CAD‐CAM and analog occlusal splints comparison based on the amount of occlusal adjustments. 3D analysis of the volumetric changes: A pilot study

Abstract Objective To evaluate the volumetric changes on occlusal surface of computer‐aided design and computer‐aided manufacturing (CAD‐CAM) occlusal devices fabricated following a fully digital workflow after occlusal adjustment, compared to those fabricated with an analog workflow. Materials and Methods Eight participants were included in this clinical pilot study, receiving two different occlusal devices fabricated with two different workflows, fully analog and fully digital. Every occlusal device was scanned before and after the occlusal adjustments to compare the volumetric changes using a reverse engineering software program. Moreover, three independent evaluators assessed a semi‐quantitative and qualitative comparison using visual analog scale and dichotomous evaluation. The Shapiro–Wilk test was performed to validate normal distribution assumption, and a dependent t‐Student test for paired variables was used to determine statistically significant differences ( p ‐value < 0.05). Results The root mean square value was extracted from the 3‐Dimensional (3D) analysis of the occlusal devices. The average values of the root mean square were higher for the analogic technique (0.23 ± 0.10 mm) than the digital technique (0.14 ± 0.07 mm) but the differences were not statistically significant (paired t‐Student test; p = 0.106) between the two fabrication techniques. The semiquantitative visual analog scale values between the impression for the digital (5.08 ± 2.4 cm) and analog (3.80 ± 3.3 cm) technique were significant ( p < 0.001), and statistically significant differences values were assessed for evaluator 3 compared to the other evaluators ( p < 0.05). However, the three evaluators agreed on the qualitative dichotomous evaluation in 62% of the cases, and at least two evaluators agreed in 100% of the evaluations. Conclusions Occlusal devices fabricated following a fully digital workflow resulted in fewer occlusal adjustments, as they could be a valid alternative to those fabricated following an analog workflow. Clinical Significance Fabricated occlusal devices following a fully digital workflow could have some advantages over analog workflow such reduce occlusal adjustments at delivery appointment, which can result in reduced chair time and therefore increased comfort for the patient and clinician.