Graphic

recordings
Research criteria

of mandibular

movements:

Joseph A. Clayton, D.D.S., M.S.,* W. E. Kotowicz, D.D.S., M.S.,**

George E. Myers, F.D.S., D.D.S., M.S.***
The University of Michigan, School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, Mich.

and

.nvestigations
which have used graphic tracing devices to study mandibular
movements have yielded conflicting
results. l-12 However, some of the inconsistencies
in the
previously
reported
results may have been due to mechanical
errors in the use of
the recording
apparatus.
The purpose of this study was to determine
whether
or not graphic tracings of
mandibular
movements
could be affected by: (1) changes in the occlusal vertical
d:Lmension, (2) changes in the central bearing
guidance
surface, and (3) tooth
guidance.
A series of pantographic
surveys were made from three patients and
compared
in order to analyze the effect that each variable had on the graphic tracings.

VERTICAL DIMENSION CHANGES AND GRAPHIC TRACINGS

Method
In the initial phase of this study, a pantograph?
was assembled by means of
c.ast aluminum
anterior clutches to one patient according
to the manuals instructions
(Figs. 1 and 2). The styli recording
condylar movements on the vertical and horizontal condylar
tables were approximately
35 mm. forward
of the terminal
hinge
axis. The anterior
tables recording
horizontal
bodily movements
of the mandible
were parallel to the recorder side arms and the styli were at right angles to the tables.
Five guided border tracings were recorded
from centric relation,
one with the
Read

before

the

American

Academy

This investigation
was supported
5321 from
the General
Research
smrces.
*Associate

Professor,

Crown

**Assissitant

Professor,

***Professor

and Chairman,

tDenar

Corporation,

Partial
Anaheim,

of Crown

and

Bridge

by Public
Health
Service
Support
Branch,
Division

and Bridge

Department.

Denture

Department.

Crown

and Bridge

Prosthodontics,

Chicago,

Research
Grant
No.
of Research
Facilities

Ill.

5 SOl-FRand Re-

Department.

Calif.

287

280

Clayton,

Kotowicz,

and

Myers

.l. Prosth.
Mach,

Dent.
1971

F ig. 2

Fig.

Fig.

1. Cast aluminum

clutches

attached

to the anterior

Fig. 2. A pantograph
assembled
and attached
used for scriber and table arm extensions.

IL J\
R

teeth

to the

with

anterior

hd- >

acylic

resin,

clutches.

Copper

tubing

was

///
a

Fig. 3. Five guided

border
tracings
made at increased
vertical
dimensions
were recorded
on
a patient
with
the pantograph
styli
not oriented
on the terminal
hinge
axis. (h) is the
condylar
horizontal
tracing,
(v) is the condylar
vertical
tracing,
(a) is the anterior
tracing
and (R) and (L) indicate
the patients
right and left sides.

teeth in contact and four with a removable concave central bearing surface and
stud. Tracings made with the bearing surface were made with the teeth just separated
and with the stud opened 1, 2, and 3 turns (a total vertical opening at the stud of
4 mm.) (Fig. 3).
Five different tracings were recorded on the anterior tables and the condylar
vertical recording tables, one at each vertical dimension. All of the tracings on the
condylar horizontal tables coincided, Conclusions could be erroneously drawn from
these graphic tracings that the condyles came forward with each vertical opening.
Articulator

study

To determine whether the different tracings were due to the changesin condyIar
positions or mechanical errors in the styli position, the study was repeated on a
Hanau Model H articulator where the condylar movement could be fixed and re-

Graphic

Fig. 4. Graphic
(position
No.
angled
forward
was increased
on the left.

