A CONDYLOGRAPHIC STUDY OF VARIATIONS OF THE BENNETT ANGLE AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN NATURAL TEETH- AND IMPLANT-SUPPORTED RESTORATIONS

Abstract

Aim of the study The aim of this study was to evaluate the exact patient-specific values of the Bennett angle in a real-life setting, in a large group of patients, in order to compare the values obtained with an accurate measuring device to the average values used in dental practice. Material and methods We have performed a cross-sectional study to measure the Bennett angle in consecutive Romanian patients requiring prosthetic treatments, using a digital condylograph (KaVo ARCUSDigma). Results The study group included a total number of 140 patients, of which 40 (28.6%) were males. The median age was 42 years old (IQR: 36.3, 51 years) The median Bennett angle value was 6.7 degrees (IQR: 4.0, 12.5 degrees; range: 0, 30 degrees) overall, calculated from a total of 242 valid measurements. Bennett angle values were not statistically significantly associated with patient age (rs=0.117, p=0.291) or skeletal class (p=0.314) Conclusions The data generated from the current study highlight the importance of measuring the Bennett angle in each patient requiring extensive prosthetic rehabilitation, as patient specific measurements can be very different from the average values described in literature.

Keywords

• bennett angle
• tmj
• laterotrusion
• oral rehabilitation
• condylography