FUNCTIONALLY

GENERATED
PATH

Department of Prosthodontics Including Crown & Bridge,

Maxillofacial Prosthodontics & Oral Implantology
 Contents
 Introduction
 Concept
 Advantages and disadvantages
 Armamentarium
 Procedure for Complete dentures
 Bilaterally recording the FGP
 Procedure for a single tooth
 Procedure for Double casting system
 Modified FGP
 Procedure for removable partial dentures
 Computer-assisted design and computer –assisted
manufacturing
 Conclusion
 Introduction

 First described by Frederick S. Meyer (1958) as

means of obtaining the “functional occlusal path”
for bridges fabricated by a direct / indirect
technique and for dentures.

 Mann and Pankey(1960) - complete occlusal

rehabilitation.

THE GENERATED PATH TECHNIQUE IN RECONSTRUCTION DENTISTRY. FREDERICK S. MEYER J Prosthet Dent
1959;9:433-439
 It relies on recording in a simple, yet precise manner
the pathways traveled by the cusps in the border

movements of the mandible.

 This technique enables the restoring dentist to
accurately capture the mandibular eccentric movements
of a patient without the use of complicated or expensive
instruments.
Functionally Generated Conventional Technique
path Technique
Ease of technique Laborious
Face bow transfer not Face bow transfer required
required
No expensive Semi adjustable articulators
instrumentation like semi required
adjustable articulators ,
tracers required

More accurate More intraoral adjustments

required
Less chair side time required More chair side time required
Interocclusal record not Interocclusal record is
required required
 Advantages

 Simple

 Inexpensive instrumentation

 Eliminates the need for adjusting an articulator with

interocclusal records or a tracing device

 Improves the masticatory efficiency.

 Minimum of chair time

 Accuracy
 Disadvantages

 Occlusion in one of the arches must be complete

before a generated path can be developed.

 Inaccurate record and difficult technique to learn.

 Masticatory cycle differs depending on the type and

texture of food being chewed. This mean that the
pattern developed in the wax is accurate for the wax
only and the food stuffs may fall inside or outside the
particular chewing cycle.
CONCEPT

If the following facts are understood, the value of

FGP as a logical method of achieving precisely
accurate occlusal contours will be obvious.
1. Border pathways of the lower posterior teeth are
dictated by two different determinants.

 The anatomic limits of movements of the

condyle disk assemblies (posterior

determinant).
 The anterior guidance (anterior determinant).
2. Functionally generated path procedures, properly
used on upper posterior teeth, record directly all
possible border pathways of the lower posterior
teeth, as they are influenced by both the anterior
and posterior determinants.

 It helpful in establishing an anatomy of the occlusal surfaces

of maxillary posterior teeth that will function harmoniously
with the form of the occlusal surfaces of the mandibular
posterior teeth.
3. The shape of the occlusal surfaces of the lower
posterior teeth has a profound influence on the type
of occlusion that is dictated by moving those shapes
along the border pathways through the functional
wax.
So, the FGP is a “three dimensional static
expression of dynamic tooth movement.“

It is made in wax by utilizing the mandibular

movements of the patient.
Armamentarium
ARTICULATORS
• VERTICULATORTWIN STAGE OCCLUDER
( Hobo)
• PLANE LINE ARTICULATOR(1938, Meyer FS)
• HINGE ARTICULATOR

WAXES (EXTRA HARD)

• TACHY SYNTHETIC WAX

• JELENKO HI FI INTEROCCLUSAL
FUNCTIONAL BITE MATERIAL
a. The Verticulator is a device that
permits only an up or down
movement.

It is precision made with a sturdy metal

stop that permits the functional
model to be struck forcefully
against the die model without
danger of model breakage.
b. The twin stage occluder is a
simple hinge articulator that
will articulate both a
functional core and an
anatomic model
interchangeably against the
same die model.
 FGP in Complete denture

 If the theories of the relationship between the

condylar paths and the functional occlusal paths
are correct, we must seek the help of the
condyles moving in the glenoid fossae to restore

the functional occlusal path*.

*Meyer FS. The generated path technique in reconstruction dentistry.

Part I : complete dentures. J Prosthet Dent 1959, 9: 354-66.
A tentative jaw relation made to the chosen vertical dimension ,
to be in facial harmony. The wax rims are transferred to the
articulator with the aid of a face bow.

