Podcast Summary: Dr. Robert B. Kerstein on Smarter Dentistry
Podcast: The Digital Executive by Coruzant Technologies
Episode: 1143
Date: November 11, 2025
Guest: Dr. Robert B. Kerstein, Pioneer in Digital Occlusal Technology
Host: Brian Thomas
Main Theme
In this episode, Dr. Robert B. Kerstein discusses the evolution and clinical significance of digital occlusal analysis—especially the T-Scan system—in modern dentistry. The conversation centers on how digital measurement improves patient outcomes, efficiency in practice, and the broader future of digital workflows in dental care.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Draw to Computerized Occlusal Analysis
Timestamp: 02:07
- Dr. Kerstein explains his early recognition (since 1984) of the limitations in traditional occlusal assessment tools such as articulating paper and ink.
- Traditional tools could only identify contact points—not force or timing—making them unreliable for assessing bite quality.
- T-Scan was a revolutionary step because it allowed dentists to:
- Measure bite forces dynamically over time.
- Visualize and distinguish problematic bite contacts far more accurately.
- Minimize invasiveness and improve patient safety by targeting real issues rather than relying on misleading visual cues.
“Articulating paper and ink ... don't measure the bite. They don’t have bite capability measurements at all ... The idea that paper mark size could show you bite force is completely backwards.”
— Dr. Kerstein [03:12]
2. Translating Data Into Practical Clinic Decisions
Timestamp: 05:24
- T-Scan records multiple bite activities: clenching, grinding, chewing, etc.
- The technology identifies and displays different force levels (high, medium, low) and timing graphs.
- Instead of treating all marks, clinicians can use the T-Scan to isolate and target problematic contacts, reducing unnecessary adjustments.
- Methodology applies across dental procedures: implants, crowns, orthodontics, TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder), etc.
- Clinical accuracy outweighs traditional methods, which have only about 14% accuracy in correlating paper mark size to bite force (the rest is guesswork).
“Computer guided occlusal adjusting ... is far more accurate and it definitely speeds up treatment and it takes away all this subjectivity.”
— Dr. Kerstein [07:03]
“If a dentist chooses big marks all the time, they’re going to be wrong 86% of the time.”
— Dr. Kerstein [07:36]
3. The Business Case: Time, Efficiency, and Patient Outcomes
Timestamp: 08:44
- Investment in T-Scan and proper training is justified by:
- Fewer follow-up visits due to bite issues arising from imprecise adjustments.
- Dramatic reduction in chair time and increased practice efficiency.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction and retention; patients are less likely to experience post-procedure bite discomfort.
- Example: Dr. Kerstein often resolves complex bite cases in a single visit, even for patients who’d struggled with issues for months or years elsewhere.
- Protects from profit loss: Follow-up adjustments are often uncompensated, reducing practice profitability.
- Clinical studies show T-Scan helps preserve dental materials and bone, lowering the frequency of fractures or remakes.
- Procedures for TMD (e.g., exclusion time reduction) can resolve symptoms much faster than traditional approaches.
“I was able to fix this issue that was bothering them ... in most of the time in one visit. And they were really surprised because their dentist spent many visits ... without succeeding.”
— Dr. Kerstein [11:13]
“Speeding up treatment, resolving TMJ directly without needing Botox or splints or appliances ... exclusion time reduction is extremely powerful and resolves the problem in a matter of months.”
— Dr. Kerstein [12:50]
4. The Future: Digital Workflows, AI, and New Practitioner Readiness
Timestamp: 14:24
- The digital workflow (scanners, CAD/CAM, CBCT) dominates restorative and prosthodontic dentistry.
- However, these tools alone cannot measure or control bite forces; patient-functional evaluation is still essential.
- Digital occlusal analysis is described as "the last frontier" of full digital dental workflows.
- Emergent technologies (e.g., AI-driven analysis) may further improve diagnostic insight and automate detection of occlusal problems.
- For new dentists: Training in T-Scan and understanding its value is crucial—relying solely on old methods is scientifically disproven.
“The future of measured digital occlusion is very exciting because it's the last frontier of the digital workflow ... the only step that's still not computer driven in a widespread way.”
— Dr. Kerstein [15:05]
“Practitioners have to really be open to learning that this is a problem ... the papermark method is actually problematic and coming to face the truth about it, that science has proven now many times that it's just ineffective.”
— Dr. Kerstein [16:30]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “The idea that paper mark size could show you bite force is completely backwards.” [03:12]
- “A big mark is big force 14% of the time and a little mark is light force essentially 14% of the time.” [07:17]
- “When you're not using the T scan, there's a huge time loss in dental practices ... the dentist can't charge the patient for extra bite visits because they can't get the bite right.” [10:14]
- “Dentistry can only propel itself forward in the quality of patient bite care ... by widely adopting the T scan and treating with the principles of measured digital occlusion.” [15:52]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:00 – 01:32: Introduction & Dr. Kerstein's background
- 02:07 – 04:37: Why traditional occlusal tools fall short and the value of T-Scan
- 05:24 – 07:55: Turning digital data into real-world improvements for clinical care
- 08:44 – 13:32: Business case, patient impact, and clinical examples
- 14:24 – 17:01: The future of digital occlusion, the necessity for practitioner adoption
- 17:34 – 18:03: Closing thoughts, hope for the future of dental bite care
Conclusion
Dr. Robert B. Kerstein makes a compelling case for the widespread adoption of digital occlusal measurement, both for its clear patient care benefits and its positive impact on dental business outcomes. He urges practitioners—especially those new to the field—to embrace objective, data-driven occlusal assessment as the standard, positioning digital bite analysis as an essential part of dentistry’s next evolution.