical arm slope out ward.
• 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.
Condylar Guide Assembly
• The components of an articulator that guide
movement of the condylar analogues.
• It guides in two planes: horizontal condylar guidance
and lateral condylar guidance.
Condylar Guidance (Horizontal):
• The condylar track can be inclined on the horizontal
transverse axis from 0⁰ to +60 ⁰ or to a -20 ⁰ .
• These inclinations are termed as the protrusive
inclinations and stimulates the patients superior wall of
the fossae.
Condylar Guidance (Lateral):
• the condylar track may be adjusted on a vertical axis
from a 0⁰ to 30⁰.
• this angle is termed as progressive Bennett angle and
corresponds to the medial wall of he patients fossae.
Condylar Track

• Closed condylar guidance track rotates in a enclosed

housing which stops the condylar element, preventing
the accidental disengagement of the upper member.
Centric lock
• This is to limit the anterior movement of the condylar element
• Engagement of the centric lock depresses a centric pin, causing it
to arrest the condylar element at the centric position , the point
from where the protrusive & Bennett angle.
• When locked the upper member is restricted to an opening and
closing movement only
• Releasing the centric lock two full turns will disengage the
centric pin and return the elements freedom of movement on the
condylar track.
Dual end Incisal guide pin and table:

• The incisal pin serves as a forward

control of the articulator. It maintain a
vertical stop and provides a stylus
contact for excursive movements.

• Midline groove about 1 inch from the

spherical tip. Five additional lies in
mm on each side for altering the
vertical dimension.
DUAL END – Spherical & Chisel tip.
• Spherical end- to fabricate customized
acrylic anterior guide tables.
• Chisel tip- to provide a stylus contact
with incisal table during various
excursive movements.
• Two annular grooves on the incisal pin at 37 mm
(Bonwill”s theory) and 54 mm below the Frankfort
horizontal plane.

• Midline groove is aligned with top edge of the upper

member. It is secured by thumbscrew against the flattened
side of the pin.
Adjustable Incisal Guide

• This provides an independent

adjustment of anterior
guidance.

• The incisal guide can rotate

antero-posteriorly from a
horizontal 0⁰ to a +60⁰
inclination of protrusion which
is then secures by a small
locknut
Orbitale Indicator
• Represents the patients infra orbitale notch.
• Anterior ref. landmark of the Frankfort horizontal plane.
• When used with an Orbitale pointer on a facebow, it
provides an anatomical vertical orientation for upper
arch.
Mounting Plates
• To attach upper & lower membranes of articulator.
• Has elongated luting slots- for a secure adherence of
gypsum mounting.
 WHIPMIX ARTICULATOR
• Designed by Dr. Charles Stuart in 1963.
• It is a Semi Adjustable Arcon type that is a simplified
version of Stuart's fully adjustable articulator
• Upper & lower member are mechanically attached by
means of a spring latch assembly.
• Original model is 8500
• Condylar elements on the lower frame & adjustable to
three positions.
Small(s) – 96 mm.
Medium (m) – 110 mm.
Large (l) – 124 mm.
• Horizontal condylar inclination – 0 to 70 degrees

• Lateral condylar inclination – 0 to 45 degrees.

• Flat plastic incisal guide table.

• Two different face-bows can utilized

Quick mount or earpiece facebow for complete dentures.

 The adjustable axis for fixed prosthodontics

 MODIFICATIONS

• Articulator model 9000 is similar to model 8500 except the lower frame is
1/2inch taller to provide more space for mounting the mandibular cast

• Model 8800 provides an additional ½ inches space to mount the maxillary

cast,

• This is more suitable with extremely steep plane of occlusion or where

osseous defect exist in maxilla
BIOART ARTICULATOR
 DENAR ARTICULATORS
• In 1968, Dr Niles guichet introduced the denar d4a
articulator and recording system.
• D5a is current model.
• Adjustments to the guidance surfaces are possible in all
three planes of space
 OMNI ARTICULATOR (1984)
• It is a newest Denar articulator.
• The design allows one to easily exchange closed fossa for open fossa with a
positive locking latch.
• The purpose of this model is an attempt to better meet the requirements for
Complete, Removable and Fixed partial denture fabrication in one
articulator
• When the articulator is equipped with the open fossae which is identical to
mark ii fossa it is called omni mark.
• When it is utilized with closed track fossa called “Omni Track’’
 TMJ ARTICULATOR
• Designed by Keneth Swanson in 1965
• 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 mechanical incisal guide table
• Custom analog fossa are formed from intraoral
stereographic tracings.
 SELECTION OF ARICULATORS
For Complete Denture Construction

Depends on

• If occlusal contacts are to be perfected in

centric occlusion only – simple , sturdy,
hinge type of articulator without provision
for lateral or protrusive movements could
be selected.

