Adjustment of Occlusal Splint with Synchronized T-Scan III Digital Occlusal Analysis System and Bio-EMG III in a Patient with Sleep Bruxism

Abstract

The occlusal splint has been frequently used as an effective treatment in sleep bruxism patients. In the adjustment procedure of occlusal splint with an optimal occlusion, clinicians usually use conventional methods; however, they cannot measure the surface area of contacts, amount of force, and contacting time sequence. Recently, two separate technologies have been synchronized together: T-Scan III and BioEMG III. In the present case report, an occlusal splint in a patient with sleep bruxism was adjusted with synchronized T-Scan computerized digital occlusal analysis system and BioEMG III. Optimal occlusal parameters were generated, and quantitative analyses of occlusal scheme and muscle activity level were performed before and after the adjustment of the occlusal splint. In the present case report, occlusion of the occlusal splint in a bruxism patient was adjusted with T-Scan III to fulfill the requirement of the optimal occlusion criteria. Before adjustment of occlusal splint, digital evaluation revealed unbalanced force distribution, lengthy occlusion (1.51 s), and disocclusion time (0.09 s) in centric relation. EMG activity of muscles was lower than expected values in centric relation. After adjustment of occlusal splint, canine protected occlusion with appropriate occlusion (0.2 s) and disocclusion (0.4 s) time were performed. Increased electromyography activity of the right anterior temporalis muscle showed a decrease in all excursive movements. Modern occlusal adjustment procedures provide a new standard of verification for the validation of occlusal splint fabrication with optimal occlusion.