The patient-specific anatomical articulator

Abstract

Currently available dental articulators have limitations for reproducing human mandibular movements. The present article describes an innovative device that is a true patient-specific anatomical articulator that accurately simulates patient anatomy and eliminates all technique-sensitive mounting procedures, thus substantially diminishing potential errors in mounting and articulator settings. By using three-dimensional (3D) printing technology, patient cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) data are used to print 3D replicas of the condylar fossae, as well as the actual condyles, at the correct intercondylar distance. The maxilla (maxillary teeth and edentulous ridge) is printed with the correct spatial relationship to the condylar complexes and the Frankfort horizontal plane (FHP). Those printed structures are then premounted onto a modified articulator frame to render it “anatomic.” This new custom anatomical articulator, which accurately mimics patient anatomical movements rather than relying on average values, represents the first truly fully adjustable articulator that is more precise than can be generated by a pantographic tracing. It saves money, time, and effort by eliminating earbow transfers and mounting errors in complex prosthodontic treatment.