Classification

Emory University

of articulators

Awni Rihani, D.D.S., M.Sc.*

School of Dentistry, Atlanta, Ga.

Ah e 1arge number of articulators and their wide range of adjustments makes classification difficult. However, a review of the literature reveals many types of classifications that have been proposed. Gillis divided articulators into two classes: (1) the adaptable or adjustable type and (2) the average or fixed type. Boucher classified articulators as nonadjustable or adjustable. He also subdivided the adjustable type into two groups: (1) a two-dimensional instrument and (2) a three-dimensional instrument. Kingery stated in Anthonys textbook3 that for descriptive purposes articulators may be classified into two general groups: (1) simple articulators and (2) adjustable or adaptable articulators. Based on the design of articulators, another classification was devised by Beck. He divided articulators into three categories: (1) the suspension instrument, (2) the axis instrument, and (3) the tripod instrument. Weinberg, 6 adopted a different classification based on the concept associated with each articulator. In his opinion, there are four types of articulators: (1) arbitrary (Monson spherical theory), (2) positional (Stansbery tripod concept), (3) semiadjustable (Hanau H concept), and (4) fully adjustable (Hanau Kinescope concept, Gysi Trubyte concept, and McCollum concept). Posselt7 classified articulators as plain line, mean value, and adjustable. Sharry8 classified articulators as simple, hingetype, fixed-guides type, and adjustable. Heartwell and Rahn: emphasizing the role of pantographs in record registration, divided articulators into two classes: (1) instruments that will receive and reproduce pantographs and graphic tracings and (2) instruments that will not receive panto*Colonel Jordanian Army and consultant in Prosthetic Dentistry for the King Hussein Medical Center in Amman, Jordan. Currently Senior Resident in Removable Prostbodontics.

graphs, which are subdivided into four types: (a) hinge type, (b) arbitrary, (c) adjustable, and (d) instruments designed and used for complete denture construction. Thomas, attempting to simplify the classification of articulators, devised a new classification based on the type of records used. He divided articulators into three types: (1) arbitrary (not adjustable), (2) positional (axis and nonaxis types, static records), and (3) functional (axis and nonaxis types, functional records). These classifications have added confusion and made visualizing the relationships and differences between the groups difficult. The capability of adjustment is the point at which these articulators differ. Therefore, classifications should be based on adjustment capabilities.

REQUIREMENTS

OF ARTICULATORS

Articulators have different adjustments, and some have more than others. To make any classification easy to visualize, and to avoid confusion because of these sophisticated adjustments, the requirements of an acceptable articulator must be defined. In prosthetic dentistry the necessity of registering the following records is generally accepted: (1) face-bow record, (2) centric jaw relation record, (3) protrusive record, (4) lateral records, and (5) intercondylar distance record. The intercondylar distance record is necessary so that the articulator can accept lateral records. When the Gothic arch tracing (needlepoint tracing) is used, it can be followed precisely, and an accurate hinge axis transfer can be accomplished. When the intercondylar width can be adjusted to the individual patient, the articulator will adjust to more interocclusal jaw relation records. This variable intercondylar distance affects the cusp paths. The greater the intercondylar distance, the more distal are the working and balancing cusp paths on the mandibular teeth and the more mesial they are on

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VOLUME

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NUMBER

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+ 04$00.40/00

1980 The C. V. Mosby Co.

CLASSIFICATION

OF ARTICULATORS

Table I. Classification

of articulators
Semiadjustable articulators Nonadjustable articulators three

Fully adjustable articulators Can accept all the following five records: 1. Face-bow record 2. Centric jaw relation record 3. Protrusive record 4. Lateral records 5. Intercondylar distance record Examples: Hanau Kinescope, 1923; McCollum Gnathoscope, 1935; Granger Gnatholator, 1950; Stuarticulator, 1955; Ney-Depietro, 1962; Hanau 130-27, 1953; Simulator, 1968; Denar D4-A, 1968

Can accept all the following three records: 1. Face-bow record 2. Centric jaw relation record 3. Protrusive record Examples: 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

Can accept one or two of the following records: 1. Face-bow record 2. Centric jaw relation record 3. Protrusive record

