Dental sensors for the intraoral area

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dental sensor (100) for use in the oral cavity, which comprises a fixing area (101) made of a plastic material (103) that can be hardened after an impression of the tooth area (105) is taken during insertion of the dental sensor (100).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dental sensor for the intraoral region and a method for inserting the dental sensor. [Background technology]

[0002] The use of anatomically inappropriate sensor housings in the oral region can result in poor fit, unnecessary strength interference when eating, and insufficient fixation because the natural dental arch shape cannot be utilized for additional bonding. Additionally, there is a risk that the dental sensor may fall off and be swallowed while in use. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dental sensor that can be easily and quickly fixed to an intraoral region by a user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The above-mentioned problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Technically preferred embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the description and the accompanying drawings.

[0005] According to a first aspect, the technical problem is solved by a dental sensor for the intraoral region, which comprises a fixing region made of a plastic material that can be hardened after an impression of the oral region is taken during insertion of the dental sensor. The hardening can be performed intra- or extra-orally. The oral region includes a tooth region that has one or more teeth and that can additionally be in contact with the gums.

[0006] The molding of the plastic material allows the dental sensor to be quickly and individually adapted to the spatial conditions in the oral cavity. The position of the dental sensor can be better determined in the results. The molding can be performed directly by the dentist, for example, within a few minutes. Fixation using anatomically correct molding does not require reliance on fixation using chemical adhesives, which require laborious removal and can damage the teeth.

[0007] According to a technically preferred embodiment of the dental sensor, the plastic material can be hardened by light, electromagnetic radiation, or heat. It can also be hardened by drying, by chemical reaction with water (hydration), or by addition hardening. This achieves the technical advantage that hardening can be initiated, for example, after targeted impression taking.

[0008] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the dental sensor, the plastic material comprises a hardenable polymer. This achieves the technical advantage of using a highly suitable material that hardens quickly. The plastic material can retain a certain residual flexibility or elasticity after hardening, and therefore can be easily removed, like a silicone-like material. This achieves the technical advantage of being able to remove the dental sensor even when it is clamped, for example, when the dental sensor is fixed in an interdental space.

[0009] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the dental sensor, a plastic material is arranged on the sensor housing of the dental sensor, thereby achieving the technical advantage that, for example, the sensor housing can be fixed to the tooth area.

[0010] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the dental sensor, the connection between the fixing area and the dental sensor or the sensor housing is formed by a mating connection means. The mating connection means may, for example, include one or more protruding pins or fasteners that are connected to a plastic material. In this case, the plastic material is deformed, plasticized, or compressed accordingly to the structure of the connection means. This achieves the technical advantage of, for example, forming a secure connection between the fixing area and the dental sensor.

[0011] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the dental sensor, the sensor housing comprises a transparent or thermally conductive material that is in contact with the plastic material, thereby achieving technical advantages such as the ability to transfer light or heat to the plastic material and thereby effectively harden it.

[0012] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the dental sensor, the dental sensor comprises a light irradiation device or a heating device for the plastic material, which achieves the technical advantage that, for example, the plastic material can be hardened directly by the dental sensor.

[0013] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the dental sensor, the light emitting device or the heating device can be activated by the user, thereby achieving the technical advantage that, for example, the hardening of the plastic material can be controlled by the user.

[0014] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the dental sensor, the activation of the light emitting device or the heating device is performed wirelessly. The activation of the light emitting device or the heating device can be performed by a mobile phone, for example, via WLAN, NFC, or Bluetooth. This achieves the technical advantage that, for example, activation operations in the oral cavity are no longer necessary.

[0015] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the dental sensor, the fixing area, the dental sensor and / or the sensor housing are provided with pre-machined openings and / or one or more channels, thereby achieving the technical advantage that, for example, liquid can be guided directly from the tooth to the sensor for analyzing the liquid.

[0016] According to another technically advantageous embodiment of the dental sensor, the area around the through-hole is left unhardened, which achieves the technical advantage that, for example, the dental sensor can be easily removed after hardening.

[0017] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the dental sensor, the plastic material is anatomically pre-shaped. The anatomical pre-shaping can, for example, provide a corresponding tooth-shaped contour for each individual tooth. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, of a better fit of the dental sensor to the tooth region.

[0018] According to another technically preferred embodiment of the dental sensor, a separating layer is arranged on the plastic material to separate the plastic material from the tooth region, thereby achieving the technical advantage that, for example, the dental sensor can be easily removed after the impression is taken.

