Clinical Testing of the Precision of a Digital Condylogram

Abstract

Purpose: This study was designed to determine the repeatability of a digital condylogram to generate condylar recordings on patients at two separate time periods. Materials and Methods: A digital condylogram was used on 16 patients to record condylar movements at two separate time periods approximately 1 month apart. Data manager software was used to calculate recommended settings of a Denar D5A fully adjustable articulator for each trial. The differences between the calculated angles of trials 1 and 2 for each patient were determined and analyzed. Results: Immediate side shift (ISS) and progressive side shift (PSS) demonstrated significant differences on average between trial 1 and 2. Variation between the trials was large, particularly for rear wall and top wall angles. The average amount of time that elapsed between trials 1 and 2 did not have a significant effect on the results. Conclusion: The digital condylogram records sagittal condylar inclination, rear wall and top wall angles predictably over time; however, ISS and PSS were not recorded predictably. Results demonstrated significant variation that may be due to the patients' abilities to reproduce jaw movements precisely or that may be due to the operator's ability to connect the condylogram predictably.