• If denture teeth are to have cross arch and

 For Removable Partial Denture Construction

• A simple hinge or anon adjustable articulator is selected for

class III cases.

• For most class I and class II partial dentures and for a complete
denture opposing a partial denture , a semi adjustable
instrument is often indicated e.g. Hanau, Whip-Mix

• The fully adjustable articulator is usually limited to those

patients needing a removable partial denture and where entire
occlusal scheme is to be developed at one time- Stuart
articulator generally used
For Fixed Partial Denture Construction
Non Adjustable Articulators
• Many cast restorations are made on non adjustable
articulators.
Semi Adjustable Articulators
• It provides the maximum diagnostic information with
minimum need for clinical adjustment during treatment.
• E.g. Bergstrom’s Articulator, Whipmix, Hanau
University series.
Fully Adjustable Articulators

• They can be very useful as treatment complexity increases

eg. when all four posterior quadrants are to be restored
simultaneously or when it is necessary to restore an entire
dentition.

• Eg. Denar 5A , Stuart, TMJ Articulator.

 THE PROBLEM OF ARTICULATION
By ADRED OLSI. D.D.S. Zurich. Switzerland,
PROFESSOR AT THE DENTAL SCHOOL. OF THE UNIVERSITY OF
ZURICI.Translated by OSCAR T. WAYNE, D.D.S, Zurich..
 VIRTUAL ARTICULATORS
• Virtual Articulators are also called as “Software Articulators”

• Introduced by graphic design and engineering project developments, the university of the
Basque country in 2009.

• They comprises of virtual condylar and incisal guide planes.

• The virtual articulator requires digital 3d representations of the jaws and patient specific
data on jaw movements

• It then simulates jaw movements and provides a dynamic visualization of the occlusal

contacts.
Advantages of Digital Articulators over Mechanical Dental
Articulators

• Provides best quality of communication between the Dentist and

Dental Technician

• Simulating real patient specific data.

• Analyses both Static and Dynamic occlusions

• Analyses Gnathic and Joint conditions

• Acts as a 3D Navigator.
 Limitations

• Cost effective as it requires the Digital Scanners, Digital Sensors,

Software’s, and different types of virtual articulator
• Models mimicking the mechanical ones according to the patient need.
• Knowledge about the CAD/CAM technology, mechanical articulators,
designing and
• Technical skills regarding the interpretation of data recorded from scanners,
sensors, Minor Adjustments,
• Incorporating motion parameters
• Modeling of virtual articulators etc.
• Kordass B et al (2002) reviewed on the Virtual Articulator in
dentistry- its Concept and Development

• Virtual Reality Technology will be useful in providing better

education through simulation and in enhancing working
procedures that are conventionally limited,

• e.g., Mechanical Articulator.

 CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF
ARTICULATORS
 Lubrication
• Light application of quality hand piece oil should be done
• Excess oil should be wiped off.
• Thin coating of petroleum jelly-when in contact with gypsum
 Cleaning
• Cleaning solvent or mild detergent should be used with small brush, it will removes all wax and abrasive
grit
• Scraping and Abrasive cleanser should not be used.
• Blow dry with air and Re-lubricate.

• .
 CONCLUSION

• Its been more than 70 years that the Hanau Articulators have
evolved drastically to serve the Prosthodontists and master
technicians worldwide.

• Even though the Hanau articulators have some inherent limitations,

without doubt they will be the first choice in establishing Balanced
Occlusion in Complete Dentures and Occlusal Reconstruction in
Removable and Fixed Partial Prostheses.
• Recent advances in Fully Adjustable Articulators like SEM
and Omni Track hold key as more accurately
Maxillomandibular jaw relation records can be obtained,
but still they have certain deficiencies which can be
minimized in subsequent designs.
 REFERENCES
• Winkler S. Essentials of complete denture prosthodontics, 2nd edition.

• Heartwell Jr, Rahn AO : Textbook of complete dentures, 5th edition,

• Zarb Bolender Prosthodontic Treatment For The Edentulous Patient,

12th edition.

• Thomas C. J. “A Classification of Articulators”. Prosthetic Dent 1993 ;

30 : 11-14.

• Gysi A. The problem of articulation. Dent Cosmos. 1910;52:148-69.

THANK-YOU