Measuring system for an attitude angle of a denture using an Inertial Measurement Unit

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assemble and verify a measuring system for 3-D movements (attitude angle) of the denture during function.

Methods: For the calibration test, the sensor was fixed at the center of the rotary table. Operation and stopping of the rotary table were repeated 8 times, and the direction of rotation was reversed in the middle. The amount of rotation was 1.2 and 2.4°. As a pilot clinical trial, the attitude angles of three upper complete dentures during tapping were measured by this system.

Results: The attitude angles calculated by this system reduced by 3–4%. Pitch and roll of Subject III were significantly larger than Subjects I and II (P < 0.001), but yaw of Subject: III was significantly smaller than Subject: II (P < 0.01) during tapping. Pitch and yaw of "good" was significantly smaller than "average" in the stability of the dentures (P < 0.001). But roll of "average" was significantly smaller than "good" (P < 0.05). Pitch and yaw of "B" was significantly smaller than "C" in the type of maxillary ridge (P < 0.001). But roll of "C" was significantly smaller than "B" (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: The measurement accuracy of this system was equivalent to that of 3-D motion capture system by four infrared TV cameras. The measuring system using the IMU is reliable and easy to analyze the attitude angle of the denture during function. It may serve a diagnostic appliance to evaluate the quality of the denture.