Elite system: recording of condylar movements using a modified computerized technique.
BACKGROUND
The aim was to develop a method to measure condylar movements using a computerized system. The Elite system is a computerized device for the graphic recording of mandibular movements by processing images of marks recorded with two video cameras. The Elite system has traditionally been used to measure mandibular movements; it was modified to record condylar movements as well.


METHODS
The position of the markers was altered to enable 3-D recording not only of mandibular movements but also of condylar movements. New software was developed. Ten subjects (young adults; good complete dentition; no temporo-mandibular disorders; no orthodontic treatment) underwent recording with traditional and then with modified Elite system. The subjects were asked to perform the following movements: maximum opening and closing; protrusive and retrusive movements; border movements on the frontal plane. The sequence of movements was repeated three times on three different days. Data processing was effected using the Spline-smoothing method.


RESULTS
The modified Elite system technique records condylar movements with extreme reliability, reproducibility and the resulting graphics are comparable.


CONCLUSIONS
This method provides the chance to obtain more information about condylar movements in healthy subjects with good dentition, but also in patients with joint dysfunction.
Pera
P
P
Prosthodontic Department, University of Genova.
Bassi
F
F
Bevilacqua
M
M
D000328:Adult; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007574:Jaw Relation Record; D008311:Malocclusion, Angle Class I; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results