Selection of articulator for general dental practice.

he success of fixed or removable restoration directly depends on the articulator selected as well as the skill and care with which it is used. Articulator is defined as a mechanical instrument that represents the temporomandibular joints and jaws, to which maxillary and mandibular casts may be attached to simulate some or all mandibular movements. Mandibular movements occur around the temporomandibular joint which is capable of making complex movements. Based on dimension involved in the movement, mandibular movement can be classified as (a) rotation around the transverse or hinge axis, (b) rotation around the anteroposterior or sagittal axis, (c) rotation around the vertical axis, (d) translation in time. Any restoration provided should not interfere with mandibular function in mastication, speech, and swallowing nor should they transmit excessive force to the attachment apparatus or the temporomandibular joint either in the intercuspal or eccentric jaw positions as well as during movement .