Virtual Articulator calibration anduse

Version 1.0

July 27, 2011

Summary

Once the Virtual Articulator has been calibrated, it will simulate the positioning and movements of both arches within DWOS software for scanning and design purposes. A calibration must be performed prior to using the Virtual Articulator with any articulator for the frst time and also if there is a change of the reference position, i.e if the incisal height or the condylar slope of the articulator are modifed. The SAM articulator will be shown in this document, but the instructions apply to other articulators. The document includes three main parts:

1. Calibration of the Virtual Articulator to match the real articulator

2. Using the Virtual Articulator when scanning a clinical case

3. Using the Virtual Articulator when designing a clinical case

Components of the SAM articulator

Mounting plateThe plastic part that has one side attached to the upper or lower arches of the plaster models and the other side that fts on the articulator mounting plate.

Scanner interface plateThe magnetic plate who’s lower surface attaches to the Dental Wings scanner and upper surface attaches to the mounting plate embedded in the plaster model.

Calibration plateThe component that fts on both the top and bottom sides of the mounting plate.

“Mount” side “Scan” side

Dental Wings Inc. Virtual Articulator calibration and use STI75-0029 1/11

magnet

1. Calibration of the Virtual Articulator to match the real articulator

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THE REFERENCE POSITION

Before proceeding to calibration, it is important to set the articulator at a reference position, i.e. blocked at a specifc condylar slope and incisal height at zero. The condylar slope is to be determined by the user, but it must be the same for the calibration assembly and the clinical case assembly.

1.1 Set the articulator at reference position. On the example shown in this document, it is set at a condylar slope of 40˚ , which corresponds to the average slope. Also, incisal height must be set at zero.

1.2 Build a plaster assembly with the upper and lower mounting plates attached that ft the articulator. This plaster assembly consists of a lower and upper components with the calibration plate sandwiched in between.

Calibration build-up assembly

1.3 Set the calibration build-up into SAM articulator as shown above, and ensure it is completely closed with both the upper and lower assemblies resting to allow the articulator to close comfortably.

Dental Wings Inc. Virtual Articulator calibration and use STI75-0029 2/11

Mounting plates on lower arch

Calibration plate sandwiched in between arches

Mounting plates on upper arch

Incisal shaft at zero

Condylar slope at 40˚ (or other constant angle as reference position)

1.4 Start the DWOS software and open the Scanner Calibration application, then choose Occlusor Calibration.

1.5 Create or select the articulator you want to calibrate.

Click “Launch occlusor calibration” to initiate the calibration procedure.

1.6 Place the scanner interface plate into the scanner as prompted, then close the door and click “OK”.

1.7 When the scan is fnished, a multiple view window displays. Its purpose is to reposition the scan on the reference plate. Indicate three points in the Reposition panel, then their corresponding locations in the Reference panel.

Click “Precise repositioning”.

Dental Wings Inc. Virtual Articulator calibration and use STI75-0029 3/11

1.8 The lower panel (result preview) should display a regular marble like pattern. You might want to do some adjustments if the pattern is not regular.

Once you are satisfed with the results, click“OK”.

1.9 You will be asked to “place lower calibration plate within the scanner”. This is the lower component of the plaster build-up. On top of the assembly, place the calibration plate, being careful to place the side with the “notches” facing upward as shown on the picture.

Click“OK” to begin scanning the lower part of the plaster build-up assembly.

1.10 Once the scan is completed, you will need to reposition the scan on the reference as in steps 1.7 and 1.8.

Dental Wings Inc. Virtual Articulator calibration and use STI75-0029 4/11

The two notches must always face upwards

1.11 Remove all scanned components from the scanner and separate them.

1.12 Place the upper part of the plaster build-up upside down on the interface plate.

1.13 Place the calibration plate on top of this new assembly. Make sure the notches of the calibration plate are facing upwards.