[0019] According to a second aspect, the technical problem is solved by a method for inserting a dental sensor into an intraoral region, comprising the steps of: taking an impression of the tooth region using a plastic material when inserting the dental sensor; and hardening the plastic material after taking the impression, thereby achieving the same technical advantages as the solution according to the first aspect.

[0020] According to a technically preferred embodiment of this method, the curing is carried out using light, electromagnetic radiation or heat, which also achieves the technical advantage that, for example, curing can be started in a targeted manner after imprinting.

[0021] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a dental sensor. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a dental sensor. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a dental sensor. [Figure 4] 1A-1C are schematic cross-sectional views of dental sensors and / or anchoring regions with different flow paths. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a method for inserting a dental sensor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] 1 shows a schematic side view of a dental sensor 100. The dental sensor 100 comprises a sensor housing 107 in which an evaluation electronics 117 and a sensor unit are arranged. In combination, the evaluation electronics 117 and the sensor unit are suitable for performing automatic measurements of specific physical parameters on a tooth 105. The sensor housing 107 is manufactured, for example, from plastic in a conventional manner.

[0024] The sensor housing 107 has a flat or approximately anatomically pre-machined contact surface 123 facing the teeth, which contact surface is covered with a flat layer of moldable plastic material 103. The plastic material 103 forms a fixing area 101 for fixing the dental sensor 100 in the oral region. The layer thickness of the plastic material 103 is, for example, 1 mm to 10 mm. To fix the plastic material 103, a suitable machining side structuring of the contact surface 123 of the sensor housing 107 or fastening of the plastic material 103 through holes in the sensor housing 107 can be provided.

[0025] The anatomically shaped contact surface 123 of the sensor housing 107 or contact surface in the plastic material 103 has the advantage of improving the wearing comfort of the dental sensor 100 and reducing interference with eating. The natural shape of the dental arch can be utilized for better adhesion of the dental sensor 100.

[0026] The plastic and / or deformable material 103 deforms when pressed against the tooth region 105, which may contain one or more teeth. In this way, a three-dimensional impression of the tooth region 105 is taken with the plastic material 103. The plastic material 103 then hardens, so that it loses its deformability. This can be done, for example, by irradiation with ultraviolet light, blue light, contact with oxygen or saliva, or by heat. It is also conceivable to use a material that is first excited and then hardens on the tooth region 105 over time. Preferably, the plastic material 103 is pre-machined, which reduces the time required for fixing the dental sensor 100 and eliminates possible sources of error during processing.

[0027] The plastic material 103 comprises, for example, a hydrophilic vinyl polysiloxane impression compound, or a polymer based on different fillers bonded to methacrylic acid and silane, for example a light-curable nano-hybrid composite.

[0028] The plastic material 103 includes a monomer matrix formed, for example, from dimethacrylate (17 to 18% by weight). The fillers include, for example, barium glass, ytterbium trifluoride, and / or various oxides and copolymers (82 to 83% by weight). Additives, initiators, stabilizers, and pigments may be additional ingredients (less than 1.0% by weight). The total amount of inorganic fillers is, for example, 53 to 80% by volume. The particle size of the inorganic fillers is, for example, 40 nm to 3 μm.

[0029] The plastic material 103 can have antibacterial properties, for example, by being embedded with silver particles, copper particles, or a mixture of chlorhexidine and chloroxylenol. Additionally, the plastic material can contain antibiotics, such as penicillin, clindamycin, erythromycin, cefadroxil, metronidazole, and / or tetracycline. The plastic material 103 can also be made of silicone or plasticine.

[0030] The dental sensor 100 may include an electronic light emitting device 109, for example, disposed inside the sensor housing 107. The light emitting device 109 emits light via a light-emitting diode, which induces hardening of the light-hardenable plastic material 103. In this case, the sensor housing 107 may be formed, for example, from an optically transparent material that is in contact with the plastic material 103. This allows light for light hardening to be incident from inside the dental sensor 100 through the sensor housing 107 onto the plastic material 103 and harden it. Of course, a chemical light emitting device 109 may also be provided that is based on the principle of chemiluminescence and emits chemically generated light once activated. The chemical light emitting device 109 may be formed, for example, by a light stick that can be inserted into the sensor housing 107.

