Comparison of settling of occlusion in modified and full coverage thermoplastic retainers using T-scan

INTRODUCTION

Orthodontic treatment of any malocclusion aims at achieving ideal tooth alignment, functional and esthetic occlusion, and stability at the end of active treatment. After orthodontic correction, aligned teeth have an inherent potential to change their position, which may be due to the influence of periodontal and gingival tissues, unstable positions of teeth, and continued skeletal growth pattern. Therefore, retention devices are necessary to maintain the arch form, keep the teeth in their ideal static and functional positions, and minimize relapse.^[1,2]

The most important feature of occlusal stability is the presence of occlusal contacts (centric stops) on the functional cusps which affect the health of the stomatognathic system. “Ideally located contacts” and centric occlusion contacts help in vertically directed forces parallel to the long axes of the teeth and minimize the stress distribution on the periodontium.^[3] Settling allows relative movements of posterior teeth in the vertical direction and increases the number of occlusal contacts during the retention phase and the choice of retention appliance may affect settling.^[2-5] Functional occlusal contacts and intercuspation are the keys to a stable orthodontic treatment.^[6]

The most frequently used retention appliance for over a century, is the Hawley retainer introduced by Hawley in 1919.^[7] Nevertheless, due to growing esthetic demands, especially among adults, patients want no visibility of wires during the retention phase. To overcome the obstacle, an invisible retainer, is now widely used, which is also referred to as Vacuum-formed retainer, clear overlay retainer, and Essix retainer.^[8] These retainers are thin but strong, easy to fabricate, esthetic, comfortable, inexpensive, and easy to clean, and hence have a high level of patient acceptance. Their major disadvantage is the tendency to open the bite due to occlusal coverage.^[9]

Previous studies indicate improvement in occlusion and an increase in the number of occlusal contacts during the retention period, with the use of Hawley retainers, tooth positioners, and fixed retention appliances due to settling,^[10-15] but not with thermoplastic overlay retainers.^[2] To overcome this limitation, a modified thermoplastic retainer (partial coverage thermoplastic retainer) was fabricated without posterior occlusal coverage with the primary objective of improving settling.^[16]

There are various non-digital methods for assessing occlusal relations based on the clinician’s subjective interpretation of the marking indicator used, combined with the patient’s verbal “feel” feedback.^[17] Commonly used indicators are articulating papers, Shimstock foils, impression waxes, and silicone impressions; but none of these can objectively and accurately quantify the amount of occlusal force (OcFr) or the sequence of contacts that occur during various functional jaw movements.

A recent advancement includes a digital occlusal analysis system (T-Scan III, Version 7, Tekscan, Inc.S.Boston, MA, USA) that records and displays a real-time dynamic recording of the patient’s closure from initial contact into complete intercuspation (maximum intercuspation [MIP])^[18] during which the patient occludes on a compressible, electronically charged, mylar-encased 100 micron-thick high definition recording sensor.

In our study, one of the main objectives was to evaluate and compare the settling efficiency between conventional and modified thermoplastic retainers by measuring occlusal bite force levels using the T-Scan system.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

OcFr measuring device

The T-Scan III (Tekscan, Inc., S. Boston, MA, USA) is an intra-oral occlusal analysis system that records and quantifies the contact force distribution in real-time continuously from initial contact till MIP during closure. Its components include a sensor and support, a handle assembly, the system unit, computer software, and a printer [Figure 1].

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Figure 1:

T-Scan connected to a laptop.

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The sensor is the key component made of two layers of conductive grid encased within two layers of pressure-sensitive Mylar foil and is available in small and large sizes for easy adaptation to the arch dimension. It sends information regarding the real-time occlusal contact area and force distribution to the accompanying Windows-based software package. This information can be viewed in two and three dimensions [Figure 2] or as a continuous force “movie” of the entire recorded occlusal contact event. The sensor supports also available in small and large sizes is used to hold the sensor and is attached through a latch system to the recording handle which is connected to the computer with a USB interface.

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Figure 2:

Two and three-dimensional view of T-Scan result.

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Retainer fabrication

The thermoplastic retainers were fabricated using copolyester Essix sheets of 1 mm thickness. The modified retainer was designed by eliminating the occlusal and half of the lingual and facial surfaces [Figure 3]. They were given to the patient the same day as the fixed appliance was debonded after occlusal analysis.

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Figure 3:

Modified thermoplastic retainer by eliminating occlusal surface of the posterior teeth.

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RESULTS

The CV of bite force% values calculated using three consecutive recordings was 0.7500 (SE 0.0797; 95% CI [0.5831–0.9169]) suggestive of high reproducibility of T-Scan [Table 1].

