Mandibular Movement and Gothic Arch Part I Theoretical Background

Abstract

Gothic arch has been modified in various ways and used widely in clinical practice as a method of bite registration and for adjusting condylar paths of an articulator using the check bite since it was deviced by Gysi as a method of recording mandibular movement. Many studies have pointed out that recording paths and tapping points are affected by the way in which a recording device is mounted, positional relationship between recording tables and styli, changes in occlusal dimension, etc. In regard to recording paths and jaw function, it is possible to diagnose condylar displacement by evaluating the arch form and the degree of convergence of tapping points in relation to the apex. The author conducted Gothic arch tracing in 24 edentulous patients before treatment to find that many of them showed a typical tracings with clicking recorded during restuctive movement. Therefore, it seems necessary to use Gothic arch not only as a means of establishing a mandibular position but for the assesment of mandibular function and the examination and diagnosis fo temporomandibular joint status.