[0031] Alternatively, the dental sensor 100 may include a heating device 111 disposed inside the sensor housing 107. The heating device 111 radiates heat, for example, via a heating coil, which hardens the thermosetting plastic material 103. In this case, a metal is placed between the heating device 111 and the plastic material 103 as a heat-conducting material. The heat-conducting material can effectively conduct the generated hardening heat to the plastic material 103, hardening it. Of course, a chemical heating device 111 may also be provided, which emits chemically generated heat once activated.

[0032] The light emitting device 109 or heating device 111 can be manually activated by operating a switch or button on the sensor housing, causing the device to emit light or generate heat for a given time period, at the end of which the plastic material 103 hardens.

[0033] However, the light irradiation device 109 or the heating device 111 can also be activated wirelessly by communication, for example by a mobile phone or a tablet PC via WLAN, NFC or Bluetooth. In that case, a suitable interface can be configured in the evaluation electronics 117 via which the light irradiation device 109 or the heating device 111 can be controlled.

[0034] Additionally, a separation layer 121 can be provided as a separation means, which facilitates the separation of the dental sensor 100 from the tooth or tooth region 105 after hardening. The separation layer 121 is additionally arranged on the plastic material 103 and prevents direct contact between the tooth 105 and the plastic material 103. This separation layer 121 can be formed, for example, by a thin fat or grease film, or a protective film made of rubber, Teflon, or latex. In that case, the dental sensor 100 can be separated without leaving any residue, even if the plastic material 103 has not hardened.

[0035] 2 shows a schematic plan view of the dental sensor 100 and the plastic material 103. On the surface of the plastic material 103 facing the tooth 105, a suitably shaped recess or through-hole 115 for an integrated sensor unit, or possibly a saliva channel for a good flow of saliva from the tooth region 105 to the sensor unit inside the sensor housing 107 during use in the oral cavity, can be provided in advance.

[0036] The sensor units can be, for example, sensors for measuring pH values, ethanol concentrations, lactate concentrations, cortisol concentrations, glucose concentrations, ion concentrations, sensors for measuring sound waves during interocclusion, and / or sensors for measuring temperature. Generally, the sensor units in the dental sensor 100 allow intraoral measurements of different parameters to be performed over an extended period of time.

[0037] The recess or through-hole 115 can be formed, for example, from a plastic material 103 that is rendered non-hardening in a surrounding area 119 of the through-hole 115. In the case of a light-hardening plastic material 103, this can be achieved, for example, by ensuring that no photoinitiator is embedded in the surrounding area 119. The surrounding area 119 therefore does not harden after impression under the action of light and can be removed relatively easily. The surrounding area 119 can also contain a water-soluble material, such as sugar, cornstarch, or water-soluble fibers.

[0038] The anatomical adaptation of the dental sensor 100 can be achieved, for example, by a tooth shape or a concave relief 113 in the contact surface 123 of the dental sensor 100, which at least approximately corresponds to the tooth region 105. In this way, the dental sensor 100 can be positioned closer to the tooth region 105. Not only the contact surface 123 but also the plastic material 103 can be preformed according to the anatomy with a suitable tooth shape or concave relief 113.

[0039] 3 shows a schematic cross section of another dental sensor 100. The fixing of the fixing region 101 with the plastic material 103 is performed by a plurality of openings 129 arranged in the sensor housing 107. During fixing, the plastic, unhardened material 103 is partially pressed through the openings 129 in the housing wall and then pressed flat against the inner surface of the sensor housing 107. An inner hardening process can then be performed to solidify the plate structure 127. In this way, the plastic material 103 adheres firmly to the sensor housing 107 and cannot fall off. After hardening, the plastic material 103 is autonomously held by the mushroom-shaped structure 127.

[0040] Further fixation possibilities can be achieved by microstructuring the contact surface 123, for example by simple grinding.

[0041] 4 shows a schematic representation of the fixing area 101, the dental sensor 100 and / or the dental sensor housing 107 with different flow paths 125. In addition, a through hole 115 can be provided in the plastic material 103 to allow measurements by the sensor unit. The through hole 115 forms an additional measurement area for the sensor unit in addition to the flow path. The through hole 115 can be formed, for example, from the plastic material 103, which is rendered non-hardenable in a surrounding area 119 of the through hole 115.

[0042] The channels 125 in the plastic material 103 are formed by depressions and function to guide or allow the flow of liquid (saliva) to or through the sensor unit, or to allow ventilation or insufflation of the measurement area. The channels 125 can be arranged horizontally, diagonally, or vertically.

