Reliability and responsiveness of measurements of the center of force of occlusion obtained with an occlusal examination device

Abstract

We investigated the reliability and responsiveness of measurements of the center of force (COF) of occlusion obtained with the T-Scan II occlusal examination device. The subjects were twelve males with healthy, complete dentition. We measured the coordinates of the COF at the five levels for 25, 50, 75, 90, and 100% maximum voluntary contraction with and without silicone core fixation of sensor support to the maxillary dental arch. Reliability of the COF measurements was estimated by the single-factor repeated measures analysis of variance, the standard error of measurement, and the intraclass correlation coefficient. Responsiveness of the COF was evaluated by Guyatte's responsiveness index.
     The reliability for same-day measurements was greater than that for different-day measurements. In the same-day measurements, the reliability with the silicone core fixation was greater than that without silicone core. For different-day measurements, the reliability for all clenching levels was essentially the same. The responsiveness for the lateral direction of COF measurements with silicone core fixation was greater than that without the silicone core.
     We found good reliability and responsiveness for the COF measurements when the apparatus was fixed to the maxillary dental arch using a silicone core.