A three-dimensional comparison of condylar change between centric relation and centric occlusion using mandibular position indicator

Abstract

I am grateful for the opportunity to evaluate the article entitled, A Three-Dimensional Comparison of Condylar Position Changes Between Centric Relation and Centric Occlusion Using the Mandibular Position Indicator by Utt et al. It is certainly a challenge to debate the efficacy of this article with Ron Roth. Surely the specialty will benefit from a consideration of two divergent views and this novel approach to the AJO-DO format. Plato said wisdom emerges from the clash of contending views. Dr. Thomas Utt should be given credit for providing the materials for this educational exercise and for allowing me to evaluate his article in a critical way. As Teddy Roosevelt once said, credit belongs to the man who is actually in the a r e n a . . , who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly . . . . I have been requested to provide a detailed, critical review of Dr. Utt 's article and not merely a commentary. I hope Dr. Utt and the readers will understand and appreciate the nature of my role. The article by Dr. Utt has many limitations and shortcomings. The methodology of the study is faulty, and the reliability questionable. More importantly, the validity of the study is tenuous, and the article, once read, becomes one of those that you ask, So what! I have divided my remarks about the article into two