Jaw Tracking

This study compares two methods used to measure how teeth come together (occlusal contacts) in patients who have natural teeth (dentate patients). The first method uses a modern jaw tracking device, while the second relies on the conventional mounting technique. The goal is to determine which method is more accurate for diagnosing bite alignment and contact points. This is a diagnostic test accuracy study, meaning it focuses on evaluating how well each technique performs in identifying the correct occlusal contacts.

The maxillomandibular relationship of diagnostic and definitive casts is a fundamental procedure in prosthodontics. Depending on the prosthodontic treatment involvement, different maxillomandibular relationship records can be selected, including maximal intercuspal position (MIP), centric relation (CR) or most comfortable position. Intraoral scanners (IOSs) provide a digital alternative to obtain diagnostic and definitive casts, as well as the maxillomandibular relationship, by acquiring virtual occlusal records.4 Various techniques are available for tracking and recording the mandibular motion of the patient, including mechanical, photographic, radiographic, electromagnetic, ultrasonic-based devices, and optical motion capturing systems. By implementing a digital jaw tracker, patient's individualized mandibular movement can be recorded and combined with intraoral patient's scan, in order to be simulated through the cad software. However, the accuracy of the maxillomandibular relationship has been evaluated only by one study and for one patient. Also, the accuracy to record and replicate of occlusal contacts, acquired by using optical jaw tracking systems has not been evaluated clinically yet. The purpose of the present study was to clinically evaluate the impact of integrating dynamic patient specific-motion and registration, utilizing a digital jaw analyzer (ModJaw), in the attribution of the occlusion.