ACCURACY OF BROADRICK FLAG OCCLUSAL PLANE ANALYZER UTILIZING TWO DIFFERENT POSTERIOR SURVEY POINTS

Occlusion and occlusal plane is the primary criterion in fabrication of posterior restorations. The Broadrick flag occlusal plane analyzer permits reconstruction of the curve of Spee in harmony with the anterior and condylar guidances. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of the Broadrick flag analyzer by using two different posterior survey points.
Materials and methods: Twelve subjects were selected according to certain criteria. Diagnostic casts were mounted in semi-adjustable articulator. The Broadrick flag occlusal plane analyzer was mounted on the upper member of articulator. The anterior survey point was scribed for the control mandibular dentulous side and for group 1 and 2 in the partially edentulous mandibular side while the posterior survey point was selected either from the distobuccal cusp of the mandibular second molar for the control side and group 1 partially edentulous side or the most anterior point of the condylar element of the Hanau H2 semiadjustable articular for both the control dentulous side and group 2 partially edentulous bounded side. The point of intersection between the anterior and posterior survey points is the occlusal center. The deviation of the survey center scribed on the buccal surface of the mandibular bicuspid and second molar was measured and subjected to statistical analysis.
Results: Paired samples t test or repeated measures test was used to evaluate the statistical significance between groups. The results showed that there was no statistical difference between the two reference points in the partially edentulous side but a statistical variation was found between the partially edentulous side and the control dentulous side among the leveling of the curve of Spee.
Conclusion: Broadrick flag occlusal plane analyzer is an easy precise and accurate instrument for occlusal plane analysis whether using the distobuccal cusp of the mandibular second molar or the most anterior point of the condylar element of the semi-adjustable articulator as a posterior survey points