In today’s dental practices, visual evaluations and manual muscle palpations are no longer sufficient for accurate occlusal analysis. With the availability of advanced biometric data, digital biometric technologies are quickly becoming the "gold standard" for assessing and adjusting occlusal force.(1,2)
A recent study by Dr. Ben A. Sutter and Dr. Patrick Girouard examined the effectiveness of digital devices, including Innobyte, in measuring and adjusting occlusal force before and after treatment. The study specifically focused on patients with orofacial pain and chronic temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), showcasing the impressive benefits of measuring bite force during occlusal adjustments.
Study Overview: Measuring Changes in Maximum Bite Force
The study evaluated 109 consecutive patients suffering from conditions like TMD, myofascial pain, and trigeminal neuralgia. The researchers utilized an Innobyte device to record the MBF of each patient before and after Disclusion Time Reduction (DTR) therapy.
During the procedure, each patient’s bite force was measured before and after the DTR treatment to monitor significant changes. (Figure 2A) The results showed statistically significant increases in MBF across all patient groups following occlusal adjustments.
Key Findings: How Technology Transformed Dental Treatment
The study’s key findings of improvements in MBF could not have been accurately measured without the use of both the Innobyte for absolute force and the T-Scan for relative force measurements. These devices provided crucial data that enabled precise adjustments to the patients’ occlusion, ultimately leading to improved bite function.
The study concluded that technologies like the Innobyte and T-Scan are valuable tools for accurately diagnosing occlusal issues, guiding treatment, and achieving optimal patient outcomes.
Why Dentists Use Innobyte
For dental practices looking to enhance their diagnostic capabilities, incorporating devices like Innobyte can offer an objective, data-driven approach to managing occlusal disorders.
By providing accurate absolute bite force measurements, Innobyte helps dentists understand how occlusal adjustments like DTR therapy directly affect bite strength and muscle function.
As this study suggests, the use of biometric technology
Provides critical insights that go beyond traditional visual exams
Allows for better treatment planning and long-term patient health improvements
Leads to more precise and effective care
Learn more about the InnobyteTM and its applications in both dental research and clinical settings.
Read the study:
Radke JC. Adding technology to diagnostic methods. In: Handbook of Research on Computerized Occlusal Analysis Technology Applications in Dental Medicine. IGI Global; 2015:153-214. doi:10.4018/978-1-4666-6587-3.ch005
Chowdhary R, Sonihalli NK. Clinical Applications of the T-Scan Quantitative Digital Occlusal Analysis Technology; A Systematic Review. International Journal of Computerized Dentistry. Published online March 2023. doi:10.3290/j.ijcd.b3945153
Qadeer S, Özcan M, Edelhoff D, Van Pelt H. Accuracy, Reliability and Clinical Implications of Static Compared to Quantifiable Occlusal Indicators. Eur J Prosthodont Restor Dent. 2021;29(3):130-141. doi:10.1922/EJPRD_2202Qadeer12