Functional Improvement of Occlusion for a Patient with Acquired Open Bite Using a Fully Digital Workflow of...

Traditional occlusal adjustment workflow involves complex articulator-based simulation and intraoral adjustments, requiring significant time and effort, and the final outcome is less predictable. This case report described a fully digital workflow for computer guided occlusal adjustment. Digital models of the maxillary and mandibular dentitions were acquired. Personalized jaw motion was recorded for virtual articulator mounting. Simulated occlusal adjustments were performed on the virtual articulator via deleting the occlusal contact area and lower the virtual incisal guide pin, until the desired occlusal relationship aligned with treatment goals was achieved. The locations and amounts of tooth tissue requiring occlusal adjustment were visualized. The range-indicating guide and depth-indicating guide were designed and 3D printed with light-polymerizing resin. Initial occlusal adjustment was conducted in the mouth using a dental bur with a stop ring with the aid of these guides. Then additional fine adjustments were performed until the treatment goals were met. This fully digital computer-guided workflow significantly optimizes preoperative analysis, reduces chairside time and labor intensity, and increases the predictability of achieving functional outcomes.