Whip Mix Direct Mounting Facebow Instruction Manual

: June 12, 2024
: Whip Mix

Table of Contents

Intended Use
Cleaning and Sterilization of Articulators and Face-bows
SYMBOL
Customer Support
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

Whip Mix Direct Mounting Facebow

Whip Mix Direct Mounting Facebow

Intended Use

A face-bow is a dental instrument used in the field of prosthodontics. Its purpose is to transfer functional and aesthetic components from patient’s mouth to the dental articulator.

Facebow Registration: Items needed for a facebow registration (Figure 1)

Facebow with nasion relator assembly, transfer jig, and bitefork
Wax or bite registration material
Rubber band (optional)

Preparing Facebows

Clean and properly disinfect the plastic ear pieces before each use. If replacing them, make sure the hole on the flat side of each is above the side arm, and the plastic is seated until it touches the shoulder of the arm.
Attach the transfer jig to the facebow and tighten thumb screw on top. (Figure 2 and 3)
A rubber band may be easily positioned on the facebow to aid in its manipulation. (Figure 4a & 4b)

Note : The nasion relator assembly moves left and right along the crossbar, and the facebow caliper design allows the arms to move equal distances during the opening and closing motions.
If the upright post needs to be replaced, just snap in place. A replaceable post does not include the nasion rod. (Figure 4c)
Center the nasion relator assembly on the crossbar of facebow.
Loosen the thumbscrew on top of the facebow that allows both arms to slide apart. If using the Whip Mix metal facebow, you will need to loosen the three thumbscrews on top of the facebow.
Loosen both thumbscrews on the transfer jig.

Preparing the Facebow Bitefork

Make sure the bitefork has been properly sterilized.
Place wax or bite registration material uniformly over the top surface of the bitefork.
Position the bitefork so that the midline of the bitefork aligns with the facial midline and support the fork until the material is set. (Figure 5)

The record should make a shallow registration of the maxillary cusp tips, and not perforate through to the bitefork.
Inspect the registration for any soft tissue or deep occlusal registrations. It is only necessary to record the maxillary cusp tips, all else should be trimmed away using a sharp Bard-Parker blade.

Positioning the Facebow on the Patient

Before attempting to place the facebow onto the bitefork, it is suggested the operator rehearse the following procedure with the patient. Caution the patient that the plastic ear pieces in the auditory canal will greatly amplify noises during the procedure.
A finger cot placed over each ear piece will help facilitate proper disinfection of the facebow.
With the bitefork positioned in the patient’s mouth, slowly slide the transfer jig on to the bitefork shaft. (Figure 6)
Have the patient grasp both arms of the facebow and bring them backwards to a position just forward of the patient’s ears. Then have the patient place each earpiece in the external auditory meatus and hold in place with a firm forward pressure.
Center the plastic nose piece on the patient’s nasion and exert firm pressure on the nose piece shaft while tightening the thumbscrew of the nasion relator assembly. This pressure will help to firmly seat the ear pieces into the external auditory meatus.(Figure 7)
Tighten the thumbscrew on top of the facebow.( Figure 8)
Support the horizontal bar with one hand and tighten the thumbscrew on the vertical rod. (Figure 9)
Support the horizontal bar with one hand and tighten the thumbscrew on the horizontal rod. (Figure 10)
Verify the facebow is level and all thumbscrews are tight.
Remove the facebow from the patient in a similar manner. Loosen the thumbscrew and slide the nasion relator away from the patient’s nose.
With the patient’s help, loosen the center thumbscrew and remove the facebow from the patient’s ears.
Together, remove the facebow and bitefork from patient.
Note : The transfer jig and biteforks for all Whip Mix facebows (except those with quick lock toggle) have been updated as of January, 2017. If your system was purchased before that date, the bitefork will have a straight, center shaft and the transfer jig horizontal bar will extend to the right. (Figure 11)

For these earlier systems, and when using indirect mounting of the maxillary model, the incisal guide pin will need to be removed and a support bar will be needed at the top of the transfer jig. (Figure 12)

Indirect Mounting of the Maxillary Model

Separate the transfer jig from the facebow by unscrewing the thumbscrew on the crossbar. Remove thumbscrew first, then separate. (Figure 13 and 14)
Place the transfer base assembly on the lower member of the articulator and secure it. (Figure 15)

Note : Please refer to instructions in articulator manual for adjustment settings.
Insert the vertical rod of the transfer assembly into the transfer base. Tighten the clamp screw so that the vertical rod fits securely in the transfer base. (Figure 16)
Position the upper model into the bite registration and mount the maxillary model. (Figure 17)

Note : Please refer to instructions in articulator manual for mounting mandibular models.

