Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2025
Author Spotlight: 3D Movement Assessment of Maxillary Posterior Teeth in Clear Aligner Treatment
Published on: February 23, 2024
Comparison of Horizontal Arch Relation Pathways of Edentulous Patients Recorded with a Digital Arch Motion-Tracking
Purpose:
To compare condylar path elements (CPEs) in edentulous patients using fully adjustable (FA) and semiadjustable (MS) digital articulators.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 10 patients with at least one edentulous arch were included. Arch relation records were digitally set in the articulators using two approaches: The MS group employed standard mean occlusal parameter values, while the FA group used individual values obtained using a digital arch motion-tracking device. Differences in CPEs, represented as Δ-values, were statistically analyzed using nonparametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test and post-hoc Tukey test. These analyses evaluated overall differences between FA and MS articulators, identified the regions with the greatest Δ-errors, and determined the percentage of movement required for statistical significance.
Results:
CPEs differed significantly between MS and FA articulators. Significant variations were observed in individual CPEs (P < .001), with motion percentage significantly influencing Δ-values (P < .001). Notably, within the first 20% of CPE MS pathways, significant differences were found within the initial 2 mm of movement, a critical range for prosthetic rehabilitation.
Conclusions:
This study highlights statistically significant differences in CPEs between MS and FA digital articulators, particularly within the initial 2 mm of movement. These findings underscore the importance of precise CPE replication for occlusal design of complete dentures.
