Transfer of the patient's oral situation to the articulator and synchronizing the articulated models

Both functional and esthetic solutions pose a daily challenge to prosthetic restorative dentistry. One reason for this is that the model situation mounted in the articulator shows only an approximation of the patient's clinical situation. Approaches that address this problem are therefore called for. This article focuses on the transfer of the models to the articulator in a realistic way, and presents the development of the functional analytical method with the PlaneSystem. The capture of patient-specific details by analog means (eg, head posture, facial proportions, physiognomy map, model analysis, model orientation, movement recording, joint mechanics, mandible position in the physiological unmanipulated centric position) and by digital means (eg, facial scan, 3D analysis, photographic documentation, digital video technology [DVT]) and the transfer of these data to the articulator form the basis for this procedure. The occlusal plane and the asymmetries are likewise measured individually on each patient and transferred to the articulator in the same way as the vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) and the mandibular alignment. All information collected can then be integrated into a digital workflow, so that reference can be made to entirely virtual solutions. This article describes the necessity that gave rise to this system and the individual development stages, and outlines the potential this method offers the dental prosthetics team. Keywords: occlusal plane, articulator, mandibular position, maxillary position, PlaneFinder, centric, functional analysis, bite registration, vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO), dental technology-related analysis