A Physical and Digital Way to “See” Occlusion
A handheld, battery-powered device can measure, record, and store occlusal pressure levels in both digital and physical form using the OccluSense iPad app
Paper alone is not always enough. For years, dentists have relied on articulating paper to identify interference or occlusal imbalances, but this approach hasn't always been consistent. OccluSense, a digital pressure sensor from Bausch, won’t miss those imbalances, which means your diagnoses will be more accurate and treatments more thorough—good news on both sides of the dental chair.
The OccluSense system records patient masticatory pressure distribution digitally in 256 pressure levels and then transmits the data to the OccluSense iPad app. The patient management system on the app stores the recordings, which dentists can then review and export.
“OccluSense is something I was really excited about when I realized it was being developed because I looked forward to having another tool for evaluating occlusion,” said Robin J. Henderson, DDS, Clarkston, WA.
“The portability of the unit is excellent.”
—Robin J. Henderson, DDS
Static and Dynamic Occlusion
Combining both traditional and digital registration of pressure distribution, OccluSense records both static and dynamic occlusion using a thin—only 60 microns thick—and flexible material that also marks the occlusal contacts on patients’ teeth using red color-coated sensor marks. The OccluSense sensor is applied in the same manner as paper and foil tests.
Dr. Henderson explained that sometimes patients present with symptoms or muscles that indicate an interference, but that interference isn’t identified with traditional articulating paper. Using OccluSense, however, means she can “see” everything and identify the interference.
Easy Transfer to App
“A difficult occlusal adjustment can be time-consuming,” Dr. Henderson continued. With OccluSense, digital pressure data are quickly and easily transferred to the OccluSense iPad app where they can be stored and reviewed.
While traditional articulating papers and foils show the local premature contacts on the occlusal surfaces of teeth, OccluSense takes things a step further by also providing a graphic representation of occlusal pressure conditions on the dentist’s iPad. With OccluSense, a dentist can visualize the proportion of the masticatory forces of the entire dental arch, opening the door for further patient planning. Additionally, the iPad app allows for several recordings to be compared, such as before and after dental treatment.
OccluSense is battery-powered, which makes it easy to transport it between operatories as needed. “The portability of the unit is excellent,” Dr. Henderson added. “I also found patient comfort to be excellent as well, due to the thin and flexible material,” she concluded.
