Arcon designed articulator condylar housings are built into the upper member of the articulator and the condyles are always fixed onto the lower member of the articulator. This design simulates the location of the condylar ball for the patient. With a non-arcon designed articulator, the condylar housing is found on the lower member of the articulator and the condyles are attached to the upper member. This design is opposite of the anatomy for the human skull.
According to Culp (2005) two types of dental articulators are used, Namely arcon and non-arcon articulators. Arcon articulators feature a mechanical condyle fixed on the lower frame of the articulator that imitates the condyle position of a human skull. This indicates the condyles on the lower member and the condyle guidance on the upper member of the articulator. Non-arcon articulator place the mechanical condyle on the upper part of the frame and the condylar guidance on the lower part, opposite to the jaw and condyle on the human skull and moves in reverse.
Lovely (2005:150) suggest that the primary advantage of using an Arcon articulator, is the ability to visualise the movement of the jaw and the condyles of the patient during restoration planning. The interrelationship between horizontal angle and occlusal plane will not alter during opening movements in the Arcon articulator This is very useful during complete denture construction.
Prasad et al.(2011) suggest there are no true advantage of the one system over the other. It is suggested that the choice of articulator rest on the desired outcome of the case. If bilateral balanced occlusion is desired after obtaining condylar guidance record of the patient, then semi-adjustable articulator-non arcon variant is sufficient. But if bilateral balanced occlusion is desired after obtaining protrusive and lateral records and if vertical dimension is to be altered, then semi-adjustable articulator-arcon variant is preferred.
Culp, L. 2005. An articulated discussion about articulators. Inside Dentistry. 1(2). Novembe/December. http://www.dentalaegis.com/id/2005/12/lab-talk-an-articulated-discussion-about-articulators#sthash.xcJunvE2.dpuf. [24 June 2013].
Lovely, M. 2005. Revies of Complete Dentures. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P)Ltd.
Prasad, K., Prasad, R.B., Mehra, D. & Mangalore, D. 2011. Articulators as they evolved. http://www.guident.net/prosthodontics/articulators-as-they-evolved-a-literature-review/pdf.html. [24 June 2013].
Thank you for the reference to the reading material. The basic idea of the 2 types is that representation of the condyles differ. Both discriptions are correct
The defining characteristic and primary adcantage of Arcon articulators is that the condyle movement in the condyle housings imitate the movement of the condys in relationship to the glenoid fossae in the skull.
In a non-arcon articulator, unlike human anatomy, the components representing temporomandibular joint and the condylar sockets are found in the lower member of the articulator, the mechanics which represent the condyles are attached to either end of an axis which is part of the upper member of the articulator. The upper arm of a non-arcon articulator can be fully opened without disconnecting from the lower arm.
In an arcon articulator, the condylar housings are part of the upper member and the condyles are located on either side of the lower member. This is similar to the tmj. The upper member of an arcon-type articulator can disconnect from the lower member when fully opened, unless it is in a centric lock. The arcon articultor allows the maxillary and mandibular models to be interchanged with each other as required ofcourse. It is a semi-adjustable articulator as most of us know it...
The name “Arcon” is derived from the words articulator and condyle.
The condylar heads of an Arcon Articulator are mounted on the lower member of the instrument. The condylar guides and fossa form part of the upper member.
The advantage of the Arcon articulator is in fact that the condyles of the articulator move in a similar way in the condylar housing as the actual condyles move in relation to the glenoid fossa in the skull. The condylar movements are therefore easier to visualize and understand, and the reproduction of the mandibular jaw movement seems to be more accurate.
A Non-Arcon articulator on the other hand has its condyle on the upper member, and its condylar guides and fossa are part of the lower member. This has the disadvantage that in opening and closing of the articulator, (or in closing the bite), the condylar path changes its angle to the Frankfort plane.
Why the Hanau articulater has minus 20 condylar guidance angulations. The range is minus 20 -0-10 up to 60 degree in this articulater. Why minus angulations
Arcon designed articulator condylar housings are built into the upper member of the articulator and the condyles are always fixed onto the lower member of the articulator. This design simulates the location of the condylar ball for the patient. With a non-arcon designed articulator, the condylar housing is found on the lower member of the articulator and the condyles are attached to the upper member. This design is opposite of the anatomy for the human skull.
