Assessment of Sagittal Condylar Guidance with Protrusive Inter-occlusal Method, Panoramic Radiographs, and Lateral Cephalogram: A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: Condylar guidance can be determined using the clinical and radiographic methods. The present study was conducted to determine condylar guidance using the protrusive interocclusal wax method, panoramic radiographs, and lateral cephalogram. AIMS: The aim of the study was to compare the correlation between sagittal condylar guidance with protrusive interocclusal method, panoramic radiographs, and lateral cephalogram. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was conducted on 82 dentulous subjects (males 41, females 41). In all subjects, interocclusal registration values and condylar guidance values were measured using panoramic radiographs and lateral cephalograms. RESULTS: The mean +/- SD protrusive interocclusal registration value on the left side was 34.01 +/- 1.2 mm and 34.08 +/- 1.4 mm on the right side. The panoramic radiographs showed 35.12 +/- 1.6 mm on the left side and 35.16 +/- 1.7 mm on the right side. The mean +/- SD protrusive interocclusal registration values on the left side was 34.01 +/- 1.2 mm on the left side and 34.08 +/- 1.4 mm on the right side. Lateral cephalogram showed 34.35 +/- 1.3 mm on the left side and 34.67 +/- 1.6 mm on the right side. There was a significant difference between the methods (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Sagittal condylar guidance can be evaluated using protrusive interocclusal method. Along with it, other methods such as panoramic radiographs and lateral cephalogram may also be used for recording condylar guidance. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Lateral cephalogram and panoramic radiographs may be reliable in determining condylar guidance, which can be used in orthodontic treatment planning.