tracings
recorded
were oriented
on
at position
No. 2
and lateral
tracings

I)

recordings

of mandibular movements 209

on an articulator,
The styli on the left and right
tables
the hinge axis of the articulator.
The right side stylus was
and backward
at position
No. 3. The vertical
dimension
were made at each vertical
opening.
No change was made

peated. The anterior styli and tracing tables were positioned

so that as the articulator
was opened and closed on a hinge the stylus tips remained
on a stationary
point.
This we have termed the zeroed
position. The styli on the left table and position No. 1 on the right table in Fig. 4 were oriented in this manner. The incisal
pin on the articulator
was opened from 0 to 9 mm. in 3 mm. increments.
Lateral
tracings were recorded
at each vertical dimension.
The three tracings recorded at
different vertical dimensions
coincided
on the left table and at position No. 1 on the
Cght table. Next, the stylus on the right table was angled forward from the zeroed
lrosition to No. 2 position. A new tracing was recorded for each vertical dimension
change and each tracing was recorded anterior to the previous tracing. The tracings
on the left table coincided
indicating
that the articulator
was moved the same way
each time. Finally,
the styli on the right table was angled backward
from the
zeroed
position
to position
No. 3. Again, new tracings were recorded
for each
vertical
dimension
change and each new tracing
was recorded
posterior
to the
previous tracing. The tracings on the left table still coincided.
The styli recording
the condylar movements were oriented forward
of the hinge
axis and on the hinge axis. When the styli were forward
of the hinge axis, a new
-u-acing

was

CDrieuted

on the

recorded
hinge

at
axis

each

vertical

opening

while

the

tracings

with

the

styli

coincided.

The articulator
study showed that the orientation
of the styli in relationship
to
the hinge axis can affect graphic
tracings. A schematic
drawing
of the effect of
:jtyli
position
and
guidances
is shown
in Fig. 5. The same lateral
movement
can
be made each time at increased vertical dimensions
and the graphic tracings will

290

Clayton,

Kotowicz,

and Myers

.I. Prosth. Dent.

March,
1971

EFFECT OF GUIDANCE
ON TRACINGS

vertical
changes

condyler

tooth

Fig. 5. A schemtic drawing of the effect of stylus position, vertical changes, and the guidance
on graphic tracings. (A) is the anterior recordings, stylus (2) is in the zeroed position,
stylus (F) is angled forward and stylus (B) is angled backward. (I) is the starting vertical
position, and (2) is the opened vertical position. (B) are the condylar tracings and (T.H.A) is
the terminal hinge axis. (CR) is the guided border tracing from centric relation and (CO) is
the unguided tracing from centric occlusion. (C) anatomic forms. (D) Surface shapes.

coincide if the styli recording condylar movements (B) are oriented on the hinge
axis and the anterior styli are oriented on a tangent to an arc from the hinge axis,
the zeroed position (stylus 2) , (the styli tips maintain a point during opening on
a hinge as closely as is possible with a straight stylus). The condylar styli not
oriented on the hinge axis will produce different graphic tracings (B tracings 1 and
2). The anterior styli will produce new graphic tracings if the styli are not oriented
on an arc of the hinge axis. Styli angled forward (stylus F) will record a different
tracing with each increase in vertical dimension and the tracings will move anteriorly. Styli angled backward (stylus B) will record different tracings with each
vertical dimension increase and the tracings will move posteriorly. Therefore,
graphic recordings can be affected by the styli positions when movements involve
changes in vertical dimension and the styli are not oriented on the terminal hinge
axis (T.H.A.) .
Patient

study

The pantograph study was repeated on three patients with the styli zeroed.
The styli recording condylar movements were centered on the terminal hinge axis.

Volume
Number

Graphic

2.i
3

recordings

of mandibular

movements

291

\ cjR

G
h

R
l.

