The effect of the end controlling guidances of the articulator on cusp inclination

Abstract

Summary The effect of the end controlling guides on cusp inclinations on the working side and on the balancing side were studied, both with and without the influence of a 15 degree lateral condylar guidance. In the protrusive position, cusp inclinations increased toward the steeper of the end controlling guides. The same was true for cusp inclinations on the balancing side during lateral movements. Cusp inclinations on the working side were controlled mainly by the lateral incisal guidance. The degree of cusp inclination on the working side, as compared with the inclination of the lateral incisal guidance, increased or decreased posteriorly depending on the inclination of the condylar pathway on the balancing side. The general effect of a 15 degree lateral condylar guidance on cusp inclinations on the balancing and working sides during lateral movements was a progressive reduction toward the back of the articulator. Variations in the horizontal condylar guidance with a 0 degree lateral incisal guidance caused greater reduction of cusp inclinations with a 15 degree lateral condylar guide on the balancing side. Variations in lateral incisal guide inclinations with a 0 degree horizontal condylar guidance caused greater reductions of the cusp inclinations due to a 15 degree lateral condylar guidance on the working side. The equation 2 for determining cusp inclinations was more accurate when used for the protrusive position than when it was used to determine cusp inclinations on the balancing and working sides. The equation values were least accurate for cusp inclinations on the working side.