Measurement of the magnitude of the occlusal forces during articulation.
BACKGROUND
The magnitude and direction of occlusal forces are important factors for the balanced force load of the teeth during articulation. There are no studies available on the magnitude of the occlusal force in the literature.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the data from the apparatus T-SCAN in order to extend its possibilities in determining specific values of occlusal forces during the process of dynamic articulation.


METHODS
The apparatus T-SCAN registers occlusal contacts with the help of a sensitive element (sensor) in a net of points. The apparatus scans all these points at specific intervals and depending on the magnitude of the force acting in each one of them enters a number in the range between 0-255 in the memory of the computer. The combination of the points coloured proportionately to the acting force in a given moment form one frame of the film of the occlusion. The sum of all occlusal forces acting in the contact points gives the total occlusal force.


RESULTS
The apparatus with the program developed by us showed the following: 1. It shows in numerical and graphic mode the size of the total force of occlusal contacts as well as that one in the left and right half of the dentition or in another zone chosen by the dentist. 2. The size of the area of occlusal contacts is evaluated in a numeric or graphic mode.


CONCLUSIONS
The data for the magnitude of the occlusal forces during the process of dynamic articulation provide valuable information about masticatory load on the teeth or prosthetic constructions. These data can be used in the diagnosis and prosthetic treatment.
Kalachev
Y S
YS
Higher Medical Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, Plovdiv, Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Bulgaria.
Iordanov
P I
PI
Chaprashikian
O G
OG
Manohin
E
E
D003725:Dental Articulators; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D006801:Humans; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography