[Clinical application of T-scan System. 1. Sensitivity and reproducibility and its application]

Analyzing occlusal contacts is significant for establishing the occlusal scheme as well as for the diagnosis on dysfunction of stomatognathic system. We tested a new occlusal contact analyzing device (T-Scan: Tekscan Inc. Boston, U.S.A.) for its sensitivity and reproducibility in relation to its clinical application. Following results were obtained. 1) As the modeling of dental arch of this system was not always correct, much care should be needed for identifying the contact location. 2) The minimum amount of load needed for displaying each five step occlusal force increased linear fashion (step 1: 250 g and step 5: 1750 g) when the sensor was vertically pressed on the intersection of force sensitive line. The minimum amount of force changed with the loading condition such as area and direction. Distortion of the sensor could lead the measurement error. 3) Since the time measurement data by this system were shorter than actual length of time and were measured over about 250 g load, light and early occlusal contacts could not be detected.