Comparing the values of the TMJ with different clinical methods

Abstract

Nowadays computer-aided face bows can be used during the dental workflow, with them individual treatment plans can be provided. To compare the TMJ values with analog and digital devices and to measure the experienced and the inexperienced doctors’ work dynamic. One experienced(“control”) and three inexperienced (“sample”) doctors took part in both examinations. During the analog method, positional bite registrations were taken and according to them, the articulators were programmed. The results were compared in the KaVo and the Amann Girrbach systems. The Condylar Inclination and the Bennett Angl e were detected. Then the digital facebow ( AG Zebris For Ceramill Optic JMA, KaVo Arcus Digma ) was inserted, while the patient was doing TMJ movements, its angles were monitored. From the results, an average value was made for both the experienced and the inexperienced doctors who were compared in both systems. The values were written in a chart and the dispersion was counted statistically with Z-probe. The duration of the measurements was counted, so the workflow dynamics were also comparable. By using the analog methods the diversion was more than 15 degrees, in regard to all the angle values, by using the digital methods, this discrepancy was only 5 degrees. The duration of the examinations lasted at least 1.57seconds longer for the inexperienced doctors in both the analog and the digital measurements. With both methods, the TMJ values could be monitored, the digital method was faster and more reliable than the analog one, as its values had a smaller discrepancy.