The terminal hinge axis can best be obtained using?

The terminal hinge axis is an important reference point for establishing the correct position of dental casts in a dental articulator. This axis refers to the rotational movement of the mandible around a fixed point, which can assist in achieving accurate occlusal relationships during treatment planning and fabrication of prosthetics.

The kinematic face bow is specifically designed to record the spatial relationship between the maxilla and the terminal hinge axis of the mandible. By using a kinematic face bow, the clinician can capture the orientation of the maxillary arch relative to the hinge axis of the mandible, allowing for precise alignment of dental models in the articulator. This ensures that any movements and functions of the jaw are faithfully reproduced, crucial for the fabrication of appropriate dental restorations.

While a face bow can also be used to relate the maxilla to the articulator, the kinematic face bow offers a more advanced and precise method because it accommodates for the three-dimensional orientation of the hinge axis. Other options, such as the articulator or the maxillary occlusal plane, do not specifically measure the terminal hinge axis or provide the same level of accuracy in relating dental casts to the patient's jaw relationship during functional movements. Hence, for optimal accuracy, the kinematic face bow is