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Identification of occlusal prematurity by clinical examination and cone-beam computed tomography
Naila Aparecida de Godoi Machado1, João César Guimarães Henriques, Everton Ribeiro Lelis
1Graduate Program, Dental School, UFU – Federal University of Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
Insights
Identifying occlusal prematurity using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) paraxial slices showed average reliability. This pilot study compared clinical analysis with CBCT imaging for detecting premature occlusal contacts.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Radiology
- Occlusion
Background:
- Occlusal prematurity can indicate potential masticatory dysfunction.
- Accurate identification of occlusal contacts is crucial for dental treatment planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the diagnostic accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) paraxial slices in identifying occlusal prematurity.
- To compare CBCT findings with clinical occlusal analysis.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involving 16 asymptomatic patients.
- Clinical occlusal analysis using Lucia's JIG and articulating paper to identify premature contacts in centric relation (CR).
- CBCT scans were acquired with Lucia's JIG in CR; 30 dental professionals analyzed images for occlusal prematurity.
Main Results:
- The agreement index between clinical identification and CBCT imaging for occlusal prematurity was calculated.
- Statistical analysis (ANOVA and Scott-Knott test) was performed.
- The identification of occlusal prematurity by paraxial CBCT slices demonstrated average reliability.
Conclusions:
- Paraxial slices of CBCT offer a method with average reliability for detecting occlusal prematurity.
- Further research may be needed to improve the accuracy of this imaging technique for occlusal analysis.
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.