Artex, semi adjustable articulator

The modeling compound occlusal rims are constructed.
A balance of the
occluding surfaces of
the occlusion rims is
generated in bees wax
by gliding them
together in mouth
instead by trial and
error.
 The functional occlusal wax

paths are stapled together

and seated in lower cast on

the articulator.

The upper cast is removed

from the articulator and

reseated in the upper

occlusal rim.
 The counter part of the
upper functional occlusal
wax path is poured in
stone.

This is done after removing

the wax occluding surface
from the lower compund
rim.
With upper occlusion rim
on the upper cast, the
articulator is closed
against the lower stone
path and allowed to set.
 The anterior outline of
the upper occlusion rims
outlined on the stone
path.

 Upper anterior teeth

are set to this marking.
The upper trial denture
has been processed and
checked against the
stone path.
 The stone is removed and the
remaining base and built up with
more soft modelling compound.
The articulator, with the upper
denture is closed against the
soft compound. This leaves the
imprints of the upper teeth in
the modelling compound at
chosen vertical dimension
 The compound is reduced to

1mm above the base of the

compound ridge on the first

bicuspid contact, leaving a V-

shaped depression which fits

the buccal cusp of the upper

bicuspid.
The modeling compound on the
buccal and lingual sides of the
compound ridge which
extends into sulci of the
upper posterior teeth is
removed.

The compound is cut down

approximately 2mm below the
incisal edges of upper six
anterior teeth and this is
built up in soft carding wax.
When the patient closes into soft compound, centric can be
confirmed by the buccal cusp of the first bicuspid closing
into the V-shape notch.
Additional compound is placed
over the compound cuspal
path posteriorly.

Then the occlusion rim is

placed in patients mouth.

The patient is asked to move

the mandible in lateral
movements and the path
recorded.
 The lower compound
cuspal path is used as a
base for generating
wax cuspal path that
will determine the
occlusal surfaces and
incisal edges of every
tooth.
The compound base with
the completed wax
cuspal path is placed on
the articulator and

a stone cuspal path is

poured against the wax
cuspal path.
The teeth of opposing

lower restoration are

set and ground to this

cuspal path.
 All occlusal surfaces of
the lower teeth are
ground to fit accurately
against the stone cuspal
path.

Articulating paper is placed

on the stone cuspal path
marks the parts of each
tooth which must be
ground.
The completed dentures

will exhibit balanced

occlusion and function

in all excursions of the

mandible.
 FGP FOR UPPER POSTERIOR TEETH
BILATERALLY RECORDING THE FGP

As in Full Mouth Rehabilitation using Panky

Mann Philosophy.

 After the anterior guidance has been harmonized,

the lower posteriors are prepared.

 The lower posterior occlusal contours in wax (fossae

contours in particular) have been harmonized to the
anterior guidance, after that the technique for
recording the FGP can be initiated.
Next, the upper posterior teeth are prepared.

Two impressions are made of the upper prepared

arch.

One in alginate for preparing the tray and other in

elastomeric material for die preparation. And
poured immediately in hard stone.
 BASE TRAY

When the model has set,

extra hard base plate wax
or resin or metal castings,
used to make a base tray
for the functional wax.
The base is removed from
the model and inserted
into the mouth.

This base must be

perfectly stable in the
mouth.
When it is certain that the base tray is stable, the
patient should close his mouth.

There should be no tooth contact on the base tray in

all excursions as well as centric relation closure.
 Recording the border movements

 The base tray is

returned to the model
and softened functional
wax added for recording
the FGP. The functional
wax is heated with a
flame to make sure it is
quite soft and sticky
enough to securely
adhere to the base tray.
 Material for FGP Recording ???
 Inlay wax or sticky waxes work well while they are in
their softened stage, but if they start to harden
before all the border pathways have been recorded, an
undetected error can occur.

 Functional wax that stays workable for as long as it is

needed is preferable. Bosworth’s Synthetic Tacky Wax
is an ideal functional wax.
 The tray with the soften Tacky Wax is placed back
in the mouth; ensure complete seating.

