Abstract: Objective: To study the effect of different maxillary plate-Maxillary arch scanning matching methods on the transfer of maxillary position in the dental computer-aided design software. Methods: Jaw movement analysis system was used to record the mandibular motion of 10 subjects. Maxillary and mandibular digital cast and occlusal relationship were obtained by intra-oral scanning. This study involved five methods, include: entirely scan group (ES), single scan group (SS), double-sided scan group (DS), single scan matched the upper jaw group (SSU), and double-sided scan matched the upper jaw group (DSU). Intra-oral scan data, maxillary plate-maxillary arch digital model, and mandibular motion data were imported into the CAD software to complete digital mounting. In the virtual articulator module, the distance from left maxillary first molar to left condylar element, distance from right maxillary first molar to right condylar element and the distance from right and left condylar elements to the incisal embrasure between maxillary central incisors were measured. Results: Among five kinds of maxillary position transferring methods, there was no significant difference on the distance from left maxillary first molar to left condylar element, distance from right maxillary first molar to right condylar element, and distance from right and left condylar elements to the incisal embrasure between maxillary central incisors on virtual articulator (P>0.05). Conclusion: Five scanning matching methods selected in this study to obtain maxillary plate-maxillary arch digital model can be used to transfer maxillary position in the CAD software.

Key words: maxillary plate, maxillary position, jaw movement analysis system, virtual articulator