Dental Articulators Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of an articulator in dentistry?

To evaluate the size of dental implants

To whiten teeth using UV light

To teach patients about oral hygiene

To simulate mandibular movements (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a use of an articulator?

To fabricate dental restorations

To correct and modify completed restorations

To teach patients dental anatomy (correct)

To diagnose the state of occlusion

What is included in the minimal requirements for an articulator?

Heavy construction for stability

Automated adjustment for occlusal changes

Ability to perform digital imaging

Incisal guide pin with a positive stop (correct)

Which advantage of using an articulator helps reduce patient factors during dental procedures?

Removes the influence of saliva, tongue, and cheeks (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a requirement for the condylar guides in an articulator?

Should allow adjustable right and left lateral movement (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the process of mounting involve in relation to an articulator?

Attaching the maxillary and/or mandibular casts (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the advantages of properly mounted casts?

They help visualize occlusion from different angles. (B) Signup and view all the answers

The static and dynamic contact relationship between the occlusal surfaces of teeth during function is defined as what?

Articulation (D) Signup and view all the answers

An articulator facilitates a reduction in chair time for dental procedures primarily by which means?

Simulating occlusion outside the patient's mouth (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the basic components required in an articulator?

Non-corrosive metal construction (B) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes arcon articulators from non-arcon articulators?

The position of the condylar components (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following articulators can accept protrusive eccentric records?

Semi-adjustable articulator (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the average distance that defines Bonewill's triangle?

10 cm (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which articulator allows for both hinge and lateral movements?

Mean value articulator (C) Signup and view all the answers

What angle is known as Balkwill angle in relation to Bonewill's triangle?

15°-20° (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of CLASS II articulators?

They allow fixed intercondylar distance. (B) Signup and view all the answers

In semi-adjustable articulators, lateral condylar path angles are calculated using which formula?

L=H/8+12 (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes CLASS I articulators?

They have minimal articulator requirements. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of articulator is characterized as a simple holding instrument?

Non-adjustable articulator (A) Signup and view all the answers

Fully adjustable articulators are capable of which function?

Hinge, protrusive, and lateral movements (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the lateral condylar angle in Hanau's formula represent?

The lateral condylar path (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a fully adjustable articulator?

To replicate dynamic mandibular movements accurately (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the facebow is true?

It records the spatial relationship of the mandible to the maxilla. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of using a facebow during restoration procedures?

It simulates the actual movements of the mandible. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of facebow yields an error within 2 mm of the true hinge axis location?

An arbitrary facebow (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is typically an indication for using a facebow?

For extensive restorations or full arch cases (A) Signup and view all the answers

How is the condylar rod positioned when using an arbitrary facebow like the fascia type?

On the line between the outer canthus of the eye and the tragus of the ear (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a kinematic facebow?

It exactly locates the terminal hinge axis. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In what scenario is a facebow used with interocclusal records?

In cases where occlusal interferences exist (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable characteristic of semi-adjustable articulators?

They cannot adjust the intercondylar distance. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Articulators

Dental articulators are mechanical devices that simulate the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) and jaw movements.
They're used to represent the relationship between the maxillary and mandibular teeth during function.
Articulators allow for the precise mounting of dental casts.

Functions of Articulators

Aid in diagnosing the state of occlusion (bite) in both natural and artificial teeth.
Guide the planning of dental procedures based on the relationship of opposing teeth.
Facilitate the creation and refinement of dental and prosthodontic restorations.
Correct and adjust existing restorations.
Arrange artificial teeth.

Articulator Advantages

Allow visualization of occlusion, especially from the lingual view.
Patient cooperation isn't crucial.
Factors like saliva, tongue, and cheeks are eliminated.
Reduced chair time.
Provide a stable base for denture bases.

Articulator Disadvantages

Articulators can be time-consuming.

Basic Articulator Components

Condylar guidance
Lower member
Incisal table (anterior guide)
Upper member
Mounting ring
Incisal post (anterior guide pin)
Anterior guidance

Articulator Requirements (Minimal)

Maintain correct vertical and horizontal relationships.
Easy removal and attachment of casts.
Incisal guide pin with a positive stop.
Rigid, accurate, non-corrosive metal construction.
Smooth operation (opening and closing).
Moving parts resist wear and move freely.
Avoid excessive bulk or heaviness.

Articulator Requirements (Additional)

Ability to accept a facebow transfer.
Condylar guides that accommodate right/left lateral and protrusive movements.
Adjustable sagittal and horizontal condylar guides.

Articulator Classification

Based on condylar position: Arcon (condyle attached to lower member) and non-arcon (condyle attached to upper member).
Based on condylar path adjustment: Class I (non-adjustable), Class II (mean value/fixed condylar path), and Class III (adjustable condylar path).

Condylar Path

Lateral condylar path: Right and left lateral movement.
Protrusive condylar path: Forward movement.

Class I Articulators

Non-adjustable.
Includes plaster slab and simple hinge articulators.
Limited capabilities regarding interocclusal record.
Minimal articulator requirements are often not met.

Class II Articulators

Mean value/fixed condylar path.
Provides a basic set of articulator features.
Average sagittal condylar angle 30-35 degrees.
Average incisal guidance angle 10-15 degrees.
Includes the Bonewill equilateral triangle measurement.

Class III Articulators

Adjustable condylar path.
Semi-adjustable and fully adjustable articulators.
Semi-adjustable articulators are designed for single and protrusive eccentric records, and accept facebow transfers.
Fully adjustable articulators provide all the capabilities of semi-adjustable units and accommodate lateral eccentric records from the patient.

Facebows

Devices used to record and transfer the spatial relationship of the maxillary arch to an articulator.
Used to record the hinge axis.
Indicated for extensive restorations, complete dentures, when using fully anatomic teeth or when adjustments to the vertical dimension are needed.
They can also be used when occlusal interferences exist in natural or artificial teeth.

Facebow Types

Arbitrary (e.g., fascia, earbow): These roughly approximate the hinge axis.
Kinematic: These measure the location of the terminal hinge axis precisely.

Cadiax Compact 2

A computerized axiography device.
Records the transverse hinge axis and horizontal condylar inclination.

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Description

This quiz covers the fundamentals of dental articulators, including their functions, advantages, and disadvantages. Learn how these mechanical devices simulate jaw movements and help in dental diagnostics and procedures. Master the essential concepts related to occlusion and restorative practices.