Electronic Articulator-Related Bite Registrations in Occlusal Splint Therapy

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the number of contacts and time consumption for intraoral adjustment of occlusal splints produced using electronic and non-electronic articulator-related bite registration. Material and methods: Occlusal relaxation splints were made to 36 TMD patients randomly divided into two groups. In group A bite registrations were transferred by a face bow to articulator (Protar EVO 7, Kavo, Germany) set on average values, while in the group B electronic ultrasonic device (Arcus Digma II, Kavo, Germany) was used to record individual TMJ values. All bite registrations and transfers to articulator were done by one prosthodontic specialist, and all occlusal splints made by one dental technician. Occlusal splint adjustments were done randomly by an experienced dentist blinded from the study. The time needed for intraoral occlusal adjustments and the number of occlusal contacts per splint at first try-in were recorded and analyzed. Results: Statistically significant differences were determined in both the occlusal adjustment time and the average number of occlusal contacts between groups A and B (p<0.05). In the group A average number of contacts at first try-in was 18 (SD 11,8) while in the group B average number of contacts at first try-in was 27 (SD 8,1). Significant correlations were determined for the adjustment time and number of contacts at first try-in relative to the type of bite registrations, where in the group B the adjustment time was on the average reduced by 38% compared to the group A (r=0.69, p<0.05). Conclusions: The use of Arcus Digma II and individual articulator settings enable more accurate occlusal scheme design while significantly reducing the intraoral adjustment time in occlusal splint therapy, thus optimizing appointment time.