Sei sulla pagina 1di 8

See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/298905648

T Scan – An aid in achieving stable occlusion during finishing stages of


orthodontic treatment

Article  in  international journal of stomatology & occlusion medicine · March 2016


DOI: 10.1007/s12548-016-0144-z

CITATIONS READS

0 290

4 authors, including:

Anand K Patil
SDM College of Dental Sciences and Hospital
22 PUBLICATIONS   53 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Acceleration of orthodontic tooth movement View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Anand K Patil on 29 July 2016.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.


original article

J. Stomat. Occ. Med.


DOI 10.1007/s12548-016-0144-z

T Scan – An aid in achieving stable occlusion during


finishing stages of orthodontic treatment
Vidushi Seth · Anand K. Patil · Harshavardhan Kidiyoor · Konark Patil

Received: 20 November 2015 / Accepted: 24 February 2016


© Springer-Verlag Wien 2016

Abstract Conclusions  Evaluation of the number and distribu-


Background  Superficial clinical examination of occlu- tion of occlusal contacts at the end of active orthodontic
sion and just assessing the morphologic relationship of treatment has not been a routine procedure in orthodon-
teeth at the finishing stages of orthodontic treatment may tic clinics. 2 months of extensive finishing and detail-
be insufficient. A case with a clinically satisfying occlu- ing phase resulted in marked improvement in all three
sion may be functionally unbalanced. Evaluating occlu- parameters and favorable changes in occlusion. Hence,
sion both statically and functionally for uniform distri- evaluation of occlusion using T Scan is an innovative and
bution of occlusal load is essential for optimum results objective method, emphasizing that proper finishing is
and therefore, it is imperative to evaluate the occlusal mandatory for obtaining functionally stable occlusion.
contacts in the vertical plane.
Aims  The aim of the study was to quantitatively assess Keywords  Finishing  · Occlusion  · Functional Occlu-
the occlusion at the pre finishing stage of orthodontic sion · Stable Occlusion · T Scan
treatment using T Scan in order to identify the various
occlusal variabilities and compare it to the occlusion
achieved after 1 month of completion of orthodontic Introduction
treatment.
Methods  Quantitative occlusal analysis using T Scan The objective of orthodontic treatment is to achieve func-
was performed on 16 adult patients at the start of finish- tional occlusion, good esthetics, and stability at the end
ing stage (T1) followed by a detailed finishing and set- of active treatment [1].
tling phase of 2 months. Another scan was taken 1 month The works of Angle and Andrews have established the
after debonding (T2). morphologic relationship of dental arches [2, 3], but to
Results  Using Wilcoxon matched pair test, statistically date the features of ideal functional occlusion have not
significant changes were seen in mandibular position been conclusively established. When dealing with com-
and occlusal contacts at T2 as compared to T1. Relatively plex malocclusion with fixed appliances, orthodontists
equal distribution of forces on both sides of the arch modify dental contacts to achieve a new position of
was also achieved after a detailed finishing and settling occlusal equilibrium and take responsibility for its func-
phase. tional integration. It has been universally understood
and agreed upon that irrespective of the therapeutic phi-
losophy (Ricketts, Roth, Tweed Merrifield, MBT) special
attention should be given to the quality of the final occlu-
V. Seth () · A. K. Patil · H. Kidiyoor
Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics,
sion and the restoration of masticatory and postural
SDM College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, function. In order to obtain functional occlusion, stable
580009 Dharwad, Karnataka, India centric stops should be present on all teeth in maximum
e-mail: sethvidushi@gmail.com intercuspation [1].
An orthodontic evaluation of occlusion should there-
K. Patil
Department of Prosthodontics, fore include evaluation of dynamic occlusion along
SDM College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, with the relationship of the jaw in which the patient
Dharwad, Karnataka, India occludes. Traditionally, static occlusion has been evalu-

