초록 ▼

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

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.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for determining the contact between at least one set of two teeth, each set of two teeth including an upper tooth and a lower tooth which contact one another at respective biting surfaces, the apparatus comprising:a sensor for coupling to a surface of a first

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for determining the contact between at least one set of two teeth, each set of two teeth including an upper tooth and a lower tooth which contact one another at respective biting surfaces, the apparatus comprising:a sensor for coupling to a surface of a first tooth of the set other than a biting surface;the sensor producing an output signal upon contact of the two teeth of the set; anda signal processor coupled to the sensor so as to receive the output signal and operable to indicate the contact of two teeth of said at least one set in response to the output signal.