Occlusal Harmony of Hand Articulated Digitally Mastered Definitive Casts Mounted in Maximal Intercuspal Position

Abstract

Digital acquisition of a patient’s oral anatomy has the potential to improve the accuracy of dental restorations. The iTero intraoral scanner is emerging as a popular system in clinical practice, however the accuracy of the digitally mastered (DM) casts acquired with this system has not been evaluated.

In this study, 20 scans were acquired of a simulated patient producing 10 pairs digitally mastered (DM) definitive casts. The occlusal differences between DM casts and SP were evaluated by comparing the differences in areas of actual contact and near contact.

The DM casts were significantly different in both areas of actual contact and near contact compared to the simulated patient (p < 0.001). The null hypothesis of no detectable occlusal differences was rejected.

It is postulated final restorations fabricated on these DM casts may require adjustments upon delivery to attain occlusal harmony.