“We’re doing a final engineering,” says Dr. Susan Hollar. When teeth fit together properly, we prevent many problems such as cracked or broken enamel, clinching and grinding, TMJ pain, headaches, even bone loss. Dental Health Check with Dr. Linda Niessen
Dental health topics from Dr. Linda Niessen of Baylor College of Dentistry
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High Tech Bite
By Dr. Linda Niessen STORY: HIGH TECH BITE
SCRIPT #555 SHOOT: 4/8/04 AIRDATE: Monday, May 3, 2004 Inquires: Dr. Susan Hollar 2411 Westwood Arlington, TX 76012 817-261-3392 Additional Information: www.tekscan.com Click on “Dental” tab. The T-Scan Computerized Occlusal Analysis System may reduce the risk of: implant failure, traumatized teeth, unstable dentures, ineffective splints, and porcelain fractures. Streaming Video of Broadcast: Streaming Video of Broadcast:
Monday, May 03, 2004
DHC Master #19 Timecode: 24:00
High Tech Bite56
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High Tech Bite
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Cracked or broken teeth can be painful and even lead to health problems. But an innovative, high tech sensing device now can detect a condition that often causes tooth fractures. News 8’s Dr. Linda Niessen has details in today’s segment of Dental Health Check.
“We’re doing a final engineering,” says Dr. Susan Hollar. When teeth fit together properly, we prevent many problems such as cracked or broken enamel, clinching and grinding, TMJ pain, headaches, even bone loss.
“I didn’t know I did have bite problems,” said Dr. Hollar's patient, Guinevere Grier.
For Guinevere Grier, a bite problem led to a broken tooth. “My bite had not been calibrated correctly if at all." she continued. "So then, in the process of just actually eating a turkey sandwich, the whole tooth just broke in half.”
To evaluate Guinevere’s bite, Dr. Hollar relies on a computerized device called a Tekscan or T-scan. A sensor scans the entire mouth and measures the amount of force on each pair of teeth. “So we see how much pressure is on every tooth," continued Dr. Hollar. "And we see a balance of the pressure on either side. If there is more pressure on one side than another, a patient will tend to squeeze, subconsciously, which starts a clinching and grinding habit.”
Before computerized scans, dentists only used low-tech articulating paper, a special material to see how teeth contact other teeth. But the paper cannot measure timing and force, critical information needed to recalibrate a patient’s bite. “Reshaping of teeth so that they fit together evenly and mesh without bumping,” said Dr. Hollar.
So if you have cracked or broken teeth, or just wear and tear from grinding or clinching, at your next dental visit, ask your dentist to evaluate your bite. For Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M System, I’m Dr. Linda Niessen, Channel 8 News.
Dr. Linda Niessen, clinical professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences and the Office of Communications and Development at Baylor College of Dentistry, hosts Dental Health Check, the only weekly dental feature shot on location in the nation.
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