Digital diagnostic occlusal equilibration combining an intraoral scanner, optical jaw tracking system, and dental design program: A dental technique

Marta Revilla-León; Jonathan M Zeitler; John C Kois

doi:10.1016/j.prosdent.2023.12.004

Digital diagnostic occlusal equilibration combining an intraoral scanner, optical jaw tracking system, and dental design program: A dental technique

J Prosthet Dent. 2024 Jan 11:S0022-3913(23)00818-1. doi: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2023.12.004. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Marta Revilla-León¹, Jonathan M Zeitler², John C Kois³

Affiliations

¹ Affiliate Assistant Professor, Graduate Prosthodontics, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash; Faculty and Director, Research and Digital Dentistry, Kois Center, Seattle, Wash; and Adjunct Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dental Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, Mass. Electronic address: marta.revilla.leon@gmail.com.
² Director IT, Kois Center, Seattle, Wash.
³ Founder and Director, Kois Center, Seattle, Wash; Affiliate Professor, Graduate Prosthodontics, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash; and Private practice, Seattle, Wash.

PMID: 38216378
DOI: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2023.12.004

Abstract

Patients with aberrant occlusal patterns, including constricted mastication patterns or occlusal dysfunction, may require occlusal equilibration. Conventional diagnostic procedures involve diagnostic stone casts mounted in the articulator. During diagnostic procedures, occlusal equilibration methods are simulated on mounted stone casts to analyze the amount of dental structure that may need to be removed. A technique to virtually simulate an occlusal equilibration procedure is described. Digital data acquisition procedures include diagnostic casts acquired using an intraoral scanner and the repeatable reference position of the mandible or centric relation, excursive movements, and the mastication pattern captured using an optical jaw tracking system. The jaw tracker and dental design programs are used to simulate the occlusal equilibration.