Comparison of Horizontal Jaw Relation Pathways of Edentulous Patients Recorded with a Digital Jaw Motion Tracking Device

Abstract

Purpose: This clinical study compares condyle path elements (CPE) in edentulous patients using fully adjustable (FA) and semi-adjustable (MS) digital articulators.

Materials and methods: Ten patients with at least one edentulous jaw were included. Jaw relation records were digitally set in the articulators using two approaches: the MS group employed standard mean occlusal parameter values, while the FA group used individual values obtained using a digital jaw motion tracking device. Differences in CPEs, represented as Δ-values, were statistically analyzed using the non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test and post-hoc Tukey tepPst. These analyses evaluated overall differences between FA and MS articulators, identified the regions with the greatest Δ-errors, and determined the percentage of movement required for statistical significance.

Results: CPEs differed significantly between semi- and fully adjustable articulators. Significant variations were observed in individual CPEs (P < .001), with motion percentage significantly influencing Δ-values ( P< .001). Notably, within the first 20% of CPEs MS pathways, significant differences were within the initial 2 mm of movement, a critical range for prosthetic rehabilitation.

Conclusion: This study highlights statistically significant differences in CPEs between semiand fully adjustable digital articulators, particularly within the initial 2 mm of movement. These findings underscore the importance of precise CPEs replication for occlusal design of complete dentures.