Comparison of condylar positions in centric relation and centric occlusion in pre-treatment malocclusion cases

ABSTRACT

To compare the centric relation-centric occlusion discrepancy in Angle's class II and class III with Angle's class I malocclusion cases in sagittal [antero-posterior] plane as determined by the difference in the overjet. Comparative; cross-sectional study Orthodontic Outpatient Department, Karachi Medical and Dental College, from June 2003- August 2004. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the Angle's classification. Leaf gauges were employed for muscle deprogramming. Bimanual manipulation technique was used to guide the mandible in to centric relation. Softened red modeling wax was used to obtain the centric bite registration. The study casts were trimmed in centric relation using bite registration. Overjet was recorded in centric relation and centric occlusion by dial caliper on casts. The overjet values for centric relation-centric occlusion discrepancy were highly significant for Angle's class II [pvalue 0.002] and Angle's class III [p-value 0.005] when compared with Angle's class I malocclusion. Centric relation-centric occlusion discrepancy can occur in any dental class regardless of age and gender. However, especial emphasis should be given to Angle's class II and III [with functional shift] cases when evaluating any orthodontic patient