title: [Logic and myth of tooth morphology].
abstract: Measuring 32 selected maxillary dental casts in all dimensions with the aid of a laser scanner, we obtained 3-dimensional coordinates in a standardized coordinate system. Vertical-sagittal cuts were simulated to extract data of the protrusive curvatures. In this way, the original measuring data were available for analysis. It was the purpose of this study to verify two statements of Kubein-Meesenburg's theory. One is that all protrusive curvatures of one individual are identical, the other that there is an individual-specific parameter a which, when inserted in the equation of the katenate, yields a description of these identical protrusive curvatures. Two different methods of approximation were designed, one optical/graphic method, the other according to strict mathematical criteria of analysis. Both provided different results. In interpreting this discrepancy of results, we found that the reason is associated with the way of handling the so-called third dimension, a sum of mathematical criteria that is necessarily involved in approximating the curvatures. Based on strictly mathematical modes of analysis we feel compelled to deny the identity of the protrusive curvatures in any one individual and the existence of the proposed individual-specific parameter a.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Fuchs
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Gerhard-Zimmermann
mesh_terms: D003724:Dental Arch / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008437:Maxilla; D008954:Models, Biological; D003765:Models, Dental; D009811:Odontometry / Q000379:methods
vernacular_title: Logik und Mystik der Zahnmorphologie.