REPRODUCTION OF EXCURSIVE TOOTH CONTACT IN AN ARTICULATOR WITH COMPUTERIZED AXIOGRAPHY DATA

Purpose. This study assessed the reproduction of excursive tooth conta cts with a SAM2 ''P'' articulator set up with the aid of computerized axiography. Material and methods. Articulator excursive tooth contacts were compared with intraoral excursive contacts identified with occlu sogram wax. The maxillary casts were mounted with a kinematic face-bow , and the mandibular cast was oriented to the intercuspal position. Th e articulator was set using information obtained from computerized axi ography. Protrusion and laterotrusion to the left and right sides were examined. The first 4 mm of excursive tooth contacts in the occlusogr am were compared with the 4 mm of excursive tooth contacts in the arti culator. Results. The articulator reproduced 82% of the teeth with pro trusive tooth contacts and 90% of the teeth with laterotrusive tooth c ontacts. The exact locations of excursive tooth contacts were reproduc ed in 66% of protrusive contacts and 81% of laterotrusive contacts. Th e articulator also created additional eccentric dental contacts that w ere not originally present in the occlusogram. Twenty percent of the s ubjects showed these additional contacts during protrusion; in lateral movement of the articulator these additional contacts were present in 27% to the left side and 20% to the right. Clinically, these findings suggest that there are limits to the ability of the articulator to re produce excursive tooth contacts. These limitations should be kept in mind when an articulator is used for diagnostic and restorative dental procedures.