Vol. 11, Issue 3, Part B (2025)

Background: Precise recording of sagittal condylar guidance (SCG) plays a pivotal role in successful prosthodontic rehabilitation, particularly in the fabrication of complete dentures using semi-adjustable articulators. Conventional clinical methods such as intraoral Gothic arch tracing are subject to inaccuracies due to operator variability, patient cooperation, and anatomical limitations. The advent of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) offers a promising alternative for obtaining consistent and reproducible alternative by directly measuring bony anatomical landmarks.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate and compare the sagittal condylar guidance values obtained through clinical intraoral Gothic arch tracing and CBCT. It also aims to determine whether CBCT can reliably replace conventional clinical methods in programming semi-adjustable articulators.

Methods: Twenty completely edentulous patients meeting strict inclusion criteria were selected for the study. After obtaining primary and secondary impressions, maxillomandibular relations were recorded and transferred to a Hanau Wide-Vue semi-adjustable articulator using an arbitrary facebow. Intraoral Gothic arch tracings were performed, and protrusive interocclusal records were used to program the articulator. SCG values were then derived. For comparison, CBCT scans were analyzed to determine condylar guidance angles using reference lines between the glenoid fossa and articular eminence in relation to the Frankfort Horizontal plane. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent t-tests.

Results: The mean SCG values using intraoral tracing were 26.05° ± 5.45 (right) and 25.58° ± 5.09 (left), while CBCT yielded values of 29.25° ± 6.47 (right) and 28.57° ± 5.88 (left). Statistically significant differences (p< 0.05) were found between clinical and CBCT methods. A strong positive correlation was observed, suggesting both methods are reliable, with CBCT showing slightly higher precision.

Conclusion: CBCT provides an accurate, reproducible, and less technique-sensitive method for recording SCG, especially in patients with compromised anatomical or neuromuscular function. Although traditional methods remain viable, CBCT can serve as a reliable adjunct or even a replacement for clinical techniques in appropriate cases.