Digital records for diagnosis and treatment plan in a TMD patient

Abstract

The purpose of clinical gnathology is to offer a personalized solution to the patient with TMD, often identifying a new mandibular position. Occlusal splints are designed by the gnathologist based on occlusal stability adapted to the muscular function of the patient. The ModJaw device allows 3D visualization of the patient's mandibular cinematics, on 3D models of the arches. This information must be associated with clinical examination to improve diagnosis, treatment planning, and splint design. The digital flow of clinical data is described. After clinical examination, 3D models of the patient's arches are taken with an intraoral scanner. The.STL files are transferred on the software (ModJaw). The clinician asks the patient to do some mandibular movements, including opening, protrusion, and lateral movements. This device reproduces them on a monitor. The position of mandibular condyles is individualized, considering static and dynamic parameters of the mandible; the position is then registered and shared with the technician laboratory and other colleagues. Today other images can be imported and matched with dental arches, such as CBCT of patient's maxillary and mandibular bases, improving the accuracy of the virtual patient evaluation, especially in the most complex cases, improving the interdisciplinary dialogue between clinicians that manage the case. Digital analysis of the patient's occlusion and the TMJs movements improve diagnosis and treatment planning thus facilitating the dialogue between the clinicians. 3D visualization can help the clinician to make diagnoses and treatment plans improving