The purpose of this study was to examine the ability of two semi-adjustable articulator systems, with different directions of the retrusive movement, to simulate it. Artex CR and Condylator articulators were used in the present study. Identification of the RCP contact locations was performed using occlusal indicator wax, which was simultaneously checked by an ultrasonic jaw motion analyzer device (Zebris Medical GmbH). Data was calculated separately for each articulator according to tooth number, cusp detail and tooth group, and analysed to determine the reliability of the data obtained in terms of articulators’ability to accurately reproduce the intra-oral recordings. Intraorally, RCP contacts were most frequently observed at molars (n=22). Contacts at both molars and premolars were observed in 8 subjects, and contacts at premolars – in 5 subjects. RCP contacts by tooth number, cusp detail and tooth group observed on the articulators coincided with intraoral observation at a ratio of 62%, 54%, 79%, respectively, with no significant difference between ratios for the Condylator and Artex groups. Within the limitations of this study, it can be therefore concluded that the direction of retrusive movement is not vital for articulator design.
Keywords:- occlusion.
- retruded contact position
- retrusive movement
- retrusive tooth contact
- semi-adjustable articulator