Development of a Wearable Mouth Guard Device for Monitoring Teeth Clenching during Exercise

The effects of jaw clenching and mouthpiece use on bat swing velocity in Division II athletes

Research assessing the effects of mouthpieces on an individual's aerobic, anaerobic, or muscular performance have attributed cited improvements to the participant's ability to jaw clench. Jaw clenching research finds positive outcomes with the task of jaw clenching with targeted muscle groups in a controlled laboratory setting. Thus, the study's goal was to determine if the addition of a mouthpiece would positively affect performance outcomes in a field-based whole-body muscle movement. Fourteen participants (8=F and 6=M) NCAA softball and baseball athletes completed 5 maximal bat swings with and without a mouthpiece in 4 conditions: no jaw clenching (NC), mouthpiece and jaw clenching (MP+C), mouthpiece only (MP), and jaw clenching only (C). Significant differences occurred in conditions, with the highest velocity noted in the combined condition of MP+C (71.9 mph) as compared to NC (67.9 mph), MP (68.6 mph), and C (70.9 mph). A repeated measures ANOVA demonstrated significant differences with bat swing velocity (F = 13.19, df 3, p < 0.0001). Pairwise comparisons revealed significant differences in MP+C with MP (p = 0.007); MP+C with NC (p = 0.001), and C with NC (p = 0.009). The results of this study provide evidence of jaw clenching's positive effects on the dynamic, whole-body explosive activity of a bat swing.

Frequency and Severity of Temporomandibular Disorders Among Weightlifters at Fitness Centers in a Subset Population of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

Background Teeth clenching in weightlifters is a common finding that may result in temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). This study aimed to evaluate the severity and frequency of TMDs among weightlifters at fitness centers in Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study was designed to collect data from weightlifters at fitness centers. A non-probability convenient sampling technique was applied using a valid and reliable Fonseca's questionnaire on a Google Sheet (Google, Mountain View, CA) to collect participant data. The survey was conducted from November 2022 to April 2023. Epi Info software (CDC, Atlanta, Georgia) was used to calculate the sample size, and a minimum sample of 278 was required. The data underwent analysis using SPSS version 20 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results Data analyzed from 375 participants revealed that 192 (51.2%) had mild signs of TMD, whereas 128 (34.13%) of the respondents had no symptoms of TMD. A significant difference was observed among female participants in all the temporomandibular joint severity categories. A statistically significant difference was observed between both genders concerning frequent headaches, earache, and nervousness. Conclusion The prevalence of TMD is high worldwide. Unsupervised athletic activity may result in the occurrence of TMD. Fonseca's questionnaire findings reveal a mild prevalence of TMD in weightlifters.

Enhanced Piezoelectricity of PVDF-TrFE Nanofibers by Intercalating with Electrosprayed BaTiO3

Over the past few decades, flexible piezoelectric devices have gained increasing interest due to their wide applications as wearable sensors and energy harvesters. Poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) (PVDF-TrFE), as one of piezoelectric polymers, has caught considerable attention because of its high flexibility, high thermal stability, and biocompatibility. However, its relatively lower piezoelectricity limits its broader applications. Herein, we present a new approach to improving the piezoelectricity of PVDF-TrFE nanofibers by integrating barium titanate (BTO) nanoparticles. Instead of being directly dispersed into PVDF-TrFE nanofibers, the BTO nanoparticles were electrosprayed between the nanofiber layers to create a sandwich structure. The results showed that the sample with BTO sandwiched between PVDF-TrFE nanofibers showed a much higher piezoelectric output compared to the sample with BTO uniformly dispersed in the nanofibers, with a maximum of ∼ 457% enhancement. Simulation results suggested that the enhanced piezoelectricity is due to the larger strain induced in the BTO nanoparticles in the sandwich structure. Additionally, BTO might be better poled during electrospraying with higher field strength, which is also believed to contribute to enhanced piezoelectricity. The potential of the piezoelectric nanofiber mats as a sensor for measuring biting force and as a sensor array for pressure mapping was demonstrated.

3D Resin-coated pressure sensor response for bite force assessment: A pilot study

Background

Occlusal splints with sensors help in the bruxism diagnosis and monitoring, by recording the patient's bite force. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of a pressure sensor when it is covered with different thicknesses of a 3D printing resin (Anycubic 405nm Translucent Green UV Resin, Anycubic, UK).

Methods

In this preliminary study, the evaluated sensor (FlexiForce A201 Sensor, Tekscan) was firstly calibrated without any type of cover material, and later tested with 3D printing resin with different thicknesses (1 mm, 1.15 mm, 1.4 mm and 1.6 mm). The load tests were performed by a force tester (MultiTest 2.5 dV, Mecmesin).

