A Digital Workflow for Virtual Articulator Mounting Using Face Scan and Facebow Capture: A Proof-of-Concept

Purpose: This article introduces a digital technique for virtual articulator mounting by employing the scan of a facebow worn by the patient as a virtual reference. Methods: The digital technique enables the transfer of the maxillary arch orientation relative to the cranial base into a CAD-CAM environment (Ceramill Mind; AmannGirrbach), without the need for ionizing radiation or identification of facial landmarks. By digitally aligning the intraoral scans of the dental arches (Trios 4; 3Shape) with a 3D facial scan and the scanned facebow in position (Artex; AmannGirrbach), clinicians can reproduce the cranium-to-maxilla spatial relationship accurately and intuitively. Results: This radiation-free protocol provides virtual cross-mounting and allows for the use of a semi-adjustable articulator within common CAD-CAM software. Conclusions: Given that intraoral scanners, facial scanners, and design software with articulator simulation are becoming more available in modern clinical workflows, this method introduced here could be a viable radiation-free and easy-to-use alternative. However, larger cohorts and standardized testing protocols are needed to determine its clinical reproducibility and reliability.