Examples: Gariot, 1805; Evans, 1840; barn door hinge, 1858; Bonwill, 1858; Walker, 1896; Gritman, 1899; Snow, 1906; Gysi Simplex, 1912; Monson, 1918; Stansbery, 1929; Phillips Occlusoscope, 1931; Kile Dentograph, 1945; Transograph, 1952; Pankey-Mann, 1955

the maxillary teeth. Conversely, the lesser the intercondylar distance, the more mesial are the working and balancing cusp paths on the mandibular teeth and the more distal they are on the maxillary teeth. Some dentists believe that the ideal articulator must be adjusted to accommodate immediate Bennett shift and the Fischer angle and that it must accept pantograph tracings. These are points which need further discussion before any classification is adopted. Gysi stated, Every known means of registering Bennett movement is either so cumbersome or inaccurate as to be inefficient; the errors that might result from differences in the inclination of this movement are smaller than the unavoidable errors made during impression making and flasking, therefore, we need not trouble ourselves provided the articulator allows an average movement of 15 degrees Bennett. Some might say that this statement is outdated and that the modern pantograph (e.g., Denar) can follow this movement and can be set on the articulator. Watt studied the reproducibility of articulator settings from graphic records. He found that the high probabilit); of error in the use of this type of instrument made it unacceptable as a means of diagnosing occlusal disturbances. Winstanley investigated the reproducibility of articulator settings obtained from graphic records using the Denar pantograph and Denar articulator. He found that some of the adjustments were unreliable and concluded that the reproducibility was not quite to the extent one would hope for. In fact, it is not only the incapability of the articulator to repro-

duce some of the movements, but also the possibility of weight of the recording apparatus which alters the normal position and movements of the mandible. In describing the Case articulator, Gibbs and Derda reported, Either pantographic tracings or lateral interocclusal records can be used to set the Bennett movement on this articulator. However, because of the complexity and risk of error inherent in these methods, the authors feel that standard Bennett movement settings are preferable for most patients. With regard to Fischer angle, Gysi believed (as did Hanau) that this angle could be omitted from the articulator because its effect on the occlusal surfaces of the teeth is negligible. With a 3 mm cusp, the maximum error is approximately 0.1 mm at the second molar balancing cusp height.

NEW CLASSIFICATION

SYSTEM

Articulators which accept the pantograph and reproduce the immediate Bennet shift and Fischer angle are preferred by some operators who are familiar with them. However, they should not be classified in a separate group; this might add more confusion. Classification should take into consideration how to transfer records made on the patient to the articulator and how to adjust the articulator to accept these records. In treating patients with occlusal disturbances, and in making fixed partial dentures, the five records mentioned previously need to be recorded. If the articulator is designed so that it can be adjusted to accept all five records, it should be classified as a fulb adjustable articulator regardless of any other characteristics it may have.

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RIHANI

Fig. 1. Nonadjustable

Gysi Simplex articulator.

Fig. 3. Fully adjustable Hanau 130-21 articulator. CLASSIFICATION USING THE NEW OF ARTICULATORS SYSTEM

To demonstrate this simplified classification system, I have classified some of the old and new articulators used in dentistry. The classification is given in Table I.

Nonadjustable

articulators

Fig. 2. Semiadjustable

Dentatus articulator.

In complete denture construction, it is acceptable to register three records. They are (1) the facebow, (2) the centric jaw relation, and (3) the protrusive record. All articulators which are designed so that they can be adjusted to accept these three records are classified as semiadjustable articulators. If the articulator is not designed to be adjusted to accept each of these three records, it should be classified as a nonadjustable articulator, whatever other characteristics it has.

Gariot, 1805; Evans, 1840; barn door hinge, 1858; Bonwill, 1858; Walker, 1896 (has adjustable condylar guidance, but does not accept the facebow record); Gritman, 1899; Snow, 1906; Gysi Simplex, 1912 (Fig. 1); Monson, 1918; Stansbery, 1929 (based on the tripod theory, where there is no condylar control); Philips Occlusoscope, 1931 (based on the tripod theory also, and does not accept the face-bow record); Kile Dentograph, 1945 (based on the principle of the tripod); Transograph, 1952 (contains two face-bows, upper and lower, connected to each other; there is no condylar guidance); and Pankey-Mann, 1955 (based on the spherical theory using special face-bow to mount the mandibular cast).

