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This study assessed the accuracy of an electronic hinge axis tracing device (Cadiax compact) in measuring the horizontal condylar inclination (HCI) and the Bennett angle. The hinge axis movements were simulated with an articulator to which the hinge axis tracer was attached. On the articulator the pre-set HCI values were 20 degrees, 40 degrees and 60 degrees, the pre-set Bennett angles were 0 degrees, 5 degrees, 10 degrees, 15 degrees, 20 degrees. The maximum measuring errors ranged from 0 to 3.4 degrees (in average 1.2 degrees ) and yielded statistically significant differences between articulator setting and Cadiax compact measurement (P < 0.05) except the HCI of 40 degrees and the Bennett angle of 0 degrees. Because of the small range of the maximum measuring error the Cadiax compact represented reasonable accuracy for clinical application in anterior guidance restorations.

The closing pathway of masticatory movement in the vicinity of the intercuspal position (ICP) is considered as a functional movement in reconstructing the occlusal guidance. The purpose of this study was to examine a correlation between elevator muscle activity and direction of the closing pathway in the vicinity of the ICP during mastication. Fifty subjects (18 male and 32 female subjects aged from 21 to 34 years) were selected randomly from the students of the Kanagawa Dental College. The measurements of jaw movement during mastication were recorded using a Sirognathograph instrument and surface electromyography (EMG) of the anterior temporalis and masseter muscles simultaneously. The muscle activity and the direction of the closing pathway were calculated on the working and non-working sides during unilateral chewing and analysed at the sections of ICP-2 mm and 2-4 mm in sagittal view. The direction of the closing pathway was expressed by the angle to a vertical reference axis. The direction of the closing pathway correlated significantly with the activity of the anterior temporalis muscles on the non-working side and the masseter muscles on the working side at ICP-2 mm. From the results of this study, it was suggested that the elevator muscle activity may be associated with the direction of the closing pathway during mastication.

This study compared the mandibular position at chin-point guided jaw closure, intercuspation and final deglutition (position at the end of swallowing) in 159 asymptomatic subjects and 142 subjects with symptoms in the craniomandibular system. The symptomatic subjects were assigned to four groups showing an adapted centric posture, pain, luxation with reduction of the temporomandibular joint and pain with luxation and reduction. Computer equipment aided recording of hinge axis movements in three dimensions. While the three positions differed significantly in anterior-posterior direction on both sides and in inferior-superior direction on the right, a significant difference between asymptomatic and symptomatic subjects existed only in final deglutition on the left side and in the anterior-posterior location of the guided closure. Final deglutition did not coincide with the guided closure or the intercuspation in approximately 89%. A proportionally large standard deviation gave evidence against a strict relationship of the three positions in asymptomatic and symptomatic subjects. Because of this variability, final deglutition was not recommended for verification of centric relation or the intercuspal position.