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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the interchangeability of new
Hanau semiadjustable articulators fulfills the manufacturer’s criterion (102 µm) in the
mediolateral direction and the defined 166-µm criterion three dimensionally and whether
the articulators maintain the same interchangeability as new articulators after a period of
function. Materials and Methods: The spatial deviations in three dimensions of ten new, ten
18-month-old, and ten 30-month-old Hanau articulators were measured with a fieldinspection
gauge and compared to those of a master articulator. Results: Compared to the
master articulator, nine of 10 new articulators met the manufacturer’s criterion of articulator
interchangeability in the mediolateral direction. However, only four of the 10 articulators
fulfilled the criterion for three-dimensional interchangeability. The articulators were found
to be interchangeable among the groups when the spatial deviations of test articulators from
the master articulator at the position of the lingual cusp of the right maxillary first premolar
were compared. However, using the geometric mean deviations of test articulators, the 30-
month group was not interchangeable with the new and the 18-month articulator groups.
Conclusion: This limited study revealed that most of the articulators tested met the
manufacturer’s criterion of articulator interchangeability, but most did not pass the threedimensional
interchangeability test. Clinicians should be aware of the amount of occlusal
error in the range of 0.2 mm that may result from interchanging dental casts on the
articulator system. The articulator system might be able to maintain the same level of
interchangeability for up to 18 months of routine use.
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