T-Scan Occlusal Analysis System

For years, occlusion (i.e., the surface contact area of teeth) had been largely a matter of guesswork for dentists. Articulation paper, waxes, pressure indicator paste, etc. were all dentists had to assess and balance the forces of occlusion.

Most of these methods are not sensitive enough to detect simultaneous contact, and none measure both biting time and force.

Now, the micro-sensors of the T-Scan Occlusal Analysis System and computing power of the Intel 4 processor combine to give dentists unparalleled ability to equilibrate and adjust difficult bite problems.

T-Scan, just one way we combine scientific solutions with a soft touch at Suwanee Dental Care.

Vivid graphics makes seeing the balance of the perfect bite easy to determine and adjust. Data can be printed to provide valuable documentation for patient files, patient education or insurance documentation.

The T-Scan II helps reduce the risk of:

• implant failure
• traumatized teeth
• unstable dentures
• ineffective splints
• porcelain fractures

… Or anywhere occlusion plays a role.

The T-Scan Bite Sensor

What does the T-Scan system do?

The T-Scan II Occlusal Analysis System system measures relative occlusal force and timing. This provides dentists with the ability to finish their patients’ treatment to higher level of excellence minimizing fractures and painful occlusal overload.

What does it provide that articulating paper does not?

The T-Scan offers many benefits that are impossible to obtain from articulating paper alone. Articulating paper does not show the sequential order of individual occlusal surfaces coming into contact with the relative force of one contact to another.

The only proven way to obtain timing and force of occlusal contacts is with the T-Scan. As evidenced in research, articulating paper only provides tooth locations; it cannot display time or force.

Is it safe?

Yes. The T-Scan II system conforms to the United States UL 544 standards as well as the European EN-60601-1, EN55011, IEC601-1-2, IEC801-2, IEC801-3, IEC801-4, IEC801-5 standards. It qualifies as type BF equipment and has been tested and approved by both the CE and ETL (ETL Testing Laboratories).

Excellent Documentation and Patient Communication

After recording a T-Scan occlusal movie you can store the data in the computer and retrieve it as needed. T-Scan ‘s vivid, full-color graphics can be transferred into other documents for patient records or insurance reports.

These same images can be used to raise our patient education standard to the next level. We find that our patients are fascinated and impressed when they can see for themselves the improvements you’ve made to their “bite’ in color video!

The graphic representations produced by the T-Scan are not only easy to understand by the treating clinician, but also create a beneficial tool for our patients, to help them visualize and understand the nature and degree of their occlusal disharmony. It’s a wonderful clinical and teaching aid.

On the left is a pre-treatment example of a non-simultaneous occlusal contact sequence during mandibular closure into maximum intercuspation. On the right, a post-treatment example of a non-simultaneous occlusal contact sequence during mandibular closure into maximum intercuspation.

Measure Force and Time

Because the T-Scan can measure force over time, it is an indispensable tool for appraising the sequential relationships of a mandibular excursion. Dentists can view, on screen, a patient sliding from their normal fully clenched bite position into a lateral excursion.

This is instrumental in locating occlusal interferences, determining the relative force on each interference, and evaluating the potential for trauma caused by the occlusal interferences. Imagine how useful this is on a long span fixed prosthesis built upon implants, or any dental case where occlusion plays a role!

New Research 2007

A recently completed study from the University of Alberta Department of Mechanical Engineering, analyzing paper marks made at various human occlusal force levels.

This study was the first of its kind performed on any type of articulating paper; to look at paper and determine if any correlation of Mark Area to Force reproduction truly exists. No study has ever determined if the appearance of a mark accurately predicted the mark’s force content.

This research determined that the standard practice of clinically assessing the size of articulating paper marks on teeth to determine occlusal forces is highly unreliable.

Over 80% of the marks analyzed showed no correlation of mark size to the load applied to the mark. This study establishes that the size of articulating paper marks cannot accurately describe the occlusal load.

This paper is available to download from the Tekscan website. This study reinforces the fact that clinicians using the T-Scan are able provide a higher quality of care.