This presentation goes through various articles and books based on Articulators and gives a brief of the types of articulators used in dentistry from the classical ones to recent advances ones.

1. TYPES OF
ARTICULATORS
Dr Krishna priyadarshani
Dept of prosthodontics crown and bridge

2. Mean value Hanau

3. • Upper member
• Lower member
• Mounting plates
• Condylar analogues
• Condylar guidance
• Incisal guide pin
• Incisal guide table

4. UPPER MEMBER
Represents maxilla
LOWER MEMBER
Represents mandible
MOUNTING PLATES
Casts are connected

5. • Represents slopes of articular eminance.
• Can be adjusted according to the records
obtained from the patient.
• If sloped antero-posteriorly – horizontal
guidance.
•If sloped laterally-
lateral guidance.

6. • Spherical in shape
• Represents condyle.
• If attached to lower member- ARCON
• If attached to upper member- NONARCON

7. •The term “Arcon” was derived by Bergstrom
from the words Ar-
Articulator & Con – Condyle
•This articulator resembles the TMJ.
•The Condylar Element / analogue / sphere
attached to – Lower Member (Movable)
•The Condylar Guidance (Glenoid Fossa)
attached to – Upper / Cranial Member
(immovable)

8. •Advantage
– The Face Bow transfer, occlusal plane, and
relationship of the opposing casts are preserved
when the articulator is opened and closed.
•Examples
– Whipmix , 8500 ( DR. Charles Stuart, 1963)
–Hanau Arcon
–Dentatus, ARA
–Ney articulator - (De Pietro , 1960)
–Tele Dyne articulator - (Richard Beu ,1975

9. • This articulator is the reverse of the TMJ
• The Condylar Element / analogue / sphere àattached to
– Upper Member (Movable)
•The Condylar Guidance (Glenoid Fossa) à attached to –
Lower Member (immovable)
• Examples
– Hanau , 96h20
– Hanau, University
– Gysi, adjustable
– Trubyte articulator - (GYSI, 1926)
– Dentatus, ARL
– Hanau, Kinoscope
– House, Rotary Grinder
N
O
N
A
R
C
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N

10. • 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 .
• The angulation of the mechanical fossae of an arcon
instrument is fixed in relation to the occlusal plane of the
maxillary cast; in the nonarcon design, it is fixed in relation
to the occlusal plane of the mandibular cast.

12. INSICAL GUIDE PIN:-
Acts as an anterior vertical stop
& maintains the vertical
dimension.
Can be flat or rounded.
INCISAL GUIDE TABLE

13. • so called because it has 3 fixed mean
values
• intercondylar distance-100–110mm { 4 INCH }
• condylar guidance-33degrees
• incisal guidance-9-12degrees
Based on Bonwill’s equilateral triangle theory

14. PARTS:-
• upper member
• lower member
• insical guide table
• vertical rod / incisal
pin
• Insical guide pin
• condylar guidance

15. • Lower Member :-
L Shaped frame with horizontal and vertical arm.
Horizontal arm is triangular and
its apex contains incisal guide table.
Vertical arm is rectangular containing condylar guidance
slot at upper portion.

16. very short cylinder, concave upper surface.
Vertical Rod or Incisal Pin :-
keep fixed distance between the
upper & lower member at anterior end.
 pointed tip - rest on the center

17. Incisal guide pin :-
anterior reference point.
The incisal edge of the
maxillar incisors at the
mid line of the occlusal
rim should touch the
tip of incisal pin during
articulation.

18.  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

19. ⚫Advantages:
1) Simple to use.
2) 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

20. ⚫It does not accept or accepts most of the average
face bow transfer (Hanau-mate)
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

22. HANAU MODEL H (NON - ARCON TYPE )
• Were first introduced by RUDOLF HANAU in 1923.
• Intercondylar distance was fixed at 110 mm.
• HCG could be adjusted from – 40° to + 80°using
protrusive records.
• LCG could be adjusted from 0° to 20° using the Hanau’s
formula.
• Accepts a face bow transfer.

23. RUDOLF HANAU ( 1923 )

24. • This model was developed in 1958.
• NON ARCON type with condylar guides in the lower
member.
• Has a fixed ICD of 110 mm .
• The original features of model H have been retained
with the addition of auditory pins.
• These articulators don’t provide a facility for
interchangeability.

