A new semiadjustable articulator. Part III. An investigation of the capability of the Hanau XP-51 articulator.

A new semiadjustable articulator, the Hanau XP-51, was investigated by comparing its movements at the cusp level to those of a Stuart articulator when guided by straight condylar elements. No clinical trial was undertaken in this investigation, and no mandibular movements were registered on the Stuart articulator for transfer to the Hanau XP-51 articulator. A method of comparison and mathematical formulae were described whereby specific angles were calculated for both articulators. All tabulated angles were correlated by determining the least-squares slope of the observed angular variation as a function of the three independent variables in a computerized program. The standard deviation from these was calculated for each articulator, and the differences were found to be very small. It was concluded that the experimental Hanau XP-51 articulator could reproduce specific movements made by the Stuart articulator. Further, the adjustable posterior wall within the condylar housing was found to compensate for the lack of an adjustable intercondylar distance on this articulator.