Comparison of condylar guidance angulations obtained from protrusive records and orthopantomogram in edentulous subjects –An in vivo study

For a treatment to be successful, prosthesis has to be in occlusal harmony with the patient’s stomatognathic system. In edentulous subjects the articulator is programmed according to the patient’s condylar guidance to simulate the mandibular movements thereby developing an occlusion in harmony with health and function of the stomatognathic system. Occlusal interference may not avoided if the condylar guidance is not recorded accurately during mandibular movements. The most essential consideration in the oral rehabilitation of any patient is the inclination of the condylar path. Condylar path is the path traversed by the condyle in relation to the articular eminence when the mandible is moved either protrusively or laterally from centric relation. Condylar guidance is the mechanical form located in the upper posterior region of an articulator that controls movement of its mobile member. The purpose of protrusive jaw relation is to set the condylar elements of the articulator so that they will reproduce inclinations, which are similar or comparable to that of the patient's temporomandibular articulation. The use of supplementary aids such as imaging may help in resolving the problems and establish accurate registration of sagittal condylar guidance. The outline of the articular eminence and the glenoid fossa of the temporal bone has been evaluated on panoramic radiographs and proposed to be of valuable aid in setting the condylar guidance in semi-adjustable articulators. This study was done to evaluate the two techniques for recording and determining condylar guidance angulations