Mounting Notes

Mounting

  • Definition: Attaching maxillary and mandibular casts to an articulator in their recorded jaw relation.
  • Also called articulation.
  • Maxillary cast articulated first, then mandibular cast after recording vertical and centric jaw relations.
  • Types:
    • Arbitrary mounting
    • Mounting using face bow

Zeroing/Resetting Articulator

  • Mean Value Articulator (Class II):
    • Clean articulator.
    • Movable surfaces should move freely.
    • Incisal pin flushed with the top of the upper member for zero reading.
    • Mounting table properly fixed.
  • Semi-Adjustable Articulator (Class III):
    • Clean articulator.
    • Movable surfaces should move freely.
    • Incisal pin flushed with the top of the upper member for zero reading.
    • Incisal guide table at 0° antero-posteriorly and laterally.
    • Condylar track at 30° bilaterally.
    • Bennett angle at 30°.
    • Lateral condylar guidance at 15°.
    • Lock the opening axis (hinge axis) into centric position.
  • Needed records:
    • Centric occlusal record - vertical record
    • Protrusive record - Lateral condylar angle comes from the equation L=12
    • Face bow record
  • Uses:
    • Can produce opening & closing
    • Can produce protrusive and lateral (eccentric) movements

Casts Preparation for Mounting

  • Determine the midline using the incisive papilla.
  • Place casts in slurry water.
  • Create 3-4 V-shape cuts on the base of casts (1/4 inch depth and 1/2 inch width).
  • Lightly coat the base with Vaseline or separating medium.
  • Seal the base plate with occlusion rim to the cast using wax.

Mounting the Maxillary Cast

  • Attach the maxillary cast first using face-bow (adjustable articulators) or mounting table (mean value articulator).
  • Ensure enough space between the base of the cast and the upper member of the articulator.
  • Align the midline of the maxillary occlusion rim to the center of the cross midline on the mounting table.
  • Mix plaster and pour over the base of the cast, closing the upper member until the incisal pin touches the incisal table.
  • Smooth and polish the plaster.

Mounting the Mandibular Cast

  • Mount after recording tentative vertical and centric jaw relations.
  • Secure the mandibular occlusion rim to the cast with wax, sealing between maxillary and mandibular rims.
  • Ensure no posterior interference.
  • Invert the articulator with the mounted maxillary cast.
  • Place the maxillary occlusal rim with mandibular occlusal rim (centric record) on the maxillary cast.
  • Place the mandibular cast on the mandibular occlusal rim (after soaking in slurry water).
  • Mix and pour plaster over the base of the mandibular cast, closing the articulator until the incisal table touches the incisal pin.
  • Smooth and polish the plaster.

Checking the Mounting

  • The midline of maxillary cast should be coincided with the midline of mandibular cast and midline of articulator.
  • Centralization of maxillary cast with upper member of articulator then the centralization of lower cast which depend on accuracy of the maxillary cast.
  • Incisal pin checked if it does not touch the incisal table.

Possible Errors During Mounting

  • The record base is not properly secured to the cast.
  • Interference of the casts posteriorly.
  • The incisal pin does not touch the incisal table.
  • The incisal pin is not properly screwed.
  • Wrong transference of the midline of the articulator with that of the casts (shifting of the midline).
  • Movement of the casts during mounting.
  • Maxillary & mandibular rims are not properly fixed after making centric record.
  • Dimensional changes in the plaster material.

Improper Record Base Attachment

  • Inaccurate tongue space in the final denture.
  • Discomfort during speech.
  • Difficulty in swallowing.
  • Poor adaptation of the denture in the oral cavity.
  • Ensure record base is firmly attached with wax.

Posterior Heels Contact Between Mounted Casts

  • Mounting error.
  • Causes:
    • Casts not trimmed properly.
    • Occlusal rims not aligned correctly.
    • Error in centric record transfer.
  • Management:
    • Remounting is necessary.
    • Ensure proper clearance before applying plaster.