THREE-DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE INTERCHANGEABILITY OF A SEMI-ADJUSTABLE ARTICULATOR SYSTEM OVER TIME IN SERVICE

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the interchangeability of calibrated Artex CR articulators (Artex® CR, Amann Girrbach, Austria) over time in service. This was done through analysis of the repositioning accuracy of mounted casts between the master and test articulators. of choice for dental restorations due to their mechanical strength and ability to remineralize tooth structure. However secondary caries resulting in failures, is a common challenge faced by these two materials. Secondary caries develops when there is marginal gap formation, resulting in microleakage with bacterial invasion at the tooth-restoration interface. Bioactive glass dental restoratives were introduced to overcome this challenge. They work by forming calcium phosphate rich or apatite-like layer at the tooth-restoration interface that is capable of neutralizing acids by raising the local pH in this region. However, there is limited evidence of the antibacterial efficacy of these contemporary dental restorative materials.