25. • This can accept four types
of face bow transfers.
(facia type, ear piece type,
twirl bow, and adjustable axis
or kinematic face bow)
• The lateral side shift was
increased from 0 – 30
degrees.

26. ⚫Some other models of the H2 series are:
(1)Model H2-0, with orbital indicator attachment
(2)Model H2-X, with extendable condylar shafts
(3)Model H2-PR, with calibrated adjustments to protrude or
retrude the condylar balls up to 3 mm.
⚫The Model H2-XPR is a combination of the models
listed.

27. • This was introduced in 1977.
• The mechanical features are quite similar to 96 H2 but
this is arcon in nature.
• Special facebow is available for this model.
• One added feature is that it can be inverted for
mandibular mounting without the need of a stand.
• An additional pantacrylic incisal guide table available.

29. • These are the newest hanau articulators.
• These are arcon in nature and have similar features .
• The only difference is that the upper and the lower
members can be separated in model 184 due to open
condylar track.
• The design results in most openness among all the
hanau models.
• The HCG is adjustable from – 20° to + 60°.
• The Bennett side shift ( PSS ) is adjustable from 0° to 30°
HANAU WIDE VUE

32. 1.CONDYLAR GUIDANCE
The condylar guidances are the control centers of
the articulator and they adjustably assimilate the
multiple function of the glenoid fossa.

33. • The condylar track can be inclined on
the horizontal transverse axis from 0°
to + 60° or to a -20°.
• These inclinations are termed the
protrusive inclinations and simulate
the patients superior wall of the fossa.

34. CONDYLAR GUIDANCE

35. • The condylar track may be
adjusted on a vertical axis from a
0° to 30°.
• This angle is termed the progressive
Bennett angle and corresponds to the
medial wall of the patients fossa.

36. CONDYLAR GUIDANCE

37. CONDYLAR TRACK
• Closed condylar guidance track
rotates in a enclosed housing which
stops the condylar element,
preventing the accidental
disengagement of the upper member.

38. CLOSED CONDYLAR TRACK

39. • Open condylar guidance track has a condyle retainer which
controls the end of the condylar track.
• Pushing the retainer inward will release a retention ball, fully
opening the track and allowing rapid removal of upper
member.pushing it outward will reengage the retention ball
and block the track, preventing its accidental removal.

40. OPEN CONDYLAR TRACK

41. • 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 and Bennett angles
emanate.
• 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.

42. CENTRIC LOCK

43. • Condylar shafts adjustably slide in the wings of the lower
member.
• They have been factory fixed by set screws and hold the
condylar elements.

44. • The incisal pin serves as a forward control
of the articulator. It maintains a vertical stop
and provides a stylus contact for excursive
movements.
• Midline groove about 1 inch from the
spherical tip. Five additional lines in mm on
each side for altering the VD.

45. Two annular grooves on the Incisal Pin at 37 ( Bonwill’s theory )
and 54 mm below the Frankfort Horizontal Plane.
Arbitrary vertical landmarks –
alignment of the incisal edge
of the maxillary centrals when
making a Facebow transfer.
Third point of stability
This reference line is based on the research study by Frank R. Lauciello,D.D.S., and Marc Appelbaum, D.D.S., “Anatomic
Comparison to Arbitrary Reference Notch on Hanau™ Articulators,” Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, December 1978,
Volume 40, Number 6

46. • Midline groove is aligned with top edge of
the upper member. It is secured by
thumbscrew against the flattened side of
the pin.

47. Dual end- spherical &
chisel tip.
Spherical tip – to fabricate
Customized acrylic anterior
guide tables
• Chisel tip - to provides a
stylus contact with incisal
table during various
excursive movements.

48. • This provides an independent adjustment of anterior
guidance.
• The incisal guide can rotate antero-posteriorly from a
horizontal 0° to a 60° positive inclination of protrusion
which is then secured by a small locknut.
• The central guiding table is 5.56mm wide and forms the
inclined surface for the protrusive guidance of the incisal pin.
• Separately adjustable lateral wings elevate by thumbscrews
from 0° horizontal to 45° incline

50. represents the patient’s infra-orbitale notch
anterior reference landmark of
the Frankfort Horizontal Plane.
when used with an orbitale pointer
on a facebow, it provides
an anatomical vertical orientation for
upper arch.