Fig:. 6.
graph
and

Five tracings
at different
vertical
dimensions
recorded
on a patient
styli oriented
on the terminal
hinge axis. (CO)
is the tracing
from
(CR) is the tracing from centric relation
(see Fig. 3 for legend).

with the pantacentric

occlusion

The styli on the anterior tables recording bodily movement of the mandible in the
horizontal plane were positioned so that the tip of the styli maintained a point on
the tracing table as the patients were guided on the posterior terminal hinge movement.
The patients made unguided lateral tracings with the teeth in contact from
centric occlusion. The patients were instructed to bring their teeth together in
m.a,ximum contact. Additionally, guided border tracings were made from centric
relation with the teeth in contact and with the removable concave central bearing
surface and the stud in position. Successivetracings were made with the teeth just
separated through an increase in vertical dimension of 11 mm. as recorded between
the incisor teeth.

There were different tracings recorded on each tracing table when the patient
made unguided lateral movements from centric occlusion as compared to those
made during movements from centric relation (Fig. 6). Tracings were curved on the
anterior tables and the tracings from centric occlusion were recorded anterior to the
centric relation tracings (see C, Fig. 5). (On this pantograph all styli are attached to
the maxillae and are stationary. The tracing tables are attached to the
mandible and move with the mandible.) The curvature of the centric occlusion
tracing was due to a cuspal interference guiding the mandible and condyles away
from the border tracing and not due to a change in vertical dimension. The guided
border tracings from centric relation with the teeth in contact were recorded
posterior and lateral to the centric occlusion tracings and the tracings on the anterior
tables were relatively straight lines.

292

Clayton,

Kotowicz,

and Myers

J. Prosth. Dent.
March,
1971

A
Fig. 7. Two sets of tracings recorded simultaneously on a patient on the anterior tables.
stylus was angled forward at (A) and backward at (B). Tracing No. 1 was unguided
centric occlusion, tracing No. 2 was guided from centric relation with teeth in contact,
tracing No. 3 was guided from centric relation with a concave central bearing surface
bearing stud in place and the vertical dimension increased 2 mm,

The
from
and
and

The condylar tracing tables moved downward, backward and laterally from
centric occlusion to record the centric relation border tracings (Fig. 6).
The tracings made with the concave central bearing surface and an increased
vertical dimension coincided with the centric relation border tracings with the
teeth in contact. These border tracings have coincided although the vertical dimension was opened 11 mm. as measuredbetween the incisor teeth.
To determine the effect of vertical dimension change and styli position on a
patient, the angles of the anterior styli were changed (Fig. 7). The left stylus was
angled backward and the right stylus was angled forward from the zeroed position. Although both styli were recording simultaneously and recording the same
mandibular movements, different graphic tracings were recorded. The styli recording
condylar movements were not changed and the tracings coincided.
Discussion

All three tracings involve different vertical dimensions. The guidance for the
movements, the teeth and a concave bearing surface, involve various vertical dimension changes as lateral movements were made (see D, Fig. 5). The styli angled
posteriorly produced tracings that moved posteriorly as the vertical dimension was
increased and the tracings were curved posteriorly. The styli angled anteriorly produced tracings that moved anteriorly and the tracings were curved anteriorly.
Curved

tracings

can be recorded

when

styli are angled

off the terminal

hinge

axis

and the curvatures will be in the direction of the angulation when the vertical
dimension is increasedand decreased.
Conclusions

The orientation of styli and recording table affected graphic tracings of mandibular movements when the vertical dimension is changed. Cusps gliding on inclines
involved

changes

in vertical

dimension.

In studies of mandibular

movements

the re-

cording device should be oriented to the terminal hinge axis so that changesin vertical
dimension

do not

cause different

tracings.

If this is not done,

the position

of the

recording device in relation to the terminal hinge axis, the effect on the tracing o.f

G ru p/ LIL
. t.ec,oI.dtugs of tt~andibular

Fig. 8. Removable
central
bearing
surfaw
te,:th separated.
The
removable
surfaces
wzre attached
to (3) the concave
surface.

ircreased vertical dimension,

be reported.
Inconsistencies,
be due to mechanical
errors
CENTRAL
Methods

BEARING

(A)
usrd

movetnents

and bearing stud (Bj used for guidance 4th

(I)
thr wnwx
and (2) the flat which

arr

and whether
the tracing is guided or unguided
previously
reported
on mandibular
movements,
in the positioning
of the recording
apparatus.