 A little of the patient’s saliva may be picked up on

the tip of the finger and applied to the functional
wax as a lubricant to prevent it from sticking to the
lower teeth.
 For recording centric occlusion, a closure is
manipulated into the wax until the anterior teeth
contact. (Centric)

 The patient should be told in advance to hold that

position and then slide forward until the anterior
teeth are end to end. (Protrusive)

 The patient should never open before going into an

excursion, since this has a tendency to pull the base
loose. (Lateral)
 The patient should close back into centric occlusion
and the mandible is guided into lateral excursions.
(Lateral)

 When all excursive movements have been recorded

by manipulation of the mandible, the patient should
be allowed to slide around however he wishes.

 A creamy mix of fast setting Stone is pored into all

the depressions of the functional wax (Functional
stone core).
 Functional stone core

The fast setting stone must cover at least one

unprepared tooth in front will serve as a definite

vertical stop and a positive key to the master dies when

the functional model is being used in the laboratory.

 Laboratory procedures

 The upper master die model

should be mounted with a
facebow and should be
articulated against the
lower opposing model with a
centric bite record.
 Mounting the FGP

The opposing anatomic model is removed from the

articulator and the Functional stone core is placed on
the mounted against the master die model.

Stone is built up from the lower articulator ring until it

almost touches the stone core.
Master die and Functional stone core of each side
 The articulator is always locked in the position that
allows absolutely no lateral movement when the
functional model is in use.

 The articulator simply serves as a device to position

the functional core in its proper relationship to the
dies.
Three options:

 Wax the upper restorations directly against the

functional model.

 Wax against the anatomic model, and then refine the

occlusal inclines and check for interferences against
the functional model (Stone core).

 Complete the casting against the anatomic model, and

then adjust the metal or porcelain occlusal surfaces
against the functional model.
Wax pattern Finished restoration
Refine the occlusal inclines and check for interferences against the functional
model (Stone core)
 FGP for single tooth restorations

A prerequisite is the presence of an optimal

occlusion.

Correct anterior guidance must be present and

there must be an absence of posterior
interferences when the restoration is made.
 Any interference, will guide the mandible and increase
the occlusal discrepancy.

 There should be no missing or broken down opposing

teeth.

 Badly rotated, carious, or poorly restored teeth will not

provide the occlusal pathways needed for shaping the
occlusal surface.
 Procedure

1. The occlusal reduction for the preparation is

completed.

2. Before any proximal reduction is done, the tooth

is stabilized with softened stick compound.

3. The surface of the compound is roughened so

that the functional wax will not slide off.
4. The functional wax is and stuck to the prepared
occlusal table. The occlusal portion is lubricated with
saliva.

5. The patient should close into centric relation and

move through all possible excursions. The wax is
chilled with ice water.
6. A creamy mix fast setting stone is made and vibrated
into the FGP indentations.

7. The hardened stone is removed and set aside. The

compound and the wax are removed and discarded, and
the preparation is completed. An impression of the
prepared tooth is made, including all teeth that will be
covered with the stone functional core.
 The impression with removable dies for the prepared
tooth and each adjacent tooth is poured.

 The functional core is positioned against the die

model. The unprepared teeth on the die model should
fit perfectly into the stone index*.

 When using FGP for a single tooth, one generally

waxes the pattern directly against the functional
core.

*Kafandaris NM.A modified functionally generated path technique for making

maxillary posterior ceramometal restorations. J Prosthet Dent 1981,46:29-31
 Minagi S in 1998; DOUBLE CASTING SYSTEM FOR SINGLE
TOOTH FGP

 The first step is to

fabricate a base crown
with mechanical
retention on the
occlusal aspect.

Minagi S, Tanaka T, Sato T, Matsunaga T. Double-casting method for fixed

prosthodontics with functionally generated path. J Prosthet Dent 1998;79:120-4
 The occlusion is then
functionally developed
by molding autocuring
acrylic resin. Second
pattern is casted and
cemented over first
one.
Functionally generated pathway in fixed partial denturs using double crown system.
J Ind Den Asso 2009;4:424-50
FGP in REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURES

 The functionally generated path technique can be

employed in establishing occlusion in removable
partial dentures with the intent that the artificial
teeth may be positioned and formed so that it will
remain in harmonious contact with the antagonist
at all times.
 Procedure for recording the FGP

1. An acrylic resin denture base is attached to the rpd

framework upon which a hard wax occlusion rim is
constructed.

