Setting up the articulator is the first step.
First, open a demo case in exocad. Find the demo case called, “3-element bridge, virtual articulator”.
Next, set up the teeth numbers and select the articulator type. You can select the articulator type in scan mode at the right bottom.
“One stone model” only is a maxillary or a mandible case.
“Two stone model in occlusion” is a case that is not using an articulator or using a hinge articulator. There are Artex, S for Sam, P for ProtaRevo Kavo, Denar, Bio-Art, Panadent and so on.
Select the articulator type, scan the maxillary and the mandible, and then start designing.
Setting up the articulator is the first step of designing.
Positioning the model on the occlusal plane by marking three points.
The setting opens by clicking “Start virtual articulator now”.
Placing the model in the articulator is the first step.
“Rearticulate models virtually” creates the occlusal plane and I can move the model in the articulator.
Or there are several options to place the model in the articulator. Manual positioning the model is by clicking the left mouse button to move the model freely in the articulator. I can rotate it as well.
Rotate the model by pressing the Ctrl key or with the arrows. Automatic positioning the model is available under the AUTOMATICALLY tab.
I need to mark three points on the occlusal plane. The points are the incisal edge point, the mesiolingual cusp of the maxillary first molar for the maxillary teeth and so on. We learnt these points in school. I’ll mark the points now.
The incisal edge point, the left molar, and the right molar. Then, click “Perform alignment”. The model is positioned correctly on the occlusal plane.
If positioning the model like this takes long time, or if you would like to reproduce the same position as it is, use a transfer plate which is the scanner option. This transfer plate is type A which is for Artex articulator. Separate the model from the Artex articulator and place it on the transfer plate.
Scan it as it is. The exact same position of the model in the articulator is reproduced in data. And the model data is positioned in exocad’s virtual articulator as it is. This is the most accurate way of positioning the model.
The teeth that affect the motion of the articulator.
The next step is how to select teeth that influence articulator movement
Click “Choose which teeth influence articulator movement”. Paint parts to exclude the influence articulation teeth.
It means that this tooth is not influenced by the occlusal movement. To give you an idea, let me select incisors.
After painting the teeth, click “OK” and “Start articulator movement simulation”
Click “OK” and see the jaw movement by dragging the slider in the upper right corner. Check protrusion, retrusion, and laterotrusion left and right. You may find the protrusion unusual.
I see the data overlaps like this. The data should not overlap with the normal protrusion.
The maxillary lingual goes up on the mandibular buccal like this with the normal protrusion.
However, since I’ve set the incisors as not influenced by the movement, the data is overlapped like this. If you have a model that needs extraction or treatment later, set teeth as not influenced by the movement like this in advance.
Setting Condylar angle and Bennett angle by moving the articulator with the check bites.
Let me show you another feature.
Many people wonder how to set Bennett angle and Condylar angle when explaining the articulator module.
Dentist sends three check bites to set Bennett angle and Condylar angle of a real articulator. One for protrusion, another for laterotrusion left and the last one for laterotrusion right. You can set Condylar angle or Bennett angle by moving the articulator with the check bites. Unfortunately, exocad does not yet have a function to input the check bites. Therefore, measure the values with the real articulator and manually input the values.
The values will be applied to the simulation as it is. I’ll move Condylar angle and Bennett angle little bit. The same Bennett angle part as the real articulator moves by the values.
As you see here, this is the same Bennett angle as the real articulator.
Same for Immediate sideshift. This part is moved.
This is Condylar angle. It moves like this.
Measure the values with your articulator first and input the values here.
If you want an open bite, you can set the higher bite.
There is a space between maxilla and mandible. Negative value as well.
The articulator is now set up. The articulator module would be essential for edentulous maxillary or mandible arch prostheses. However, it is inconvenient that I need to manually enter the values of Condylar angle or Bennett angle after measuring with the real articulator instead of directly inputting the check bites.
Today, we have looked at how to set the articulator in exocad’s articulator module. Thank you for taking your time to read this lesson!
