Visualization of Occlusal Contacts on a TV Monitor

Abstract

This study presented the visualizing method of occlusal contacts by means of the digital image processing system.
Silicone-black method was frequently used to examine transparent areas as occlusal contacts in clinic.
Silicone-black (Bitechecker, GC Co., Japan) had two images, which were transparent areas and teeth surfaces. Each image through CCD TV camera was memorized in the digital processing system. And then the new image was obtained that markings of occlusal contacts were superimposed on teeth surfaces.
This method makes it valuable to examine occlusal contacts in number, location, intensity and area.