A comparison of protrusive interocclusal records to pantographic tracings

The rationale for recording protrusive mandibular movement is to accurately adjust an articulator. Techniques to record condylar inclination include radiographic interpretation, extraoral tracings, and intraoral recording materials. This study compared the protrusive settings on an articular adjusted by a pantograph to protrusive settings recorded by two intraoral recording materials, one a polyvinyl siloxane material and one a laminated, metalized wax. Pantographs were completed for 20 patients by using a kinematic hinge axis and conventional pantographic techniques. The patients also had three protrusive interocclusal records made with two intraoral registration materials completed and averaged. The average condylar inclination recorded with a pantograph (29.5 degrees) was greater than the recording by either intraoral registration material. Standard deviations ranged from 4.1 degrees to 6.6 degrees. An analysis of variance showed that the condylar inclination recorded by wax was statistically less than recorded with a pantograph. A comparison between the pantograph and the polyvinyl siloxane displayed no statistically significant difference in recording condylar inclination.