SURFACES,

SHAPES,

293

AND

GRAPHIC

should
could

TRACINGS

The pantographic
apparatus
was assembled on anterior clutches attached to the
teeth of three patients. Guided
border tracings were madt= on the same recording
papers as the patient
moved against removable
concave, flat and convex central
bearing surfaces (Fig. 8) _ The styli were zeroed.
Results
The border tracings recorded with three different bearing surfaces coincided
on
all recording
tables (Fig. 9). (Note: The protrusive
lines on the anterior
recording
tables are not border tracings and, therefore, do not c.oincide.1
Discussion
Different shaped bearing surfaces involve changes in vertical dimension as lateral
movements are recorded
(see D, Fig. 5). A concave surface would produce a vertical
cpening
in lateral
movements
and a convex surface would
produce
a vertical
closure in lateral movements. The movements of the condyles involve vertical changes
as the condyles move on the slopes of the eminences. These vertical dimension changes
coupled with different styli orientation
can produce different graphic tracings.
Conclusions
The shape of the central bearing surface can affect graphic tracings
&pending
on the anguIation
of the styli recording
the movement.
Graphic tracings of mandibular movements
recorded
against different bearing surfaces will coincide if the styli
a.re zeroed.
Graphic
tracings will be different
for each surface if the styli are
angled forward or backward
from the zeroed position.
In studies of mandibular
movements
involving
central
bearing
surfaces the

J. Prosth.
March,

Dent.
1971

made on a patient with the concave, convex and flat bearing

faces, and with the styli zeroed (see Fig. 3 for legend).

sur-

294

Clayton,

Kotowicz,

and Myers

a
Fig. 9. Three recordings

shape of the bearing surface (concave, flat or convex)

styli recording
the movements should be reported.

and

the angulation

of the

TOOTH GUIDANCE, CHEWING, AND GRAPHIC TRACINGS

Method
The pantograph
was assembled on anterior clutches attached to one patient with
a slide
or difference
between
centric relation
and centric occlusion.
The styli
were zeroed.
Two lateral tracings were recorded on the patient. The patient was
first instructed
to bring the teeth together and move unguided
in a left and right
lateral movement
with the teeth in contact (Tracing
No. 1, Fig. 10). The patient
was then guided to the terminal
hinge position and a guided border tracing was
made from centric relation with the teeth in contact (Tracing
No. 2, Fig. 10). The
patient then chewed test foods-gum,
carrots, and peanuts. The chewing
pattern
for gum is shown in Fig. 10.

Results
The patient
did not function
(chew)
to the recorded
border
tracing
from
centric relation
as recorded on the anterior recording
tables. The patient preferred
chewing on the left side. The tracings from centric occlusion were tooth guided and
interferences
prevented
functional
movements to the border tracings (see C, Fig 5).
After the interferences
were removed the patient functioned
to the border tracing
(this and the results of chewing other test food will be reported in another article).
Therefore,
unguided
tracings cannot always be considered
border tracings because
occlusal interferences
and the muscles may prevent movement
of the mandible
along the border position (see C, Fig 5). Guided border tracings with the teeth in

Graphic

recordings

of mandibular

movements

295

Fig.
10. The
relationship
between
functional
movements
(chewing),
tooth
guidance
and
graphic
tracings
on a patient.
(A) is the normal
size of the recording
and (B) is an enlargement of the anterior
tracings.
Tracing
No. 1 is from centric
occlusion
and tracing
No. 2 is
from centric
relation.
(C) is a mark placed by the styli when the patient
was in edge-to-edge
relationship
of the canines
(see Fig. 3 for legend).

