Elite system: recording of condylar movements using a modified computerized technique

BACKGROUND: The aim was to develop a method to measure condylar movements using a computerized system. The Elite system is a computerized device for the graphic recording of mandibular movements by processing images of marks recorded with two video cameras. The Elite system has traditionally been used to measure mandibular movements; it was modified to record condylar movements as well. METHODS: The position of the markers was altered to enable 3-D recording not only of mandibular movements but also of condylar movements. New software was developed. Ten subjects (young adults; good complete dentition; no temporo-mandibular disorders; no orthodontic treatment) underwent recording with traditional and then with modified Elite system. The subjects were asked to perform the following movements: maximum opening and closing; protrusive and retrusive movements; border movements on the frontal plane. The sequence of movements was repeated three times on three different days. Data processing was effected using the Spline-smoothing method. RESULTS: The modified Elite system technique records condylar movements with extreme reliability, reproducibility and the resulting graphics are comparable. CONCLUSIONS: This method provides the chance to obtain more information about condylar movements in healthy subjects with good dentition, but also in patients with joint dysfunction.