title: Comparison of a conventional and virtual occlusal record.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Conventional methods associated with many processes in dentistry are being replaced by methods that use digital technology. One of these processes is the making of occlusal records for the positioning of casts in a virtual articulator. Conventional interocclusal records and the articulator are being replaced by the virtual occlusal record and the virtual articulator.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to validate a virtual procedure to locate the mandibular cast in a 3-dimensional (3D) spatial position and to verify the occlusal contact points in reference to the corresponding maxillary cast on a virtual articulator.
  
  
  METHODS
  The conventional procedure was carried out by locating 6 sets of casts in maximal intercuspal position without any interocclusal record. Then, the occlusal contacts were determined with articulating paper. Subsequently, the occlusal relationships and stone cast were digitized with a 3D scanner. The occlusal contacts were compared with photographs and by superimposing these on screenshots of the software. Finally, the deviation of discrete points on the mandibular cast was calculated, and all the points of the occlusal surface were compared point by point.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study analyzed the main variables of the virtual occlusal record by using 3 current reverse engineering software packages. The results show a mean deviation of 0.069 mm from the virtual occlusion procedure and a mean standard deviation of 0.011 mm from all the points of the occlusal surface.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The main conclusion of this study was that the accuracy provided by a virtual occlusion procedure is greater than that of the traditional physical interocclusal record. Additionally, knowing the deviation of each alignment (best-fit operation or algorithm) is useful.
authors: Researcher, Department of Graphic Design and Engineering Projects, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Bilboa, Spain. Electronic address: eneko.solaberrieta@ehu.eus.
authors: Eneko
authors: E
authors: Solaberrieta
authors: Researcher, Department of Graphic Design and Engineering Projects, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Bilboa, Spain.
authors: Jose Ramon
authors: JR
authors: Otegi
authors: Researcher, Department of Graphic Design and Engineering Projects, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Bilboa, Spain.
authors: Nestor
authors: N
authors: Goicoechea
authors: Professor and Associate Dean, Department of Prosthodontics and Occlusion, Faculty of Odontology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Bilboa, Spain.
authors: Aritza
authors: A
authors: Brizuela
authors: Professor and Associate Dean, Department of Buccofacial Prostheses, Faculty of Odontology, University Complutense of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Guillermo
authors: G
authors: Pradies
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003725:Dental Articulators; D003768:Dental Occlusion, Centric; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007574:Jaw Relation Record / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008437:Maxilla / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003765:Models, Dental; D061848:Optical Imaging / Q000379:methods; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012984:Software; D014584:User-Computer Interface