Articulators in Dentistry

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards related to articulators and their use in dentistry.

Articulator

A mechanical device that simulates the movements of the mandible.

Border Movements

The outer limits of all excursive movements made by the mandible.

Posterior Determinants

The elements that guide the movements of the mandible relative to the cranium.

Non-adjustable Articulator

An articulator with limited motion, usually only capable of a hinge opening.

Semi-adjustable Articulator

An articulator that allows some adjustment to the inter-condylar distance.

Fully adjustable Articulator

An articulator that replicates the entire character of border movements with full adjustability.

Hinge Axis

The axis around which the mandible rotates during movement.

Facebow

An instrument for recording spatial relationships and attaching maxillary casts to the articulator.

Arcon Articulator

An articulator where condylar elements are on the lower member, simulating the mandible.

Non-arcon Articulator

An articulator where condylar elements are on the upper member, simulating the glenoid fossae.

Loading Movements

The movements made by the mandible during occlusion.

Condyle

The rounded end of the mandible that articulates with the temporal bone.

Mandible

The lower jaw bone that holds the lower teeth and moves during chewing.

Restorations

Dental treatments to restore the function and aesthetics of the teeth.

Kinematic Axis

The precise axis used for accurately reproducing mandibular movements.

Morphologic Features

Characteristics of teeth that influence their shape and structure.

Intercondylar Distance

The distance between the condyles; important for articulator adjustments.

Occlusion

The contact between upper and lower teeth during biting or chewing.

Mouth Casts

Models made from impressions of a person's mouth, used for dental work.

Dental Prosthetics

Devices designed to replace missing teeth or restore dental function.

Skills Requirement

The level of expertise needed to effectively use a fully adjustable articulator.

Articulation

The manner in which movable parts work together, specifically in relation to teeth.

Condylar Movements

Movements related to the joint between the mandible and the skull.

Pantographic Recording

A method capturing the paths followed by the condyle during movement.

Reference Pins

Markers used on a facebow for aligning the device to the articulator.

Lateral Translation

Movement of the mandible to the side during jaw movement.

Vertical Orientation

The alignment of vertical growth patterns of the teeth.

Maxillary Casts

Models constructed from the upper arch of a patient's teeth.

Articulating Device

A tool used to mount dental casts to simulate jaw movements.

Excursive Movements

The movements of the mandible beyond the maximum intercuspation.

Closure Radius

The curvature of the path traveled during the closing motion of the jaw.

Single Units Restoration

Dental procedures that replace an individual tooth.

Fixed Partial Dentures

Prosthetic devices that replace one or more missing teeth anchored to adjacent teeth.

Degree of Accuracy

The level of precision expected from dental appliances.

Dynamic Occlusion

The interaction of the upper and lower teeth in function.

Cusps

The pointed parts of teeth that help in grinding food.

Ridges

Elevated areas on the surface of the teeth.

Glenoid Fossae

The depressions on the temporal bone where the condyles of the mandible fit.

Tissue Adaptation

The process by which oral tissues respond to prosthetic devices.

Clinical Applications

Practical uses of dental theories and techniques in patient care.

Jaw Opening

The distance the mandible moves downward or upward.

Anatomical Relationships

The connections and positions between different structures in the mouth.

Trial and Error Method

An experimental approach to finding the hinge axis.

Easy Application

The requirement that dental tools should be simple for routine use.

Condyle Movement Tracing

Recording the path of condyles to replicate movements accurately.

Teeth Impressions

Molds made from the mouth to create accurate models for dental work.

Accuracy Standards

The defined measures for acceptable precision in dental applications.