Programming Articulator for Rehabilitating Loss in Vertical Dimension using a Customized Bifunctional Incisal Jig.

Abstract

Abstract: While performing any prosthodontic rehabilitation, the accuracy of diagnostic wax-up is proportional to the predictability of end treatment result, as it forms a template for the provisional as well as final restorations. The most common challenge faced by dental clinicians in severely worn dentition patients is the difficulty to program the condylar guidance on an articulator using eccentric bite records, due to loss of anterior guidance and interferences in the posterior teeth. Conventionally, in such cases, an arbitrary diagnostic wax-up followed by an intraoral temporization is done to obtain the incisal guidance first, and the condylar guidance is later programmed in the presence of posterior disocclusion using eccentric bite records. However, this increases the chairside time and clinical visits. Therefore, this article describes the use of a customized bifunctional incisal jig to record centric relation at the desired occlusal vertical dimension along with programming the condylar guidance before a diagnostic wax-up is performed.