Accuracy of optical interocclusal registration using an intraoral scanner

Area of Science:

• Dental Occlusion
• Biomechanical Analysis
• Digital Dentistry

Background:

• Accurate interocclusal registration is crucial for prosthodontic treatment.
• Understanding occlusal force effects on dental models is essential for clinical precision.
• Periodontal ligament and jawbone deformation can influence registration accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of occlusal force on optical interocclusal registration.
• To determine how varying bite forces affect tooth displacement and occlusal contact area.
• To assess the clinical implications for achieving stable interocclusal records.

Main Methods:

• Forty participants with healthy dentition underwent intraoral scanning under three bite conditions: normal, light, and strong.
• Standard triangulated language (STL) data were analyzed for tooth displacement.
• Occlusal contact area was measured using a dental contact analyzer with silicone models.

Main Results:

• Tooth displacement was significantly lower in the strong-bite condition (0.018 mm) compared to the weak-bite condition (0.028 mm).
• Increased occlusal force correlated with a larger occlusal contact area.
• Significant differences in occlusal contact area were observed across different bite forces.

Conclusions:

• Occlusal contact area varies with bite force in both silicone impression and optical scanning methods.
• Utilizing a strong bite force with optical impression techniques can minimize deviations.
• Strong bite force application enhances the stability of interocclusal registration in digital dentistry.