T Scan – An aid in achieving stable occlusion during finishing stages of orthodontic treatment   1
original article

ated by direct visual inspection of stone casts, listening to All patients were being treated with pre-adjusted edge-
patients’ “feel” feedback, or by evaluating the articulating wise appliances with an MBT prescription. The patients
paper marks. These methods are neither accurate (inevi- considered in the study were in the finishing stages of
tably produces false-positive results) nor conclusive. treatment with complete space closure achieved.
More recently, occlusal contacts are being evaluated by T-Scan (Tekscan Inc.) is a computerized occlusal ana-
using Blu-Mousse (low-viscosity impression material) or lyzer. It provides a real-time digitized analysis of occlu-
the Pre-Scale Occlusal system (pressure-sensitive wafers sion in both static and dynamic modes and records the
used for occlusal force assessment). These imprints have distribution of occlusal forces and occlusal contacts rep-
to be further digitally scanned and analyzed. resenting it in a graphical form. It uses a sensor unit that
For dynamic evaluation of occlusion, generally the records occlusal contacts on a thin two-layered flexible
cumbersome and time-consuming technique of mounting Mylar film (60–85 μm) inserted into an autoclavable sen-
models on semi-adjustable articulators (SAM-II etc.) has to sor handle that is plugged into a USB port and relayed to
be employed, which is not routinely possible for each case the computer.
except for complicated cases of asymmetry or when a cus- During data collection, the subjects were seated in the
tomized positioner type retainer is to be made [3]. same position. Each patient was instructed and taught
T-Scan (Tekscan Inc., Boston, Mass.) is an easy to use, how to move their mandible from the rest position to
digital occlusal analysis tool that helps to easily evaluate the maximum intercuspal position (MIP) using a com-
and register occlusal parameters such as occlusal con- fortable amount of biting pressure. The slim horseshoe-
tacts and forces both statically and dynamically in vary- shaped recording sensor was then placed in between
ing clinical situations. the dental arches and when the subject intercuspated
Studies have been conducted with T-Scan to evalu- the data were processed and represented graphically in
ate occlusal contacts and forces after orthodontic treat- two or three dimensions [5–7] on the computer screen
ment and also to evaluate occlusal parameters before (Fig. 1).
and after treatment. No study to our knowledge has Three consecutive bites were registered for each sub-
been conducted to evaluate the occlusal parameters in ject while the sensitivity of the sensor remained the same
the pre-finishing stage of orthodontic treatment before for every recording. The T-Scan system recorded the
appliance removal [3]. changes in occlusal contact at a time interval of 0.01  s
producing dynamically changing data.
Using the T-Scan system, three parameters were eval-
Aim of the study uated in all subjects (Fig. 2):

It has been observed that orthodontic treatment without 1. Distribution of occlusal contacts on both sides of the
a detailed finishing and settling phase leads to frontal arch: Qualitative assessment.
and lateral open bite, even if the arches were correctly 2. Occlusal force levels on the right and left side: This
aligned [4]. Assessing the occlusion in the finishing represents occlusal forces exerted on the teeth on that
stages of the orthodontic treatment by a superficial clini- side of the arch. It gives us a relative (percentage) dis-
cal inspection following Angle’s classification may lead tribution of occlusal forces on both sides of the dental
to errors. To objectively assess the occlusion, it is impera- arch.
tive to evaluate the occlusal contacts in a vertical plane, 3. Mandibular position/center of force: This represents
in order to identify the occlusal variabilities at the pre- the position of the mandible upon closing i.e – devi-
finishing stage itself. T-Scan offers a chairside, real-time ated or centric. It is considered centric if the diamond-
visualization of a patient’s occlusion and helps to identify shaped icon (red coloured) is placed in the white or
the occlusal variabilities in the vertical plane.
Therefore, T-Scan was used in this study to test a
newer, easy-to-use tool in an orthodontic set-up and to
determine its efficacy in identifying occlusal problems at
the pre-finishing stage of orthodontic treatment.
The aim of this study was to quantitatively assess
the occlusion at the beginning of the finishing stage of
treatment using T-Scan in order to identify the occlusal
variabilities present and compare it with the occlusion
achieved after 1 month of active orthodontic treatment.

Materials and methods

This clinical study was conducted at the SDM College of


Dental Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad, on a total of 16
patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. Fig. 1  Positioning of the T-Scan sensor in the patient’s mouth

2   T Scan – An aid in achieving stable occlusion during finishing stages of orthodontic treatment
original article

Fig. 2  Three parameters


evaluated with T-Scan

Fig. 3  T-Scan of patient 1 at T1

gray area and deviated if it lies outside it. It denotes the Patients presenting with unequal force distribution on
balance of forces between the point of the first and last either side of the arch were given settling elastics of dif-
tooth contact. ferent gauges.