Occlusal settling patterns assessed using the T-Scan III system between the two groups before and after 6 months of retention are depicted in [Figures 4 and 5].

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Figure 4:

Occlusal pattern seen in conventional retainer group (a) at T0 and (b) at T6 depicting no significant improvement in the occlusal bite force levels.

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Figure 5:

Occlusal pattern seen in modified retainer group (a) at T0 and (b) at T6 depicting significant improvement and even distribution of occlusal bite forces among the posterior teeth.

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[Tables 2 and 3] depicts the intra-group analysis of the conventional and modified thermoplastic retainer groups respectively. Bite force values in the modified group in posterior left, posterior right, and at centric maximum were (29.66 ± 21.84% [median = 37.45, IQR = 5.8–48.5]), (39.63 ± 16.77% [median = 37.7, IQR = 20.5–52.5]), and (71.17 ± 18.32% [median = 70, IQR = 66.7–100]) at T0, and (40.51 ± 11.93% [median = 42.5, IQR = 30.4–45.2]), (50.34% ± 10.29% [median = 51.7, IQR = 40.4–53.4]), and (91.46% ± 13.74% [100, 50–100]) at T6 respectively. There was a significant increase in bite force levels in the modified group at T6 in centric occlusion with P < 0.05.

Intergroup analysis shown in [Table 4] revealed a significant improvement in the posterior left region, and centric maximum, (P < 0.05) with the modified thermoplastic retainer group [Figures 6 and 7]. Clinical intra-oral photograhs before and after retainer use are depicted in Figures 8 and 9.

DISCUSSION

Occlusion achieved at the end of orthodontic treatment is one of the important factors related to the health of the temperomandibular joint and masticatory muscles^[19] and is directly related to the stability of orthodontic treatment.^[3] Occlusal stability is important not only for static occlusion but also for functional occlusion. Changes in occlusal contacts can be seen immediately after removal of the fixed appliance due to post-treatment settling, or over years after retention.^[13-15] Evaluation of occlusion after orthodontic treatment is not a routine procedure, however, assessing the location and number of contacts after treatment are helpful predictors of occlusal stability to avoid relapse in the future.^[13]

An occlusal contact or area can be defined by its shape, size, and position, irrespective of whether it makes an occlusal or near-occlusal contact with opposite teeth.^[17] Traditional methods for evaluating occlusal contacts include measurement using millimeter ruler, articulating paper or occlusal wax, silicone impressions, and mapping with an occlusal sketch, photographs, or study models.^[20] Gazit and Liberman, 1989,^[21] used photocclusion technique, and Durbin and Sadowsky,1986,^[10] used polyether rubber impression material to evaluate occlusal contact changes and showed an increase by 56% in 1 year and 1.26% in 3 months, respectively. However, their sensitivity and reliability are susceptible to inaccurate results due to the thickness, strength, physical properties, and elasticity of the materials used in the oral environment.^[22] Saraçoğlu and Özpinar,^[23] suggested that using articulating paper showed that the sensitivity of the paper is often affected by saliva, due to which shows false-positive results, and it does not measure the force with which teeth occlude.

Examining changes in OcFr is one of the methods for assessing occlusal and jaw function and is related to craniofacial morphology.^[24] To date, there are no studies evaluating bite force after active orthodontic treatment. This study was undertaken to evaluate the changes in occlusal bite forces during the retention phase using the T-Scan system.

At present, computer-aided determination of occlusal parameters using pressure-sensitive films is used. Varga et al., 2017^[25] developed the prototype of the T Scan system, and in the past 25 years has undergone multiple revisions of hardware, sensor, and software to come up with the latest version of the T-Scam III system. In the present study, T Scan III is preferred because it gives both two-dimensional and three-dimensional force values, force percentage per tooth/arch or half/quadrants, and consistently measures OcFrs in a highly repeatable fashion when compared to the highly subjective method of “judging” paper mark size appearance characteristics.^[26]

It allows fast and accurate analysis and registration of the occlusal-articulation system, and better visualization of the dental arches making them much more superior than other methods^[27], and is an ideal tool for chair-side assessment of occlusion.^[18] The measured T-Scan forces are displayed as relative values instead of absolute values since the change in muscular forces would affect the force values between different intercuspations resulting in highly variable results.

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Figure 6:

Box-and-whisker plot for improvement in bite force at centric maximum.

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Figure 7:

Box-and-whisker plot for improvement in bite force at centric occlusion.

