Occlusal Diagnosis Using the K-6 Diagnostic System

Abstract

It cannot be said that all patients possess ideal gnathostomatic systems. In order to diagnosis diseases of the gnathostomatic system it is necessary to have data relating to maxillary and mandibular occlusion, cusps, the form and function of the disk assembly, and activity of the muscles of mastication. Using an articulator to determine cuspal interferences during centric relation and in eccentric positions is an effective method for examining the occlusal relationship of the maxillary and mandibular dentitions. In addition, TMJ radiography can be used to examine the positional relationship of the temporomandibular joint capsule. However, it is difficult to functionally examine the disturbances which originate from such things as occlusion of the maxillary and mandibular dentition, the position of the cusps, morphology, and the state of activity of the muscles. Special examination devices are needed to accomplish this.
The authors are using the K-6 Diagnostic System and the EM-II Electromyograph to accomplish this goal. The K-6 System is the same type as the old model K-5. It analyzes mandibular motion of the incisal point using computers from the American companies Myotronics and Apple. Furthermore, when used in combination with the EM-II it is an especially effective diagnostic system for examining disturbances in mandibular motion and functional insufficiencies in muscles since it can record data while at the same time relating muscular activity to mandibular motion during functional movements. This paper describes the construction and use of the K-6 Diagnostic System and the EM-II Electromyograph.