Tekscan III

Dr. Steven Olmos explains the use of Tekscan, the device that discerns the timing and force of contraction on the dentition.

DR. STEVEN OLMOS: This device is the Tekscan, and it is a computerized way to discern the timing and force of contraction on the dentition. This is the sensor mechanism here. I can turn that around so that you can see all the various sensors there. This device is placed inside the mouth. The patient bites into it in a habitual trajectory, and we get a representation of the maxillary arch demonstrated here on the monitor. We measure the size of the central incisor, put that information into the computer, and it will estimate the dimensions of all the other teeth, and that way, we were able to discern exactly the point of contact and the timing of contact and the distribution forces, both left, right, anterior, posterior, so that our goal is to center it in the middle, and we will do this in two steps with this patient. The patient has been wearing the Aqualizer titrated to the proper dimension for the last ten minutes. We're now going to insert the sensor, ask her to bite, and record that, remove the Aqualizer, have her close again, in the same tracing, be able to show contact of the way the mandible closes with and without the separating medium. We'll then go back and compare to her original trajectory and force vectors before we did any kind of insertion of appliances. Okay? So we'll ask the patient to open just a little. All right. Now, when I tell you to, I want you to bite, okay? You ready? Bite. Open. Bite. Hold it. Don’t move. That looked like that was right on the money. - - . Okay. That's good.