An articulator is a mechanical device that represents the temporomandibular joints and jaw structures to simulate jaw movements. It allows dental casts to be attached and moved in order to diagnose occlusion, plan treatments, fabricate restorations, and arrange artificial teeth. Articulators provide advantages like improved views of occlusion, elimination of denture base movement, and decreased chair time. However, they are subject to errors from tooling and wear and cannot perfectly duplicate individual jaw movements. Articulators are classified based on the occlusion theory used, the type of interocclusal record, ability to simulate movements, and degree of adjustability.

1. DEPARTMENT OF PROSTHODONTICS
ARTICULATORS
“A MECHANICAL DEVICE WHICH REPRESENTS THE TEMPOROMANDIBULAR
JOINTS & THE JAW MEMBERS TO WHICH MAXILLARY & MANDIBULAR CASTS
MAY BE ATTACHED TO SIMULATE JAW MOVEMENTS.”-GPT 8
USES :
1.To diagnose the state of occlusion in both the natural & artificial dentitions.
2.To hold the maxillary & mandibular casts in a planned relation.
3.To simulate the patient’s TMJ’s, mandible, maxilla & mandibular movements.
4.To open & close similar to patient.
5.To mount casts for diagnosis, treatment planning & patient presentation.
6.To fabricate occlusal surfaces of restorations.
7.To arrange artificial teeth.
ADVANTAGES :
1. Provide a better view of the patient’s occlusion, especially lingual
side.
2. Refinement of complete denture occlusion is extremely difficult
intraorally, because of movement of denture base & resiliency of
supporting tissues, This problems are eliminated with articulators.
3. Patient’s cooperation isn’t a factor once casts are mounted on
articulator with appropriate records.
4. Chair side time for the dentist & appointment time for the patient is
decreased.
5. Patient’s tongue, saliva & cheeks are not factors of hindrance while
using an articulator.
LIMITATIONS :
1. The articulator is subject to errors in tooling & errors resulting from
metal fatigue & wear.
2. No articulator can correctly duplicate the condylar movements of an
individual.
3. It can’t compensate for any errors in jaw relation records.
CLASSIFICATION :
1. Based on the theories of occlusion
2. Based on the type of inter-occlusal record used
3. Based on the ability to simulate jaw movements
4. Based on adjustability of the articulator
1. Based on the theories of occlusion
I. Bonwill
theory
articulators
II. Conical theory
articulators (by RE
Hall)
III. Spherical
theory
articulators
2. Based on the type of inter-occlusal
record used
I. Inter-occlusal record adjustment
II. Graphic record adjustment
3. Based on the ability to simulate jaw
movements
CLASS I CLASS II CLASS III CLASS IV
TYPE
A
TYPE
B
TYPE
C
TYPE
A
TYPE
B
TYPE
A
TYPE
B
3. Based on adjustability of the
articulator
1. Non-adjustable
2. Semi-adjustable
3. Fully-adjustable
GUIDED BY,
DR. SWETA KUMAR SWAMI (DEAN & HOD)
DR. AUMKAR TRIVEDI (MDS)
DR. SANNISHTH SADARANI (MDS)
PREPARED BY,
MEERA, PRIANKA, VIRAL, BHAVI,
SHRUTI, VISHAL (2012-2016)