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Q: Is it possible to use the Rotofix® facebow nose-bar on someone whose nose bridge is rather flat? If so, how?

A: Yes, by using silicone to make a custom nasion to wrap around the nose.

Q: We find that sometimes a bitefork may sit too high in the articulator after we've done the transfer. What can we do about this?

A: There are several things that could have resulted in the reference plane being too low and the bitefork mounting too high. To troubleshoot:

a. Make sure the facebow is used properly:
make sure that the patient's mouth is slightly ajar, in order to open up the ear canals enough to allow the facebow earballs to seat properly. This can be done by placing the bitefork (with bite compound on three points) in the patient's mouth, with cotton rolls between the lower teeth and the bottom of the bitefork. When the patient bites down to hold the bitefork in place, the mouth is still slightly open due to the cotton rolls. Rotate the facebow up and down once or twice. Then attach the 3-D joint to the bitefork.
make sure that the person performing the facebow registration lifts up the skin at the top of the nose before placing and locking the nasion against the nose.
make sure that the facebow is securely fitted to the face, so that it does not slump when no one is holding onto it. (NOTE: DO NOT OVER-TORQUE THE TOGGLE LEVER!)

b. Consider using the Frankfurt Horizontal Plane (using axis-plane indicator #48610) rather than the usual Patient Horizontal Plane for your reference.

c. Do not use too much bite compound on the bitefork. Place only a small amount on three points, on the upper side of the bitefork. Too much compound can affect the positioning of the maxillary cast when mounting. Also, do not let the canines come in contact with metal, or you will not have accurate cusp tip impressions for reference when stabilizing the maxillary model.

d.If the dentist has this problem often, a solution is to have the patient oriented horizontally in the dental chair, so that the facebow is not affected by gravity.

e. use an Artex Carbon articulator with 126mm of internal height.

Q: Can the Rotofix facebow be used on someone with a narrow head?

A: Yes, by adding the "extended ear-balls" (#48609).

Q: How do you transfer directly into the articulator without a transfer stand?

A: Use the transfer jig (#48630). Remove the incisal pin and holder, transfer the incisal table to the upper arm, and mount the jig, resting the incisal table on the jig. Mount the universal joint and bitefork onto the jig. Use support table #47685 to stabilize the bitefork.

The disadvantage of doing it this way is that the universal joint is not available until the model is mounted and the joint can be removed. It's less expensive to buy tables than joints.

Q: How do you mount a facebow directly into the articulator without a transfer stand or a transfer jig?

A: Use the telescopic legs and the level (#47624).

Note:To mount in an AP, change the condylar inclination to "0" to recreate the 3.5 mm vertical and 6.5 mm sagittal condyle placement that is the same as the earhole location. On a non-arcon type, set the Bennett Angle to "0". Adjust the condylar inclination to 60°, or else there won't be a place to mount the earpieces.

Place the balls of the earholes from the facebow into the pins on the top arm of the articulator. Remove the lower part of the incisal guidance pin on the facebow. Rest the facebow on the black housing of the incisal pin, using the level to make adjustments to the telescopic legs.

On an NK, exchange the earpin/sidebars on the facebow so the pointy pieces can fit into the ends of the condyle ball pins on the articulator.

Q: Can I transfer the Rotofix facebow to some other brands of articulator? If so, how?

A: Yes, but only directly, not with the Splitex® transfer stand.

Q: Can I transfer a Denar facebow into Artex articulators? If so, how?

A: Yes, by using Jensen jig for Denar (#47925) and a bitefork support (#47685).

Q: How can you close the articulator if the bitefork interferes with the incisal guidance pin?

A: a) Move the incisal pin away from the articulator, and move the incisal table out to match.
b) Use the "cranked pin" (#47131)

Q: If the teeth are missing, how do you use a bitefork for a crown or bridge case?

A: Two possibilities:
a) Put a lot of bite compound on the anterior point of the bitefork, and place two balls of silicone putty on the back of the bitefork in place of the missing teeth.
b) Make an individual tray out of self-curing tray material, and insert the small Artex handle which will connect with the facebow joint

Q: If you autoclave the entire facebow, do you have to oil the joints?

A: You can if you want to, with a silicone spray. Also, the earballs and nosebar are removeable for sterilization.