Functional harmony between the sagittal condylar path inclination and the anterior guidance inclination

Abstract

The determinants of the morphology of the mandibular tubercle of the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) have been the subject of numerous investigations but remain poorly understood. It has been hypothesized that the lingual surfaces of the maxillary anterior teeth could influence the growth, the development, and the shape of the mandibular tubercle. Nonetheless, there is disagreement concerning the existence of a functional relationship between the condylar path and the anterior guidance of the mandible. The objective of the study was to find a correlation between the mean Functional Incisal Path (FIP) of the maxillary anterior teeth and the Functional Condylar Path (FCP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects included in the study consisted of randomly selected dental students (n = 50). For each student, the following was performed: – The tracing of multiple cuts of silicone of maxillary anterior block which were analyzed by an odontometry software program. – A mechanical axiography to register the protrusive path bilaterally. RESULTS: A statistically significant correlation (r = 0.8; p = 0.0000; FCP = PIF * 0.661 + 9.799) between anterior guidance on the incisors (FIP mean value = 56.96 ± 7.86) and sagittal condylar path inclination (FCP mean value = 47.46 ± 6.56) was found during the protruding movement. CONCLUSION: The clinical application is interesting in the areas of both anterior restorative reconstruction and orthodontic treatment, classically by increasing by 10° the anterior guidance in relation to the condylar path or more precisely by using a regression formula.