[0043] The channels 125 can be formed, for example, by leaving the photoinitiator free in the light-curable plastic material 103 at a given point in the channel 125. After light curing, the non-curable plastic material 103 free of photoinitiator at said point can be removed, for example, using a water jet or spatula, thereby leaving the channels 125 in the anchoring region 101.

[0044] 5 shows a block diagram of a method for inserting the dental sensor 100. In step S101, the tooth region is molded by pressing a plastic material 103 against the tooth region 105 when inserting the dental sensor 100. At this time, the plastic material 103 conforms to the shape of the tooth 105. Then, in step S102, the molded plastic material 103 is hardened. At this time, the dental sensor 100 can be left in the oral cavity or hardened outside the oral cavity depending on the type. In this way, the fixing region 101 can be fixed on the tooth 105.

[0045] The individual shaping can be performed directly in the patient's mouth in a single treatment session with a few time-saving steps. This individualized shaping of the intraoral sensor device for each patient according to their anatomy makes the dental sensor 100 suitable for continuous wear. The dental sensor can be worn while eating, sleeping, and talking. Unlike impressions, scanning, and laboratory manufacturing, the shaping and adjustment of the dental sensor 100 can be performed directly by the dentist in a short time. Additionally, the individualized anatomical adaptation of the dental sensor 100 to each patient allows for sensor placement near the teeth.

[0046] All of the features described and illustrated in relation to individual embodiments of the invention can also be the subject of the invention in various combinations, whereby simultaneous advantageous results are achieved.

[0047] All method steps may be performed using apparatus suitable for performing each method step. All functions performed by the feature of interest may be method steps in this method.

[0048] The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and is not limited by the features described or shown in the description. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 100 Dental Sensors 101 Fixed area 103 Plastic materials 105 Dental Area / Tooth 107 Sensor housing 109 Light irradiation device 111 Heating device 113 undulations 115 Through hole 117 Evaluation Electronic Circuit 119 Surrounding Area 121 Separation layer 123 Contact surface 125 flow paths 127 Structure 129 Aperture

Claims

1. A dental sensor (100) for use in the oral cavity, comprising a fixing region (101) made of a plastic material (103) that can be hardened after the impression is taken of the oral region (105) when the dental sensor (100) is inserted, and a sensor housing (107) having a contact surface (123) facing the teeth that is pre-machined flat or approximately anatomically, the contact surface being covered with a flat layer made of the moldable plastic material (103).

2. 10. The dental sensor (100) of claim 1, wherein the plastic material (103) is hardenable by light, electromagnetic radiation, or heat.

3. 3. The dental sensor (100) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the plastic material (103) comprises a hardenable polymer.

4. The dental sensor (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plastic material (103) is arranged on a sensor housing (107) of the dental sensor (100).

5. The dental sensor (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the connection between the fixing region (101) and the dental sensor (100) or the sensor housing (107) is formed by a connecting means configured in a mating manner.

6. 5. The dental sensor (100) of claim 4, wherein the sensor housing (107) comprises a transparent or thermally conductive material, the transparent or thermally conductive material being in contact with the plastic material.

7. The dental sensor (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the dental sensor (100) comprises a light irradiation device (109) or a heating device (111) for plastic materials.

8. 8. The dental sensor (100) of claim 7, wherein the light emitting device (109) or the heating device (111) is user-activatable.

9. 9. The dental sensor (100) according to claim 8, wherein the energization of the light emitting device (109) or the heating device (111) is performed wirelessly.

10. 10. The dental sensor (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the fixing area (101), the dental sensor (100), and / or the sensor housing (107) are provided with a pre-machined through-hole (115) and / or one or more flow channels (125).

11. The dental sensor (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a peripheral area (119) of the plastic material (103) around the through-hole (115) is non-hardening.

12. Dental sensor (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plastic material (103) is anatomically preformed.

13. A dental sensor (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a separating layer (121) is arranged on the plastic material (103) for separating the plastic material (103) from the mouth region (105).

14. 1. A method for inserting a dental sensor (100) for an intraoral region, the method comprising the steps of: taking an impression of the mouth region (105) when inserting the dental sensor (100) to form a dental sensor (100) having a fixing region (101) made of a plastic material (103) that can be hardened after the impression is taken; the sensor housing (107) having a contact surface (123) facing the teeth that is pre-processed flat or approximately anatomically; and covering the contact surface with a flat layer made of the moldable plastic material (103).

15. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein curing is carried out using light, electromagnetic radiation, or heat.

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