Semiadjustable

articulators

Snow Acme, 1910; Gysi Adaptable, 1910 (does not accept lateral records); Hanau H, 1922, Wadsworth, 1924; Gysi Trubyte, 1926 (does not accept the intercondylar distance record); House, 1927 (does not accept the intercondylar distance record, satisfies Bonwill principles); Dentatus, 1944 (Fig. 2); BergMARCH 1980 VOLUME 43 NUMBER 3

CLASSIFICATION

OF ARTICULATORS

strom Arcon, Mix, 1968.

1950; Hanau

130-28, 1963; and Whip-

6. 7. 8.

Weinberg, L. A.: An evaluation of basic articulators and their concepts. Part III. J PROSTHETDENT 13:873, 1963. Posselt, U.: Physiology of Occlusion, ed 2. Oxford, 1968, Blackwell Scientific Publications, p 108. Sharry, J. J.: Complete Denture Prosthodontics, ed 3. New York, 1974, McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., p 222. Heartwell, Cl. M., and Rahn, A. 0.: Syllabus of Complete Dentures, ed 2. Philadelphia, 1974, Lea 8r Febiger, Publishers, p 47. Thomas, C. J.: A classification of articulators. J PROSTHET DENT 30:11, 1973. International Prosthodontics Workshop on Complete Denture Occlusion. The University of Michigan, 1973, p 100. Sharry, J. J.: Complete Denture Prosthodontics, ed 3. New York, 1974, McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc.. p 224. Weinberg, L. A.: An evaluation of basic articulators and their concepts. Part I. J PROSTF~ET DENT 13:634, 1963. Heartwell, C. M., and Rahn, A. 0.: Syllabus of Complete Dentures, ed 2. Philadelphia, 1974, Lea and Febiger, Publishers, p 77. Heartwell, C. M., and Rahn, A. 0.: Syllabus of Complete Dentures, ed 2. Philadelphia, 1974, Lea & Febiger, Publishers, p 202. Gysi, A.: Practical application of research results in denture construction. J .4m Dent Assoc 16:199, 1929. Watt, D. M.: A study of the reproducibility of articulator settings from graphic records of mandibular movement. Dent Pratt Dent Ret 19:119, 1968. Winstanley, R. B.: Observations on the use of the Denar pantograph and articulator. J PROSTHET DENT 38:660, 1977. Boucher, C. 0.: Accuracy in measuring functional dimensions and relations in oral prosthesis by Charles E. Stuart. J PROSTHET DENT 9:237, 1959. Gibbs, C. H., and Derda, H. J.: A new articulator emphasizing centric occlusion and the anterior determinants, J PROSTHET DENT 37:382, 1977.

Fully adjustable articulators

Hanau Kinescope, 1923; McCollum Gnathoscope, 1935; Granger Gnatholator, 1950; Stuartarticulator, 1955; Ney-Depietro, 1962; Hanau 130-2 1, 1963 (Fig. 3); Simulator, 1968; and Denar D4-A, 1968.
9.

10. 11. 12. 13. 14.

SUMMARY
A simple classification in familiar terms with definite, clear characteristics can be adopted. This classification system is based on the number of records used and the adjustments necessary for the articulator to accept these records. The classification divides the articulators into nonadjustable, semiadjustable, and fully adjustable articulators (Table I).
I would like to thank Dr. Francis W. Shaffer, Chairman, Department of Removable Prosthodontics, and Dr. Kenneth A. Turner, Associate Professor, Department of Crown and Bridge, Emory University School of Dentistry, for their advice and encouragement.

15.

16. 17.

18.

REFERENCES
1. Gillis, R. R.: .4rticulator
development and the importance of observing the condyle paths in full denture prosthesis. J Am Dent Assoc 13:3, 1926. Boucher, C. 0.: Methods of recording functional movements of full denture bases in three dimensions. J Dent Res 14:39, 1934. Anthony, L. P.: The American Text Book of Prosthetic Dentistry, ed 7. Philadelphia, 1942, Lea & Febiger, Publishers, p 233. Beck, H. 0.: Choosing the articulator. J Am Dent Assoc 64:468, 1962. Weinberg, L. A.: An evaluation of basic articulators and their concepts. Part II. J PRCSTHETDENT 13:645, 1963. 19.

2.

20

3.

4. 5.

Re,tmnt requeststo: DR. AWNI RIHANI P. 0. Box 3036 AMMAN, JORDAN

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