The Reference articulator system

The continuous developments in modern dentistry make ever greater demands on articulator systems. Their everyday application requires the highest precision, compatibility with other articulators and maximum flexibility. The increasing amount of cases requiring interdisciplinary therapeutic procedures calls for a system which can provide a standard basis for intercommunication. The development of the Reference system made a tool available, which provides solution-oriented procedures for the simple standard case, as well as for the complex “full mouth” reconstruction.

· Articulator/Face-bow system for arbitrary or exact mounting, relative to the hinge axis · Synchronic calibration of articulators, with and without split-system · An upgradeable articulator, from the simple occludator to the fully adjustable, all-purpose device · Integrated magnet retention system · Avoids problems caused by cast expansion, by means of block mounting · Condylar position measurement (CPM), condylar position variance (CPV), measures and sets the occlusal plane, anterior tooth diagnostics · Precast incisal table with various slopes up to a comfortable sequential table for wax-up of sequential occlusion · Upgradeable face-bows for electronic recording of the mandibular joint with CADIAX® · Designed by practicians for the dental practice and the lab · Designed by instructors for teaching and research

Reference SL – from centric security to ex-centric perfection

The unique construction of the condylar housing in Prof. R. Slavicek’s Reference SL articulator solves this problem in a special way: not the condyles, but rather the axes, adapted from the hinge axis, glide on sagittal and transverse inserts, as lightly and easily as if on runners.

For the practice: Ideal for the everyday average patient: full dentures, part dentures, implants, full-mouth rehabilitations, functional diagnostics, goal-oriented initial therapy, orthodontics, oro-facial surgery. For the lab: They are all exactly the same. Safe, easy to handle, and multifunctional. Constantly upgradeable.

The Reference SL provides the guidance reliability of a Non-Arcon, without losing the didactic and dynamic-geometric advantages of the Arcon construction. The user can see the guidance units and check the contact on the guide elements, without needing to perform any acrobatics to control the unit.

Reference – a practical all-rounder par excellence

The guidance elements are easily exchangeable. The user has any number of options, up to and including individually milled inserts. The articulator can be easily and effortlessly adjusted to the individual movement tracks. The statistics above, displaying the distribution of condylar guide inclination and compiled from registrations of over 300 patients, demonstrate the necessity of individual eccentric articulator programming. An additional evaluation shows that the movement patterns of a large number of the patients indicate therapy-relevant retrusive movements. The SL articulator shows the differences in the formation of the occlusal surfaces.

Cusp tracks on the occlusal table showing different retrusive characteristics (Z=none, R1=surtrusive, R2=detrusive)

Condylogram w/no working side retrusion

Condylogram w/working side retrusion

Condylogram w/ working side surtrusion

Using a detrusion guide element

Patient:

Articulator:

Reference – Mounting system with magnetic retention

The distance blocks are held in the articulator through magnetic retention. The retaining magnet is built into the articulator, so that the full height of the unit can be utilized, while maintaining even traction.

This minimizes the disturbing influences of cast expansion during the hardening process. Different heights and slopes allow for optimal use. The red mounting plates are screwed, removable, into the distance blocks.

If the block is unscrewed from the model, it leaves a print in the cast, so that an identical block can be screwed in, if repositioning is necessary. During active treatment, the distance block should not be unscrewed.

Reference – synchronic calibration without compromises

Tolerance can regularly be checked with the calibration key. This unit synchronizes all Reference articulators (types A, I, and SL) over the axes, in the range from +/- 10 mm receptors exactly. So, everyone involved is working with identical machines, making it possible to exchange models and guarantee real comparisons. The calibration key is also necessary for setting the 0-point when using the CPM and CPV applications.

In the dental practice or lab, the articulator can be newly adjusted and/or readjusted over the horizontally arranged axes:

rearrange the axes with the calibration key

casting the readjusted articulator axes

All components are equally axis oriented. Then the models can be transferred from one articulator to another without second thoughts.

Reference – Standard incisal tables

Standard incisal guidance tables from flat to 55 degrees; centric adjustable, mounted on self-centering base. The flat plate was designed for lower jaw mounting and the preparation of individual autopolymeric anterior guides. The 30-, 40- and 55 degree plates are equipped with 5 degree steeper protrusive inclinations.

With periodic gradation, adapted from the natural front situation

Reference – individual anterior guidance unit

Two-stage anterior guidance in one purely protrusive part (with track grooves), in three variations; straight, 1mm and 2mm curved course of the S2 distance, with 14 degree angle of inclination. The two pins are plugged into separate jacks in the articulator, and are individually adjustable to zero position. The complete unit as shown, with 3 exchangeable protrusion inserts. Adjustable, protrusive from 0-80 degrees, lateral from 20-65 degrees.

Reference – Anterior tooth diagnostics

Anterior tooth shaper: A container for hard-silicone, aligned relative to the reference plane, to take front tooth impressions in the articulator. The hard putty can be cut into sections and the palatal surfaces can be measured from the profile. These values serve for evaluating the relation between anterior tooth guidance-joint guidance-occlusal plane in functional diagnostics, as well as for the articulator programming in reconstruction and additionally for checking the tooth position and functional surface in orthodontics

The ideal supplement to the CADIAS cephalometric program in Gamma Dental Software^®.

