Study of the topography and magnitude of occlusal contacts using various hardware methods

Abstract

This work is devoted to a comparative study of the diagnostic capabilities of intraoral scanners for determining the topography of occlusion contacts and their size (area). In the Swiss smile clinic (Moscow) and at the Department of Orthopedic Dentistry of the RUDN Medical Institute, 5 patients aged from 20 to 40 years (4 men and 1 woman) were examined — infants with orthognathic bite, intact first permanent molars without signs of the above erasure and periodontal pathologies. Each patient was examined using 3 intraoral scanners for two parameters of occlusion on teeth 1.6 — the topography of occlusal contacts and their area (size). With the help of scanner software, color patterns of occlusiograms were obtained, teeth were isolated and the topography of contacts was analyzed. The total number of occlusal contacts on tooth 1.6, the presence and number of contacts on each tubercle and in the central fissure were determined. Occlusal contacts were marked using Baush articulation paper with a thickness of 200 microns and a dental photo was taken in an occlusal mirror with a Canon Mark4 device. To determine the contact value, the total area was measured in the Avantis 3D program (Russia). The results obtained are summarized in tables. Based on the data analysis, it is concluded that the results of studying the topography of occlusal contacts of teeth and their area depend significantly on the research methodology and the intraoral scanner used. In order to exclude the human factor (the variability of the nature of occlusal closure with each closing of the patient’s mouth), it is advisable to repeat the studies in laboratory conditions on polymer models reinforced in an occlusator or verticulator.