Characterization of the Threshold for the Pressure Sensor in a New Occlusal Appliance

A pressure sensitive telemetry based occlusal splint has been developed to aid in the study of bruxism. Objective: To characterize the amount and distribution of force required to trigger the sensor in this splint. Methods: An occlusal splint containing the sensor was fabricated to fit a stone model of teeth. Three cross sectional locations, posterior to anterior, were identified on the left and right side of the arch. The threshold, in Newtons (N), for each location was evaluated in 1mm increments buccal to lingual using an Instron universal testing machine. The threshold values were analyzed (ANOVA and Tukey) comparing the data points by location: anterior-posterior, left-right, buccal-lingual. A subset of points was re-tested to confirm the consistency of the data points. Results: All of the thresholds measured below 35 N. The reliability of the Instron was confirmed (92.8% Pearson correlation). The mean/standard deviation for each location were as follows: molar region 13.48/0.877, premolar region 7.84/0.805, canine region 5.16/0.80, total left side 7.77/0.73, and total right side 9.89/0.64. There was a statistical difference between the threshold forces between each region, anterior to posterior, and left vs right. Conclusion: Although the threshold force varied by location for the bite splint, all of the values fell within a clinical range for identifying a bruxing event.