Direct Mounting of the Maxillary Model

Slide the nasion relator assembly to the patient’s left, away from the center of the horizontal crossbar. Loosen the center thumbscrew on the top of the facebow. Continue to use the rubber band on the facebow as it aids in manipulation. (Figure 18)
Loosen and remove the incisal guide pin. (Figure 19)

Note : Please refer to instructions in articulator manual for adjustment settings.
Guide the facebow beneath the upper frame of the articulator. The ear pieces should be even with the brass mounting pin.
Position the brass-mounting pin located on the outer edge of the upright on the lower frame into the hole on the medial side of each earpiece of the facebow. (Figure 20)
Allow the anterior end of the upper frame of the articulator to rest on the horizontal crossbar of the facebow. (Figure 21)
Securely tighten the thumbscrew on top of the facebow.
Because the guidance of this instrument is part of the upper frame and the facebow is, in effect, one piece with this fram, the facebow bitefork is in fixed relation to the upper frame. (Figure 22)
Position the upper model into the bite registration and mount the maxillary model. (Figure 23)

Note : Please refer to instructions in articulator manual for mounting mandibular models.

Cleaning and Sterilization of Articulators and Face-bows

These instructions are intended to provide you with general guidelines for proper cleaning, and (where appropriate) sterilization of Whip Mix Articulator and Face-bow medical devices. Individual work centers may supersede the instructions provided.
Specific brand names for cleaning material are left up to the discretion of individual work centers.
The guidelines for cleaning articulator and face-bow medical devices follow the CDC recommendations from the 2003, “Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health Care Settings”. Under the heading “Sterilization And Disinfection of Patient-Care items” patient-care items (dental instruments, devices and equipment) are categorized as critical, semi-critical or non- critical.
Critical items used to penetrate soft tissue or bone have the greatest risk of transmitting infection and should be sterilized by heat. Semi-critical items touch mucous membranes or non-intact skin and have a lower risk of transmission; because the majority of semi critical items in dentistry are heat tolerant, they also should be sterilized by using heat.
Non-critical items pose the least risk of transmission of infection, contacting only intact skin, which can serve as an effective barrier to microorganisms.
According to this guideline only the face-bow bite fork is categorized as semi-critical. All other parts of the articulator and face-bow are categorized as non-critical.
We recommended the following for cleaning and sterilization of Whip Mix Articulator and Face-bow devices and components:

CLEANING
If there is any debris on the devices be sure to remove debris before the cleaning process. Use a soft bristle brush and cold running water to remove any debris. After debris removal follow the below guidelines.

Articulator

Use mild soap and water solution with the aid of a soft bristle brush to dissolve accumulations of wax and to wash away carborundum grit then air dry completely. DO NOT use strong detergents, alkalis, gasoline or naphtha as cleaning agents.
Remove excess stone to prevent corrosion of articulator surfaces.
(Whip Mix Branded only) Apply a light coating of silicone spray to articulator surface to prevent plaster or stone from sticking.
(Hanau and Denar only) A thin coating of petroleum jelly must be applied to all articulator surfaces that will be contacted by the gypsum mounting material.
Lubricate working and bearing components with a thin film of lubricant (Whip Mix Lubriplate) or silicone to the surface upon which the condylar elements move to provide a smooth action during movements.
Clean using the purest form of water available. It is recommended using a Hospital Grade Enzymatic Detergent to clean the device. Rinse water should be bacterial free and contain no endotoxins.
Use Sterile lint-free cloth to dry.
Follow the manufacturers’ direction for using their product.

Face-bows

Clean the face-bow apparatus before each use. A finger cot placed over each earpiece will help facilitate proper cleaning of the face-bow. Use an alcohol wipe to clean earpieces.
Clean using the purest form of water available. It is recommended to use a Hospital Grade Enzymatic Detergent to clean the device. Rinse water should be bacterial free and contain no endotoxins.
Use Sterile lint-free cloth to dry.
Follow the manufacturers’ direction for using their product.

STERILIZATION

Sterilizing equipment, methods, and parameters vary greatly from facility to facility therefore Whip Mix Corporation cannot guarantee sterility of our Dental Devices, but using the below guidelines should provide sterility for the bite fork and vertical shaft. If there is any debris on the device be sure to remove debris before the sterilization process using the cleaning guidelines described above.

The bite fork and shaft are the components of the face-bow that should be sterilized before each use.
(Denar branded Face-bows only) The black finger screws and the spacers should be removed from the Shaft Assembly before autoclaving. Do not autoclave the bow with level attached.

The Metal bite fork and vertical shaft can be sterilized in an autoclave. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Bite fork and shaft Sterilization parameters

Type of Sterilizer| Load Configuration| Exposure time at 132°C (270°F)| Drying Time
---|---|---|---
Gravity Displacement| Nonporous items only| 15 minutes| 15-30 minutes