How often does a removable brace need to be checked by the dentist and how much does a patient need to use it to get the desired effect? Can digital microsensors in braces help optimize wear time?

COO's role in the project

Project leader

Project Start

Ethics tested 2017,
started up during 2018

Projektpartner

Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University

Funding

Futurum, Region Jönköping County

Project leader

Anders Magnusson,
Consultant orthodontist, Medical Doctor, Department of Orthodontics, Institute for Postgraduate Dental Education, Region Jönköping County.

Projektmedlemmar

Erik Frilund, Specialist Dentist, Institute for Postgraduate Dental Education Region Jönköping County Public Dental Healthcare Services.

Mikael Sonesson, Consultant Orthodontist, DDS, Faculty of Odontology Malmö University.

Previous or related publications

Patient compliance with Twin Block appliance during treatment of Class II malocclusion: a randomized controlled trial on two check-up prescriptions

Purpose and goal

By recording the usage time of a removable Twinblock brace, we want to evaluate how the 24-hour usage time, the patient's age at the start of treatment, the extent of the bite deviation and the intervals at the dental check-ups affect the outcome of the treatment. The recording of the usage time is done using a digital electronic microsensor (Theramon).

In the past there have not been the conditions to objectively investigate these variables, but with new technology it is possible. The goal of the project is to optimize the treatment with removable braces.

Challenges

Getting patients to follow given advice is often a challenge for the practitioner. This is a common problem in treatment with removable braces, as the treatment is dependent on the patient's cooperation and requires regular use according to the guidelines given by the practitioner. Frequent check-ups with the dentist are also required to see how the treatment is progressing and if any adjustments are needed.

If the patient does not follow the advice and instructions, it can result in the treatment taking a longer time, being more difficult to carry out and giving a worse result. It also becomes more expensive – both for the patient and for society to complete the treatment.

Solution

With today's technology, we can now measure the usage time correctly and objectively. In the braces, a digital sensor (TheraMon) is folded into the acrylic, which is read wirelessly every time the patient goes to the dentist.

The sensor measures the ambient temperature every 15 minutes and can thus determine when the braces are being used by the patient. This method gives us the opportunity to get answers to how the usage time affects the treatment result.

The patients in the study are also divided into two groups with different call intervals, which enables an assessment of how the control intervals affect the usage time.

Effect

Orthodontic treatment with removable orthodontic appliances is a costly treatment and often takes a long time. When the removable braces are used as prescribed, good results can be achieved at a low cost, compared to treatment with fixed braces.

If the course of treatment can be optimized, the outcome of the treatment becomes more predictable. It should lead to cost savings for both the individual and society.