LAWS OF ARTICULATION AND

METHODS OF RECORDING
CONDYLAR GUIDANCE
Dr. Paras k Rawat
Prosthodontics

CONTENTS
Introduction
Definitions
Hanaus laws of articulation
HANAUS quint
Concepts of other authors
Methods to record condylar guidance

INTRODUCTION
The laws of articulation are purely physical laws which
must be observed in formation of masticatory surfaces of
artificial & natural dentures, whenever establishlishing
BALANCED ARTICULATION
Articulation with all its implications is the essence of
dentistry,& an understanding of it is basic to every phase of
dentistry.

ARTICULATION the static & dynamic contact relationship

b/w the occlusal surfaces of teeth during function.
(GPT 8th ed. )
BALANCED ARTICULATION is a continuous sliding
contact of upper & lower cusps all around the dental
arches during all closed grinding movements of the
mandible ( GPT 8th ed.)

BALANCED OCCLUSION
It is defined as the bilateral, simultaneous, anterior &
posterior occlusal contact of teeth in centric & eccentric
positions

(GPT 8TH ED. )

Balanced occlusion is the simultaneous contacting of the

maxillary & mandibular teeth on the right & left & in the
posterior & anterior occlusal areas when jaws are in either
centric or eccentric relation

HEARTWELL

Why articulation not

occlusion?

 Occlusion can never be a pure static relationship whether

the teeth are natural or artificial
Natural teeth move within the sockets and artificial teeth on
the denture base
Artificial occlusion discloses even more apparent movement
since the teeth move as a group on a common base because
the nature of the supporting structures is constantly changing

 The word occlusion is usually used to describe static

contacts of the teeth that exist after the jaw movement has
stopped & the tooth contacts are identified
Articulation refers primarily to the dynamic movement of
the teeth in relation to each other

Why not balanced occlusion

in natural dentition?

Balance in CDs is unique & man-made & does not

occur in natural teeth & is not required since each
tooth is supported independently

What happens when bilateral

balance occlusion occur in
natural dentition?

BO in natural teeth is considered a premature contact

on the NW side(bal side) & is considered pathologic

Characteristic requirements of balanced

occlusion
All the teeth of the working side (central incisor to 2 nd molar)
should glide evenly against the opposing teeth
No single tooth should produce any interference or dislocation of
the other teeth
There should be contact in the balancing side, but they should
not interfere with the smooth gliding movements of the working
side
There should be simultaneous contact during protrusion

Importance of balanced occlusion

Balanced occlusion is one of the most important factors that
affects the denture stability
Absence of occlusal balance will result in leverage of the
denture during mandibular movement
Sheppard stated that, enter bolus, exit balance ,

Contd

 BREWER :- On an average an individual makes masticatory

tooth contact only for 10 minutes in 1 full day compared to 4
hours of tooth contact during other functions
So for these 4 hours of tooth contact, balanced occlusion is
important to maintain the stability of the denture

Hence balanced occlusion is more critical during para

functional movements ( swallowing saliva, closing to
reseat the dentures and bruxing of the teeth during the
times of stress).

General consideration for balanced occlusion

Ideal the balance

Poorer the balance

Wider and larger the ridge

The smaller and narrower the

ridge.

Closer the teeth are to the

ridge or teeth are lingually
placed in relation to ridge
crest

Farther the teeth from the

ridge or teeth are buccally
placed in relation to ridge
crest

Narrower
lingually

the

teeth bucco The wider the teeth

The more centered the force of

occlusion antero-posteriorly

Unilateral
lever
balance

Protrusive
occlusal
balance

Balance
Bilateral
occlusal
balance

Unilateral
occlusal
balance

UNILATERAL LEVER BALANCE

This is present when there is equilibrium of the base on its
supporting structures when a bolus of food is interposed
between the teeth on one side and a space exists between the
teeth on the opposite side

UNILATERAL OCCLUSAL BALANCE

This is present when the occlusal surfaces of teeth on one
side articulate simultaneously, as a group, with a smooth
uninterrupted glide
This is not followed during complete denture construction, it
is more pertained to fixed partial dentures

BILATERAL OCCLUSAL BALANCE

This is present when there is equilibrium on both sides of the
denture due to simultaneous contact of the teeth in centric
and eccentric positions
It requires minimum three contacts for establishing a plane
of equilibrium.
The more contacts, the more assured the equilibrium.