51. • To attach upper and lower casts to upper and lower members
of articulator.
• Has elongated luting slots – for a secure adherence of gypsum
mounting.
• Center domed brass insert which is
internally threaded for attachment to
upper and lower members .

52. • Adjust the protrusive inclination {HCI} 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 on Guidance and tighten Platform Lockscrew.

53. Maxillary cast is attached to the articulator using the
orientation jaw relation record.
Procedure of transferring the
orientation jaw relation to the
articulator is called
face-bow transfer.

54. • Ear piece - attached to the roll pin
of the articulator.
• Transfers
point of
the posterior
the face-bow
reference
to the
articulator.
• Anterior reference point - positioned
by making the orbital indicator
contact the orbital pointer of the
face-bow.
• A pivot stand attached to the lower
member - helps to prevent vertical
displacement of the occlusal rim
during articulation.

55. Centric lock is engaged.
Later tentative jaw relations is carried out according which
the mandibular cast with occlusal rim is articulated.
Then tracers are attached such that central bearing plate to
lower and central bearing pointer to upper rim and tracing
was carried out

56. • And also centric and
protrusive records are made.
• Now mandibular
cast Is dearticulated.
• Now by placing the centric
interocclusal records on
mandibular rim, again
mandibular cast is articulated
in exact centric relation with
the maxilla.

57. PROGRAMMING THE ARTICULATOR
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.

58. HORIZONTAL CONDYLAR GUIDANCE OR INCLINATION
USING PROTRUSSIVE INTEROCCLUSAL CHECK
RECORDS
A protrusive inter occlusal record (ask the patient to
protrude the mandible around 6mm) is made by
using bite registration material.
The condylar lock nuts on articulator are loosened
and the occlusal rims with record is placed on the
articulator.

59. 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.

60.  Using lateral interocclusal records
 UsingHanau’s formula
• L=H/8+12.

61. The incisal guide table has a horizontal as well as lateral
adjustment.
Both are set to the minimum required for the esthetic
needs of the anterior teeth.

62. Dr. Charles
Designed by
Stuart in 1963.
It is an arcon articulator.
The
member
attached
upper & lower
are mechanically
by means of a
spring latch assembly.

63. The original model is 8500.
The condylar elements on the lower frame
adjustable to three positions.
1. Small (S) – 96 mm
2. Medium (M)–110m
3. Large (L) – 124 mm.

64. • Horizantal condylar inclination – 0 to 70 degrees
• Lateral – 0 to 45 degrees.
• Horizantal - by obtaining protrusive/ lateral
interocclusal record.
• Bennet angle – by lateral interocclusal records.
• Mechanical/plastic incisal guide table with dual end incisal
pin.

65. Two Different face-bows can utilised:-
1) Quick mount or earpiece face-bow for complete
denture.
2) The adjustable axis for fixed prosthodontics.
 Ear piece- anterior support is attained by placing
plastic block into the deepest part of the Nasion .
The plane of reference is automatically created 25mm
below the nasion.
This plane approximates very closely the axis – orbital
plane.

66. In 1968, Dr. Niles Guichet introduced the Denar D4A
articulator and recording system.
D5A – current model.
• Adjustments to the guidance
surfaces are possible in all
three planes of space.

67.  Arcon type
The articulator is a two piece instrument incorporating
a positive locking mechanism that can hold the two
members together by means of centric latch.
intercondylar distance - 110 mm
however an adjustable distance
110 to 122 mm option is available.

68. Four types of face-bow can be used :-
- Facia face-bow
- Earpiece face-bow
- Slidematic face-bow
- Adjustable axis face-bow
Horizontal inclination - 0 to 60 degrees.
 immediate side shift (Bennett) adjustment of 0 to 4 mm plus a
progressive shift adjustment of 0 to 15 degrees
The mark II can be programmed using anatomic averages
positional records or with a mini recorder.

69. 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.

70. 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.

71. Designed by Kenneth 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.

72. Custom analog fossae are formed from intraoral
sterographic tracings.
Specific custom trays (clutches) are prepared:-
- four studs in upper clutch
- central bearing pin at the centre on lower clutch.
custom acrylic resin is placed on lower clutch.
Four functional rhomboid recordings results.
Recordings are transferred to the articulator.

