KUMJ | VOL. 12 | NO. 1 | ISSUE 45 | JAN-MAR, 2014
Pattern of Occlusal Contacts in Lateral Excursions (Canine Protection or Group Function)
Sapkota B, Gupta A
Abstract: Background
Establishing or providing occlusion that successfully permits efficient masticatory
function is basic to dentistry. To maintain harmony of the occlusal condition, the
posterior teeth must pass close to but not contact their opposing teeth during
mandibular movement. Anterior guidance is essential to a harmonious functional
relationship in the masticatory system.
Objective
The objective of this study was to find out the frequency of pattern of occlusal
contacts in lateral position and to compare the accuracy of shim-stock and
articulating paper.
Method
This study was conducted in the Department of Prosthodontics, Kathmandu
University School of Medical Sciences. The study consisted of 80 healthy subjects
between the age group of 18-30 years. They were selected randomly from
undergraduate students and dental hygienist of college of dental science and
written consent was taken. This age was selected because of minimal occlusal wear.
Results
In the present study with 80 participants the majority of the contact patterns with
shimstock on the working side were group function( 84%), the canine protected
occlusal patterns were found to be 12% and the unclassifiable pattern were found
to be 4%. On the otherhand, the data with articulating paper were group function
type (94%), the canine protected occlusal patterns as 2.5% and the unclassifiable
pattern were found to be 3.5%.
In this study, with shim stock, the majority of the contact patterns were group
function being 84% whereas with the articulating paper it was 94%. When shim
stock occlusal strip (12 μm thick) was compared to commonly used articulating
paper (40 μm), the excessive thickness of articulating paper that exceed the
maximum recommended thickness of occlusal recording strips markedly must have
given much more false contacts.
Conclusion
It was concluded that the majority of the contact pattern were group function
being 84% with shim stock and 94% with articulating paper. Also shim stock exhibits
superior accuracy and reliability.
Keyword : Canine guided, GPT, group function, nonworking side, unclassified pattern, working side.