1.14 Place the assembly in the scanner as requested and click OK to initiate the scan process.

1.15 Once the scan is completed, you will need to reposition the scan on the reference as in steps 1.7 and 1.8.

After the precise repositioning, select the “OK” button to return to the Calibration panel.

1.16 The calibration procedure is now complete. The "Retry repositioning" button show on preceding screenshot will allow you to adjust repositioning at any time.

Dental Wings Inc. Virtual Articulator calibration and use STI75-0029 5/11

The two notches always face upwards when scanning

Upper plaster model upside down

Interface plate

2. Using the Virtual Articulator when scanning a clinical case

2.1 When scanning a clinical stone model, make the model assembly on the articulator as usual at reference position, with the articulator's proper mounting plates.

2.2 To begin scanning, you only need the upper and lower arches of the clinical case with the mounting plates embedded into the stone and the scanner interface plate.

2.3 In the Arch Scan station, use the drop down menu to specify that you are scanning via an articulated model by selecting Occlusion Transfer Device.

Then choose the proper articulator among the proposed devices.

2.4 Place the upper arch in the scanner on the interface plate. Close the door and click OK to initiate the arch scan preview.

Dental Wings Inc. Virtual Articulator calibration and use STI75-0029 6/11

IMPORTANT The articulator must be set at reference position, i.e. Blocked at a specifc condylar slope and incisal height at zero. The condylar slope is to be determined by the user, but it must be the same for the clinical case assembly as it was for the calibration assembly.

NOTE The shown example is a dual arch case. The procedure will slightly vary for a single arch case.

NOTE If the calibration of the articulator is correct, both arches will be repositioned automatically as they were set up in the articulator.

2.5 Set the area of interest; it will be scanned with higher precision. To do so, adjust green scan line by placing front green dot between the two centrals and then adjust position of the two other green dots. Then, decrease the area of interest by moving the blue corner handles.

2.6 Specify the prosthesis types for each displayed tooth number.

2.7 Click OK to proceed with precise arch scan.

2.8 Scan the dies of the upper arch using multi-die plate.

Dental Wings Inc. Virtual Articulator calibration and use STI75-0029 7/11

2.9 Switch to the opposite arch. Place the lower arch model on the interface plate in the scanner and proceed with preview scan.

2.10 Specify the area of interest on lower arch for precise arch scan.

2.11 Click OK.

2.12 Scan the dies of the lower arch using mult-die plate.

Dental Wings Inc. Virtual Articulator calibration and use STI75-0029 8/11

3. Using the Virtual Articulator when designing a clinical case

3.1 Make the design of the prosthesis with CAD sofware.

3.2 Click the Virtual Articulator icon to activate the Virtual Articulator.

3.3 Choose the Paremeters window, select the proper articulator and set the parameters.

3.4 In the Transforms window, you can adjust the model positioning in the articulator space.

Dental Wings Inc. Virtual Articulator calibration and use STI75-0029 9/11

NOTE Since the model is already in articulation, it is normally not needed to adjust the model positioning.

3.5 To articulate the Virtual Articulator, you can either:

• move the incisal shaft directly.

• use the Exploration window. Set all the protrusion and laterality parameters and activate the movements by clicking the Explore button.

Dental Wings Inc. Virtual Articulator calibration and use STI75-0029 10/11

NOTE If you intend to use the dynamic occlusion as reference for the design, you must activate the proper Display Options before clicking Explore.

3.6 Following the simulation applied to the clinical case, the software will highlight the occlusion contact zones in red and the dynamic occlusion will appear in blue.

3.7 In the CAD application (if the option has been selected at step 3.5), the Dynamic Occlusion icon will show. Activate it to see the reference to your model and prosthesis.

3.8 The dynamic occlusion will allow you to see if occlusion adjustments are needed to your design.

3.9 To adjust the occlusion, right click on the prosthesis, choose Anatomy and Adjust occlusion.

3.10 Get back to regular design process.

Dental Wings Inc. Virtual Articulator calibration and use STI75-0029 11/11