Sagittal Condylar Guidance in Edentulous Patients

Study Notes

Recording sagittal condylar guidance in edentulous patients is more technique-sensitive and prone to error if methods other than CBCT are used.

There is a statistically significant correlation between sagittal condylar guidance (SCG) angles and age groups, with decreasing SCG angles observed with increasing age.
Specifically, significant correlations were found between the age groups of 30-39 and above 50 years old, and between 40-49 and above 50 years old.

Operator skill and experience, as well as variations in polymerization shrinkage of recording materials, are major limitations of clinical methods.

Radiographical techniques, such as CBCT, can reduce the limitations of clinical methods by relying on stable bone landmarks.
Panoramic radiographs have drawbacks, including difficulties in distinguishing the outline of the articular elevation from the lower border of the zygomatic arch, and overlapping of anatomical structures.
CBCT scans provide 3D images without superimposition, allowing easy identification and distinction of the articular eminence and glenoid fossa from adjacent structures.

CBCT scans offer more accurate and reliable results, with lower radiation exposure, making them a valuable tool in dentistry.
However, CBCT scans are more costly compared to other techniques.

Further studies are needed to determine the predictability of SCG values in edentulous populations using CBCT, simplifying the creation of anticipated occlusal schemes in full-mouth implant rehabilitations and implant-supported over-denture prostheses.