A study on the changes of tooth contacts following orthodontic treatment by use of the T-Scan system

Jeong, Ki Hoon; Kim, Jae Duck; Kim, Kwang Won

Abstract

This study was undertaken to investigate the changes of tooth contacts following orthodontic treatment, using T-Scan system. Occlusal contacts in maximum intercuspation were examined in 26 patients at the end of the active phase of orthodontic treatment and again 3 months into the retention phase to assess the initial posttreatment occlusal changes. The obtained results of this study were as follows: 1. The mean total number of contacts increased from 11.27 at the end of orthodontic treatment to 13.15 at the follow up visit, which was found to be statistically significant (P<0.05). 2. The change of number of contacts on anterior teeth was unchanged. 3. The change of number of contacts on posterior teeth was found to be statistically significant (P<0.01). 4. The change of total number of teeth in contact was significant (P<0.05). 5. The number of ant. teeth in contact was slightly increased. but Which was not found to be statistically significant (P>0.05). 6. The number of post. teeth in contact significantly increased, which was statistically significant (P<0.05). 7. A statistically significant relationship was found between the total number of contacts at the end of treatment and the change in the contacts over time. The fewer the number of tooth contact was at the end of orthodontic treatment, the greater number of tooth contact increased over time(r=-0.38, P<0.05).