Dental Articulator and Face-bow: A New Design Concept

Objective: To invent a class three dental articulator that reduced sophisticate control mechanisms. Methods: Designing concept was based on studying prior arts, engineering design, material sciences, and manufacturing techniques. Based on this concept, the new design articulator should reduces production cost and maintains work precision. Result: Innovative condylar mechanism control, utilizing a ferromagnetic ball array between two permanent magnets at each condyle, creates Bennett movement mechanism. A prototype was mainly predominated with industrial polymer. It works with a self centered ear-bow mounted type. Quick detachable cast mounting system without thumb screw was applied to dental models. Overall weight of this articulator is 310 grams. It is three times lighter than cast aluminum made of the same class. Conclusion: In non-concordance with designs of the past, its inspired mechanisms are unique, simple, and initiative. This design may create great impact to work simplification, production cost, and speed-up prosthodontic works.