The Effect Of Mounting And Facebow Transfer On Condylar Guidance: A Digital Cephalometric Analysis

Abstract

Background: Complete edentulism significantly affects the masticatory function in older adults, necessitating effective rehabilitation strategies to restore occlusion and prevent bone resorption. The use of facebow transfer during prosthesis fabrication remains debated, with some practitioners opting for average value articulators, potentially leading to misalignment and compromised aesthetics.

Objective: This study aimed to compare protrusive condylar guidance settings in edentulous patients using two mounting methods—facebow transfer and Bonwill’s method—against a radiographic method.

Methods: Ethical clearance was obtained, and 24 edentulous participants aged 45-70 were included. Participants were mounted on Artex Type AR semi-adjustable articulators using facebow and Bonwill methods, and radiographic analysis was performed with digital cephalometric imaging. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS, employing Wilcoxon signed-rank and Mann-Whitney U tests for comparisons.

Results: Condylar guidance angles measured via the radiographic method were significantly higher than those obtained from facebow and Bonwill methods (P < 0.05). The mean difference between radiographic and facebow methods was 13.2° (right) and 13.9° (left), while Bonwill’s method differed by 33.4° (right) and 33.8° (left) from the radiographic values. A notable discrepancy of 20.8° (right) and 21.5° (left) was observed between the facebow and Bonwill methods.

Conclusion: The study demonstrates significant variations in condylar guidance based on the mounting method, highlighting the importance of accurate recording techniques in denture fabrication to ensure optimal occlusion and functional outcomes for edentulous patients.