Chirped Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors for Force Intensity and Location Assessment in Occlusal Splints: A Proof-of-Concept

Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors are strain and temperature sensors with advantages such as small diameter, multiplexing capability, intrinsic safety and biocompatibility. In dentistry, FBG sensors were tested in appliances, implants and splints. In addition to the study of dental biomechanics, these sensors are used in the development of new techniques and products or in the comparison of established treatments. The working principle of measurement of bite forces applied to occlusal splints and the distributed sensing capability along the Chirped FBG (CFBG) are demonstrated in the present proof-of-concept using a PDMS silicone splint. The CFBG exhibits different spectral shapes for each of the four positions of the one-point force application. The average wavelength and the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the spectra reflected by the CFBG are able to estimate the intensities and the positions, respectively, of the compression forces of the tooth. The instrumentation of occlusal splints with CFBG sensors can help in the distinction between different bite patterns in occlusal stabilization splints during bruxism episodes, along with the understanding of the effects and efficacy of these appliances in treatments and the comparison of different 3D-printed and traditional occlusal splints.