All patients were analyzed quantitatively by taking a ●● Side with lesser force: a heavier gauge elastic was pre-
scan at two intervals: T1and T2. scribed.
T1 was at the beginning of the finishing and detail- ●● Side with higher force: a lighter gauge elastic was given
ing stage. At this stage, complete space closure had been to balance the force levels.
achieved and clinically the occlusion appeared to be
satisfactory. These three parameters were recorded and In order to improve the posterior settling of teeth and in
analyzed at T1 for all 16 patients. patients with sparse occlusal contacts all along the dental
Depending on the occlusal variabilities and the prob- arch, the finishing wire was cut distal to the anterior teeth
lems identified for each patient, attempts were made to in order to allow the posterior teeth to settle better with
specifically correct them during 2  months of extensive elastics.
finishing and detailing. Identification of interferences at As seen with T-Scan at T1, patients with heavy contact
T1 in the vertical plane using T-Scan helped in tuning the in the posterior region of the arch were given finishing
orthodontic tooth movement as per the requirements of bends in the wire to incorporate the buccal root torque
each case during the finishing phase. and prevent hanging palatal cusps. Figure 3, 4 shows the
The following was carried out during the 2 months of T Scans of 2 patients recorded at T1.
the finishing and settling phase depending on the prob- At the end of 2  months of extensive finishing and
lem areas identified: detailing, debonding was performed and 1  month later
another T-Scan was carried out: T2 measurements were
●● Settling elastics in various configurations were given recorded for each patient and compared with T1 (Fig. 5,
to patients. 6 shows the T Scan of the same two patients evaluated
●● Occlusal adjustments were performed that included at T2. The changes in all the 3 parameters achieved by
posterior torque corrections. detailed finishing and settling can be observed when
●● V bends for root parallelism were used. compared to the T Scans recorded at T1.).

T Scan – An aid in achieving stable occlusion during finishing stages of orthodontic treatment   3
original article

Fig. 4  T-Scan of patient 2 at T1

Fig. 5  T-Scan of patient 1 at T2

Fig. 6  T-Scan of patient 2 at T2

Results 87.5 % of the readings at T2 showed a centric position of


the mandible as compared with 12.5 % that had a devi-
The data of all 16 patients were statistically evaluated for ated mandibular position after the active phase of orth-
the three parameters by comparing the intervals T1 and odontic treatment.
T2.
Comparison of occlusal contacts at T1and T2 by Wil-
coxon matched pair testing showed a 31 % increase in Discussion
the patients having equal contacts at T2, which is statis-
tically significant (p = 0.0117;statistical significance set at This short clinical study was carried out on a sample of
p< 0.05) as shown in Table 1. 16 patients. A young homogeneous adult population was
The distribution of occlusal force levels shows a sig- chosen so that the subjects had sound dentition and nor-
nificant change in the force levels on the right and left mal occlusion. In order to minimize experimental vari-
side (p = 0.028 and p = 0.023, respectively) as depicted in ables, a single operator took all the scans, the sensitivity
Tables 2, 3, and 4. of the sensor was calibrated, and the upper pressure leg-
A comparison of the mandibular position (Table  5) end field was set to 255 and the lower pressure legend
showed a significant change at T2 (p = 0.0277). In all, field to 0.

4   T Scan – An aid in achieving stable occlusion during finishing stages of orthodontic treatment
original article

Table 1  Comparison of occlusal contacts at T1 and T2 by Table 4  Comparison of T1 and T2 force levels in left side
Wilcoxon matched pairs testing by paired t test
Occlusal contacts T1 % T2 % Treatment Mean SD Mean SD Paired t p
Equal 1 6.25 5 31.25 diff. diff.
Right side 9 56.25 9 56.25 T1 53.83 13.84 5.89 9.36 2.5171 0.0237*
Left side 6 37.50 2 12.50 T2 47.94 6.84
Total 16 100.00 16 100.00 *p < 0.05
Wilcoxon matched pairs test, Z = 2.5205, 0.0117*
*p < 0.05 Table 5  Comparison of mandibular position at T1 and T2 by
Wilcoxon matched pairs testing
Mandibular position T1 % T2 %
Table 2  Comparison of right and left sides with change in
force levels from T2 to T1 Center 8 50.00 14 87.50

