Evaluation of occlusal function during orthognathic therapy

Objectives Reduced occlusal function is a main characteristic of orthognathic patients. The present study aimed to investigate the extent of therapy-induced functional improvements in occlusal function using a digital diagnostic method. Methods This prospective clinical study included 41 orthognathic patients (24 women and 17 men, median age 27.26 ± 8.2 years) and 10 control patients (5 women and 5 men, median age 29.8 ± 13.5 years) with neutral skeletal and dental configurations. The patients were divided into classes I, II and III based on their cephalometry. Digital occlusal registrations in habitual occlusion in an upright sitting position were taken before (T1) and after (T2) therapy using the T‑Scan Novus (Tekscan, South Boston, MA, USA) application. Results Class II and III patients showed a significantly less efficient occlusal pattern than the untreated controls regarding total antagonism ( p < 0.001), time of occlusion ( p = 0.004), occlusal asymmetry ( p = 0.001), anterior antagonism ( p < 0.001) and posterior antagonism ( p < 0.001). After therapy, the occlusal pattern increased in both therapy groups, where class III patients became indistinguishable from the controls, and class II patients differed only in posterior antagonism ( p = 0.035). Conclusions The digital occlusal registration method proved to be a useful diagnostic tool and provided new insights into therapeutic effects in orthognathic patients. By precisely adjusting the occlusal function, masticatory performance improved significantly. Clinical relevance Severe malocclusion leads to a significantly lower masticatory performance for patients, which can be improved by orthognathic therapy and captured by digital occlusal registration.