PROTRUSIVE OCCLUSAL BALANCE

This is present when the mandible moves essentially forward
and the occlusal contact are smooth and simultaneous in the
posterior both on right and left sides and on the anterior
teeth.

HANAUS LAWS OF ARTICULATION &

HANAUS QUINT
1. Horizontal condyle inclination
2. Compensating curve
3. Protrusive incisal guidance
4. Plane of orientation
5. Bucco-lingual inclination of tooth axis
6. Sagittal condylar pathway
7. Sagittal incisal guidance
8. Tooth alignment
9. Relative cusp height

1. Condylar guidance
2. Compensating curve
3. Relative cusp height ( inclination of cusp )
4. Incisal guidance
5. Plane of orientation ( orientation of the plane)

 Condylar guidance and inclination of incisal guidance

control the movements of the articulator.
The other three , the prominence of the compensating curve,
orientation of the plane and the inclination of the cusps are
changed by the operator to attain the harmony.

 HANAUS QUINT

DEFICIENCIES IN HANAUS QUINT

The CG & IG are presented such that they can be
changed at will
Example: -if we examine one of the section of the quint as
regards height of cusps
- PO pointing in > decreased
- CG pointing out> increased- (CG cannot be changed)
- IG pointing out > increased-(IG determined by esthetics & phonetics)
- CC pointing out > decreased

LAWS OF ARTICULATION

Laws of
protrusive
movement

Laws of lateral
movement

Laws of protrusive movement

Condylar
inclination
Compensating
curves

Cusp
angulation

Incisal
inclination

Plane of
orientation

CONDYLAR GUIDANCE
Mandibular guidance generated by the condyle & articular
disc travelling the contour of glenoid fossae
The mechanical form located in the upper posterior region of
an articulator that controls movement of its mobile member
(GPT 8th ed)
The angle at which the condyle moves away from a
horizontal reference plane (Okeson)

 Many dentist believe that any tooth form is satisfactory for

complete denture occlusion because the condyle can follow
the path of occlusal dictates
KURTH claim that condylar path is not the same for
varying incisal guidance

 PAYNE mandible can move to follow the steep cusp,

modified cusp and teeth with no cusp when there is posterior
harmony and no anterior incisal interference
WEINBERG Condylar path may vary owing to variable
pressure of function

TRAPOZZANO
The degree of condylar inclination required results from
1.Shape of bony contour of TMJ
2.Action of the muscles attaching to the mandible
3.Limitations of movement effected by the attaching
ligaments

 HANAU- The inclination of the CG or CI is a definite,

anatomical conception that can not be modified by the
operator.
This is the only factor given by the patient and obtained by
means of protrusive registration.
OKESON The condylar guidance is considered to be a
fixed factor , because it is unalterable in healthy patient
except in certain conditions e.G trauma, pathosis, surgical
procedure.

INCISAL GUIDANCE
The influence of the contacting surfaces of the mandibular &
maxillary anterior teeth on mandibular movements
The influence of the contacting surfaces of the guide pin &
guide table on articular movements (GPT- 8 )
HANAU :-The inclination of the IG is given by the angle of
the lingual surfaces of the incisors with the horizontal plane
of reference

Incisal guide angle

Anatomically the angle formed by
the intersection of the plane of
occlusion & a line within the
sagittal plane determined by the
incisal edges of the maxillary &
mandibular central incisors when
the teeth are in MI (GPT 8th ed)

During protrusive movements, the

incisal edge of the mandibular
anterior teeth move in a downward
& forward path corresponding to
palatal

surface

of

the

upper

incisors = Protrusive incisal path

Anteroinferior movement of the
mandible

 The angle formed by this protrusive path to the horizontal plane is

called as protrusive incisal path inclination or the incisal guide
angle
This influences the shape of the posterior teeth
The angle of IG is largely under the control of the dentist