Side Mean SD t p Deviated 8 50.00 2 12.50

Right side 5.75 9.47 3.4962 0.0015* Total 16 100.00 16 100.00

Left side − 5.89 9.36 Wilcoxon matched pairs test, Z = 2.2013, 0.0277*

*p < 0.05 *p < 0.05

Table 3  Comparison of T1 and T2 force levels in right side T-Scan II. They observed that when analyzed at MIP,
by paired t test anterior teeth had more occlusal contact and occlusal
Treatment Mean SD Mean SD Paired t p force than the control group, and during protrusive and
diff. diff. lateral movements the disclusion time was higher in the
T1 46.31 13.92 − 5.75 9.47 − 2.4279 0.0282* treatment group. Razdolsky et al. [11], Gazit and Liber-
T2 52.06 6.84 man [12], and Durbin and Sadowsky [13] analyzed occlu-
sal contact distribution after treatment; however, there is
*p < 0.05
scant literature on the occlusal contacts present during
the finishing stages of treatment.
To date, evaluation of the number and distribution of Tumer, Dincer, Meral [14] stated that after treatment
occlusal contacts at the end of active orthodontic treat- during the settling phase many changes are not seen; the
ment has not been a routine procedure in orthodontic number of contacts may increase but the location of the
clinics. It has been established that the examination of contacts remains unchanged. Morton and Pancherz [15]
the inter-arch occlusal relationship intra-orally or on also conducted a study to observe the changes after treat-
a study cast in the space closure stage does not always ment by natural settling. They found that while occlusion
accurately reveal the number and the location of occlusal improved naturally after 2 years in 20 % of the sample, in
contacts [4]. 72.3 % of the sample it remained the same as was seen at
Traditionally used methods of occlusal contact evalu- the time of debonding. In their study they emphasized the
ation such as articulating paper have been shown to give necessity of checking functional occlusion before appli-
false-positive results and the sensitivity of the paper is ance removal to eliminate unsatisfactory results. Soaita
often affected because of saliva impregnation, as was and Popsor [5] showed in their study on typodonts that
shown in the study by Saracoglu et al. [8]. Further, artic- occlusal variabilities exist when pre- and posttreatment
ulating paper does not give any information about the scans taken with the T-Scan III system were compared,
force with which each tooth contacts in the arch. Saraco- which cannot be detected by clinical inspection, and that
glu and colleagues showed that T-Scan sensors are totally a proper finishing phase is mandatory for obtaining a
unaffected by moisture, and therefore the precision functional occlusion for enhanced stability.
and recording sensitivity of the sensors are maintained. In our study we found that at the pre-finishing stage,
Hence, T-Scan was used as it provides a reliable and complete space closure was achieved and on clinical
reproducible objective recording of the various occlusal inspection the occlusion appeared satisfactory; however,
functions and even the relative force distribution. computerized occlusal analysis using the T-Scan system
A number of studies have been reported on the occlu- revealed unequal force distribution, unequal occlusal
sal contacts observed after treatment. In their study of 138 contacts, and a deviated mandibular position. After an
subjects, Fleming and coworkers [9] measured the Objec- extensive finishing and detailing phase for 2 months, when
tive Grading System scores of posttreatment Angle Class the specific problem areas that were identified earlier with
I non-extraction patients and concluded that occlusal T-Scan were addressed, the occlusal contacts were almost
contact was the most important component contributing equal on both sides of the arch in five subjects and showed
to the overall score. Wang and Bai [10] conducted studies marked improvement in four subjects. As stated, not only
to observe occlusal contacts in an orthodontically treated the number and contact area are important, but also the
sample and compared it with a control group using the distribution of contacts along the arches statically and

