The development of a new orthodontic appliance using non-conventional electromechanical methods

Date
2013-03
Authors
Wucher, Tim
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Orthodontics is the eld of dentistry concerned with the treatment of maloc- clusion and anomalies of the dento-facial complex. This thesis is concerned with studying the underlying biomechanical principles of orthodontic tooth movement. It aims to develop a novel treatment approach and an orthodontic appliance to facilitate said approach by employing advanced technologies. A thorough review of the literature is used to form a comprehensive knowledge base pertaining to the factors a ecting orthodontic tooth movement. It is hypothesised that an electromechanical orthodontic appliance could improve treatment by characterising orthodontic cases based on the relationship be- tween the applied mechanical stimulus and the resulting changes to the af- fected structures, which can then be sensed by the appliance. A prototype is built using electronically controllable linear actuators and a custom built force transducer system for measuring orthodontic forces. Electronic circuits are de- veloped to connect the appliance to a USB port and allow it to be controlled from a graphical user interface (GUI). This further facilitates real-time viewing of important orthodontic parameters. Experiments are carried out to evaluate the appliance functionality with regard to the proposed hypothesis. To con- clude, the relevance of the results to the orthodontic eld is highlighted and recommendations for further development of an electromechanical orthodontic appliance are provided.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ortodonsie is die vakgebied in tandheelkunde gemoeid met die behandeling van wanpassing en abnormaliteit van die tand- en gesig-area. Hierdie tesis bestudeer die onderliggende biomeganiese beginsels van ortodontiese tandbeweging om sodoende 'n nuwe benadering sowel as 'n ortodontiese apparaat te ontwikkel om die genoemde benadering te fasiliteer deur gebruik te maak van gevorderde tegnologie. 'n Deeglike oorsig van die literatuur word gebruik om 'n omvattende kennisbasis op te bou rondom die faktore wat ortodontiese tandbeweging a ekteer. Die hipotese word gestel dat 'n elektromeganiese ortodontiese apparaat behandeling kan verbeter deur ortodontiese gevalle te identi seer/- karakteriseer gebaseer op die verhouding tussen die toegepaste meganiese stimulus en die gevolglike veranderinge aan die gea ekteerde strukture wat deur die apparaat aangevoel word. Elektronies-beheerbare lineêre aandrywers en 'n pasgemaakte krag-oordraerstelsel vir die meet van ortodontiese kragte word gebruik om 'n prototipe te vervaardig. Elektroniese stroombane word ontwikkel om die apparaat te koppel aan 'n USB poort sodat dit beheer kan word d.m.v. 'n gra ese gebruikerskoppelvlak. Eksperimente poog om die apparaat funksioneel te evalueer volgens die voorgestelde hipotese. Ter afsluiting: die toepaslikheid van die verwerfde resultate in die ortodontiese vakgebied word beklemtoon en aanbevelings word gemaak vir toekomstige/verdere ontwikkelings m.b.t. 'n elektromeganiese ortodontiese apparaat.
Description
Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.
Keywords
Orthodontics, Electromechanical devices, Orthodontic appliances -- Automatic control, Theses -- Mechatronic engineering, Dissertations -- Mechatronic engineering
Citation