Bausch Articulating Papers—Competence in Occlusion
Understanding occlusion and related factors provides the basis for sound dentistry. Contact between teeth is subject to constant change. Every restoration, extraction, prosthetic care, and oral surgery procedure implies a change in occlusal proportions. In fact, an occlusal interference of only 15 µm can trigger a severe irritation.
Since 1953, Bausch Articulating Papers, Inc’s (Nashua, NH) articulating and test materials have been manufactured in Germany and distributed worldwide. The founders of the German company recognized the need to use pressure-sensitive articulating paper and films to properly represent all the forces of the jaw in various colors. The object of proper occlusal treatments is to remove irritations, discomfort—such as grinding of teeth—and produce a naturally guided function of the bite. Bausch products work on the premise that proper occlusion results in a natural feeling for the patient and functionally designed cusps and fossae (Figure 1). Thus, the concept of progressive color transfer was developed as an important method to accomplish the accurate detection of high spots. The basis of this transfer is the addition of a special bonding agent that is added to the Bausch papers. The patented bonding agent, Transculase®, triggers the adhesion of color pigments onto the occlusal surfaces. Because of the sponge-like structure of this smooth blotting paper, the color pigments and bonding agent are squeezed out under pressure. More intensely marked spots indicate that more color is being squeezed out; normal spots correspond to a lighter color. High spots can be detected easily as dark marks and normal contacts as light marks. In dealing with bilateral balanced occlusion, optimal stress distribution can be achieved with this method (Figure 2).
Close scrutiny of darker spots reveals that only these spots have a characteristic shape. A small, lighter-colored area surrounded by a dark circle appears in the center of the occlusal contact. The light dot-like surface represents the actual occlusal spot.
Bausch recently developed a system for occlusal checks that has simplified the identification of occlusal high spots. The combination of a thick paper (200 µm or 100 µm) with a metallic 12-µm articulating film in a two-phase method offers several advantages. The bonding agent of the thicker paper is transferred to the tooth as a fine coating. A thin articulating film is then used, which is in a contrasting color of the paper. The color of the thin material transfers to the bonding agent, thus allowing the high spots to become very visible as a “bulls-eye” mark (Figure 3 ).
Achieving visible markings on problematic surfaces such as gold, highly polished porcelain, ceramics, and metal alloys represents another challenge. Add to that a moist occlusal surface, and finding a visible and accurate mark can be difficult. Bausch’s occlusion products have mastered these particular challenges with a range of superior color coating on various thicknesses of papers and films.
From thicker papers to extremely thin papers used on acrylic and ceramic surfaces to high-tech, metallic, color-coated shimstock mylar films, each product enables the dental practitioner to easily assess centric and eccentric markings. The newer Bausch product line, metallic-based thin films, are ideal for checking interproximal contact points when fixing dental bridges and crowns because of their superior tensile strength and accurate color marking capacities (Figure 4 ). Not only are Bausch products the most-distributed and most-used in the dental office marketplace, but these products are highly used staples in dental laboratories. In addition, Bausch Articulating Papers has filled the needs of dental schools across the United States, as well as free clinics for those patients less fortunate to afford quality dental care.
Sample packets, catalogs, and tutorials are available upon request.
This article was written by Dr. Ronald J. Kraus, owner of Bausch Articulating Papers, Inc.
For more information, contact:
Bausch Articulating Papers, Inc.
Phone: 603-883-2155
Fax: 603-883-0606
Web: www.bauschhdental.com
e-Mail: info@bauschdental.com
The preceding material was provided by the manufacturer. The statements and opinions contained therein are solely those of the manufacturer and not of the editors, publisher, or the Editorial Board of Inside Dentistry. The preceding is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval for the aforementioned products or services or their effectiveness, quality, or safety on the part of Inside Dentistry or AEGIS Communications. The publisher disclaims responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas or products referred to in the preceding material.