T Scan – An aid in achieving stable occlusion during finishing stages of orthodontic treatment   5
original article

during function, which is easy to observe with T-Scan; 2. T-Scan is an effective, easy-to-use tool for identifying
thus, all attempts were made during the finishing stage to occlusal variabilities in the vertical plane rather than
balance the distribution of occlusal contacts. relying on visual inspection or using traditional meth-
As was reported by Riise [16], the biting force also ods such as articulating paper or wax sheets, which are
influences the number of tooth contacts and therefore not very accurate.
the same instruction was given to all patients at both 3. Occlusal problems can be easily and accurately identi-
stages of this investigation to minimize the effect of dif- fied with the T-Scan system in the pre-finishing stage.
ferent biting forces. The occlusal force level distribution This identification of occlusal interferences helps in
was observed to be greater on the left side in the subjects tuning the orthodontic tooth movement during the
at T1. After the settling and finishing phase, a relatively finishing stage to specifically correct the problems
equal distribution of force levels was observed in most identified.
subjects at T2. de Freitas [17] reported that unbalanced 4. Occlusal changes required to achieve a functionally
occlusion is more prone to relapse due to undetected balanced occlusion can be easily done during the fin-
muscular and articular forces, and therefore before ishing stage by precise placement of finishing bends.
appliance removal special consideration must be given At this stage, tooth movement is still possible, and thus
to balance the forces on both sides of the dental arch. it is beneficial to address the problems before debond-
Using T-Scan in the pre-finishing stage helped to achieve ing, rather than later when the patient presents with
a better balance of forces after treatment by making the nec- symptoms.
essary changes during the finishing and detailing phase. 5. T-Scan taken at the finishing stages may be particu-
Changes in mandibular position were also observed at larly helpful for patients who had temporomandibular
T2, as 14 subjects had a centric mandibular position and joint disorders or facial asymmetry to begin with and
the number of patients with deviated mandibular posi- for patients treated by orthognathic surgery so that
tion reduced to two. Tipton and coworkers [18] reported stable functional occlusion can be achieved at the end
that the functional pattern of occlusion plays a significant of active orthodontic treatment.
role in the stability of the end result; therefore evaluating
functional occlusion at the finishing stages itself helps to Compliance with ethical standards
prevent any complications related to the temporoman-
dibular joint etc. at the end of the treatment and leads to Conflict of interest
better treatment outcomes. V. Seth, A.K. Patil, H. Kidiyoor, and K. Patil state that there
Cohen-Levy and Cohen [4, 19] also observed the are no conflicts of interest.
functional pattern of occlusion after treatment using
All studies on humans described in the present manu-
the T-Scan system. In a series of cases presented, they
script were carried out with the approval of the respon-
showed that asymmetric forces and contact levels existed
sible ethics committee and in accordance with national
in patients, which could be easily identified using the
law and the Helsinki Declaration of 1975 (in its current,
T-Scan system and that were corrected by either com-
revised form). Informed consent was obtained from all
posite build ups to balance the forces or by giving elas-
patients included in studies.
tics bonded to labial or lingual buttons as the patients
reported to them after treatment.
Therefore, a T-Scan taken at the finishing stage pro-
vides quantifiable data about occlusal prematurities References
during static and dynamic mandibular movements. This
information can be used during the finishing phase when   1. Haydar B, Ciger S, Saatci P. Occlusal contact changes after
tooth movement is still possible by adding necessary the active phase of orthodontic treatment. Am J Orthod
Dentofacial Orthop. 1992;102(1):22–8.
bends to the archwire and giving vertical elastics rather
  2. Angle EH. Treatment of malocclusion of the teeth and frac-
than addressing the functional problems at a later date tures of the maxillae. Angle’s system. Philadelphia: S. S.
when the patient presents with symptoms due to occlusal White Dental Mfg.; 1900.
imbalances. A 2-month meticulous finishing and detail-   3. Andrews LF. The six keys to normal occlusion. Am J Orthod.
ing phase, in which contacts were evaluated in the verti- 1972;62(3):296–309.
cal and horizontal planes, led to overall better results.   4. Cohen-Levy J, Cohen N. Computerized occlusal analysis in
dentofacial orthopedics: indications and clinical use of the
T-scan III system. Dentofacial Anom Orthod. 2012;15:203.
 5. S,oaita C, Pops,or S. Pre and post orthodontic simulated
Conclusion occlusions. Romanian J Oral Rehabil. 2012;4(4):32–6.
  6. T-scan III User Manual, ver 5.x, Tekscan Inc, Boston, MA.
1. Superficial clinical examination and assessment of the   7. Venus S, Neeta P, Monika M, Sapna B. Computerised occlu-
morphologic relationship of the teeth may be insuffi- sal analysis. Indian J Dent Sci. 2013;5(2):141–4.
cient. A case with a clinically satisfying occlusion may  8. Saraçoglu A, Ozpinar B. In vivo and in vitro evalua-
be functionally unbalanced. Therefore, when appreci- tion of occlusal indicator sensitivity. J Prosthet Dent.
2002;88(5):522–6.
ating occlusion, correct analysis requires assessment
in the vertical plane.

