Comparison of 2 different techniques for individualization of virtual articulators

Aim: For clinical success very sensitive production process in the laboratory stages is as much important as clinical applications. Therefore, accurate records must be transferred to the laboratory. The use of articulators is indispensable for the laboratory process in order to improve the functional compatibility of restorations prepared for production. With today's technologies, the effect of the methods used in the individualization of virtual articulators on occlusion is unknown. Materials and Methods: Digital impressions, facial scan records, jaw movements were recorded with 2 different devices from 31 subjects. With the data obtained, virtual articulators were individualized and an occlusal splint was designed for the upper jaw. Functionally generated pathway records were taken with the appliances specially produced for the subjects. The occlusal splints designed with these recordings were overlapped and the deviation in occlusion was compared. Kruskal Wallis test was used for multiple group comparisons and Mann Whitney U test was used for pairwise comparisons. Spearman's rho correlation analysis was used to examine the relationships between the parameters. Significance was evaluated at the p<0.05 level. Results: The occlusal splint surfaces obtained with the Modjaw group were statistically significantly different from all other groups for the mean distance, deviation from the mean, overall percentage and percentage of deviation below 0.3mm (p<0.01). The values measured by the Zebris device for the inclination of the right and left protrusive condylar path was significantly different from Modjaw device with different movements, and the values measured by the Zebris device for the slope of the right and left lateral condylar path were statistically different from Modjaw device measured with different movements, except for the mediotrusion recordings (p<0.01 for all groups). Conclusion: None of the adjustments made on the virtual articulator showed a significant advantage in the traces formed during eccentric movements. Chewing recordings taken with the Modjaw device showed less success than all other groups.