Design and implementation of a digital occlusal analysis system

Occlusion runs through the whole process of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of oral diseases. However, occlusion can only be analyzed by current clinical methods qualitatively, and the dental occlusion cannot be recorded continuously. Firstly, a digital occlusal analysis system based on a flexible force-sensitive sensor is developed, including the sensor, hardware system, and software system. Then, a semi-automatic method was used to establish the dental arch model from the photographs of the occlusal surface. The dental arch model can be used to calculate the evaluating indicators of occlusal contact. Finally, the system is verified according to Bland&Altman. Fifteen adults attended this experiment. It shows that the 1.96-fold measurement error (accuracy) is 15.39%, and the 2.77-fold measurement error (variability) is 21.74%. Compared with the other commercial product, the accuracy and repeatability of the system meet the requirements.