ReplyDeleteMs. Tsholo
According to Culp (2005) two types of dental articulators are used, Namely arcon and non-arcon articulators. Arcon articulators feature a mechanical condyle fixed on the lower frame of the articulator that imitates the condyle position of a human skull. This indicates the condyles on the lower member and the condyle guidance on the upper member of the articulator. Non-arcon articulator place the mechanical condyle on the upper part of the frame and the condylar guidance on the lower part, opposite to the jaw and condyle on the human skull and moves in reverse.
ReplyDeleteLovely (2005:150) suggest that the primary advantage of using an Arcon articulator, is the ability to visualise the movement of the jaw and the condyles of the patient during restoration planning. The interrelationship between horizontal angle and occlusal plane will not alter during opening movements in the Arcon articulator This is very useful during complete denture construction.
Prasad et al.(2011) suggest there are no true advantage of the one system over the other. It is suggested that the choice of articulator rest on the desired outcome of the case. If bilateral balanced occlusion is desired after obtaining condylar guidance record of the patient, then semi-adjustable articulator-non arcon variant is sufficient. But if bilateral balanced occlusion is desired after obtaining protrusive and lateral records and if vertical dimension is to be altered, then semi-adjustable articulator-arcon variant is preferred.
Culp, L. 2005. An articulated discussion about articulators. Inside Dentistry. 1(2). Novembe/December. http://www.dentalaegis.com/id/2005/12/lab-talk-an-articulated-discussion-about-articulators#sthash.xcJunvE2.dpuf. [24 June 2013].
Lovely, M. 2005. Revies of Complete Dentures. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P)Ltd.
Prasad, K., Prasad, R.B., Mehra, D. & Mangalore, D. 2011. Articulators as they evolved. http://www.guident.net/prosthodontics/articulators-as-they-evolved-a-literature-review/pdf.html. [24 June 2013].
Thank you for the reference to the reading material. The basic idea of the 2 types is that representation of the condyles differ. Both discriptions are correct
DeleteThe defining characteristic and primary adcantage of Arcon articulators is that the condyle movement in the condyle housings imitate the movement of the condys in relationship to the glenoid fossae in the skull.
ReplyDeleteIn a non-arcon articulator, unlike human anatomy, the components representing temporomandibular joint and the condylar sockets are found in the lower member of the articulator, the mechanics which represent the condyles are attached to either end of an axis which is part of the upper member of the articulator. The upper arm of a non-arcon articulator can be fully opened without disconnecting from the lower arm.
ReplyDeleteIn an arcon articulator, the condylar housings are part of the upper member and the condyles are located on either side of the lower member. This is similar to the tmj. The upper member of an arcon-type articulator can disconnect from the lower member when fully opened, unless it is in a centric lock. The arcon articultor allows the maxillary and mandibular models to be interchanged with each other as required ofcourse. It is a semi-adjustable articulator as most of us know it...
The name “Arcon” is derived from the words articulator and condyle.
ReplyDeleteThe condylar heads of an Arcon Articulator are mounted on the lower member of the instrument. The condylar guides and fossa form part of the upper member.
The advantage of the Arcon articulator is in fact that the condyles of the articulator move in a similar way in the condylar housing as the actual condyles move in relation to the glenoid fossa in the skull.
The condylar movements are therefore easier to visualize and understand, and the reproduction of the mandibular jaw movement seems to be more accurate.
A Non-Arcon articulator on the other hand has its condyle on the upper member, and its condylar guides and fossa are part of the lower member. This has the disadvantage that in opening and closing of the articulator, (or in closing the bite), the condylar path changes its angle to the Frankfort plane.
Well done to all those who commented
ReplyDeleteWhy the Hanau articulater has minus 20 condylar guidance angulations. The range is minus 20 -0-10 up to 60 degree in this articulater. Why minus angulations
ReplyDelete