Digital workflow for condylar movement analysis: Measuring sagittal condylar and Bennett angles

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Biomedical Engineering
• Radiology

Background:

• Accurate measurement of mandibular movement is crucial for prosthodontic treatment.
• Traditional methods for determining sagittal condylar and Bennett angles can be complex and require specialized equipment.
• Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) offers detailed 3D imaging of dental and skeletal structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a digital workflow for measuring sagittal condylar and Bennett angles using CBCT and digital dental records.
• To enable accurate, patient-specific articulator settings for improved prosthodontic outcomes.
• To provide a method that does not require specialized equipment or specific CBCT positioning.

Main Methods:

• Integration of CBCT-derived skull models with digital dental arch scans in maximal intercuspal and eccentric positions.
• Utilizing volumetric segmentation and standardized cross-sectional analysis for angle measurement.
• Developing a digital workflow applicable to standard CBCT data and digital dental records.

Main Results:

• Successful measurement of sagittal condylar and Bennett angles through the described digital workflow.
• The method allows for precise customization of articulator settings based on individual mandibular kinematics.
• Demonstrated feasibility without specialized hardware or dedicated CBCT protocols.

Conclusions:

• The presented digital workflow offers a non-specialized, efficient method for determining key mandibular angles.
• Accurate measurement of these angles facilitates customized prosthetic rehabilitation and complex dental treatments.
• This technique enhances the precision of digital dentistry workflows and patient-specific treatment planning.