Comparative evaluation of condylar inclination in dentulous subjects as determined by two radiographic methods: Orthopantomograph and cone-beam computed tomography – An in vivo study

AIM: The aim of the study was to compare two radiographic techniques, orthopantomograph (OPG), and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in determining the sagittal condylar guidance (SCG) and to find out if CBCT can serve as an alternative aid to program semi-adjustable and fully adjustable articulators. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 40 individuals (20 males and 20 females) aged between 20 and 40 years were selected. An OPG and a CBCT radiograph were obtained for each individual. Using appropriate software, the SCG was measured for both the sides, for both the radiographic methods. The values for each individual were obtained by two investigators for both the methods using the respective software and the average value was taken. After performing the Shapiro–Wilk test, paired t-test was used to compare the mean difference pairwise (for both right and left side) while t-test was used to compare the mean difference between two groups. RESULTS: Results showed that the right and left SCG values obtained from both, OPG and CBCT methods were comparable and there were no significant differences. Statistically significant difference was not found between the left and ride side condylar inclination values for both the sex obtained from both the methods. With increasing age, condylar inclination values obtained from both the radiographic methods tend to decrease. The values for SCG obtained from both the methods (CBCT and OPG) are thus comparable and correlated. CONCLUSION: The values for SCG obtained from both the methods (CBCT and OPG) are comparable and correlated. Thus, CBCT being a better radiographic technique can be used for obtaining the condylar inclination for programming the semi-adjustable and fully adjustable dental articulators.