ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: When performing an occlusal procedure, it is recommended that the patient should be sitting straight with the head in a natural position. An inappropriate mandibular position caused by an incorrect occlusal record registration or occlusal adjustment can result in damaged teeth and cause functional disorders in muscles and temporomandibular joints. The purpose of this study was to clarify the influence of horizontal cephalic rotation on mandibular position by investigating the three-dimensional positions of condylar and incisal points. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A three-dimensional jaw movement measurement device with six degrees of freedom (the WinJaw System) was used to measure condylar and incisal points. The subjects were asked to sit straight with the head in a natural position. The subjects were then instructed to rotate their head horizontally 0°, 10°, 20°, 30°, 40°, 50°and 60° in the right or left direction. RESULTS: The results indicated that horizontal cephalic rotation made the condyle on the rotating side shift forward, downward, and toward the inside, and the condyle on the counter rotating side shift backward, upward, and toward the outside. Significant differences in deviations were found for angles of rotation higher than 20°. The incisal point shifted in the forward and counterrotating directions, and significant differences were found for angles of rotation higher than 20°. CONCLUSION: The mandibular position was altered by horizontal cephalic rotations of more than 20°. It is essential to consider the possibility of deviation of the mandibular position during occlusal procedures.