Digital Bite Analysis, or Occlusal Analysis, is a dental exam that identifies bite irregularities. This exam helps diagnose and treat underlying problems that may cause a temporomandibular disorder, headaches, neck pain and other symptoms that may lead to muscle fatigue and tooth damage over time. Read on to find out more about the T-Scan Digital Occlusal Analysis technology used at Comfort Care Dental Clinic and how it works.
What exactly is digital bite assessment?
It’s a procedure by which we gauge how balanced your bite is. A balanced bite is when all of your teeth touch at the same time and when the force exerted on each tooth is optimal for the function your teeth perform. As you may have guessed, an unbalanced bite is one where timing and force are not optimal.
An unbalanced bite is a condition that needs to be examined and diagnosed because it can lead to multiple unwanted effects over time, including pain in the head and neck areas, as well as discomfort or pain in your teeth when you chew or bite down. It can even cause headaches, pain in the ears, and generalized facial discomfort.
The process of digital bite analysis – performed with the T-Scan Digital Occlusal Analysis system – helps us to determine whether your bite is balanced or not.
How does the T-Scan Digital Occlusal Analysis system work?
The system is equipped with an ultra-thin sensor that is shaped to fit into your mouth comfortably. The sensor measures the force, timing, and location of the contacts between your teeth when you bite.
The T-Scan Digital Occlusal Analysis system is connected to a computer as it performs its bite-assessment task – so when you bite, the system displays data in full-colour 3D images that enable us to spot potential problems with your bite. The T-Scan can even display information about your bite as graphs that show your bite’s force and timing at specific locations.
Unlike classic bite diagnostic methods, which assess only the rest position of the teeth, Digital Bite Analysis shows the contact between teeth in a dynamic, more accurate way. This enables us to accurately identify the teeth that are subjected to the most pressure when you bite. The measurement also shows any irregular contact between the teeth.
How is Digital Bite Analysis done?
The technology behind Digital Bite Analysis may seem complex, but the exam itself is rather straightforward. As a patient at Comfort Care Dental Clinic in Montreal, you will bite on a digital sensor that will record your tooth contact in a dynamic manner. The sensor is connected to a computer using DTR software that will analyze your bite force, location, and timing.
- 1. You bite on the sensor.
- 2. The computer software renders the information as 3D data on the screen.
- 3. Dr. Miki reviews the data and identifies areas of bite deviations.
- 4. More than seeing the actual contact between the teeth, Dr. Miki will be able to assess the impact of your bite on your gums and jaw and recommend the optimal treatment.
Did you know?
Sometimes, patients feel that a filling or crown is too high and they come to see us to resolve this bite-related problem. However, conditions such as teeth grinding, toothache, soreness in and around the jaw, headache, pain in one or both ears, general facial discomfort may also be the result of a bite problem. If you experience such symptoms and are unsure of the cause, get in touch with us.
Looking for digital bite assessment in downtown Montreal?
Thanks to high-tech options, such as the T-Scan Digital Occlusal Analysis system, the Comfort Care Dental Clinic is well-equipped to meet your specific needs. We’ve seen first hand how technology has revolutionized dental care and how it continues to deliver new and improved forms of treatment. We are committed to passing these technology-driven benefits on to you to ensure that you enjoy the best of oral and general health.
Come meet our team of dedicated dental professionals at our clinic. We are located in downtown Montreal at 2045 Stanley Street, Suite 1100 – just a two-minute walk from Peel metro station.