It is well documented that occlusal force overload can result in de-osseointegration of dental implants, mechanical failure of implant parts and screws, and lead to fractures of veneered occlusal surface materials. Complete-arch implant prostheses can be torqued and flexed from aberrant occlusal forces, while segmental implant prosthesis often hold up the proper occlusion of their neighboring teeth due to their lack of compressibility. Moreover, a rigid implant prosthesis can be installed with areas of undetected excess occlusal force when clinicians use articulating paper markings to guide occlusal force corrections. The T-Scan Computerized Occlusal Analysis System (Tekscan, Inc. S. Boston, MA, USA) can isolate for correction, damaging implant prosthesis occlusal force overload, thereby improving intraoral longevity after insertion. By combining a PowerPoint presentation, with actual implant prosthesis-recorded occlusal contact digital data, this presentation describes how using computerized occlusal analysis technology greatly improves occlusal force control on dental implant prostheses.

Learning objectives:
 

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

• Understand why occlusal force excess and occlusal contact time simultaneity are not reliably described with articulating paper marking
• Discuss how T-Scan digital occlusal analysis aids in the insertion of both complete-arch implant prostheses and in mixed-arches, where teeth and implant prostheses reside together
• Recognize how measured occlusal force corrections on implant prostheses improve longevity, lessen material breakage, and optimize patient comfort after insertion