contact or tracings against central bearing surfaces eliminate the effect of the occlusal
interferences
and the patient can be guided along the border positions. The border
movements
would be restricted
only by the anatomic
features of the masticatory
system without
the influence
of the teeth and muscles. Tooth
interferences,
and
muscles conditioned
to these interferences,
direct unguided
movements
from coinciding with guided border movements.
This
is substantiated
by tracings
of border
movements
and functional
movements recorded in Fig. 10 when the patient chewed
gum. The functional
movement
coincided
with the tracings from centric occlusion
at least from the canine to canine incisal edge to edge relationship
to centric occlusion
(see C, Fig. 10). This entire recording
was also recorded
on movie film.
Masticatory
strokes frequently
started near the canine mark and followed to centric
occlusion along the centric occlusion tracing and on beyond centric occlusion. The
heavy dark area along the centric occlusion tracing is indicative
of the number of
times the functional
movements
coincided
with this tracing (for comparison
of the
relationship
of the tracings without
the functional
movements refer to Fig. 6).
In the recorded
condylar movements,
the functional
area was restricted
to the

296

Clayton, Kotowicz,

J. Prosth. Dent.
March,
1971

and Myers

B
Fig.
11. Changes
of styli
angulation
and the
(chewing)
on a patient.
(a) Anterior
tracings.
the left styli is zeroed.
(B) The right stylus
zeroed.
Each right and left tracing
was recorded

effect

on recording
The right
stylus
is angled
backward
simultaneously.

(A)

functional
is angled
and the

movements
forward
and
left stylus is

tracing recorded from centric relation (the border tracing) on the vertical tables.
The functional movements coincided with the border tracing on the horizontal
tracings. From the condylar recordings, it appears that the functional movement of
the condyle may coincide frequently with the centric relation tracing even though
movements were restricted to the tracing from centric occlusion on the anterior
recordings.
To determine the effect of styli position on the recording of functional movements (chewing), the anterior styli angulations were varied. In Fig. 11, A the left
stylus was in the zeroed position and the right stylus was angled forward (seeA,
Fig. 5). The patient chewed gum. Both tracings were recorded simultaneously.
The functional area recorded by the forward angled stylus appears to be limited
in an anterior-posterior direction and the recording gives the appearance of the
patient functioning posterior to the border tracing. In Fig. 11, B the right stylus
was then angled backwards and the patient again chewed gum. The left stylus
was still zeroed. The border tracings were curved posteriorly. The functional
movements did not coincide with the left border tracings; however, they did on the
zeroed stylus tracing.
Conclusions

Unguided tracings made by the patient with the teeth in contact may not be
true border tracings. Tooth interferences and musclesmay deflect movement away
from the border position. Border tracings should be guided when the teeth are in
contact, or a central bearing surface should be used to eliminate the influence of

Vohne
Nmnber

25
3

Graphic

recordings

of mandibular

movements

297

tooth interferences
and muscle conditioning
to these interferences.
Several tracings
should be recorded
to insure that tracings are true border tracings. True border
movements
give stable and repeatable
tracings and recordings.
Studies involving
conclusions as to whether functional
movements and the border
movements
coincide should have recordings
of true border movements.
The type of
occlusion-differences
between
centric relation
and centric occlusion,
slides from
centric relation
to centric occlusion,
occlusal contact and occlusal interferenceshould be reported
on patients
being studied.
Occlusal
interferences
can affect
graphic
tracings and restrict
the parameters
of functional
movements.
In studies
of mandibular
movements,
the effect
of the occlusion on the movements
should
be determined.
Again, the positions of the styli can affect the graphic recording
of functional
movements.
The angles of the styli and the positions of styli in relationship
to the
terminal hinge axis should be reported.

