Why Do I Need a Facebow?

The short answer is that much of the time, you don’t. Many excellent single-tooth dentistry procedures can be done with quadrant impressions and hinge-type articulators. I was utterly confounded by the need for anything else when I graduated from dental school. In fact, I sold my fully adjustable articulator with its accompanying facebow for $150 right after I left — then regretted that decision several years later, when I had a different understanding.

Why do I need to make life more complicated? Truthfully, the answer is the opposite. I can add a short step to my procedures that could save me a lot of time when I deliver the final restorations.

There are basically two kinds of facebows: kinematic and arbitrary. Kinematic facebows are used to locate the terminal hinge axis of condylar rotation. An arbitrary facebow, called the earbow, uses the ear canal as a locating point.

Pantographs are kinematic facebows that also include a recording device so the exact condylar movements can be programmed into a fully adjustable articulator. They are complex and challenging to use and master. Arbitrary facebows sacrifice some degree of accuracy for simplicity, although the necessity of that accuracy is disputed in the literature.

At Spear, we use the earbow simply because there’s no need to complicate dentistry and make it harder than it already is. We also use a semiadjustable articulator rather than a fully adjustable instrument for the same reasons.

The purpose of the articulator is to relate the upper and lower models together when the casts are mounted in a seated condylar position.

The purpose of the facebow is to orient the upper model in three dimensions relative to the rotational axis of the condyle. The result is the ability to move the articulated casts in a way that mimics the condyle movements in the fossa as closely as possible.

Why would it be so important if I could do single units with a hinge instrument? If the purpose of the facebow and articulator is to create accurate movements, then the representation of the condylar position is essential. One of the critical movements the facebow helps to re-create is the arc of opening and closing, represented by the red arc below.

The hinge articulator changes the position of the condyles relative to the upper arch, and then completely changes the mandible’s opening and closing arc. The result can be restorations that need significant adjustment to work with the patient’s bite. It changes the bite not only in opening and closing but also in excursive movements (green circles and lines). 

The total time to capture a facebow is less than five minutes, and especially when doing the last teeth in the arch or multiple teeth, it can save considerable time and even remakes at restorative delivery. The additional benefit of the facebow is that it orients the upper cast to the horizon. This is especially important when performing anterior teeth and ensuring the incisal edges are appropriately placed.

If an accurately recorded facebow is used to mount upper casts, the dentist and technician can assess any cant or occlusal plane irregularity relative to the horizontal plane. While the concepts may seem complex, the reality is that using a facebow with a semiadjustable articulator will ultimately save you time, money, and help improve patient satisfaction.