IADR Abstract Archives
3D-Printed Smart Orthodontic Appliance Equipped With Nanodiamond Optical Strain Sensor
Objectives: This study aims to develop smart dental appliances and a new technology of 3D printing to embed nano-array optical sensors into 3D-printed polymer dental devices, such as orthodontic clear aligners and retainers. The optical strain sensors allow real-time monitoring of orthodontic forces applied to teeth, providing visual force distribution through microscopy for quick clinical assessments.
Methods: Dental resin-based biocomposites are synthesized by mixing 0.1 wt% fluorescence nanodiamonds (D: 150 nm) with 3D-printable clear resin, and optical strain sensors are fabricated using 3D printing technology with programmed quantity and position. 3D-printable clear resin with fluorescence nanodiamond (FND) is synthesized and its optical property is characterized. The efficiency and accuracy of the optical strain sensors and aligners via in vitro are verified.
Results: The morphology of fluorescence nanodiamonds is shown in Figure 1(a), analyzed using Transmission Electron Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The results of photoluminescent emission spectra in Figure 1(b) demonstrate that the fluorescence nanodiamonds contain nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers, resulting in increased light emission, as shown in Figure 1(c). Figure 1(d) illustrates the experimental design for investigating the FND optical strain sensor on the surface of the orthodontic clear aligner. Additionally, Figure 1(e) shows a significant improvement in the mechanical properties of the 3D-printed clear resin with nanodiamonds.
Conclusions: An FND-assisted optical strain sensor was developed and integrated into a 3D-printed clear dental aligner to measure orthodontic forces. The developed orthodontic device is expected to improve the quality and outcome of orthodontic treatment by quickly and accurately monitoring the magnitude and direction of the orthodontic forces through a digital innovative workflow, as illustrated in Figure 1(f). This technology has potential applications in orthodontic devices, human health monitoring, and advanced prosthetics.
Methods: Dental resin-based biocomposites are synthesized by mixing 0.1 wt% fluorescence nanodiamonds (D: 150 nm) with 3D-printable clear resin, and optical strain sensors are fabricated using 3D printing technology with programmed quantity and position. 3D-printable clear resin with fluorescence nanodiamond (FND) is synthesized and its optical property is characterized. The efficiency and accuracy of the optical strain sensors and aligners via in vitro are verified.
Results: The morphology of fluorescence nanodiamonds is shown in Figure 1(a), analyzed using Transmission Electron Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The results of photoluminescent emission spectra in Figure 1(b) demonstrate that the fluorescence nanodiamonds contain nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers, resulting in increased light emission, as shown in Figure 1(c). Figure 1(d) illustrates the experimental design for investigating the FND optical strain sensor on the surface of the orthodontic clear aligner. Additionally, Figure 1(e) shows a significant improvement in the mechanical properties of the 3D-printed clear resin with nanodiamonds.
Conclusions: An FND-assisted optical strain sensor was developed and integrated into a 3D-printed clear dental aligner to measure orthodontic forces. The developed orthodontic device is expected to improve the quality and outcome of orthodontic treatment by quickly and accurately monitoring the magnitude and direction of the orthodontic forces through a digital innovative workflow, as illustrated in Figure 1(f). This technology has potential applications in orthodontic devices, human health monitoring, and advanced prosthetics.
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