Evaluation of accuracy of transfer of the maxillary occlusal cant of two articulators using two facebow/semi-adjustable articulator systems: An in vivo study

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of the angle made by Frankfort horizontal plane-occlusal plane on maxillary casts, mounted using the respective facebows on Artex Amann Girrbach and Hanau Wide-vue semi-adjustable articulators with cephalometrically derived Frankfort horizontal plane-occlusal plane angle as a control. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Maxillary casts of 30 subjects were mounted on Hanau Wide-vue and Artex Amann Girrbach semi-adjustable articulators following facebow transfer using respective facebows. The Frankfort horizontal plane-occlusal plane angles of these casts were measured using Wixey's digital angle gauge. They were also subjected to a lateral cephalogram, and the occlusal cant was measured using RadiAnt DICOM software. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Using Pearson correlation, the accuracy of the angle made by upper member of the articulator and occlusal plane of mounted maxillary casts in each of the articulator was compared to the Frankfort horizontal plane-occlusal plane angle in lateral cephalogram. RESULTS: A mean difference of 1.9° was found between Hanau Wide-vue articulator and lateral cephalogram and a mean difference of 3.6° was found between Artex Amann Girrbach articulator and lateral cephalogram. Statistically, Pearson correlation value (r) obtained between Hanau Wide-vue and lateral cephalogram was 0.46 and between Artex Amann Girrbach and lateral cephalogram was 0.25. CONCLUSION: From the statistical value (r) derived, it can be inferred that the Frankfort horizontal plane-occlusal plane angle of the casts articulated on Hanau Wide-vue articulator was more accurate in comparison to that on Artex Amann Girrbach articulator.