Comparison of Two Generations of Systems for Digital Occlusion Examination

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The modern concept of occlusion includes the relationship between teeth, masticatory muscles, and temporomandibular joints in function and dysfunction. Occlusion can be defined very simply: it means the contacts between teeth. Qualitative and quantitative methods are used to register and evaluate occlusal contacts. The T-Scan handpiece model was updated in 2015 as T-Scan Novus (software version 9.1) and the latest updated one being the T-Scan version 10 software introduced in 2018. AIM: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the capabilities and results of two generations of systems - T-Scan III and T-Scan Novus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the realization of the set goal, the occlusion of a patient with the initials S.K. is examined with two systems. The patient is 43 years old with intact teeth, Angle’s class I jaw relation. The study with T-Scan III was conducted in 2015 and with T-Scan Novus in 2019. RESULTS: The software of both systems uses a graphical interface, which transforms the data obtained during the recording of the occlusion as the model of the upper dentition of the patient in T-Scan III and the upper and lower dentition in T-Scan Novus. Registered occlusal contacts are illustrated as 2D and 3D images of different colors. The graph force/time shows the power versus time from the first contact to the end of the movie. The timing table displays the patient’s total occlusal bite timing, and the force applied. T-Scan Novus software allows you to import digital fingerprint files of the upper and lower dentition in.stl format. CONCLUSION: The software program of the system version 9.1 provides better visualization of dental arches making it much more informative than other versions. The T-Scan system allows fast and accurate registration and analysis of occlusion.