Evaluation of occlusal contacts in the dental laboratory: influence of strip thickness and operator experience.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of recording strip thickness and of operator-dependent factors on the assessment of contact area on a cast mounted on an articulator.


METHODS
Thirteen dental students and 13 experts (dentists and dental technicians) performed occlusal maneuvers on casts mounted on an articulator, using recording strips of 8- and 40-micron thickness. Contact area, force, and time of biting relative to each group of operators using each type of paper were compared.


RESULTS
Both groups obtained significantly greater contact areas with the thicker strip. Students applied significantly stronger but shorter bitings than experts, but obtained smaller contact areas, particularly with the thinner strip. In operators, the extension of contact markings using the 8-micron strip was closely related to the biting time but not to the occlusion force, while neither time nor force of biting had a significant influence when using the 40-micron strip.


CONCLUSIONS
The assessment of occlusal contact in the dental laboratory was significantly influenced by paper thickness, operator experience, biting force, and time. The 40-micron strip was less influenced by operator experience, strength, and duration of biting.
Carossa
S
S
Prosthodontic Department, University of Turin Dental School, Italy.
Lojacono
A
A
Schierano
G
G
Pera
P
P
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001732:Bite Force; D003725:Dental Articulators; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D003800:Dental Technicians; D003815:Dentists; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007574:Jaw Relation Record / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007754:Laboratories, Dental; D016014:Linear Models; D003765:Models, Dental; D010209:Paper; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013335:Students, Dental; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors