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Role of T-Scan III Digital Occlusal Analysis Technology in Current Dental

Scenarios-Part1

Article · December 2014

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Original Article: November 20th 2013
Asnan Portal Dental Online College
www.asnanportal.com

Role of T-Scan III Digital Occlusal Analysis

Technology in Current Dental Scenarios-Part1

Dr.Sarah Qadeer, BDS, MSD

International Lecturer and Researcher,
Faculty of Dentistry, Dept. of Prosthodontics
Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus
Thailand

The term “Occlusion” has been of considerable interest to dental clinicians and
researchers alike. Measurement of intraoral load has a long history dating back to1681 when
Borelli studied the intraoral mastication load using a mechanical „Gnathodynamometer‟
(Brawley et al. in 1938). Several researchers continued to study this subject as many devices
were invented and designed to gain more insight to occlusion. Over the years, the
mechanical devices developed into electrical systems such as lever-spring, monometer-
spring, levers and micrometered devices to measure occlusal load. The technological
advancement gave way to the first generation of T-Scan computerized occlusal analysis
system developed in 1987 by Tekscan Inc. (South Boston, MA, USA.www.tekscan.com) that
has the ability to accurately analyze the patient‟s occlusal data in realtime.

T-Scan III software version 8.0 is the newest generation of this occlusal analysis
technology (Fig 1) that allows the clinician to record and explore the patient‟s occlusion with
precision. The measurable capacity of T-Scan III provides force over time irregularities,
premature contacts, occlusion time, disocclusion time, percentage of force on individual tooth
as well as on either side of the arch during maximum intercuspation. The occlusal data is
represented as dynamic 2D and 3D images with coloured columns ranging from BLUE
(optimum force) to RED (high force) seen on the computer screen when the patient bites on
the occlusal sensor (Fig 2). This measurable occlusal data enhances the clinician‟s ability to
make precisely targeted adjustments during occlusal equilibration following prosthetic,
restorative, orthodontic or implant procedures.

Fig 1. T-Scan III System with Version 8.0 graphic

T-Scan Occlusal Analysis System is also referred to as “Digital Proprioception” for its
ability to map occlusal contact location, sequence of closure, measure intensity of those
contacts, track center of force trajecory, interprit force distribution, bring about measurable
time delay for implant prosthesis and monitors the generation of bilateral simultaneity in the
arch. Digital Occlusal Analysis technology can be used in everyday clinical practice for
initial patient exam, prosthetic case finishing, TMD treatment without appliances, locating
painful occlusal contacts, post-orthodontic occlusal assessment and abfraction management,
to gain a comprehensive insight to patient‟s occlusion in order to provide necessary
maintenance.
Fig 2. T-Scan Multi-bite Screen Capture showing 2D, 3D, Graph and Zoom Graph
Window

The conventional non-digital occlusal indicators commonly used by dentists for

occlusal adjustments are articulation papers, shim stock foils, impression waxes and patient‟s
subjective “feel” feedback. The reliability of these static materials is questionable as none of
these methods employed in clinical practice have the ability to detect the force of contact,
sequence of closure or applied occlusal load when the patient bites on strips of articulation
paper or shimstock foils. Studies show these markings do not quantify the occlusal force and
time or assess the contact sequence, and that the ink substrate left on the teeth is not an
accurate indicator with which to judge a tooth contact‟s relative occlusal force levels (Qadeer
et. al., 2012; Carey, Kerstein, & Radke, 2007) (Fig 3). Subjective interpretation of the applied
occlusal load based upon the surface appearance characteristics of these traditional occlusal
indicators has no capacity to quantify relative occlusal force levels required to render
objective occlusal adjustments.

Fig 3. Paper mark misconception: Subjective interpretation based on appearance

characteristics of paper marks along side T-Scan occlusal force data. A faint small paper
mark on the second molar contains the heaviest force represented in RED column in T-Scan
window, while a bigger paper mark on second premolar shows optimal occlusal force
associated with it when analyzed by computerized technology. Which mark would you
choose for occlusal adjustments…??

Conclusion

The goal of a dentist is to establish a well balanced, harmonious occlusion following

dental treatment. The repeatable capacity demonstrated by the T-Scan III occlusal analysis
system effectively isolates and pinpoints to the modern dental clinician, excessive occlusal
force contacts for selection during occlusal balancing procedures to provide successful
prosthetic treatment outcome.

Adding modern digital technology to dental practice can put the paper marks into
perspective by providing an insight to patient‟s occlusion from first point of contact into
 maximum intercuspation to an accuracy of over 100 frames per second recorded in the form
of a movie in realtime window. T-Scan occlusal analysis leaves the guesswork out of dental
practice as this evidence based, repeatable, non-subjectice occlusal insight not only enhances
the clinician‟s ability to make precise adjustments based on measurable data but also engages
the patient‟s attention through visual, comprehensive information during dental adjustment
procedures. T-Scan III digital occlusal analysis technology ensures better patient care in the
rapidly changing dental scenario in today‟s world of digital technology.

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