Does one tooth seem to touch before the others? Has your bite felt different since receiving a crown, bridge, or dental implant restoration? Explaining that feeling can be difficult—and understanding it requires a careful examination.
At La Vita Dental Arts in Marietta, GA, Dr. J. Tony Sierra, DDS, MS, FAGD, uses T-Scan digital bite analysis when appropriate to gather additional information about how your teeth come together.
What Is T-Scan?
T-Scan is a digital occlusal analysis system. “Occlusion” means the way your upper and lower teeth meet.
During the recording, you bite on a thin electronic sensor. The software displays the sequence of tooth contacts and how relative biting forces are distributed over time. This helps your dentist evaluate which contacts occur early and where a larger share of the recorded force is concentrated.
T-Scan measures relative force, rather than the absolute force of your bite in pounds.
How Is T-Scan Different From Bite Paper?
Traditional bite paper leaves colored marks where teeth contact. Those marks help your dentist locate contacts, but their size and darkness do not reliably indicate how much force each contact carries.
T-Scan adds information about contact timing and relative force distribution. Used alongside bite paper and a clinical examination, it can provide a more detailed picture of how your bite functions.
When Might a Digital Bite Evaluation Be Helpful?
Dr. Sierra may consider T-Scan as part of an evaluation when:
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- A new crown or bridge feels high or uneven.
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- Your teeth seem to meet differently after dental treatment.
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- You have recurring concerns about chipped or damaged restorations.
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- You are receiving implant restorations or extensive restorative treatment.
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- You have difficulty finding a comfortable bite.
These concerns do not automatically mean you need a bite adjustment. The first step is identifying the cause through your history, examination, and any additional testing that is appropriate.
Does T-Scan Tell You Whether You Need a Bite Adjustment?
A T-Scan recording alone does not determine your treatment. Dr. Sierra interprets the findings alongside the condition of your teeth, restorations, supporting tissues, jaw muscles, and joints.
If an adjustment is appropriate, he will explain what needs to change and why. The goal is to address a clinically identified problem while preserving healthy tooth structure.
Jaw pain also deserves a broader evaluation. T-Scan does not independently diagnose temporomandibular disorders, commonly called TMD or TMJ disorders. NIH guidance recommends conservative care first for TMD and cautions against treatments that permanently change the bite as a routine approach to these conditions.
Why See a Prosthodontist for a Bite Evaluation?
When evaluating a bite concern, Dr. Sierra considers how individual teeth and restorations work together. His prosthodontic training informs the planning of crowns, bridges, dentures, implant restorations, and full-mouth rehabilitation.
Digital information can support that evaluation, while your symptoms and clinical findings guide the conversation about treatment.
Schedule a Bite Evaluation in Marietta, GA
If your bite feels uneven or uncomfortable, schedule an evaluation with Dr. J. Tony Sierra at La Vita Dental Arts. We welcome patients from Marietta, Atlanta, and surrounding communities.
Together, we can explore what you are feeling, determine whether T-Scan would be helpful, and discuss appropriate next steps.
