1 research outputs found
Positional influence of center of masticatory forces on occlusal contact forces using a digital occlusal analyzer
Statement of problem. Digital occlusal analyzers allow the recording of dental contact forces.
Some authors assume a unique location for the center of contact forces at the position of
maximum intercuspation, while others indicate variations in dental contact forces when recorded
at different times of the day. Which approach is more appropriate is unclear.
Purpose. The purpose of this in vitro study was to analyze whether a change in the balance of
masticatory forces influences the location of the center of contact forces and its magnitude.
Material and methods. Three different dental casts, selected under dental criteria, were mounted
in maximum intercuspation on a semiadjustable articulator equipped with a pattern indicating 9
different force application points (intersection point between 3 longitudinal rows and 3
transverse columns). A force of constant magnitude (169 N) was applied 10 times at each of
the application points, and occlusal forces were recorded with a digital occlusal analyzer. Then,
two variables were studied: the location of the center of contact forces and its magnitude.
Each force application position (9 positions × 3 dental casts=27 in total) was repeated 10
times, and measured data were statistically analyzed with 2-way repeated measures ANOVA
(a=.05) test.
Results. The repeatability of the method indicated that the coefficient of variation mean was 0.37%
in the location of the center of contact forces and that its magnitude was 3.70%. The 2-way
repeated measures ANOVA test revealed statistically significant variations in the location of the
center of contact forces and its magnitude, revealing that longitudinal changes of the
application point of masticatory forces affected the magnitude of contact forces and that
longitudinal and transverse changes of the application point of masticatory forces affected the
location of the center of contact forces.
Conclusions. The location of the center of contact force and its magnitude provided by a digital
occlusal analyzer at the position of maximum intercuspation are not necessarily unique to each
articulated dental cast. Even if the intensity of the masticatory force remains unchanged,
changes in its lateral or longitudinal balance also influence the result of the occlusion forces. (J
Prosthet Dent 2023;129:930.e1–e8he authors thank the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) for providing
the DEHI research laboratory (www.ehu.eus/dehi). The authors also thank Ayesta
dental practice and Odontolan dental laboratory for their assistance