Hanau and Whip Mix Articulators: A Buyer’s Guide for Labs and Schools

When comparing Hanau and Whip Mix articulators, the best choice depends on the work: a semi-adjustable Arcon instrument like the Hanau Wide-Vue suits teaching and restorative cases, the non-arcon Hanau 96H2 is a long-standing choice for removable prosthodontics, and fixed-setting models like the Hanau Ulti-Mate keep everyday lab work fast and affordable. Chase Dental Supply carries Hanau, Denar and Whip Mix branded instruments from Whip Mix, along with the facebows, mounting plates and incisal guides that complete the system.

Key Takeaways

• Arcon articulators place the condylar guidance on the upper member, which mirrors patient anatomy and is easier for students to relate to.
• The Hanau Wide-Vue offers adjustable Bennett (0 to 30 degrees) and condylar guidance (minus 20 to 60 degrees) with unobstructed lingual visibility.
• The Hanau 96H2 is a non-arcon semi-adjustable instrument with enclosed guidances, a favorite for removable work.
• The Hanau Ulti-Mate has a fixed 15 degree Bennett angle and 30 degree protrusive angle with magnetized fossae.
• Whip Mix 2240 and 4641 models use the Accumount system so mounted casts can move between articulators.

What is the difference between Arcon and non-arcon articulators?

An Arcon articulator has its condylar guidances on the upper member and its condyles on the lower member, the same arrangement as the human skull and mandible. A non-arcon articulator reverses this, placing the condylar guidances on the lower member.

Whip Mix notes that the Arcon design makes it easier for students and clinicians to relate the instrument’s movements to the patient. Non-arcon instruments remain popular for complete and removable denture work, where enclosed tracks keep the condylar elements from displacing during setup.

Both types can be semi-adjustable, meaning the condylar inclination and Bennett or side shift settings can be set from patient records, usually with a facebow transfer and protrusive or lateral bite records.

Which Hanau articulator should I choose?

Choose by the procedures you do most and the amount of adjustment you need. The Hanau line ranges from semi-adjustable Arcon and non-arcon instruments to lightweight fixed-setting models.

Hanau Wide-Vue Arcon 183-2

The Hanau Wide-Vue Articulator is a semi-adjustable, tracking, Arcon-type articulator with what Whip Mix describes as the most generous lingual visibility of any articulating instrument. Standard equipment includes adjustable Bennett (0 to 30 degrees), adjustable condylar guidance (minus 20 to 60 degrees), an adjustable incisal guide, an orbitale indicator, a dual end incisal pin and 10 disposable mounting plates.

It accepts the Hanau Spring-Bow, Earbow or Facia Facebow. That open format makes it a natural fit for dental school clinics and labs that check tooth-to-tooth contacts closely.

Hanau 96H2 Semi-Adjustable

The Hanau 96H2 is a non-arcon, semi-adjustable articulator with enclosed guidances, a fixed intercondylar width of 110 mm, lateral adjustment from 0 to 30 degrees and protrusive adjustment from 0 to 75 degrees. Whip Mix calls it the most popular teaching and clinical instrument for removable prosthodontics.

Hanau Modular Articulator

The Hanau Modular Articulator is an Arcon semi-adjustable system with interchangeable components and Radial Shift curvatures machined into the fossae. It has a fixed 110 mm frame, condylar inclination from 0 to 90 degrees and track locks that keep the frames from separating accidentally.

Hanau Ulti-Mate

The Hanau Ulti-Mate is lightweight, economically priced and built for simplicity. It has a fixed 15 degree Bennett angle, a fixed 30 degree protrusive angle, magnetized fossae, a removable upper member and the ability to tilt back on the bench at 45 degrees, which Whip Mix highlights for removable technicians.

Hanau Model Mate

The Hanau Model Mate is a plasterless articulator that holds models at any angle with no mixing or waiting. Whip Mix positions it for splint fabrication, orthodontics, case presentations and orthognathic surgery.

Whip Mix and Denar articulators: when do they make sense?

Whip Mix and Denar models are a strong choice when you need cast interchangeability between instruments or factory-set accuracy for restorative work.

The Whip Mix Model 2240Q uses the Series 2000 frame with interframe spacing of over 4 inches, immediate side shift, adjustable condylar inclination, the Accumount system and magnetic mounting. The Whip Mix Model 4641 adds tracking fossae, Delrin condyle elements, progressive side shift and open lingual access for denture setup.

The Denar Mark II offers an adjustable protrusive angle of 0 to 60 degrees, immediate side shift of 0 to 4 mm and progressive side shift of 5 to 15 degrees, and ships with 10 mounting plates and a carrying case. For fixed settings, the Denar Mark 310 sets protrusive condylar inclination at 25 degrees and progressive side shift at 15 degrees.

Hanau and Whip Mix articulators compared

What accessories do you need with a new articulator?

At minimum, plan on a facebow, mounting plates and an incisal guide. A facebow records the relationship of the maxillary arch to the hinge axis so the casts are mounted in the right position.

• The Hanau Spring-Bow Earpiece Facebow auto-centers, can be steam autoclaved and works for direct or indirect mounting to Hanau and Denar articulators (except the Hanau Model 145).
• Hanau Disposable Mounting Plates with Metal Insert fit Hanau and Denar articulators, and the metal insert minimizes cross threading.
• The Hanau Adjustable Incisal Guide adjusts from 0 to 40 degrees protrusive and 0 to 45 degrees of lateral wing.

If you work on Whip Mix models, our Whip Mix QuickMount facebow and magnetic mounting guide walks through transfer and mounting. For the mounting stone itself, see our Whip Mix Snap-Stone guide.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Arcon articulator?

An Arcon articulator places the condylar guidances on the upper member and the condyles on the lower member, matching the arrangement of the skull and mandible. The Hanau Wide-Vue and Hanau Modular are Arcon-type instruments.

Is the Hanau 96H2 good for dental schools?

Yes. Whip Mix describes the Hanau 96H2 as the most popular teaching and clinical instrument for removable prosthodontics. It is a non-arcon, semi-adjustable articulator with enclosed guidances and a fixed 110 mm intercondylar width.

What are the fixed settings on the Hanau Ulti-Mate?

The Hanau Ulti-Mate has a fixed Bennett angle of 15 degrees and a fixed protrusive angle of 30 degrees with a curved linear path. Whip Mix designed these settings to work with the average patient population.

Which facebow works with Hanau articulators?

The Hanau Spring-Bow Earpiece Facebow is designed for direct or indirect mounting to all Hanau and Denar articulators except the Hanau Model 145. The Hanau Wide-Vue also accepts the Hanau Earbow and Facia Facebow.

Can I move mounted casts between Whip Mix articulators?

Yes. Whip Mix models such as the 2240Q and 4641 use the Accumount system, which allows accurate interchanging of mounted casts between articulators. Q models also include the magnetic mounting system.

An articulator is a long-term instrument, so buy for the cases you do every week. Schools and restorative labs lean toward the Wide-Vue or Modular, denture labs toward the 96H2 or Ulti-Mate, and multi-instrument labs toward Whip Mix and Denar models with interchangeable mounting. Browse every Whip Mix, Hanau and Denar articulator at Chase Dental Supply, or email sales@chasedentalsupply.com with your questions.