Reliability of Video Image of Occlusal Contacts as a Method of Occlusal Analysis

抄録

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of video images of occlusal contacts (VIO), a method that was developed for occlusal analysis at the intercuspal position.
Materials and Methods : Images were obtained by computer imaging techniques applied to silicone bite records. Photographic images of the occlusal surfaces were displayed with occlusal contacts superimposed on them. Levels of intra- and inter-examiner agreement for detection of occluding teeth were evaluated for VIO, articulating film, shimstock and silicone bite records. Two examiners performed occlusal examinations twice for 20 subjects using the four methods. Percent agreement and Kappa statistics were used for data analysis. The percent agreements were divided into positive (contact) and negative (no contact) agreement in order to evaluate their distribution.
Results : Based on the Kappa statistics, articulating film showed the lowest levels of agreement, and shimstock, silicone bite records and VIO showed approximately equal levels of agreement. From the percent agreements, VIO showed the most unbiased distribution of positive and negative agreements while the other methods tended to show higher proportions of positive agreements.
Conclusion : The VIO and silicone bite methods were as reliable as shimstock for evaluating occlusal contact. Articulating film was the least reliable. The most unbiased distribution of positive and negative agreement was found for VIO, while the other methods exhibited higher proportions of positive agreement.