Wearable Dental Sensor Mapping for Teeth Movement and Bite Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental restoration methods lack the ability to accurately measure masticatory force and teeth movement, leading to suboptimal material selection and restoration design.
Innovation Solution
A wearable dental appliance equipped with sensors to capture dental properties such as pressure and movement, generating a dental map for precise material selection and restoration fabrication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional dental restoration methods are used, then the restoration process is simple and quick, but the ability to measure masticatory force and teeth movement is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The dental appliance is divided into multiple independent sensor units distributed across the dentition. Each sensor unit independently measures pressure and movement at its specific location, allowing comprehensive measurement of masticatory forces without requiring a single complex measurement system.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable dental appliance serves multiple functions: it acts as both a protective covering for the dentition and as a measurement device with integrated sensors. The same appliance structure simultaneously provides mechanical support and enables pressure/movement measurement, eliminating the need for separate complex measurement equipment.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are integrated into the dental appliance, then accurate measurement of dental properties is achieved, but the ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor units are merged directly into the dental appliance structure during manufacturing. The sensors are integrated with the appliance's support structure and positioning elements, combining the manufacturing processes for both the appliance and sensor assembly into a single integrated production workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance material properties are adjusted to accommodate sensor integration. The support structure uses materials with appropriate mechanical properties that allow sensor embedding while maintaining structural integrity. The positioning elements are designed with specific dimensional parameters that facilitate accurate sensor placement and measurement.
3Loss of information
If multiple sensors are used to capture dental properties, then comprehensive measurement data is obtained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is segmented into multiple distributed sensor units, each capturing local dental properties. This segmentation allows comprehensive data collection across different dentition regions while keeping each individual sensor unit simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The dental appliance itself serves as the measurement platform. The structure of the appliance provides the necessary support and positioning for the sensors, and the appliance's interaction with the dentition automatically provides the measurement context, eliminating the need for separate complex measurement apparatus.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate measurement of dental properties for personalized restoration design, improving both functionality and aesthetics by selecting materials based on actual patient data.
Implementation Method 1
a dental appliance is formed to measure the pressure at various points along the dentition of the patient
Implementation Method 2
measure the movement of the teeth of the patient
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable dental apparatus for capturing dental properties of a patient includes a support structure. The support structure is configured to be worn on the dentition of the patient. The wearable dental apparatus includes at least one sensor. The sensor is coupled to the support structure. The sensor is configured to capture a series of measurement of a dental property of the patient. The measurements are associated with one or more locations on the dentition of the patient. A dental map is generated based on at least some of the measurements and is displayed. The dentition of a patient is restored by selecting a restoration material based on the measurements.