T-SCAN IN ORTHODONTICS, CONTEMPORARY OCCLUSAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

Orthodontic treatment is aimed to fulfill patient`s aesthetic requirements as well as functional requirements, which are pointed out by the orthodontist himself. The latter are of major importance, as newly established occlusion should be stable and function well. Functional considerations include characteristics which are not always seen ‘’by eye’’. These characteristics include occlusal force distribution along dental arches, occlusal force balance between right and left sides of dentition, excessive forces and time characteristics of jaw movements. T-scan III occlusal analysis system is a computer based occlusal analysis, which measures all the above mentioned characteristics. Further implementation of T-scan III occlusal analysis system extends to computer-guided occlusal adjustment procedures. Orthodontic treatment goals include aesthetic, morphological, and functional issues. Patient`s main concern is usually an aesthetic component of malocclusion, as in most cases patients are not aware of the whole range of malocclusion components. Some orthodontic patients present compromise cases, which are chosen to be treated according to patient`s goals and demands. Orthodontic practitioner tends to finish each case according to morphological keys, which were first introduced by Angle , emphasizing the role of the first maxillary molar mesiobuccal cusp occluding buccal groove of the mandibular first molar in permanent dentition.