T-Scan 10 Recording Dynamics, Force and Timing Software Tools, and the Chairside Clinical Skills for Optimal T-Scan Implementation

Abstract

The newly designed T-Scan 10 Computerized Occlusal Analysis system represents the State of the Art in occlusal diagnosis. The reliability of the system's High Definition (HD) recording sensors, the many occlusal analysis timing and force software features, and the modern-day computer hardware electronics that record occlusal function in 0.003 second real-time increments, affords a clinician unparalleled occlusal contact timing and force data, with which to predictably diagnose and treat many occlusal abnormalities. T-Scan 10 represents the culmination of 40 years of T-Scan technology innovation and development, with updated desktop graphics and additional toolbar icons that improve T-Scan diagnostic functionality, while enhancing the clinician's chairside T-Scan implementation. Important new tools include the Force Eraser that allows the clinician to remove any sensor surface recording artifact and repair corrupted force data from a sensor matrix crack. The Implant Warning that detects occlusal force overload specifically on dental implant crowns and implant-support restorations. And a unique new T-Scan 10 feature is the ability to export T-Scan data directly into the Digital Smile Design (DSD) esthetic planning software, which makes for seamless management of patient's occlusal status within an esthetic treatment plan. However, T-Scan 10's most important advancement has melded T-Scan digital occlusal force and timing data with digitally scanned virtual dental arches, by overlaying T-Scan data onto a patient's virtual cast. This Digital Impression Overlay (DIO) places T-Scan 10 directly into the Digital Workflow, that has rapidly become the Dental Medicine standard in modern-day prosthodontic and implant practice. Two examples of how to best align a scanned virtual cast using the DIO feature are included, as are three illustrations of where and how to employ the Force Eraser tool. Also included are detailed descriptions of five useful diagnostic occlusal recordings employed when treating commonly-observed occlusal problems. And notably, Chapter 4 outlines the 3 Learning Levels of T-Scan Clinical Competency, and the Kerstein Principles of Optimum T-Scan Clinical Implementation, which detail the best clinical practices when recording, analyzing, and making T-Scan-guided occlusal adjustments; each of which must be mastered for a clinician to become effective with the T-Scan 10 technology.