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Reliability, validity, and utility of various occlusal measurement methods and techniques
K Baba1, Y Tsukiyama, G T Clark
1First Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
|January 13, 2000
Summary
Commercially available diagnostic devices for occlusal abnormalities lack sufficient evidence of reliability and validity. Current instruments are considered ancillary, with concerns about over-diagnosis due to undefined conditions.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- The efficacy of commercial devices for diagnosing occlusal abnormalities remains controversial.
- Existing diagnostic aids lack robust scientific validation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the reliability, validity, and utility of instruments used for detecting occlusal interferences.
- To assess devices claiming to identify abnormal vertical dimension of occlusion.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive review of 37 published articles was conducted.
- Evidence regarding the reliability, validity, and utility of diagnostic instruments was critically assessed.
Main Results:
- Occlusal contact detection devices can document patterns but lack in vivo reproducibility and validity testing.
- Electromyography (EMG) and jaw tracking systems measure muscle activity and jaw position but lack cost-benefit analyses.
- Manufacturer claims regarding vertical dimension of occlusion over-closure based on new resting jaw positions are unsubstantiated.
Conclusions:
- Reviewed instruments function as ancillary documentation tools with inadequate reliability and validity testing.
- The lack of scientifically accepted disease definitions for occlusal abnormalities raises concerns about over-diagnosis.