GRAPHIC TRACINGS VS. PANTOGRAPHIC TRACINGS

A distinction
between
graphic
tracings
and pantographic
tracings
has been
made.3 Graphic
tracings are recordings
made on a patient from which conclusions
a.bout mandibular
movements
are made directly
from the tracings. Pantographic
tracings are recordings
of mandibular
movement
of a patient from which an instrument
(articulator)
is adjusted
to follow the tracings. Then conclusions
about
mandibular
movements are made from the movement
of casts on the instrument.
Stylus positions can affect graphic tracings, therefore, erroneous conclusions can
be drawn from graphic
tracings. Correct placement
of styli is important
in studies
using graphic
tracings. Styli positions in pantographic
tracings may not be significant as long as the styli positions are not altered from the tracings recorded on the
patient through
the adjustment
of the instrument.
Altering
styli position in relationship to the tracings, before the instrument
is adjusted,
could produce
erroneous
instrument
settings.

ISUMMARY
Studies using graphic tracing devices have yielded conflicting
results concerning
mandibular
movements, The purpose of this study was to determine whether graphic
tracings could be affected by styli positions in relationship
to changes in vertical
dimension,
by the shape of central bearing
surfaces and by tooth contacts and
functional
movements.
A pantograph
was used on patients to study the effect of
these variables. The results of this study indicate
that several variables can affect
graphic tracing of mandibular
movements. The effects of these variables were shown
and suggestions were made to reduce the inconsistencies
found in studies using
graphic tracings. Research criteria were suggested for conducting
and reporting
the
results of studies of mandibular
movements.

CONCLUSIONS
Graphic
tracings, tracings
from which conclusions
are drawn,
of mandibular
movements can be affected by changes in the vertical relations, by different shapes of
guiding surfaces and by tooth guidances.

298

Clayton,

The
tracings
tracings

J. Prosth.

Kotowicz, and Myers

recording
represent
produced

March,

Dent.
1971

apparatus
should be tested to determine
whether
the graphic
recorded
mandibular
movements
or whether
they are erroneous
by mechanical
errors.

References
1. Cohen, R.: The relationship of anterior guidance to condylar guidance in mandibular
movement, J. PROSTH. DENT. 6: 758-767, 1956.
2. Kurth, L. E.: Mandibular
movements in mastication, J. Amer. Dent. Ass. 29: 1769-1790,
1942.

3. Kotowicz, W. E.: Analysis of pantographic tracings, Ann Arbor,

School of Dentistry,
1968 (63 p. typed thesis).
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

University

of Michigan,

La Pera,
F.: Understanding
graphic
records
of mandibular
movements,
J. PROSTH.
DENT. 18: 417-424,
1967.
McCollum,
B. B.: Fundamentals
involved
in prescribing
restorative
dental remedies,
Dent.
Items Interest
61: 852-863,
1939.
McCollum,
B. B., and Stuart,
C. E.: A research
report,
South
Pasadena,
Calif.,
1955,
Scientific
Press.
Payne,
S. H.: A study of posterior
occlusion
in duplicate
dentures,
J. PROSTH.
DENT. 1:
322-326,
1951.
Posselt,
U.: Studies
in the mobility
of the human
mandible,
Acta Odont.
Stand.
10:
l-160
(suppl.
lo),
1952.
Shanahan,
T. E. J., and Leff,
A.: Mandibular
and articulator
movements.
Part VII.
Concepts
of lateral
movements
and condyle
paths, J. PROSTH. DENT. 14: 279-289,
1964.
Shanahan,
T. E. J., and Leff,
A.: Mandibular
and articulator
movements.
Part V.
Vertical
and sagittal
axes myths,
J. PROSTH. DENT. 13: 866-872,
1963.
Shanahan,
T. E. J., and Leff, A.: Mandibular
and articulator
movements.
Part II. Illusion
of mandibular
tracings,
J. PROSTH. DENT. 12: 82-85, 1962.
Schweitzer,
J. M.: Masticatory
function
in man, J. PROSTH.
DENT.
11: 625-647,
1961.
THE UNIVERSITY
OF MICHIGAN
SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY
ANN ARBOR, MICH.
48104