TMJ and Occlusal Analysis
The T-Scan™ System
T-Scan™ is an objective assessment tool used to evaluate the occlusion of a patient. Unlike articulating paper, which can only determine location, T-Scan™ effectively identifies both force and timing - two of the essential variables to understand and measure occlusion.
What is Dental Occlusion and How Do Dentists Measure it ?
T-Scan™ Novus™ is dentistry's only clinically recognized and research validated digital occlusion analysis system. T-Scan's state-of-the-art, innovative, digital technology helps me to identify in my patients: premature contacts, high forces, and interrelationship of occlusal surfaces. This important data cannot be captured by traditional, analog occlusal methods, like articulating paper.
Whether eliminating destructive forces on a new restoration, or performing an occlusal analysis and adjustment procedure, T-Scan helps me balance your biting (occlusion) and reduces costly repeat visits and remakes.
Rapid advancements in technology are shaping the face of digital dentistry. This is another valuable piece of digital technology in my practice,which will enhance your understanding how bite forces are important and the impact in your life. T-scan will allow me to give you a more confident, proactive approach to how I assess your bite.
T-Scan™ Data Provides Context to Understanding and Preventing Bite Discrepancies in Full Mouth Restoration Cases
Among the most complex procedures in dentistry, full mouth reconstructions require a treatment plan that revolves around teeth, periodontal tissues, temporomandibular joints and muscles, and aesthetics. T-Scan™ is a computerised occlusal analysis system that allows me to see when and how each tooth makes contact. This is critical to achieving a balanced, functional bite during and after a full mouth reconstruction.
Disclusion Joint Therapy in managing TMJ pain
Your Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) connects your lower jaw to the temporal bone of your skull, which allows for all the movements of your jaw. The TMJ is surrounded by a intricate network of ligaments, muscles and nerves. A significant nerve is the trigeminal nerve - a cranial nerve responsible for most of the sensation throughout your head, face and neck and also controls some muscles.
When alignment and function are dysfunctional for any reason, the presenting symptoms are collectively referred to as TMJ/ TMD or temporo mandibular joint disorders. Some causes for this disorder include: trauma, toothgrinding (bruxism) and malocclusion (improper bite).
The symptoms of TMJ disorders typically include:
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Clicking, popping, grinding noises in the jaw
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Inability to open the jaw to its full range, sometimes complete lockjaw
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Pain and/ or swelling around the jaw joint
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Chronic Headaches
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Chronic Neck Stiffness
Using computer-guided technology, called a T-Scan system, we can compile data on a TMJ/TMD patient’s timed and force bites inside the mouth. As back teeth touch each other while a patient chews, eats, or grinds their teeth, opposing teeth push each other in and out of their sockets. These socket compressions go on unknown to the patient and happen thousands of times throughout the day, all the while, excessively firing the jaw muscles of the patient into a state of severe pain.
By using the T-Scan data collected, I can easily correct the time and force of occlusal problems. In most patients, many of the TMJ pain, headaches, and other head pain symptoms go away within the first week after treatment has begun!
In treating your condition, I may choose to employ any of the following treatment modalities, tailoring it, depending on the severity.
Patient Education
Physiotherapy
Pain Medication/ Adjuncts
Occlusal Adjustments
Occlusal Balancing
Occlusal Equilibriation
Occlusal Splints
CT 3D analysis
Nuffield Rehab is my choice for sending my TMJ patients for physiotherapy management.