A Study to Check Correlation between Panoramic Radiographic Image and Protrusive Inter-Occlusal Record in Male and Female Dentulous Patients for Depicting Condylar Guidance Angle: A Pilot Study

Purpose: To study and compare the sagittal condylar angles set on a Hanau articulator using intra-oral protrusive records to angles found using a panoramic radiographic image in male and female dentulous patients.

Materials and Methods: A total of 20 subjects (10 male and 10 female) Aged between 21 to 30 years, free of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorders and with intact dentition were selected. Impressions were made using irreversible hydrocolloid and all dental stone casts (type- III), were mounted on a Hanau articulator using a spring bow type of face bow. For all patients, the protrusive records were made with polyether bite registration paste when the mandible was moved forward by approximately 4- 6 mm, using compound jig. All procedures for recording, mounting, and setting were done on the same day and the obtained condylar guidance angles were tabulated.

A panoramic radiographic image of each patient was made with the Frankfurt horizontal plane parallel to the floor of the mouth and the horizontal reference lines were marked by joining the orbitale and porion after tracings of the radiographic images. The most superior and most inferior points of the curvatures were identified. These two points were connected by a straight line representing the mean curvature line and the Angles made by the intersection of the mean curvature line and the horizontal reference lines were then measured. The results were subjected to statistical analysis using Independent Student’s t-Test, ANOVA.

Results: values obtained, using panographic method were on average 5.51º greater than the values obtained by protrusive interocclusal record method. The mean condylar guidance angles between the right and left side using both the methods were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that the protrusive condylar guidance angles obtained by panoramic radiograph may be used for the programming of semi-adjustable articulators.