[The use of the T-Scan system in occlusal diagnosis]

The present study examines the T-Scan reproduction system used in occlusal diagnosis. The system represents a major technical innovation in functional diagnostics. Nevertheless, various aspects of it still require improvement. Amplifying or confirming the results of previous studies, the following observations are intended to indicate how the system might be improved, and how it can be reliably used at present: The reproduction afforded by the sensor as situated in the mouth is insufficient. Exact reproduction of the topography of the occlusal contacts is not possible. Reproducibility of the temporal sequence of the contacts is slight. The registering of dental functional movements can give rise to errors of interpretation. Threshold values for the registration of contact points in the system's pressure mode are uneven. The relative reproduction of different impressions is unreliable. Since in the system's pressure-mode early contacts cannot be distinguished from strong physiological contacts, in clinical practice the former must first be identified using the time-mode.