Evaluation of an improved orthognathic articulator system. 2. Accuracy of occlusal wafers

The errors produced by occlusal wafers constructed on casts of the teeth mounted on a standard articulator and an improved orthognathic articulator were investigated by carrying out simulated orthognathic surgery on plastic skulls. The wafers were used to relocate the position of the maxillae of the skulls. The vertical and horizontal displacements of the maxillae were determined from measurements of the positions of markers on the skull and teeth. Comparison of the magnitudes of the actual and intended movements showed that wafers constructed on the standard articulator had systematic prediction errors of up to 5 mm, but the improved orthognathic articulator showed much smaller random errors. There was a statistically significant improvement in overall accuracy in predicting maxillary Le Fort I position with the use of the improved orthognathic articulator which the authors recommend for clinical use.