6   T Scan – An aid in achieving stable occlusion during finishing stages of orthodontic treatment
original article

  9. Fleming J, Buschang PH, Kim K, Oliver D. Post treatment 18. Tipton R, Rinchuse DJ, Sassouni V. An evaluation of func-
occlusal variability among angle classi non extraction tional occlusal interferences in orthodontically treated and
patients. Angle Orthod. 2008;78(4):625–30. untreated subjects. Angle Orthod. 1983;53:122–30.
10. An WW, Wang BK, Bai YX. Occlusal contacts in intercus- 19. Cohen-Levy J, Cohen N. Occlusal contacts analysis after
pal position after orthodontic treatment. Am J Dentofacial lingual orthodontic treatment in the adult patient with a
Orthop. 2009;44(12):735–8. computerized system. Int Orthod. 2011;9(4):410–31.
11. Razdolsky Y, Sadowsky C, BeGole EA. Occlusal contacts 20. Rebecca P. A method of finishing the occlusion. Am J Othod
following orthodontic treatment: a follow-up study. Angle Dentofacial Orthop. 1999;115:476–87.
Orthod. 1989;59(3):181–5. 21. Kerstein RB. Articulating paper mark misconceptions and
12. Gazit E, Lieberman MA. Occlusal contacts following orth- computerized occlusal analysis technology. Dent Implan-
odontic treatment measured by photocclusion technique. tol Update. 2008;19(6):41–6.
Angle Orthod. 1985;55(4):316–20. 22. Gokhan O, Munire S, Servet D, Ahmet S, Birgul O. Evalua-
13. Durbin DS, Sadowsky C. Changes in tooth contacts fol- tion of articulation following orthodontic treatment utiliz-
lowing orthodontic treatment. Am J Orthod Dentofacial ing SamII articulator and T scan occlusal analyser before
Orthop. 1986;90(5):375–82. and after occlusal adjustment. J Med Sci. 2002:115–118.
14. Dincer M, Meral O, Tumer N. The investigation of occlu- 23. Lyotard N, Hans M, Nelson S, Valiathan M. Short-term post
sal contacts during the retention period. Angle Orthod. orthodontic changes in the absence of retention. Angle
2003;73:640–6. Orthod. 2010;80(6):1045–50.
15. Morton S, Pancherz H. Changes in functional occlusion 24. Wang YL, Cheng J, Chen YM, Yip KH, Smales RJ, Yin XM.
during the post orthodontic retention period: a prospec- Patterns and forces of occlusal contacts during lateral
tive longitudinal clinical study. Am J Orthod Dentofacial excursions recorded by the T-Scan II system in young
Orthop. 2009;135:310–15. Chinese adults with normal occlusions. J Oral Rehabil.
16. Riise C. A study of the number of occlusal contacts in the 2011;38(8):571–8.
intercuspal position at light and hard pressures in adults. J 25. Trpevska V, Kovacevska G, Benedeti A, Jordanov B.
Oral Rehabil. 1982;9:469–77. T-SCAN III system diagnostic tool for digital occlusal
17. de Freitas KM, Janson G, de Freitas MR, Pinzan A, Hen- analysis in orthodontics- a modern approach. J Med Sci.
riques JF, Pinzan-Vercelino CR. Influence of the quality of 2014;2:155–60.
the finished occlusion on post retention occlusal relapse.
Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2007;132(4):428–34.

T Scan – An aid in achieving stable occlusion during finishing stages of orthodontic treatment   7

View publication stats

Potrebbero piacerti anche