Bender-type Tooth-Movement Transducer

Abstract

A tooth-movement transducer using bender-type piezoelectric ceramics was developed for the measurement probe of the Tooth Mobility tester. It is small, light and suitable for oral examination and it is possible to evaluate the tooth mobility of a molar in the direction of the tooth axis. The transducer utilizes a set of long and rectangular ceramic beam. It includes two supporting points and it is possible to adjust the resonance frequency by moving two points. This frequency is applied as the measuring frequency. The basic characteristics of the transducer and clinical applicability of the measurement probe are confirmed using an artificial tooth model and human tooth.