We use articulators to help ‘mimic’ our patient’s jaw movements, to ultimately do less adjustments/revisions in the future.

But are digital articulators there yet? Or is analog king?

Or is digital dentistry just flashy tech with no real-world benefits?

Can a virtual articulator truly match the movements of your patient’s jaw?

Is a CBCT really better than a facebow—and WHEN should you use which?

In this cutting-edge episode with Dr. Seth Atkins, we dive into the world of digital articulation—exploring how tools like virtual articulators, CBCT alignment, and 3D-printed provisionals are transforming clinical workflows.

You’ll learn how to combine analog wisdom with digital precision, improve lab communication, and make full-mouth rehabs more predictable and efficient than ever.

From mounting accuracy to motion capture, this episode is your ultimate guide to articulating smarter in the digital age.

Protrusive Dental Pearl: Always send your lab the color version of your digital scan — the PLY file — not just the STL. STL shows shape, but PLY shows color — like markings and tissue detail. Ask your lab: “Are you seeing color, or do you need the PLY?”

Better scans = better results

Need to Read it? Check out the Full Episode Transcript below!

Key Takeaways:

• Digital methods can enhance accuracy and patient outcomes → but only when used intentionally.
• Understanding both analog and digital techniques is crucial → they complement each other, not compete.
• Mentorship plays a significant role in advancing dental education → experience accelerates clinical confidence.
• Digital workflows can significantly reduce chair time → and improve patient comfort in the process.
• The integration of CBCT with digital workflows enhances diagnostics → giving clearer insight into static and functional relationships.
• Digital provisionals offer a cost-effective and efficient solution → saving time, money, and frustration for both dentist and patient.
• Axiography is essential for capturing patient motion accurately → because real movement matters more than assumptions.

Highlights of the Episode:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 04:00  Protrusive Dental Pearl
• 05:32 Interview with Dr. Seth Atkins and his Journey into Digital Dentistry
• 08:06 The Evolution of Digital Articulation
• 13:38 Digital Workflow and Mentorship
• 20:01 Accuracy and Efficiency in Digital Dentistry
• 22:32 Static and Dynamic Relations in Digital Dentistry
• 31:01 Interjection 1
• 36:05 Practical Guidelines on Integrating CBCT
• 37:15 Interjection 2 
• 40:59 Clinical Observations in Dental Rehabilitation
• 42:29 Interjection 3 
• 45:21 Introduction to Axiography
• 46:40 Advancements in Digital Dentistry
• 49:33 3D Printing in Dental Practice
• 53:31 Motion Tracking on Digital Articulators
• 57:30 Cost Efficiency of Digital Tools
• 01:01:10 Alternatives to CBCT
• 01:05:52 Involvement with AES and Future Plans

Check out the study mentioned: “Comparison of the accuracy of a cone beam computed tomography-based virtual mounting technique with that of the conventional mounting technique using facebow”