Estudio de la dinámica mandibular en un articulador dental virtual individualizable

Abstract

Statement of problem. Currently, dental articulators can recreate mandibular movements and occlusal contacts in a patient’s absence. Can virtual articulators also provide information about occluding dental surfaces, functional movements and the mandibular condyles? Purpose. This study aims to perform a mechanical study of occluding surfaces on patient dental casts and approximating them to a hemispherical contact models. Both models are tested through the digitization of the Dentatus ARL dental articulator. Material and methods. Using finite element analysis, action vectors to the forces on occluding surfaces and condyles are obtained. This experiment was performed using centric occlusion and 3 different condylar inclinations (CI). Results. The results demonstrate the unique characterization of action vectors for the studied patient, the behavior of the oral system with the hemispherical model and CI independence of the patient on centric occlusion. Conclusions. This work provides user-friendly graphical information that may assist the dental professional in determining which occlusal contacts should be preferentially modified in order to attain condylar and centric occlusion balance.