Quantitative evaluation of the proximal contact area gap change characterization under intercuspal occlusion by intraoral 3D scanning: Food impaction with tight proximal contact.

Objective: This study aimed to present three indicators that represent the proximal contact area gap change under intercuspal occlusion and to see if and how these indicators influence food impaction with tight proximal contact.

Materials And Methods: Ninety volunteers were recruited for bite force measurement and intraoral scanning. Three-dimensional surface data and buccal bite data were obtained for 60 impacted and 60 non-impacted teeth. The scanning data were imported into the Geomagic Studio 2013 to measure three indicators, which included the gap change maximum (Δd, μm), the buccolingual position of Δd (P), and the gap expanded buccolingual range (S, mm). The difference between two groups of three indicators and their relationship with food impaction with tight proximal contact were analyzed by the t test, the Pearson chi-squared test, the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test, and the binary logistic regression analysis (a = 0.05).

Results: All indicators (Δd, P, and S) were statistically different (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, and p < 0.001) in the impacted and non-impacted groups. Food impaction with tight proximal contact was affected by Δd and S (p < 0.001, p = 0.039), but not by P (p = 0.409).

Conclusion: The excessive increase of the gap change maximum and the gap expanded buccolingual range under bite force promoted the occurrence of food impaction with tight proximal contact.

Clinical Significance: The use of intraoral scanning to measure the characteristics of the proximal contact area gap change under bite force may help to deepen our understanding of the pathogenesis of food impaction with tight proximal contact. Importantly it can provide a reference basis for individualizing and quantifying occlusal adjustment treatment.