The occlusion rim is constructed so that when first

inserted it is slightly high in occlusal contacts and will
keep the remaining natural teeth apart about 0.5-0.75mm.
2. There are two methods of having the patient grind
the occlusal pathway

a. The first method is to have the patient take the

framework with the denture base and occlusion rim
attached home and to wear it continuously for 24
hours except when eating and when drinking hot or
chilled beverages. The value of the patient wearing
the denture while sleeping is that involuntary or
bruxing contacts will be recorded.
b. The second method is for the patient to create
the pathway in the dental office directly under
the supervision of the dentist.
3. The wax record is boxed and poured in improved dental
stone to provide a permanent record of the generated
pathways.

The record is mounted on an articulator, and the

artificial teeth of the partial denture are fitted to
contact the record.
 Artificial teeth set to the generated
path
 The incisal pin is raised 1mm before the artificial
teeth are positioned acc. to FGP record. This
increase in vertical dimension will be returned to
normal by selectively grinding the denture teeth. The
selective grinding also develops the occlusal anatomy
of the denture teeth to conform to the functionally
generated stone path.
 After the teeth are set in correct alignment, the incisal guide pin
is returned to the correct vertical dimension of occlusion.

 A water soluble Prussion blue dye is painted on the surface of

the generated path. The articulator is locked in centric relation,
and opening and closing tapping movements are made of the stone
path against the denture teeth.

 The spots of dye transferred from the stone path to the

denture teeth indicate areas of contact and are reduced by
selective grinding until the incisal pin contacts the incisal table
again.
 Parkash H, Functionally generated path
for full mouth rehabilitation

 Prior to FGP, anterior guidance was established using

esthetics and phonetics.

 The lower arch was fully restored.

 Canine guidance is the occlusion of choice.

Parkash H, Paliwal J, Jain V. Functionally generated occlusion for full mouth

rehabilitation. J Ind Prosthodont Soc 2002;2:9-11
 Face bow record and interocclusal record is made.

 Copings are made for the upper arch.

 Wax is applied over the framework and all the border

movements are done on the articulator.

 A stone core is poured immediately. And against this

stone core porcelain build up is done for minimal
interocclusal adjustment.
So ,

1. This method eliminates the use of special articulators.

2. It eliminates the use of base tray which is very technique

sensitive, often cause error.

3. Inlay wax instead of functional waxes; more resistant

to distortion.
Computer-assisted design and computer –
assisted manufacturing

 Using CEREC 3D optical

scanning device, the
working model with the
die trimmed is scanned
and digitally captured
and transferred into
the computer’s virtual
laboratory
 while the model is under the
scanner, the bite
registration taken from the
mounted casts and is placed
onto the working model.

 This is scanned, and the

computer can digitally
reproduce and virtually
create the opposing
quadrant using a negative of
the image.
 Milling – once the final
virtual restoration has
been designed, load the
chamber with the pre-
determined shape and
size of ceramic block,
and in 15 mins an exact
replica of design is
reproduced in ceramic
Staining and glazing
 CONCLUSION

Functionally generated path technique is a time tested

method over the past few decades. Studies have proved
that it is an efficient method of restoring occlusion
without the aid of expensive instrumentation and
sophisticated articulators.

However for the success of this technique basic

principles have to be understood and applied
meticulously.
 References

 Frederick meyer. The generated path technique

in reconstruction dentistry. Part I : complete
dentures. J Prosthet Dent. 1959, 9: 354-66.
 Frederick meyer. The generated path technique
in reconstruction dentistry. Part II : fixed partial
dentures. J Prosthet Dent. 1959, 9: 432-40.
 Herbit T Shillingburg. Fundamentals of fixed
prosthodontics. 3rd edition.
 Kenneth L. Stewart. Clinical removable
partial prosthodontics. 2nd Edition.
 Peter Dawson. Valuation, Diagnosis and
Treatment of Occlusal Problems. 1989
Second Edition.
 Kafandaris NM.A modified functionally
generated path technique for making
maxillary posterior ceramometal
restorations. J Prosthet Dent 1981;46:29-
31
 * Paliwal J , Parkash H, Jain V.
Functionally generated occlusion for full
mouth rehabilitation. J Ind Prosthodont
Soc 2002;2:9-11

* Minagi S, Tanaka T, Sato T, Matsunaga

T.Double-casting method for fixed
prosthodontics with functionally generated
path. J Prosthet Dent 1998;79;120-4