The Dento-Facial Analyzer is a marvelous tool I use in the practice to mount maxillary models. It has made a huge difference in my practice of dentistry and is one of my favorite tools to teach.

Introduction to the Dento-Facial Analyzer

For the critical aspects of diagnostics and sending info to the lab for the completion of a restorative case, mounting models appropriately is so important. They must be mounted in three planes of space referenced to hinge access to capture esthetic information including incisal plane and occlusal plane relative to the horizon.

Traditionally, this has been accomplished by utilizing a Facebow, Earbow, or by actually capturing hinge access position. Now, we have the option of using the Kois Dento-Facial Analyzer to capture both functional information and esthetic information that we would normally get with a Fox’s bite plane or stick bite. All of this functionality is managed with one simple device.

The Kois Dento-Facial Analyzer was designed based on scientific information gathered by Dr. John Kois, which shows that the distance from the incisal edge position of the maxillary central incisors to hinge access on average is 100 mm. Most people fall within a range of 5 mm to the average, therefore this is the assumption made when the device takes a record.

The armamentarium for record capturing with the Panadent instrument includes the analyzer, bite registration silicone in a gun with a tip, VPS adhesive used in an impression tray, and disposable bite plates that snap onto the analyzer (from the device manufacturer Panadent).

You can use bite registration silicone, Panadent bite tabs, wax, or VPS heavy body impression material to capture the record …

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I’ll continue this review of the Dento-Facial Analyzer technique in Part 2, coming soon! And don’t miss one of my recent Pankey Gram favorites from Dr. Bill Gregg on an occlusion-focused hygiene exam. Read it here for his insightful tips.

For an in-person, hands-on lesson in the Dento-Facial Analyzer, check out our Essentials 1 Pankey course. You can also watch this video for a quick refresher.