Occlusion affects everything dental professionals do. Even the smallest procedures can have an impact on occlusion.
In recent years, popularity of digital dental technology has increased. This has led to the wider use of intraoral scanners, with the hope of improving quality. But this technology may not always produce the desired result.[i]
Achieving the correct occlusion remains a challenge for dentists and technicians. Even small inaccuracies in tooth height, measuring just a few microns, can lead to issues like jaw pain.
It’s vital that clinicians consider the techniques they use to measure occlusion. Because of its impact on treatment outcomes and patient health, accuracy is key.[ii]
Traditional materials vs digital solutions
It’s crucial that clinicians record their patient’s situation accurately to plan treatment. In a profession which is always evolving, it can be easy to get swept along with the latest tech.
Some clinicians have expressed concerns about the use of traditional dental impression materials, including:
Sometimes, this can lead to delays at the dental lab. But they are still a reliable option for recording patients’ dentition in most cases.
Research compared the fidelity, accuracy, and detail reproduction of both conventional impression materials and digital scanning solutions. It found that digital models are similar to conventional ones in most aspects. But, in areas such as grooves and pits, conventional methods produce a more precise outcome.[iv]
With this in mind, clinicians should consider the methods they use to record patients’ dentition before treatment. Inaccuracies and lack of detail may lead to issues when it comes to occlusion.
The use of AI to improve occlusal modelling
At current, digital solutions are unable to accurately depict patients’ dynamic occlusion. This makes it difficult for clinicians to use the software for treatment planning. As such, it is sensible for clinicians to use time-tested conventional impression materials. They are able to pick up small details which an intraoral scanner is likely to miss. This is important for recording the occlusal surfaces. The smallest discrepancy could have big implications for the patient long term.
As technology continues to develop, the possibilities are expanding. Artificial intelligence (AI) is having a big impact on the dental profession. Research suggests that AI could be used to simulate occlusal relationships, identify interferences, and test functional dynamics. This type of technology could aid in prosthetic treatment planning, and optimise function and aesthetics.[v]
While this is promising, there is still a way to go until clinicians can rely on this type of technology. Researchers are uncertain about whether existing AI programs can analyse worn or destroyed dentition.[vi]
Looking to the future
Current digital technologies are not capable of producing accurate models of the dentition for use in guiding and protecting occlusion. But there is hope for the future of dental technology. AI driven technology will be a particularly helpful area of development. It could change the way clinicians work, and enable a full digital workflow.
This technology is likely to become available in the coming years. In the meantime, clinicians should consider whether the technology they adopt is able to deliver the level of accuracy they need.
Stephen Claffey Managing Director of Dental Pathway™ and the Independent Dental Advisory Board™
[i] Sharma A, Rahul GR, Poduval ST, Shetty K, Gupta B, Rajora V. History of materials used for recording static and dynamic occlusal contact marks: a literature review. J Clin Exp Dent. 2013 Feb 1;5(1):e48-53. doi: 10.4317/jced.50680. PMID: 24455051; PMCID: PMC3892230.
[ii] Sharma A, Rahul GR, Poduval ST, Shetty K, Gupta B, Rajora V. History of materials used for recording static and dynamic occlusal contact marks: a literature review. J Clin Exp Dent. 2013 Feb 1;5(1):e48-53. doi: 10.4317/jced.50680. PMID: 24455051; PMCID: PMC3892230.
[iii] DDS Lab. Most common dental impression errors and how to avoid them. Accessed Mar 24. https://blog.ddslab.com/dental-impression-errors-and-how-to-avoid-them
[iv] Carvalho, Thaise Ferreira, et al. “Evaluation of the accuracy of conventional and digital methods of obtaining dental impressions.” Int J Odontostomatol 12.4 (2018): 368-375.
[v] Dhopte A, Bagde H. Smart Smile: Revolutionizing Dentistry With Artificial Intelligence. Cureus. 2023 Jun 30;15(6):e41227. doi: 10.7759/cureus.41227. PMID: 37529520; PMCID: PMC10387377.
[vi] Tabatabaian, Farhad, Siddharth R. Vora, and Shahriar Mirabbasi. “Applications, functions, and accuracy of artificial intelligence in restorative dentistry: A literature review.” Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry 35.6 (2023): 842-859.