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The ideal retainer should achieve three-dimensional control of teeth while allowing settling in horizontal and vertical directions within safe margins and preventing the tendency of relapse.^[2] Duration of retainer wear is based on the patient’s age, growth pattern, type, the severity of malocclusion, habits, and other etiologic factors, mechanics used, and the clinical experience of the orthodontist. The most frequently used retainers are Hawley, vacuum formed and fixed bonded retainers. Thermoplastic retainers first introduced by Ponitz,^[8] are preferred more by practitioners due to their ease of fabrication chairside, minimal or no adjustment on delivery, and better acceptability by patients as an esthetic retention device. The disadvantage of plasticized retainer is the occlusal coverage which interferes in occlusion leading to posterior open bite, TMJ pain, and non-settling of occlusion. Muscle recovery is longer due to uncertainty in biting while wearing the thermoplastic retainer.^[28] However, improvement in posterior occlusion can be seen in post retention phase after the withdrawal of the retainer.^[29] The present study showed no improvement in occlusal contacts, and hence no increase in bite force level after 6 months of retention with conventional full-coverage thermoplastic retainer following Dincer and Aslan, 2009^[29] and Sauget et al.,1997.^[2]

OcFr is used for the assessment of jaw functions and is related to craniofacial morphology.^[24] Sultana et al., 2002^[4] evaluated OcFr and occlusal area (OcAr) using pressure-sensitive sheets and showed a significant increase in OcFr and OcAr after 1 year of retention with upper wrap-around and lower bonded retainer (P < 0.0001). This is due to the improved interdigitation of the teeth after debonding and the teeth are allowed to settle during the retention phase with begg retainer. Hence, we evaluated occlusal settling and the changes in OcFrs with thermoplastic clear retainers by eliminating the occlusal coverage in the posterior teeth region.

Modification in thermoplastic retainer by providing a relief in the occlusal surfaces of premolars and canine to aid in settling was first proposed by Theroux in 2003.^[30] Following the study by Aslan,^[27] the modified group in the current study showed a significant improvement in bite force at centric occlusion after 6 months of retention (P < 0.05). The molars which are discluded during active orthodontic treatment, settle after the removal of orthodontic bands due to remodeling of gingival and periodontal fibers, and continuous vertical eruption over the life of the tooth.^[31] Hence, the bite force values at maximum centric occlusion in the present study were significantly increased in the molar region, especially first molars, in the modified group (P < 0.01).

Wearing retainers for at least 1 year after active orthodontic treatment, as suggested by many authors, is the most accepted retention protocol for removable appliances.^[32] Reitan,^[31] suggested that the reorganization of periodontal fibers occurs over 3–4 months while the remodeling of the gingival fibers takes 4–6 months after active orthodontic treatment; the supracrestal elastic fibers remain stretched for more than 232 days. Hence, a retention period of 6 months should be an ideal period for settling occlusion and varies depending on the malocclusion and treatment mechanics.

On evaluating OcFrs in different regions at centric occlusion, there was no significant increase in the anterior, posterior right, and posterior left region in the conventional group, and in the anterior region in the modified group. The complete occlusal and incisal coverage in the conventional group and partial incisal coverage in the modified group inhibits the freedom of physiologic movement of teeth, and hence there is reduced vertical settling of occlusion. Finishing orthodontic treatment with a proper cusp fossa relation in the posteriors, and lower incisal edge directly below the center of the cingulum plateau of the maxillary incisor helps in achieving a stable static and functional occlusion.^[33]

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Figure 8:

Visual examination of no significant changes in occlusion with conventional retainer wear at T0 and T6.

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Figure 9:

Visual examination of settling in occlusion with modified retainer wear at T0 and T6.

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Neurophysiologists state that a relationship exists between the dominance of certain body functions and brain laterality.^[34] Barcellos et al., 2012^[35] and Martinez-Gomis et al., 2009^[36] have reported that the chewing side preference is related to lateralities such as handedness, footedness, eyedness, and earedness. Although bilateral balanced mastication is effective for efficient deglutition,^[37] Ferrario, 2000^[38] reported that healthy individuals prefer one side for chewing and generate higher muscular activity on the preferred side. In the present study, although there was an improvement in the left and right posterior regions after 6 months in the modified group, the significant increase in the left posterior region (P = 0.001) could be attributed to the preferential unilateral chewing pattern due to dominance of hemispheric laterality.^[39]

The increase in occlusal contacts and OcFrs in the current study for a retention period of 6 months was seen with the modified thermoplastic retainer. This was due to the partial coverage of the retainer which led to the substantial improvement in the vertical settling of occlusion.

CONCLUSION

• Improvement in vertical settling, and hence, OcFrs can be seen with partial coverage thermoplastic retainers compared with full coverage retainers

• An increase in bite force levels was more pronounced in the posterior region and least evident in the anterior region

• Bite force levels at maximum centric occlusion improved in the posterior teeth, especially near the first molar region

• The left posterior dentition showed more OcFr values compared to the right posterior dentition at centric occlusion.