Evaluation of Arc of Closure using arbitrary ear piece face bow and semi adjustable articulator: An In Vivo study

This study was performed to evaluate the accuracy of face-bow recording and the arc of closure of the individuals by using three different methods of face-bow recording with the help of arbitrary face –bow and semi adjustable articulator. The accuracy of the arc of closure tracings recorded using an ear –piece face –bow were compared clinically with the arc of closure tracings recorded, using a few arbitrary methods, with the help of a semi-adjustable articulator. The study was conducted with 10 completely edentulous patients who are going to wear the complete denture for the first time. This study demonstrated a significant statistical difference between the arc of closure recorded using an ear piece face bow and the arc of closure recorded, based on a few arbitrary methods, with the help of a semi adjustable articulator from the results of the study. The arc of closure tracings recorded in method and categorized under Group B was found to be more nearer to the original arc of closure scribed by the patient on the recording device attached to the ear piece face-bow. Furthermore, the arbitrary ear-piece face-bow method is not accurate in transferring the face-bow recordings and arc of closure. The usage of arbitrary face-bow in complete denture patients has been executed successfully for so many years. Hence the arbitrary face-bows can be used successfully within their limitations.