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Dental technology

Digital Occlusal Analysis

Tooth contact, pressure, side-to-side force and bite timing can be measured with digital occlusal analysis.

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The short answer

Digital occlusal analysis measures tooth contact, pressure, force balance and bite timing to assess how the teeth meet.

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Digital Occlusal Analysis dental educational illustration

What is digital occlusal analysis?

Measurements in digital occlusal analysis
MeasurementWhat it shows
Tooth contact and pressureThe opposing tooth-contact and pressure parameters.[4][5]
Force balance and timingRight-left force ratio and occlusion or disclusion times.[4][5]

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Digital and conventional occlusal assessment
ApproachDistinct feature
Digital analysisProvides a more objective form of occlusal control.[4][5]
Joint paperIts use for occlusal control remains subjective.[1][2][3][4]

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How is it used?

Computerized systems assess opposing contact, pressure, force on the right and left sides, occlusion time, disclusion time and resultant force during intercuspidation.

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What are its limits?

Digital occlusal methods are used in orthodontic and prosthodontic treatment, but the review notes that they are rarely used for patients receiving multidisciplinary treatment.

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What is the alternative?

Conventional occlusal analysis can identify normal and abnormal contact points, while digital analysis provides a more objective form of occlusal control than joint paper.

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What can the result tell you?

The measurement can show where tooth contacts and forces occur, including how force is distributed between the two sides of the mouth and when contact changes during movement.

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Why can bite analysis matter?

Occlusal analysis can identify contact patterns associated with occlusal trauma, tooth sensitivity and temporomandibular joint pain; without proper occlusal analysis, a clear diagnosis of the joint condition cannot be obtained.

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Frequently asked questions

Does a digital bite scan diagnose jaw pain on its own?

No. It records contact and force patterns, while a clear diagnosis of a joint condition requires proper occlusal analysis within the clinical assessment.

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