Tooth contact sensing apparatus and method
US5730151A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 27, 1996 |
| Grant date | Mar 24, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 27, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61C19/04
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method for sensing tooth contact includes at least one, and more typically plural, vibration sensors which are coupled to the non-biting surfaces of teeth. These sensors produce output signals when the associated teeth contact one another during jaw closing, the output signals being processed to provide information concerning tooth contact. For example, information concerning the first tooth which contacts may be determined, the sequence of contact by various teeth may be determined, as well as the time between contact of the various teeth. Other information concerning tooth contact may also be determined and displayed in a variety of forms. The device may be implemented in circuit as well as in microprocessor forms. In addition, in combination with a jaw trajectory apparatus, the tooth contact information may be correlated with jaw trajectory information to provide a more complete indication of the stability of a patient's bite.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.