Verification of the Accuracy of Electronic Mandibular Movement-recording Devices: An in vitro Investigation

Aims and objectives To determine the accuracy of an opto-electronic pantograph (Freecorder Bluefox, Dentron) in locating a known transverse horizontal axis (THA); To determine the accuracy of the opto-electronic pantograph and the mechano-electronic pantograph (Cadiax Compact 2, Whip Mix Corp) in recording preset condylar control values; and additionally, compare the accuracy of the opto-electronic and mechano-electronic pantographs with each other. Materials and methods A fully adjustable articulator (Denar D5A, Whip Mix Corp) was employed as a mock patient. True condylar control settings and condylar control values determined by each recording device were documented and statistically analyzed using 2-sample independent t-tests (p < 0.05). Results Statistical data analysis indicated that (1) the opto-electronic pantograph did not accurately locate the known THA; (2) the condylar control values registered by opto-electronic and the mechano-electronic pantographs were statistically different from the preset condylar control values; and (3) different degrees of accuracy existed between the opto-electronic pantograph and mechano-electronic pantograph. Conclusion Errors up to 5 mm in the location of the THA may not have much clinical significance. The majority of articulator condylar control settings predicted by the opto-electronic and mechano-electronic pantographs investigated in this study were statistically different. Clinically, the predicted mean values for the lateral condylar inclination (LCI) and progressive mandibular lateral translation (PMLT) were within 5° of the known mock patient settings. However, the medial wall angulation and immediate side shift values obtained from the opto-electronic instrument suffered from large errors. Clinical implication Practical goals for complex restorative dentistry often include attaining accurate occlusal relationships, simulating the patient's mandibular movements in the laboratory using three-dimensional instrumentation and achieving desired occlusal contacts and relationships. Clinicians may rely on mandibular motion-recording devices to render accurate and useful information. Cost of purchase of electronic mandibular motion-recording devices (opto-electronic and mechano-electronic recorders), their accuracy, and time required for training should be compared with the use of conventional pantographs. The use of electronic pantograph may lead to savings in time and efforts over conventional pantograph and interocclusal records. How to cite this article Balch H, Cagna DR, Ahuja S, Scarbecz M. Verification of the Accuracy of Electronic Mandibular Movement-recording Devices: An in vitro Investigation. Int J Experiment Dent Sci 2017;6(2):84-94.