 More closely the incisal guide angle approaches zero degree,

more stable will be the dentures because of reduction in the
lateral inclines. But..
1.Ridge relation
2.Arch shape
3.Ridge fullness
4.Inter ridge space
5.Phonetcs & esthetic requirements must be considered in
reduction

In a complete denture, the incisal guide angle

should be as flat as esthetic and phonetics permit
(more acute) as possible

 If the incisal guidance is steep

it require steep cusps,

plane ,the compensating curve to

effect an balanced

occlusion balance
Because of steep inclines plan occlusion is detrimental to the
stability and equilibrium of denture base

When

arrangement

of

anterior

teeth

necessitate the vertical overlap compensating

horizontal overlap should be set to prevent
anterior interference from upsetting occlusal
balance on posterior teeth.
- It can also be made less steep by reducing
VO

Plane of orientation
The term plane of orientation (by hanau) refers to the
vertical location of the anteroposterior alignment of the
occlusal plane in the space between the upper & lower ridges
Boucher defines it as, The line running from the inferior
border of the ala of the nose to the superior border of the
tragus of the ear

OCCLUSAL PLANE
It is defined as, an imaginary
surface which is related
automatically to the cranium &
which theoretically touches the
incisal edges of the incisors & the
tips of the occluding surface of the
posterior teeth
OCCLUSAL PLANE

 It is established anteriorly by the height of the lower canine, which

nearly coincides with the commissure of the mouth & posteriorly
by the height of the retromolar pad ( approx two third)
It is usually parallel to the ala tragus line or the campers line
It can be slightly altered & its role is not as important as other
factors
Tilting the plane of occlusion beyond 100 is not advisable

COMPENSATING CURVES
It is defined as, The anteroposterior & lateral curvatures in
the alignment of occluding surfaces & incisal edges of
artificial teeth which are used to develop balanced occlusion
Thus the cusps can be made longer or shorter (steeper or
flatter) simply by inclining long axis of a tooth to conform to
the end guidelines.

 It is an important factor for developing balanced occlusion

It is determined by the inclination of posterior teeth & their
vertical relationship to the occlusal plane
The posterior teeth should be arranged such that their
occlusal surfaces form a curve

 The curve should be in harmony with the movements of the

mandible guided by the condylar path
A steep condylar path requires a steep compensatory curve to
produce balanced occlusion
If a shallow compensating curve is given for the same
situation, there will be loss of balancing molar contact during
protrusion

 There are two types of compensating curves namely: Anterio-posterior curves

Lateral curves
Curve of spee, wilsons curve & monsons curve are
associated with the natural dentition
In complete dentures compensating curves similar to these
curves should be incorporated to produce balanced
occlusion

Inclination of the cusp

It refers to the angle between the total occlusal surface of the
tooth and the inclination of the cusp in relation to that
surface.
For e.g 33- degree tooth indicates that the mesial slopes of
the cusps make a 33 degree angle with a plane touching the
tips of all the cusps of the tooth.
In the establishment of BA, the length & the inclination of
the effective cusp incline is important.

In obtaining BA the inclination of the

effective cuspal incline is more important
When the

2 end-controlling factors i.E, CG & IG, are

established, BA can be obtained by establishing harmonious

relationship b/n these two angles & the cuspal angle
The basic inclination of the cusps is made steeper when the
distal end of the lower tooth is set higher than the mesial end.

 The cuspal inclination can be reduced when distal end of

lower tooth is lower than mesial end
Cusp height exerts its influence by determining the range of
tooth contact during eccentric movement.

