A Study on 3-dimensional Condylar Movements in Lateral Mandibular Movements

Part 1. A New Condylar Reference Point for Analysis of Lateral Mandibular Movements

Abstract

We researched the point on kinematic axis which had a minimal range of motion in lateral excursive movements. We called that lateral condylar reference point (LCR point).
We studied the range of motion, the relative position to the arbitrary point and to the morphological center of the condyle of the following 4 points: kinematic axis point, hinge axis point, cross point and LCR point.
1. The range of motion of the LCR point was 0.47mm (anteroposterior), 0.79mm (lateral), 0.74mm (vertical) and 0.90mm (3-D).
It was the smallest among the 4 points.
2. The LCR point was located 1.31mm medial to the morphological center of the condyle.
3. The LCR point was located 3.62mm anteriorly, 24.18mm medially and 4.57mm superiorly to the arbitrary point. Therefore, the LCR point is a suitable analysing point on the condyle in lateral mandibular movements.