[A three-dimensional analysis of measuring occlusal contacts of complete denture].
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to analyze the complete denture occlusal contacts by three-dimensional digital technique.


METHODS
The artificial teeth occlusal surfaces of ten complete dentures were scanned by noncontact laser scanner and were reconstructed by three-dimensional technique. The locations and the numbers of occlusal contacts between the upper and lower full dentures were studied and measured in centric occlusal position, and further compared with the T-Scan system results by paired t test.


RESULTS
(1) The results of occlusal contacts indicated that occlusal contacts were concentrated on molars and premolars and there were only 2 contacts in the area of anterior teeth. (2) There was no significant difference between three-dimensional reconstructive systematic measurement and T-Scan systematic measurement (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
This study verified the reliability of the measurement for occlusal contacts by the three-dimensional digital system, and may lead to a new way for occlusal contacts research. Supported by Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline Project (T0202).
Lu
Er-yi
EY
Department of Prosthetics, School of Stomatology, Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200011, China. lueryi222@yahoo.com.cn
Zhang
Fu-qiang
FQ
Chen
Xiao-jun
XJ
Chen
Jian-jun
JJ
Wang
Cheng-tao
CT
D003766:Dental Occlusion; D003768:Dental Occlusion, Centric; D003824:Denture, Complete; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D007834:Lasers; D008963:Molar; D015203:Reproducibility of Results