Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability to identify occlusal prematurity by images from paraxial slices of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). For such purpose, a pilot study was performed in which 16 asymptomatic young patients were subjected to a clinical examination, including a careful occlusal analysis and then individual deprogrammer devices ("Lucia's JIG") were fabricated. Premature contacts were clinically identified in centric relation (CR) for each patient by jaw manipulation and interocclusal marking with articulating paper (Accufilm). Subsequently, these devices were adjusted in CR and used during the tomographic exams in such a way that CBCT in CR could be obtained. After routine processing, the images were analyzed in order to identify occlusal prematurity on the displayed images by 30 professionals divided according to areas of activity (occlusion specialist, general practitioner and radiologist; n=10 per area) and time of professional experience (less than 5, between 5 and 10, and over 10 years). By comparing the premature contacts identified in the clinical analysis and CBCT images, an agreement index between these two variables was calculated. Data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Scott-Knott test (α=0.05). The results showed that the identification of occlusal prematurity by paraxial CBCT slices was proven to be a method of average reliability.
Highlights
IntroductionDental professionals must consider the importance of occlusal contacts for the success of dental treatment, maintaining occlusal stability and orofacial harmony, as occlusal interferences may implicate potential damages to the whole stomatognathic system, which includes teeth, supporting structures, neuromuscular system and temporomandibular joints [1,2,3,4,5,6]
Dental professionals must consider the importance of occlusal contacts for the success of dental treatment, maintaining occlusal stability and orofacial harmony, as occlusal interferences may implicate potential damages to the whole stomatognathic system, which includes teeth, supporting structures, neuromuscular system and temporomandibular joints [1,2,3,4,5,6].The awareness of these damages motivates the scientific community to conduct studies to develop and evaluate diagnostic methods for more accurate detection of premature occlusal contacts [6,7]
It is not unanimous, the most frequently diagnostic criteria used for occlusal disorders are clinical examination and detailed anamnesis performed by an experienced professional [7]
Summary
Dental professionals must consider the importance of occlusal contacts for the success of dental treatment, maintaining occlusal stability and orofacial harmony, as occlusal interferences may implicate potential damages to the whole stomatognathic system, which includes teeth, supporting structures, neuromuscular system and temporomandibular joints [1,2,3,4,5,6]. The awareness of these damages motivates the scientific community to conduct studies to develop and evaluate diagnostic methods for more accurate detection of premature occlusal contacts [6,7]. For occlusion, its coverage in three spatial planes brings great expectations on overcoming deficiencies of other methods used to identify occlusal interference, such as: distortions of dental materials, variability between techniques of manipulation of patients and limited viewing in two dimensions only
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