The proposed interdisciplinary approach is to test the functionality of an elastic sensor that will both create and measure pressure on molar teeth in a preclinical rabbit model. Sensitivity of the commercially available sub-millimeter capacitive silicon pressure sensor encapsulated in silicone will be defined as the ability to monitor temporal shifts in pressures/forces on the tooth-crown during short- and long-term phases of tooth movements. Scientific Premise: In orthodontic tooth movement (OTM), the mineral formation and resorption events caused by natural tooth drift in the periodontal complex are often reversed through the time dependent mechanoresponsive nature of the PDL. This is achieved through largely qualitative adjustments of the magnitude and direction of forces and couples on the tooth crowns during clinical manipulations. With a calibrated force on the tooth-crown, preliminary insights have led us to hypothesize that the temporal sensitivity of the proposed biosensor can be mapped by identifying the gradual rate of shift in pressure (?Pg/?t). These shifts will prompt gradual reversal of the naturally occurring mineral resorption and formation at the PDL-entheses resulting in minimum tooth recovery/relapse toward their original position. An abrupt rate of shift in pressure (?Pa/?t) will be indicative of an abrupt reversal of these biological events and significant tooth relapse. The proposed two aims will include;
Aim 1. To investigate the sensitivity of an elastic sensor between the 1st and 2nd molars in a rabbit model. Temporal shifts in pressure on the tooth-crown will be correlated with the functional relationship of the root with the alveolar bone, and changes in PDL-space during short- (t=0, 1 day (D)) and long-term (1 week (wk) and 2 weeks (wks)) phases of OTM, as well as tooth recovery/relapse.
Aim 2. To investigate the functional effectiveness of an elastic sensor between 1st and 2nd molars of a rabbit. Temporal shifts in the measured in vivo input pressure at different thicknesses of the elastic sensor (relative to PDL-space) will be mapped and correlated with resulting biological responses. Three types of sensor thicknesses (T) will be used: 1) equivalent to PDL-space (T~average PDL-space in a rabbit: 70-100 m), 15-20% lower (T
PROJECT SUMMARY To date, no sensors can concurrently induce and measure precise forces on tooth crowns, therefore there is yet little consensus on the optimal force that should be applied for desired tooth movement during orthodontic therapy. Thus, this study proposes to generate and validate a sensor that can induce and measure orthodontic forces over time in a rabbit model. The measurable pressure will then be correlated to measureable biological responses below the tooth crown that in turn, will be exploited to ultimately guide optimal tooth movement in orthodontic patients in the clinic.
| Yang, Lynn; Kang, Misun; He, Rui et al. (2018) Microanatomical changes and biomolecular expression at the PDL-entheses during experimental tooth movement. J Periodontal Res : |
