Dr Jayant Palaskar receives US and EU Patents for his invention on Centric Relation (CR) recording

Centric jaw relation (CR) is of considerable significance in prosthodontics, as it happens to be the only relationship of the mandible to the maxilla, which is repeatable, reproducible and recordable. CR is a complex and controversial topic in dentistry. The primary reason for the controversy is the frequent modification of its definition in the last so many decades, based on our understanding of the condylar head position during centric jaw relation position. With the advancements in the field of oral radiology now it is understood that the condylar head attains the most anterior and superior position in the glenoid fossa and not the most retruded unstrained position.

Centric jaw relation remains complex because the Glossary of Prosthodontic Terms (GPT)-8 continues to give seven definitions for centric jaw relation and some of the definitions contradict each other. CR is defined in the GPT-8 as, "the maxillo-mandibular relationship in which the condyles articulate with the thinnest avascular portion of their respective discs with the complex in the anterior-superior position against the slopes of the articular eminences. This position is independent of tooth contact. This position is clinically discernible when the mandible is directed superiorly and anteriorly. It is restricted to a purely rotary movement about the transverse horizontal axis".

Another problem with the definition of GPT-8 is that it relates CR to so many clinically invisible parts making it difficult for the operator to follow its description in clinical dentistry. There is no device available right now that can help the operator to guide the head of the condyle to attain the position described in the definition.

The invention by Dr Jayant Palaskar, Professor and Head, Dept of Prosthodontics, Sinhgad Dental College & Hospital, Pune, relates to a device for recording centric jaw relation and orientation jaw relation simultaneously. The tool guides the mandible in such a way that, its condyle head achieves the most superior and anterior position as defined in the GPT-8. It helps the operator to obtain an accurate and precise recording of centric jaw relation as well as orientation jaw relation recording and transfer, in dentulous as well as edentulous subjects.

The device designed by Dr Palaskar includes a central bar, a centric relation recorder, a dentulous adjustable fork or an edentulous fork, a semi-circular frame, a nasion pointer and an orbital pointer. The central bar is received by a plurality of clamping assemblies that adjustably position the nasion pointer, the adjustable fork or the edentulous fork and the centric relation recorder respectively. The device can be used in case of both, dentulous as well as edentulous subjects. The device can advantageously transfer the centric relation record to any semi-adjustable articulators or non-adjustable articulators.

Dr Palaskar has received two patents - European and US - for this invention.

Dr Palaskar's patent details:
US Patent No.:
US 10,327,879 B2
(Date: 25^th June 2019)
Click here for details

European Union Patent No:
EP 3145664
(Date: 19^th June 2019)

This device remains valid for the current definition of Centric Relation (CR) as well, published in the latest edition of Glossary of Prosthodontic Terms (GPT -9), released in May, 2017.

We congratulate Dr Jayant Palaskar on this achievement and wish him all the luck in this endeavour, and also hope that this will inspire many to come up with their inventions & innovations in the near future.

 

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