O uso do articulador e arco facial na conduta clínica odontológica e laboratorial

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of dentists, dental students and dental technicians about the use of the semi-adjustable articulator and facial arch, and the importance of this equipment for the diagnosis and planning of oral rehabilitation. To this end, the technique of data collection through a questionnaire with objective questions was used. A specific questionnaire was designed for each group studied. After approval by the ethics committee, the questionnaires were distributed. The delivery and collection of the questionnaires occurred in person, and through an online form. A total of 300 questionnaires were distributed to dental surgeons, 100 to dental technicians, and 158 to dental students. The results allow us to infer that the research with dentists showed a rate of 44.4% who frequently use the semi-adjustable articulator and 38.9% who rarely use it. Regarding the use of the facial arch, 41.3% reported that they rarely use it. Among the dental technicians, 66.7% reported that they use the semi-adjustable articulator in their laboratory to perform oral rehabilitation procedures. The research showed that about 60.8% of these professionals rarely receive the models positioned on a semi-adjustable articulator, and a significant percentage reported that 76.7% sometimes receive all the necessary information from the dental surgeons. It was analyzed that the students considered the use of the semi-adjustable articulator important to plan rehabilitation cases; 97.2% thought it was relevant, but 40.7% reported having doubts when assembling the models. According to the results obtained, we can conclude that Most participants considered that the semi-adjustable articulator and the facial arch are important equipment for diagnosing and planning oral rehabilitation. That the semi-adjustable articulator and the face bow are rarely used in clinical practice. The articulator most used by dental technicians in oral rehabilitation work is the semi-adjustable articulator. The major difficulty encountered by participants regarding the semi-adjustable articulator and the face bow is assembly and the transfer of patient information to the equipment. With the information collected in this research, we intend to contribute with planning proposals and actions for the development of an application that highlights relevant and essential aspects for the use of the semi-adjustable articulator and the facial arch. [resumo fornecido pelo autor]