 The higher the cusp, the longer the effective tooth incline, &
therefore, the greater the range of tooth contact during
eccentric movement
the length of the cusp inclines & therefore the range of
contact should be sufficient to permit the teeth to maintain
contact within eccentric functional movement of the patient

Thielmanns formula: In order to obtain smooth balanced occlusion, the

compensating curve must be in harmony with other factors
of occlusion
This relationship is expressed in hanaus quint, it is
expressed even more clearly by Thielmanns formula
BALANCED OCCLUSION =
k .I
OP. C. OK
Contd

LAWS OF LATERAL MOVEMENT

Condylar
guidance on the
balancing side
Inclines of the
teeth on the
working side

1. Inclination of balancing side condyle

2. Inclination balancing side inclince
3. Inclination of balancing side teeth
4. Inclination balancing side occlusal plane
5. Inclination of working side inclince (including bennett
movement )

 The CG is fixed and obtained from patient through protrusive

registration
IG is govern by operator and can be change by amount of
VO and HO
Greater the horizontal overlap , the more it will reduce the
angle of inclination as long as the vertical overlap remains
the same

Effect of VO on jaw positions

The mandible is guided into entirely different position by
changing the incisal inclination.

 If mandible incisor follow

the path of inclination AD,
The position of mandible
quite different that assumed
that if incisor follow the
path of inclination AC or
AB, although the condylar
path remains unchanged

Same condylar and incisal inclination

Resultant cusp angulation if,
the teeth
were moved
hypothetically closer to the
condylar influence .
Same condylar and incisal
inclinations,
with
the
resultant cusp angulation,
when teeth
are moved
farward closer to the incisal
guide influence .

Same condylar inclination but different

incisal inclination
Steep vertical overlap with
resultant steeper
cusp
inclines
Less steep incisal angle,
resultant flatter cusp inclines.

Clinical implication
The incisal guidance has more influence on the posterior
teeth than the condylar guidance
This is because the action of incisal inclination is closer to
the teeth than the action of the condylar guidance

Effect of vertical overlap on rotational

centre

 Assume that a denture on articulator in wax

We cut the anterior portion away to the distal of first
premolar
Teeth are placed in working side in harmony of movement
between IG table and rotating condyle on the left side

 The lingual incline of buccal cusp of maxillary teeth and

buccal incline of lingual cusp of mandibular teeth which are
working side incline are determined by the incisal guidance
After establishing the working side incline we have them to
glide one end of movement and the condyle on balancing
side to glide other end of movement

 We complete the harmonies contact of cusp plan

on

balancing side by changing three factor

We change the balancing side to get harmony by inclining
the mandibular teeth buccolingually,by reducing the cusp
inclination by grinding or re orientating the plane

There is more than one center of rotation in the movements of

the jaw
The rotational center is established by lines drawn at right
angles to the working inclines, balancing side inclines and
balancing side condyle.

Establishing the center of rotation in a lateral

movement by lines drawn at right angles to
the cusp inclines

B1 ,B2, and B3 are concentric circle from the center B and all incline
involved in left lateral position must be on curve of arc drawn from
rotation center

 The rotational center may also slide laterally while mandible

is in lateral movement
This lateral movement or shift of mandible is result of
movements of condyle along the lateral inclines of the
mandibular fossa
It is known as bennett shift. ( Acc to gysi 15 degrees is
average bennett shift )

Effect of incisal and condylar inclination on

posterior tooth cuspal inclination on both the
working and balancing sides
In this instance, incisal
guidance is 30 degrees,
we start with smaller
degree
posterior
gradually

inclination
region

in
and

increase

towards 30 degrees as
incisal area is approached

Resultant forces of
inclines
A study of goemetric
influences of inclines
shows that reducing cusp
inclination is a great
stabilizer of dentures
A:Tooth and cusp incline
cause buccal surface to shift
B: less shifting influence
C: still less
D: no shifting

 These diagrams conclude that inclines disturb the stability of

dentures and should be reduced to minimum.
Still controverstial!
Teeth with zero degree cusps cannot shear the food unless
some horizontal component is included in the chewing cycle
which transmits horizontal forces to the supporting structures
and cause denture movement

Concepts of other authors for

balance occlusion

Condylar
guidance

Incisal
guidance
Cusp
angle

Trapozzanos triad of occlusion

He eliminated the PO Orientation since its location is highly

variable within the available inter ridge space
Occlusal plane can be located at various heights to favor a
weaker ridge
CC is redundant because once the cuspal angulation that will
produce a BO has been determined there is an automatic
compensating concavity or convexity thus CC should be
eliminated

Boucher concept
I.

