Complicated Relationships between Anterior and Condylar Guidance and Their Clinical Implications—Comparison by Cone Beam Computed Tomography and Electronic Axiography—An Observational Cohort Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

A complex prosthodontic treatment is believed to be more successful when the condylar path is replicated using the articulator. However, there is an ongoing major disagreement between the researchers as the exact relationship between the posterior and anterior determinants has not been clear. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the protrusive movement of the mandible does correlate with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) anatomy or with incised features. Subjects (15 males and 15 females) were qualified for this study based on an initial interview including the following criteria: age 21–23 (+/−1), no history of trauma, orthodontic treatment, or temporomandibular disorders (TMD). For each patient, the angle of the condylar path, incisal guidance angle (IGA), interincisal angle, as well as overbite and overjet were measured on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). This was followed by the examination with the Modjaw® electronic axiograph recording and calculating the functional sagittal condylar guidance angle (SCGA) for the right and left TMJ during the protrusion. The results show that the mean functional axiographic measurement of SCGA in protrusion significantly correlates with the TMJ anatomy presented on CBCT. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between the values of SCGA in the functional and anatomical measurements in all its variants. It turned out that, statistically, the AB measurement was the most accurate. Finally, results showed that incisal relationships of permanent teeth such as overbite, overjet, incisal guidance angle and interincisal angle do not correlate with TMJ anatomy, and therefore, regarding an analyzed study group, do not affect the TMJ formation in young adults.