Investigating the effect of skeletal pattern in determining articulator settings for prosthodontic rehabilitation: an in-vivo study

Abstract

During extensive prosthodontic treatment the use of an accurately adjusted articulator is recommended to simulate some mandibular movements. An in-vivo clinical study was undertaken to assess any possible effect of underlying skeletal pattern on articulator settings. Subjects were recruited (N = 73) from a dental school and two regional orthodontic units. A clinical examination was undertaken where the participants were screened for functional problems of the masticatory system. The presence of dysfunction resulted in subjects being excluded from the study. A profile photograph was taken of each subject with their teeth in maximum intercuspation with the Frankfort plane horizontal. Subjects were allocated into study groups based on their underlying sagittal and vertical skeletal pattern. Profile photographs of subjects using a fixed focal lenght were used as a means of assessing skeletal characteristics. Electronic pantographic recordings were made with the Cadiax® Compact system and recorded on a personal computer.