Reproducibility of occlusal contacts relative to mounting cast variables

This study evaluated the accuracy of occlusal contacts relative to the mode in which casts are mounted. Specifically, the direct effect on occlusal contacts was assessed with respect to: (a) the type of mounting stone used; (b) the amount of material used realtive to the distance between the mounting plate and the cast base; and (c) the prsence or absence of a restriction of the articulator's vertical opening. A 3 x 2 x 2 factorial analysis of variance and a Dunn's Multiple Comparison Procedure (P .05) showed that one of the three mounting stones was statistically significantly less accurate in reproducing occlusal contacts when a distance of 19 mm existed between the cast and the articulator, regardless of the existance of articulator restriction.