73. A Smaller version of the articulator is available &
is called the Mini - Articulator.
Its intercondylar distance is limited from 110 –
150 mm & has a straight incisal guide pin.

74. VIRTUAL ARTICULATORS
 Luthra RP et al. Virtual articulators in prosthetic dentistry, Journal of Advanced Medical and Dental
Sciences Research |Vol. 3|Issue 4| October- December 2015

75. Mechanical articulators cannot simulate the mobility of the teeth when
using plaster casts in it, the distortion and deformation of the
mandible during loading conditions and the complexity of movement
patterns because the movements of the mechanical articulator follow
border structures of the mechanical joint
Mounted or articulated casts cannot represent the real dynamic
conditions of the occlusion in mouth.
DRAWBACKS OF MECHANICAL ARTICULATORS

76. • Virtual Articulators are also
called as `SOFTWARE
articulators`.
• They comprises of virtual
condylar and incisal guide
planes.

77. Virtual articulator using computer aided design and computer
aided manufacturing system

78. • Guide planes can be measured precisely using jaw motion analyser
or average values are set in the program like average value
articulator
• The Virtual Articulators are able to design prostheses
kinematically.
They are capable of simulating human mandibular movements
• by moving digitalized occlusal surfaces against each other and
enabling correction of digitalized occlusal surfaces to produce
smooth and collision-free movements.
• Presently Virtual Articulator is supporting mechanical articulator
in better visualizing of the occlusion, in near future they replaces
mechanical articulators.

82. • It is an ultrasonic motion capture
device that is comprised of an
ultrasound emitter array that is
bonded to the labial surfaces of
the mandibular teeth using a jig
customized with cold cure acrylic
and four receivers attached to a
face bow opposite to them for
detecting all rotative and
translative components in all
degrees of freedom.

83. CBCT reconstruction with shafts passing
through hinge axis and Porion.

84. • A special digitizing sensor is used to determine the reference plane,
composed of the hinge axis infra orbital plane and special points of
interest
(eg: on the occlusal surface).

85. Virtual patient integrated with digital articulator.

86. The digitised dental arches then move along these movement paths that
can be viewed in the computer screen consisting of three main windows
showing the same movement of the arches from different planes
The software calculates and visualises both static and kinematic occlusal
collisions and is used in designing and correction of occlusal surfaces in
computer aided designing (CAD) systems.
Eg:Kordass and Gartner virtual articulators.

87. The software of the Dent-CAM virtual articulator uses three main windows
that show the same movement pattern, distinguishing a series of aspects:
a. interpretation window: this shows both maxilla in dynamic occlusion
and allows us to obtain unusual points of view, e.g., observation from an
occlusal surface of closing of the opposing tooth during mastication
b. occlusion window: this shows the points of contact that appear on the
occlusal surfaces of the upper and lower teeth as a function of time; and,

88. c. section window: this offers different frontal sections along
the dental arch. This tool can be used to analyze the degree of
intercuspidation, as well as the height and functional angles of
the cuspids.

90. • mathematical simulation contributes to offering possibilities not
offered by some mechanical dental articulators, such as curved
Bennett movement or different movements in identical settings
This makes it more versatile than a mechanical dental articulator

97. .Carl .O. Boucher summed up the articulator controversy
by stating,
“It must be recognized that the person
operating the instrument is more important than the
instrument. Ifdentists understand articulators and
their deficiencies, they can compensate for their
inherent inadequacies.”

98. Winkler Sheldon: Essentials of complete Denture Prosthodontics,
2nd edition, p 142-182.
Heartwell Cm Jr, Rahn AO : Textbook of complete dentures, 4th
edition, p-51-93.
IJDSR- vol-30, july 2012-articulators in dentistry
REFERENCES

99. Boucher’s:prosthodontic treatment for edentulous
patients complete dentures and implant supported
prostheses,12th edition ,p-291-296.
J. Thomas: A classification of articulators. J Prosthet dent
1973; 30:11-14
The history of articulators: A perspective on early years, part
II JPD 1999 vol 8 – page 277-280.
Classification of articulators JPD 1980, Vol 3, page 344.
Edgar N. Starcke, DDS The History of Articulators: A Critical
History of Articulators Based on Geometric