Reference – Compensation Curve Analyzer

Curve of Spee Analyzer for SL-Articulator 7 transparent templates with integrated curve radius in steps of 5 mm from R60-R90. With the help of those parts it is possible to measure or reconstruct the curve of Spee

Reference – simple conversion to sequential occlusion

Based on its flexible concept of using exchangeable guidance tables in various gradations, the sequential incisal table is geometrically and didactically easily comprehensible and allows to define occlusion concepts by predetermining an angle of disocclusion. The sequential incisal table is extremely simple and easy to use, both in its diagnostic and technical wax-up applications. The fan-shaped guide surfaces of the table allow for direct assignment to a tooth and a simple implementation of the natural sequential occlusion concept.

lateral guidance waxed with the sequential incisal table

The reconstructive wax-up concept is determined by selecting the individual elements. Depending on which occlusal surface is being worked on, the table is set to the corresponding mark found on the side of the base plate, by sliding forward or backwards, respectively.

Guidelines are provided by a program, which processes the inclination of the joint track (CADIAX®) to the axis-orbital plane, as well as the selected Bennett element as parameters in the 2-dimensional table. The CADIAX® system calculates the values automatically!

40º (Protrusiv) 51º (Tooth 3) 41º (Tooth 4) 33º (Tooth 5) 25º (Tooth 6)

44º (Protrusiv) 55º (Tooth 3) 44º (Tooth 4) 37º (Tooth 5) 29º (Tooth 6)

47º (Protrusiv) 58º (Tooth 3) 47º (Tooth 4) 40º (Tooth 5) 33º (Tooth 6)

54º (Protrusiv) 65º (Tooth 3) 52º (Tooth 4) 46º (Tooth 5) 39º (Tooth 6)

Reference – Occlusal plane measuring, planning and setting

This unit allows you to measure and/or lay out the individual occlusal plane in degrees. In two parts for the different inclinations of the right and left dentition. Mounting takes place in the Reference articulator.

Reference – flexible Condylar-Position-Measurement (ICP vs. RP)

CPM SL (Condyar-Position-Measurement adapter) – A pair of mechanical measurement adapters for the metric comparison of the centric and intercuspal positions of the mandible. Adaptable on the SL articulator- so it is not necessary to buy a special appliance! The calibration key (06-231900) is necessary for determining the centric zero position

Reference – change mandible position with the Variator

CPV (Condylar-Position-Variator): enables exact metric positioning of the condyle position in three spatial directions, e.g., for setting a therapeutic mandible position, for making splints, or for a diagnostic set-up in orthodontics. Ideal for application in combination with the CADIAX^® Registration System. A joint position determined by CADIAX^® can be set directly in the unit! The calibration key (06-231900) is necessary for determining the centric zero position!

Reference – Instructional-CD

RRzF instructional course CD-ROM "Reference SL Operation and Training”. This instructional CD was created by Tilman Fritz, one of the most experienced users of the GAMMA system. Step by step, you learn exactly how to use the Reference SL articulator, from mounting models to eccentric articulator programming. Helpful for the entire team of dental practice- and lab team.

Face-Bow

No model should be mounted without first determining a spatial jaw relation. With the Reference system, GAMMA offers the possibility of transferring arbitrary and exact models of the upper jaw. With the proven and tested 3D joint support the face-bows can be applied simply and safe.

Reference – anatomic face-bow

Parallel adjustable anatomic face-bow, with 3D joint support. With this face-bow, there is no undesirable axis displacement, e.g., from a shearing effect. Its box-like construction and double-clamping ensure the utmost stability. In its construction, the Reference AB Face-bow is aligned with the AO-plane (hinge axis-orbital plane), the front reference point lies 22 mm below the lowest recession of the Glabella.

If the AO plane is left, an accessory set is available with adjustable orbital pointer. However, in this case, mounting is then only possible in the upper jaw transfer stand (Art. # 06-230510). Sterilizable, detachable ear-plugs. For data recording with CADIAX® compact, the AB-Bow can be upgraded with easy-to-use accessories. The advantages are obvious: one bow, two applications!

Reference – exact hinge axis with the Condylograph

A high-precision measurement device, for the dentist working with functional diagnostics. The upper face-bow is fixed securely to the head by means of 3-point support technology (Nasion and 2x on the forehead) and the head-neck flex-band. The side arms lie without pressure on the ear-saddle. The face-bow is mounted easily and safely and is comfortable for the patient to wear. The light construction of the mandibular bow allows for precise setting of the registration pins onto the exactly determined hinge axis.

Why an exact hinge axis?

effects of mandibular rotational movements with different mounted axis points

The graphic shows the effects of mandibular opening- and closing movements during changes in the position of the hinge axis point of rotation in the articulator. With the anatomic face-bow, the joint axis is mounted to a statistical axis point, derived from the examinations of a number of patients. There is then the possibility of considerable deviation of the mounted axis to the actual kinematic axis.

example of ICP in the articulator with strongly deviating hinge axis mounting or model position

An exact mounting of the hinge axis is indicated in cases where vertical modifications are carried out, e.g., splint therapy or milling-in, vertical changes during reconstructions, in total prosthetics or implant prosthetics.

the condylograph carries the measurement sensory system used in the CADIAX diagnostic system

A further important point, with regard to diagnostic registration with CADIAX: in order to eliminate geometric distortions in the movement tracks, caused by rotation, the hinge axis must always be located exactly. The upper jaw model transfer with exact localized hinge axis and individual reference plane in the Reference, Artex® and SAM® articulators.

Indications:

· Cases with planned vertical modifications · Working with centric registration · Remounting restorations · Remounting in total prosthetics · For exact occlusion diagnostics in the articulator · For distortion-free joint diagnostics with CADIAX^®