TekScan® TMJ bite analysis in [city], [st]

At [practice_name] in [city], [st], TekScan bite analysis is used within neuromuscular dentistry to evaluate how your teeth come together and how that bite may affect your jaw joints and muscles. Patients in [city], Utah who experience jaw pain, headaches, or bite changes often ask what TekScan is and how it can guide effective TMJ care. This page explains the technology, benefits, and what to expect during a visit.

TekScan occlusal analysis explained

TekScan is a digital occlusal analysis system that measures the timing and force of your bite in real time. A thin, flexible sensor sits between your teeth as you bite, tap, and move side to side. The system records which teeth touch first, how force is distributed across your bite, and how those forces change over milliseconds. Unlike traditional articulating paper that shows only marks, TekScan quantifies contact with precise numbers and visual force maps. In neuromuscular dentistry, this data helps connect bite imbalances to muscle strain and TMJ loading.

Clinically, the information can reveal premature contacts, shifting forces during chewing, and overloads on specific teeth or areas. This is valuable when diagnosing TMJ disorders, planning an occlusal guard, evaluating orthodontic or restorative changes, or verifying bite adjustments. Because it captures dynamic function, TekScan answers common questions such as how does TekScan work and what does TekScan measure in a way that guides clear decisions.

How TekScan can help your jaw and bite

• Objective measurements: Data-driven bite timing and force values reduce guesswork during TMJ and occlusal evaluations.
• Early problem detection: Subtle high spots and uneven force patterns are visible before they cause chipped teeth or muscle fatigue.
• Targeted treatment planning: Results can inform occlusal equilibration, bite splints, orthodontic sequencing, or restorative adjustments.
• Progress tracking: Repeat scans compare before-and-after force distribution to confirm that changes are working.
• Comfortable and noninvasive: The sensor is thin, quick to use, and involves no radiation.
• TMJ symptom insight: Force maps may explain jaw pain, clicking, headaches, ear fullness, or difficulty chewing by linking symptoms to bite dynamics.

Your TekScan visit

The appointment is straightforward and usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes.

• History and exam: Symptoms such as jaw pain, morning headaches, clenching, or bite changes are reviewed along with a focused TMJ exam.
• Baseline scans: You bite on the thin sensor in several patterns, including light taps, firm closure, and gentle left-right movements.
• Data review: Color diagrams and graphs show which teeth contact first and how force spreads across your bite over time.
• Plan and verify: If adjustments or an occlusal appliance are recommended, TekScan can be used to guide and confirm changes.

What to expect before and after

No special preparation is required. If you wear a bite splint or night guard, bring it to the visit so both your natural bite and appliance bite can be assessed. The sensor feels similar to thin film and should not affect crowns, veneers, or implants. Most patients describe the process as simple and comfortable.

After the analysis, you may receive conservative bite refinements, a recommendation for an occlusal guard, or further evaluation related to TMJ care. Repeat scans are often scheduled to monitor improvement and to ensure balanced force distribution as treatment progresses.

Who may benefit from TekScan

• Patients with TMJ symptoms such as jaw pain, clicking, or limited opening.
• People with frequent headaches, facial muscle fatigue, or clenching and grinding.
• Anyone noticing shifting teeth, uneven wear, recent dental work that feels “high,” or bite instability.
• Patients undergoing restorative, orthodontic, or implant care who want objective bite verification.