Dental Articulating Paper Guide: Types, Uses, and Which One to Use When
In dentistry, achieving a precise and comfortable bite is essential for oral health and patient comfort. An articulating paper plays a key role in evaluating how the upper and lower teeth come together. This specially designed medium allows dental professionals to visualize and analyze occlusal contacts—the points where teeth meet during biting and chewing. By marking these contact points, articulating paper helps identify any irregularities, high spots, or uneven pressures that could cause discomfort, tooth wear, or other dental issues. In this blog, we will explore the different types, uses, and proper selection of articulating paper, which are essential for accurate diagnosis, treatment, and adjustments in various dental procedures.
What is Articulating Paper?
Articulating paper is a medium used to check the relationship or articulation of the upper and lower teeth when they come into contact, and to visualize and analyze the occlusal contacts. It is usually made of thin and flexible carbon paper that is coated with waxes, dyes, or pigments. The paper is still thick enough to withstand biting pressures without tearing easily.
Importance of Articulating Paper in Dentistry
- To identify the contact points when the patient bites down and diagnose any irregularities or high spots that may need adjustments.
- To check dental restorations. After procedures such as fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, and other restorative or prosthetic work, it’s essential to check for and eliminate any potential biting or chewing discomfort.
- To diagnose dental conditions like bruxism, malocclusion, and improper dental treatments.
Types of Articulating Paper
Depending on Thickness:
- Thin – 20–100 microns
- Medium – 100–150 microns
- Thick – 150–200 microns
Depending on Shape:
- Straight – This is the most commonly used type of paper, as the dentist can cut and shape the strips as needed. It is commonly used during general bite assessments to gauge overall bite alignment and make occlusal adjustments.
- Horseshoe – As the name suggests, this paper is horseshoe-shaped and is used for assessing patients with unilateral bites. It helps easily check bilateral balance and diagnose contact points and discrepancies, aiding in the management of conditions like temporomandibular joint disorders.
Depending on Color:
- Red – Red articulating paper is usually thicker than the blue one and has higher color intensity, making it more visible on the teeth. It is often used for larger restorations, adjustments requiring more force, or identifying initial contact points and high spots during dental procedures.
- Blue – This type is thinner and more sensitive but has lower color intensity. Blue articulating paper is suitable for detecting lighter pressure points and is ideal for minor adjustments where precision in identifying bite discrepancies is important.
How to use an Articulating Paper?
- Select the appropriate articulating paper according to the dental procedure and the type of assessment required.
- Place the articulating paper between the upper and lower teeth.
- Ask the patient to bite down gently but evenly, achieving maximum intercuspation.
- Analyse the marks left on the teeth and make a diagnosis based on the contact points and do the necessary adjustments
Understanding the Markings
- The position marked by the articulating paper indicates the contact point between the upper and lower teeth.
- The larger the size of the mark, the greater the biting force.
- Large, centered marks indicate heavy contact, which may lead to tooth wear or discomfort.
- Small, scattered marks suggest multiple points of contact that might not be stable.
- No mark on the tooth indicates a lack of contact.
When to use which Articulating Paper?
| Type of Articulating Paper | Characteristics | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | ||
| Thin (20–100 microns) | Very thin, delicate | For precise bite analysis and minor occlusal adjustments where fine detail is needed |
| Medium (100–150 microns) | Moderate thickness | General bite assessment and routine dental procedures |
| Thick (150–200 microns) | Thick, durable | For heavy bite forces, larger restorations, or where more visible marks are required |
| Shape | ||
| Straight | Flexible strips that can be cut and shaped | Most common use, versatile for general bite checks and occlusal adjustments |
| Horseshoe | Horseshoe-shaped strips | Useful for patients with unilateral bites or to assess bilateral balance and TMJ-related disorders |
| Color | ||
| Red | Thicker, higher color intensity | Larger restorations, heavy force adjustments, initial contact points |
| Blue | Thinner, more sensitive, lower color intensity | Minor adjustments, detecting light contacts and subtle bite discrepancies |
We hope this guide has provided you with a clear understanding of how to select the right articulating paper for your specific dental procedures. Choosing the appropriate shape, thickness, and color can make a significant difference in achieving accurate diagnoses and comfortable, effective treatments. For a wide range of high-quality dental articulating papers tailored for various needs, feel free to explore our collection at DentalKart. We’re here to help you find the perfect match for your practice or personal use.
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