FACE BOW &

ARTICULATORS
Face bow

 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 GPT 8
Parts of facebow
Condyle rods

U shaped frame

Orbital pointer

Bite fork

Locking clamps

Locking nut
Indications for facebow

 When balance occlusion is desired

 When cusp form teeth are used
 When inter occlusal check records
are used
 For constructing accurate crowns
and bridges
 In full mouth rehabilitation
 For diagnostic mounting
 For making occlusal corrections after
denture processing
Classification

 Arbitrary
 Fascia type
 Earpiece type

 Kinematic facebows
Arbitrary facebows

 Use approximate points on the face

as the posterior reference points
 Condylar rods are positioned on
these predetermined points
 Most widely used
 Complete dentures / fixed partials /
removable partial
Fascia type

 Utilize approximate post reference

points on the skin over the TMJ
region
 Use of condylar rods
 13 mm from posterior margin of
tragus to canthus
 98% accuracy
Earpiece type

 Uses the external auditary meatus

as the arbitrary posterior reference
point
 Assumed to have a fixed relationship
to the hinge axis
 Nylon earpiece
 Auditory pin in the articulator
 Simple to use
 Doesnot require marking on face
Kinematic facebow

 Used to locate and transfer the true

hinge axis
 Two components
 One is attached to the upper jaw and
the second is attached to the lower
jaw
 Used with fully adjustable articulators
Indications

 Where a high level of accuracy is

required
 Full mouth rehabilitation
 Occlusal equilibration
 Gnathologic studies
Advantages of facebow

 Reduces errors in occlusion

 Permits more accurate programming
of the articulator
 A facebow supports the cast while
mounting on the articulator
 The vertical dimension to be
increased or decreased without
having to recall the patient and make
new centric relation records
Conclusion

 Blind orientation of the maxillary cast

on an articulator may result in an
error so small that a facebow may
seem unnecessary. However since
the procedure is not complicated or
time consuming the chances of
incorporating an error should not be
taken
ARTICULATORS

 A mechanical device that represents

the TMJ and jaw members to which
maxillary and mandibular casts may
be attached to simulate some or all
of the mandibular movements GPT 8
Uses

 To diagnose or analyze the dental

occlusal condition in both natural and
artificial dentitions
 To plan dental procedures
 To aid in the fabrication of dental
restorations and appliances
 To correct and modify completed
restorations
 For patient education
Minimum requirements
 It should open and close in a hinge like
fashion
 It should hold the casts in the correct
horizontal and vertical relationships
 It should simulate protrusive and lateral jaw
motions
 The moving parts should be accurately
machined and move freely and accurately
 The non moving parts should be rigid in
construction
 It should accept a facebow transfer
Additional requirements
 Adjustable horizontal and lateral guide
elements
 Having the condylar elements as part of
the lower frame and the condylar guides as
part of the upper frame
 A mechanism to accept a third reference
point during a facebow transfer
 A terminal hinge position lock
 Removable mounting plates that can be
repositioned accurately
 An adjustable incisal guide table
 Adjustable intercondylar width of the
condylar elements
Advantages

 Better visualization
 Chair side and patient appointment
time is reduced
 Patient cooperation is not required
 Saliva, tongue and cheek hindrances
are eliminated
 More procedures can be delegated
to technicians
Limitations

 Since it is a mechanical instrument, it

is subject to errors resulting from
fatigue and wear
 It can simulate but not duplicate jaw
movements
Classification

 ARCON (ARticulator CONdyle)

 Lower member can be moved

 Non ARCON
 Upper member can be moved
Classification

 Simple hinge articulator

 Mean value articulator
 Semiadjustable articulator
 Fully adjustable articulator
Simple hinge articulator

 Simplest
 Holding device for upper and lower
casts
 Only opening and closing
movements
 Simple static occlusion can be
developed
 Not recommended for fixed and
removable denture construction
Mean value articulator

 Capable of lateral and protrusive

movements in addition to hinge
movement
 Fixed average values
 Cannot be programmed
 No full accuracy of correction of
lateral and protrusive interferences
 Further correction is required in the
mouth
Semiadjustable articulator

 Minimum basic requirement for

prosthodontic work
 Has adjustable condylar and incisal
guides
 Capable of accepting a facebow
record
 Condylar guides are programmed
from protrusive and lateral records
obtained from the patient
 Upper member

Mounting plates

Condylar housing

Vertical arm or post

Incisal pin

Lower member
Incisal table
Condylar
inclination lock
nuts

Condylar housing

Condylar analogue

Condylar guidance
Fully adjustable articulator

 Complex articulators
 Gnathologic studies
 Duplicates mandibular movements
 Stable and anatomic interocclusal
relationship
 Full mouth/arch restorations
 Selective grinding of teeth
 Expensive and extensive time
required
The end