Capacitive-Type Pressure-Mapping Sensor for Measuring Bite Force.

Masanori Iwasaki,Yota Kokubo,Ichinosuke Maeda,Hirohiko Hirano,Yoshitomo Tanaka,Wataru Takahashi,Yutaka Watanabe,Tetsuji Ueno

doi:10.3390/ijerph19031273

Abstract

Bite force is an important indicator of masticatory performance. However, existing methods for measuring bite force are either ineffective or expensive. Hence, we developed a novel capacitive-type pressure-mapping sensor that converts mechanical forces into changes in capacitance and calculates bite force. A portable device was fabricated based on this sensor sheet, and the accuracy of the bite-force measurements provided by the device was evaluated. The sensor has a thickness of 1.6 mm and has 63 measurement points. It was inserted into a dental model, where the output value was measured and compared with that of a universal testing machine (AG-IS 100 kN). A regression equation to estimate the bite force was obtained based on the relationship between the output of the capacitive-type pressure-mapping sensor and that of the load cell of the universal testing machine. The estimated bite force from the sensor and the quadratic regression equation closely resembled the known load applied by the compression tester (R2 = 0.992). We therefore conclude that the developed sensor can measure bite force accurately and effectively. A device with a built-in capacitive-type pressure-mapping sensor can potentially be a user-friendly tool for bite-force measurements in both clinical and epidemiological settings.

Highlights

Based on a large-scale, population-based epidemiological study [1], it was seen that bite force, an objective measure of oral function, was associated with masticatory performance regardless of occlusal status
The horizontal axis represents the total value of the corresponding output value of the load cell of the universal testing machine
We obtained a quadratic regression equation to estimate the bite force based on the relationship between the output value of the capacitive-type pressure-mapping sensor and the output value of the load cell of the universal testing machine

Summary

Introduction

Based on a large-scale, population-based epidemiological study [1], it was seen that bite force, an objective measure of oral function, was associated with masticatory performance regardless of occlusal status. Bite-force measurement is considered an important and objective approach for evaluating masticatory performance, as well as a suitable parameter for investigating the link between oral and general health in both clinical and epidemiological settings. T-Scan (Tekscan, Inc., South Boston, MA, USA) is a system that uses a thin film pressure-mapping sensor sheet to assist dentists in performing occlusal analyses on their patients [10,11]. It can evaluate the bite pressure and pressure distribution, it is inaccurate for measuring bite force [12].

Methods

Results

Conclusion