Relative position of mandibular condyle and comparison of reproducibility utilizing different centric relation record taking methods

Mun, Heoung Youp; Hwang, Hyeon Shik

Abstract

In the past, the jaw and occlusal relationship in centric occlusion were merely considered in case of orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. As the fact that functional disturbance of the temporomandibular joint may be caused by occlusal interference was recognized, the importance of functional occlusion and centric relation is emphasized today. Known the importance of centric relation, there are various opinions about definition of centric relation and its taking methods. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relative centric condyle position and to compare the reproducibility of the recordings utilizing different centric relation records obtained by different taking methods. The 15 adults with normal occlusion were participated in this study. Every four centric relation records were taken in each of three methods - leaf gauge, Dawson and myomonitor method. Then the relative centric condyle position, the distance between the condylar position in centric occlusion and the position in centric relation and the reproducibility were studied using SAM 2 articulator and mandibular position indicator. The results were as follows; 1. The trend of condyle position was different depending on centric relation taking methods. 2. The position of condyle in centric relation by leaf gauge and Dawson methods was superior to that by myomonitor method, and the position by myomonitor method was relatively antero-inferior. 3. The distance between the condylar positions in centric occlusion and the position in centric relation was longest in myomonitor method. 4. The reproducibility had little differences in transverse direction among three methods, while leaf gauge method showed the highest reproducibility and myomonitor method did the lowest reproducibility in antero-posterior and supero-inferior direction.