Orientation of occlusal plane, incisal guidance, condylar

guidance

II. Angulation of the cusp

III. compensating curve

 Disagreed that the OP could be located at various heights to

favor a weaker ridge, & recommended that the OP be
oriented exactly as it was when

natural teeth were

present
Boucher also emphasized the need for compensating curves

 He stated that, the value of compensating curve is that it

permits the alteration of the cusp height without changing the
form of the manufactured teeth. If teeth themselves do not
have any cusps, the equivalence of a cusp can be produced
by a compensating curve

THE LOTT CONCEPT(1962)

He studied Hanaus work & clarified the laws by relating
them to the posterior separation that is the resultant of the
guiding factors

The greater the angle of the condyle path > greater

the post separation

The greater the angle of the over bite, the greater is

the separation in the ant region & the post region
regardless of the angle of the condyler path

The greater the separation of the post teeth

the greater must be the CC.

Post sep. Beyond the ability of a CC to balance the occlusion,

requires the introduction of PO orientation.
The greater the separation of the teeth, the greater must be the
height of cusps of post teeth

LEVINS CONCEPT

Levins concept is similar to Lotts but he eliminates the

PO Orientation &includes CC in its correct anatomic
form
He developed a diagram & named it QUAD

As each guiding factor is increased, the amount of separation is proportionately

increased
As each controlling factor is increased, tooth contact is proportionately increased

 The CG is fixed & is recorded from patient. Balancing CG

includes the working condyle Bennett movement, which
may or may not affect lateral balance
The IG is usually obtained from the Pts esthetic &
phonetic requirements. However, it can be modified for
special requirements

 The CC is most imp for obtaining balance. Monoplane or

low cusp teeth must employ the use of CC
Cusp teeth have the inclines necessary for obtaining BO
but nearly always are used with a CC.

INCISAL
GUIDANCE

CONDYLAR
GUIDANCE

CUSPAL
ANGULATI
ON

PLANE OF
OCCLUSION

COMPENSATING
CURVE

A BALANCE OF THESE 5 FACTORS IS REQUIRED FOR

BALANCED OCCLUSION

METHODS TO RECORD
THE
CONDYLAR GUIDANCE

METHODS OF RECORDING
CONDYLAR GUIDANCE
The condylar path inclinations of patients are used in the
establishment of occlusal plane of complete dentures
Condylar guidance inclinations on articulating instruments
are adjusted by means of inter occlusal records taken from
the patients

 The first investigators to recognize the imp of sagittal

condylar pathway of condyles in edentulous pts were
Gysi in 1910, Gysi & Kohler in 1929, & Gills in1926
Gysi stated that wax interocclusal records on the same
patient at the same sitting may differ as much as 25
degrees above or below the individual conditions

 Craddock studied wax interocclusal records of three patients

with natural teeth. He concluded that use of intraoral wax
records of eccentric jaw relations for the adjustment of
condylar guidances on anatomic articulators is invalid
Posseltt in a similar study, recorded comparable protrusive
positions
He disagreed with Craddock regarding the value of eccentric
wax interocclusal records

1. In complete denture pts the CG can be recorded at the

- occlusal rim stage or
- try-in stage
2. It is recommended to take protrusive registration at the
try- in stage when the teeth are in the provisional
arrangement because:

 Records made on occlusal rims permit tentative adjustments

of the CG on the articulator because the VO & HO of the
anterior teeth have yet to be made & the exact amount of
protrusion & the level at which the anterior teeth are to
contact are still unknown

COMPONENTS OF CONDYLAR GUIDANCE

Horizontal
condylar
guidance

Lateral
condylar
guidance

HORIZONTAL C.G:-This guides the forward movement of the

mandible& is needed to achieve protrusive balance. The HCG
of the articulator is programmed for a particular pt by obtaining
records of the protruded jaw position.
LATERAL C.G:-This guides the sideward or lateral movement of
the mand & is required to obtain BO during lateral movements
of the jaw.
lat jaw relation records
Hanaus formula=>L=H/8+12

