BiteFX V1.2 Released!BiteFX V1.2 was released at the 54th AES Annual Meeting in Chicago. This release supports Windows Vista and finally resolves the problem we've had over the last year with versions of QuickTime greater than 7.1. If you didn’t see all the new animations in V1.1 you need to check out these upgrades from V1.0! See all that's in the product in the BiteFX V1.2 Brochure.
If you have BiteFX V1.0 you need to purchase the upgrade now! BiteFX V1.1 users should purchase the upgrade if they want to install on Vista or have had challenges with QuickTime.
Overview
BiteFX is a tool that helps you communicate the key concepts of occlusion to your clients. Because your clients can see how their bite ought to work they are better able to accept your treatment recommendations. Explaining occlusion need no longer be a challenge - BiteFX gives you the visual explanations that make things obvious.
Highlights
- 43 animations based on 3D computer models of the skull, jaw and teeth
- High resolution, dental pictures, some using a dental microscope, available to give real examples
of the effects being described
- Ability to add in your photographs either to tailor presentations to particular patients or enhance
the collection of pictures within BiteFX
- Easy to use interface designed to help you present the concepts to your patients
- Establishes you as a technically-savvy, expert on occlusion
Main Benefits
- Increases case acceptance for occlusion-related treatment plans (most say BiteFX pays for itself within the first couple of weeks)
- Saves time as, with BiteFX, explaining occlusion-related treatment plans takes much less time.
- Helps staff understand occlusion and get onboard with the occlusion-related treatments
- Enhances relationship with the patient as BiteFX puts you clearly in the position of being the expert
- You no longer get those "blank stares" when explaining occlusion to your patients
Detailed Features
BiteFX Helps You Communicate the Following Concepts:
- Proper position of the TMJ
- Elements of the TMJ assembly
- Function of the bi-concave collagen articular disc
- Need for TMJ to be fully seated with teeth contacting simultaneously
- Centric relation
- Centric occlusion
- Opening/closing motion of the jaw
- Normal coordinated muscle function (digastric, masseters, temporalis, lateral pterygoids)
- Muscle functions: opening, closing, positioning
- Only closing muscles in tension when the bite is closed
- Coordinated activity of the upper and lower pterygoid muscles
- Anterior guidance - forward and sideways movement
- How molars should separate with healthy anterior guidance
- Why fixing front teeth first makes sense
- How molars should contact (peaks to valleys)
- Why quality lab work is important
- How all teeth should come together
Having helped you establish an understanding of the stable bite, it illustrates these elements of a destructive bite:
- TMJ not in centric relation
- Lateral pterygoid overwork to hold jaw on slope of eminence
- Strain on the articular disc
- Articular disc distortion over time
- TMJ disorders are a progressive disease
- Causes of jaw clicking
- Cause of jaw locking
- Possible TMJ bone deterioration
- Bruxing molars and its effects on:
- teeth (loosening, wearing, fracturing)
- muscles
- nerve sensitivity
- Bruxing canines and the effects of loss of canine guidance:, ETC.
- molar loosening
- abfractions
- gum recession
- How incorrect molar contact can lead to loosening teeth
- Effects of lack of anterior guidance on the molars:
- Nerve sensitivity
- Root canal problems
- Wear
- Looseness
- Gum and bone recession
- Fractures
- Why interference effects produce a repositioning of the jaw in a more comfortable bite position
- How jaw position can change between taking an impression and fitting a crown on a rear molar, and hence why it is important to establish a stable jaw position before taking impressions.
Having helped you establish an understanding of the stable bite, it illustrates these elements of a destructive bite:
- How use of a splint/orthotic can help seat the jaw and ease or remove symptoms
- Full coverage and anterior splints/orthotics shown
- Equilibration
Photographs
At any time the Picture button, , can be clicked to switch the view from animations to a selection of dental photographs. They help illustrate the concepts or effects demonstrated in the animations. Examples of photos:
 Forward anterior guidance
 No canine guidance
 Close-up of worn teeth
You can also add in your own photographs with ease, using the "Picture Editor": 
Interface 
Guidelines
BiteFX provides the following guides and documentation to help you make the most of the product:
Welcome and Help Instructions: When you first invoke BiteFX, and any time you press F1, you see a pane that gives basic instructions on using the product.
| Info Pane: |
The Info button is always available to bring up a list of points that |
| describe the current animation. A useful introduction to each animation or reminder of points to communicate. |
User Guide: Detailed description of all parts of the product and how to use it. |