Results

When the pressure sensor was covered with resin of 1mm and 1.6 mm thick specimens, a higher difference was found between the applied load and the corresponding sensor reading.

Conclusion

It was concluded that it is possible to use this type of pressure sensor and that it showed better accuracy with the 1.15 mm and 1.4 mm 3D printing resin covering.

Noncarious cervical lesions: Morphology and progression, prevalence, etiology, pathophysiology, and clinical guidelines for restoration

PURPOSE

To synthesize the literature regarding noncarious cervical lesions (NCCLs) and propose clinical guidelines when lesion restoration is indicated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A PubMed search was performed related to NCCL morphology, progression, prevalence, etiology, pathophysiology, and restoration.

RESULTS

NCCLs form as either rounded (saucerlike) depressions with smooth, featureless surfaces that progress mainly in height or as V-shaped indentations that increase in both height and depth. Prevalence ranges from less than 10% to over 90% and increases with age. Common locations are the facial surfaces of maxillary premolars. They have a multifactorial etiology due to personal habits such as excessive horizontal toothbrushing and consumption of acidic foods and drinks. Occlusal factors have been identified as contributing to the prevalence of NCCLs in some studies, whereas other studies indicate there is no relationship. The concept of abfraction has been proposed whereby mechanical stress from occlusal loading plays a role in the development and progression of NCCLs with publications supporting the concept and others indicating it lacks the required clinical documentation. Regardless of the development mechanism, demineralization occurs and they are one of the most common demineralization diseases in the body. Treatment should be managed conservatively through preventive intervention with restorative treatment delayed until it becomes necessary due to factors such as lesion progression, impact on patient's quality of life, sensitivity, poor esthetics, and food collection may necessitate restoration. Composite resins are commonly used to restore NCCLs although other materials such as glass ionomer and resin-modified glass ionomer are also used. Sclerotic dentin does not etch like normal dentin and therefore it has been recommended to texture the dentin surface with a fine rotary diamond instrument to improve restoration retention. Some clinicians use mechanical retention to increase retention. Beveling of enamel is used to increase the bonding area and retention as well as enhance the esthetic result by gradually creating a color change between the restoration and tooth. Both multistep and single-step adhesives have been used. Dentin etching should be increased to 30 seconds due to the sclerotic dentin with the adhesive agent applied using a light scrubbing motion for 20 seconds but without excessive force that induces substantial bending of a disposable applicator. Both flowable and sculptable composite resins have been successfully used with some clinicians applying and polymerizing a layer of flowable composite resin and then adding an external layer of sculptable composite resin to provide enhanced resistance to wear. When caries is present, silver diamine fluoride has been used to arrest the caries rather than restore the lesion.

CONCLUSIONS

Noncarious cervical lesions (NCCLs) form as smooth saucerlike depressions or as V-shaped notches. Prevalence values as high as 90% and as low as 10% have been reported due to habits such as excessive toothbrushing and an acidic diet. Occlusal factors have been proposed as contributing to their presence but it remains controversial. Publications have both supported and challenged the concept of abfraction. They are one of the most common demineralization diseases in the body. Conservative treatment through prevention is recommended with restorative treatment delayed as long as possible. When treatment is needed, composite resins are commonly used with proposed restorative guidelines including texturing the sclerotic dentin, beveling the enamel, potential use of mechanical retention, 30 seconds of acid etching, and use of either multistep or single-step adhesives in conjunction with a light scrubbing motion for 20 seconds without excessive force placed on disposable applicators.

Wearable Orofacial Technology and Orthodontics

Wearable technology to augment traditional approaches are increasingly being added to the arsenals of treatment providers. Wearable technology generally refers to electronic systems, devices, or sensors that are usually worn on or are in close proximity to the human body. Wearables may be stand-alone or integrated into materials that are worn on the body. What sets medical wearables apart from other systems is their ability to collect, store, and relay information regarding an individual's current body status to other devices operating on compatible networks in naturalistic settings. The last decade has witnessed a steady increase in the use of wearables specific to the orofacial region. Applications range from supplementing diagnosis, tracking treatment progress, monitoring patient compliance, and better understanding the jaw's functional and parafunctional activities. Orofacial wearable devices may be unimodal or incorporate multiple sensing modalities. The objective data collected continuously, in real time, in naturalistic settings using these orofacial wearables provide opportunities to formulate accurate and personalized treatment strategies. In the not-too-distant future, it is anticipated that information about an individual's current oral health status may provide patient-centric personalized care to prevent, diagnose, and treat oral diseases, with wearables playing a key role. In this review, we examine the progress achieved, summarize applications of orthodontic relevance and examine the future potential of orofacial wearables.