PROTRUSIVE JAW RELATION RECORD

IMPORTANCE:
It can register the influence of condylar path over movements
of mandible enabling to set the CG (horizontal) on the
articulator to an apprx. the path of the condylar movement in pts

PROTRUSIVE INTEROCCLUSAL RECORD

FOR THE WHIPMIX ARTICULATOR
(Arcon type)

 Place the trial dentures on the articulator

Set the lateral CG at O
Set the horizontal CG at 25
Move the lower member of the articulator apprx 6 mm ( as
mechanical limitations of most articulators require
protrusion of 6mm so that horizontal condylar path can be
properly adjusted)
The horizontal relation of the lower to the upper ant teeth &
the relationship of midlines should carefully noted
Now make pt rehearse under the guidance of the dentist

Now place a small amount of impression plaster on occlusal

surface of lower post teeth
Let the pt protrude the mandible & close on to the recording
material lightly
Remove trial dentures
Set lateral & horizontal CG
Return the trial denture back
Rotate horizontal CG housings individually until the
guidance plates contact the condylar spheres & angles of the
protrusive movement is recorded.

LATERAL INTER OCCLUSAL RECORDS

Set the side sift guide at 45
Remove the plastic pieces from its protrusive position but
dont destroy the tracing
If latral markings are destroyed make a new tracing 6mm
from the CR along the left latral,
Make a mark centre the whole of plastic piece over it and
sticky wax in place

 Guide the pt mandible until rhe tracer pin enter the hole
Make rt and lt indices
Return bases with attached plaster to the articulator and
noted that rt condylar ball is in protrusion
The side sift

guide should be brought into the contact

between with the ball from its 45 position

Same for opposie side

LATERAL INTER OCCLUSAL RECORDS

(HANAU)
Derived from the formula to set condylar post

L=(H/8)+12

PROTRUSIVE INTEROCCLUSAL RECORD

FOR THE HANAU ARTICULATOR
Occlusal rims are re-established and checked for 3 mm
clearance in protrusive excursion utilising the tracer device
to maintain vertical dimension
Three notches in maxillary rim about 3 mm deep
1. Midline
2. First molar in each side

 Three nubs are constructed of baseplate wax 1cm length and

4 layer in high and luted to lower rim at
1. Midline
2. First molar in each side
The nubs are softened and recording base plate placed in
mouth
Patient guided into protrusive relation and closed

 When wax are harden the bases are removed placed in cold
water for few minutes
The recording bases are returned to the articulator and
maxillary rim is aligned t so it coinsides with the imprints on
mandibular rims
The lock nuts are moved back and forth ,one side at a time
,while maintaining the gentle pressure on upper member of
articulator, until the maxillary rim is firmely securely seated
against the lower index

 Protrusive relation is taken three times and result averaged

before the horizontal condylar are set and locknuts tightened
with hand pressure.

Protrusive interocclusal record(whipmix)

There is a notch on plastic piece with a hole over the apex
which is about 5 -6 mm from the centric hole
When the bases are replaced in patient mouth the lower jaw
is guided in protrusive movement so that the stylus enter the
notch
Impression plaster is used to make the indices and attached to
the bases with sticky wax

 The record is used to set the condylar planes of articulator to

correspond with condylar guidance of TMJ articulation this
protrusion recode is based on christensens phenomenon
Christensens observed that when the mandible is protruded
recording bases with flat occlusal surfaces that occlude in
centric relation will separate the posterior region while
remaining in contact anteriorly this degree of separation
which depend on downward slope of condylar path could be
recorded

REFERENCES
Zarb AG, bolender LC, karlson GE. Prosthodontic treatment
for edentulous patients. 11th ed. Missouri (CN). Mosby-1997.
P.197-219
Winkler S. Essentials of complete denture prosthodontics. 2 nd
ed. Ishiyaku euro america inc. U.S.A.-2004. P.88-106
Swenson MG. Complete dentures. 4th ed. Mosby 1959. P.
233-273
Levin B. A revaluation of hanaus laws of articulation and
hanau quint. J prosthet dent 1978; 39 (3) : p-254-8.